Page 49 of Guarded from Danger

“This is so much fun, Xavier.” Lucy beams up at me, her blue eyes sparkling. She hugs me as she continues, “Playing darts, and pool, and dancing… it reminds me of the first time you brought me here to meet your friends.”

“So you’re having a good time?”

“Yes. Definitely.” Then more seriously, “I was nervous about coming. But then I remembered something.”

“What, sunshine?”

Her gaze meets mine. “I know you won’t let anything happen to me. And I realized… it doesn’t matter where I am. As long as I’m with you, I feel safe.”

Oh.

Hearing Lucy say that is incredible and bittersweet at the same time. To know she trusts me that much… but also it’s another reminder of the times I’ve let her down.

“Ah, Luce.” My voice goes rough. “Youaresafe. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I know.” She stretches up to kiss me, her lips lingering on mine for a second. “Now. I’m a little hungry. Do you think there’s any pizza left?”

Glancing over at the cluster of tables we shoved together for the Blade and Arrow contingent, I spot two pizzas with half the slices left. “Looks like it. Want to head over?”

“Sure.” Lucy slips her hand inside mine. “And Rylan and Charlie are sitting over there with Erin and Conor. I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to them yet.”

A minute later, we’re seated around one of the tables, worn and scratched from years of use. Initials and hearts are etched into the dark wood, little reminders of the dozens of people who sat here before. It’s something the owner, John, mentioned one time—that he purposefully left the tables as they were instead of refinishing them to look like new.

“I like seeing the names,” he told me. “It’s like a little bit of history. Couples that met, fell in love, got married. Some of the famous people who come through on their way to the city. Locals who come here every week. It gives this place character.”

It’s just one of the reasons I like The Bar—yes, that’s what it’s actually called—over the more upscale places in downtownSeguin or San Antonio. This is a place that feels comfortable. Welcoming. It’s the kind of place where the owner didn’t hesitate closing to the public once I explained why.

And it makes me think Lucy and I should have our names here, too.

“I’m so thrilled to finally get to talk to you,” Charlie enthuses, smiling warmly at Lucy. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Lucy returns the smile. “Good things, I hope.”

Charlie nods. “Oh, yes. When Xavier came for our wedding, he wouldn’t stop talking about this new woman he just started dating. How smart she was, and talented, and beautiful, and how she just lit up the room when she smiled.”

“Xav might not want you saying all that,” Rylan interrupts gently. He puts his hand over Charlie’s, the silver of his wedding band contrasting against his tan skin.

“Why not? It’s not like anything he said was bad.”

“It’s fine,” I assure Charlie. “It’s all true. Lucy’s all of those things and more.”

Charlie and Erin make anawwingsound in unison.

Rylan flashes me a knowing grin. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“What day?” Erin asks, her forehead creasing in confusion.

I take Lucy’s hand, casting her a soft look before turning back to Erin. “The day I found the woman I wanted to be with.”

“Xavier always said he didn’t do relationships,” Rylan explains. Then he smirks. “I’ve heard some other people I know say the same thing. But once they meet the right person…”

Charlie nudges Rylan, smiling affectionately at him. “Sounds kind of familiar, doesn’t it?”

Rylan kisses her cheek. “Yes. But once I met you, I just knew.” To Lucy, he says, “I was worried about compromising Charlie’s protection. That my feelings for her would cloud myfocus. But then I realized I was making the decision for her, instead of letting Charlie decide what she wanted for herself.”

“And I knew I wanted you,” Charlie says as she gazes at Rylan. Something passes between them, something I wouldn’t have recognized before meeting Lucy.

Real love.

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