Page 91 of Stone Vows

“Is that why you came back?” Charlie asks. “You ran out of money?”

I shake my head. “Money was tight, but I was managing. I had sold some jewelry and I was babysitting for some of the moms I met at Mommy and Me.”

“Then why come back? Especially if you think he knows you are in New York?” Baylor asks.

I don’t even realize it when I look over at Kyle’s bedroom.

“Oh, my God!” Baylor squeals. “You’re in love with him!”

“I knew it!” Mallory yells.

“You owe me ten bucks,” Skylar says to Piper.

My jaw drops in disbelief. “You bet on me?” I ask, watching Piper get out her wallet to make good on her bet.

Skylar laughs. “We all knew you and Kyle were right for each other. Even Piper. But she pegged you for a runner.”

I look at Piper and her eyes look sad as they hold mine. But what I see in them is something . . . familiar.

“I’m still running, you know,” I tell them. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to resume my identity. He could come after me. After Ellie. I can’t risk that.”

“Kyle will protect you. Those Stone brothers are very good at protecting the ones they love,” Baylor says.

“It’s not like that,” I tell them. “Kyle and I aren’t together. He’s letting us stay here for our safety, not because he wants to get together with me. I blew that chance when I walked out of the hospital six months ago.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Charlie says. “I see that man once a week at dinner. He may say he’s over you. He may even think he is. But the eyes never lie. He’s lost, Lexi. Those weeks you were in the hospital, he was a different person. He’s always been happy, but back then he was, I don’t know . . . glowing, for lack of a better word. I’d never seen him like that before and I’ve not seen him like that since. That is not a man who just wants to be friends with you. Believe me.”

“I appreciate your support and optimism,” I tell them. “I really do. But I can tell Kyle is still very hurt and guarded, even now that he knows my past. He’s helping me because that’s who he is—a nice guy who helps people. A doctor who wants to change the world. He’d do it for anyone. Heck, he did it for me before he even really knew me.”

Skylar elbows Piper. “Care to make another wager?”

Piper rolls her eyes at her sister.

“Regardless, I’ll bet Ethan can help you with your Grant problem,” Mallory says. “He has lots of connections. Maybe even at Chicago P.D.”

Baylor and Skylar and Mallory all try to convince me to let Ethan help, while Charlie and Piper look at me with sympathetic eyes.

“No,” I tell them in no uncertain terms. “I already told Kyle and Caden that I don’t want Grant contacted. There are just too many laws that protect those who shouldn’t be protected.”

“She’s right,” Charlie says, coming to my defense. “We all know scumbags get away with too much as it is. She can’t risk her daughter. Are we in agreement, girls?”

All five of them put their hands on top of one another’s. Then they look at me and nod to the top of their hand pile. I place my hand on top and it somehow feels like in doing so, I’ve become one of them. A sister of sorts. Someone they will protect.

I’ve always wanted a sister. Now I have five.

Tears spill down my cheeks.

Baylor hugs me. “It’s okay, Lexi. We’re here for you, whatever you need.”

I nod, wiping the wetness from my face. “Thank you. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Say you’ll be my assistant,” she says.

I look at her with drawn brows. “What? Surely you’ve filled the position by now.”

She laughs. “I did. And it was a horrible train wreck. The girl didn’t know a hyperbole from a simile. She lasted about six weeks before I realized I was spending more time telling her how to do her job than I was doingmyjob.”

I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say with resounding regret. “I can’t work as Alexa Lucas. He’ll find me if I do. And I can’t get paid as Elizabeth Smith—I have no identification. No bank account or social security number.”

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