Page 137 of Coerced Queen

Massaging the stiff and tired muscles of my neck, I open the front door for them.

Nicole goes on tiptoes and kisses my cheek.“Let me know if Anya’s wound gets infected.”

“Yeah.”I rub my nape.“Now that Anya recruited you, I don’t have to feel bad about calling you at all hours of the night.”

“Hold on there,” Logan says.“This was a once-off thing, right?”

Nicole pushes him out the door.“Let’s drag our asses to bed.I’m exhausted.”

I nod at Dante.“Send a couple of men with them just in case.”

“Do you expect trouble?”Logan asks with a nervous frown.

“No.”My tone is dry.“But I never take anything for granted.”

“Call me if you need me,” Dante says with meaning before following the Wades outside.

When I finally close the door, I turn to Livy.“I don’t know how to thank you.”

“No thanks is necessary.”She smiles sweetly.“I did what anyone who loves Anya and Claire as much as I do would do.”

I doubt that.I don’t think many people would’ve walked into a room full of armed men with the hope of getting out alive.

“Let’s make one thing clear.”My voice holds a warning.“Don’t let this ever happen again.”

She lifts her chin with defiance, her ponytail swinging at her back.“I’ll do what I have to.Don’t forget I’m many years older than you.I’m sorry to say, but you don’t get to tell me what to do.”

I suppress a groan.“We will talk about this.Later.For now?—”

“Yes?”

She looks at me expectantly, innocently almost, as we walk to the elevator.I’m too fucking tired for the stairs.

“What would you say if I asked you to stay here?”

She studies me sideways.“As in permanently?”

I push the button to call down the elevator.“Anya and I like having you here.Claire too.That’s to say if you feel the same.”

“Let me think about it,” she says with a ladylike nod when I hold the door for her.

I smile.“Whenever you’re ready.”

On the second floor, she steps out ahead of me.“Don’t be too hard on her.”She turns to face me.“Not tonight.”

“I won’t,” I lie.

Because I’m going to demand some answers.

Because Anya nearly died.

Fuck.

She killed Raphael Morelli.

I need a drink.

“Nighty night,” Livy says, giving me a finger wave.

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