Page 56 of Aching for His Discretion

“If I find out… that you’ve been lying to me, little girl, you are going to be in serious trouble, not with just the law or authorities… but with me.”

“And do me a favor… Say hi to Mr. Amante for me, will you?”

TEEGAN!!

I stopped in my tracks as I began to feel lightheaded.

Everything is fine… It has to be. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Everything is—

“Tesoro?” I heard behind me, and I felt my skin crawl slightly as my shoulders tensed. Turning around, Levi pushed some hair out of my face as I gazed up at him almost wide-eyed.

“Is everything all right, baby?” he asked, concern laced in his voice, and I took a deep breath before a smile came to my face.

“Just had to grab some last-minute things after I finished packing.Everything is fine.”

“Bye, baby. I’ll miss you so much,” I whispered as I smothered Grayson’s face with kisses while we stood inside Elliot’s apartment. It had much of the same dark, expensive aesthetic as Levi’s.

Grayson purred as I hugged him close to me and sighed. This would be the first time I left him alone for more than a day, and although I trusted the guys to watch him, I would still miss him.

“Tell me again why the cat has to stay here tonight?” Elliot asked, and Levi sent him a glare as Nico spoke.

“Because I’m getting him tomorrow, and Micah’s taking over after that.”

Micah shrugged. “Think of it like joint custody,” he reasoned, and Elliot rolled his eyes.

“Have fun, okay?” I said to my little fur baby, and he purred before allowing me to let him down. Immediately he walked away to begin exploring, and I looked over at Elliot.

“Make sure your windows stay closed, doors locked, and cabinets closed too… he likes to explore.”

“I’m sorry. Are we watching a cat or a fucking toddler?” Micah asked.

Levi stood up. “Watch your mouth. Let’s go, Tesoro.”

“Bye, guys! Thanks again!” I said, smiling, and they replied with their versions of “you’re welcome.”

Upon making it outside Levi’s car, thoughts of events from earlier began to surface.

What did Theo know? He already admitted to watching me… so he had to know something was up. And Levi… if he has a second phone, then all that he showed me to prove his innocence could be a lie. Mitchel, Alec…

And here you are going halfway around the world with him.

You’re not helping!

I didn’t even notice we were at the airport already until Levi opened the passenger-side door for me. I looked up at him, and he helped me out of the car slowly.

“Tesoro... you’ve been acting strange all afternoon,” he said, and I sighed as he pulled me into his embrace.

“Just a little nervous, is all…” I whispered truthfully, and he hummed as he rubbed circles with his thumb on my lower back. My small worrisome thoughts began to drift away as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“My sweet Tesoro... Nothing to be nervous about, hmm? We’ll be back before you know it, and we can leave wheneveryou want. No pressure for you to stay anywhere you’re uncomfortable.”

He’s right. There’s nothing to be nervous about… everything is going to be justfine.

Chapter twenty-four

Levi

Taking a sip of my whiskey from the balcony of our suite, I watched my Tesoro by the ocean as she rubbed her feet in the sand.

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