Page 83 of Closer

After the officers finish up, they leave, and Sebastian closes the door behind them.

He walks back to me, stopping a few feet away. “Come on. Let’s go.”

Chapter 24

Sebastian

Lil is asleep in the passenger seat, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. We long arrived at my apartment, but fuck, I can’t bring myself to move, afraid I might shatter the peace she’s finally found after the shit of tonight.

When I first saw her, drenched and trembling in nothing but a towel, my heart nearly stopped. I wanted to never let go, to shield her from the world and all the fucked up things in it.

Truth is, I followed her home after her date. Didn’t even need to intervene—the guy was a total joke. But I couldn’t leave until I saw her safely inside. Then I drove off, only to get Gem’s call half an hour later.

Thank god for my sister telling me something was wrong.

And those cameras Connor set up? I was ready to wring the bastard’s neck for planting them, invading Lil’s and my sister’s privacy like that. But in that moment, seeing those men ransacking their place, I was fucking grateful. I alerted the cops and raced back, my mind consumed with one thought: get to Lil. Protect her. Keep her safe, no matter what.

And now, here we are.

She’s here, with me, and for the first time all night, I can breathe. I gently brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin. I know we’ve got a long road ahead of us, a lot of shit to work through.

In a twisted way, those burglars did me a favor. They brought her back into my arms and gave me a chance to have her close, to redeem myself and beg for her forgiveness. Be the man my mother said I could be. For Lil. For my princess.

I ease out of the driver’s seat, careful not to let the door slam. I don’t want to risk waking her, but she needs a bed. Moving to the passenger side, I open her door gently. She doesn’t stir, lost in a deep slumber. I unbuckle her seatbelt and scoop her up into my arms, her head instinctively nuzzling into my chest.

“Sebastian.”

“I’m here. Don’t worry.” I carry her to the elevator and step inside, hitting the button for my floor.

Lil mumbles incoherently, her breath warm against my neck, and I tighten my hold. This feels so right, so fucking natural, having her in my arms like this. She belongs here. With me.

Reaching my apartment, I navigate to the bedroom and lay her down on the king-size bed, slipping off her sneakers. She looks so small, so vulnerable. Fragile like a porcelain doll. I tuck the covers around her, making sure she’s warm and comfortable.

She curls onto her side, clutching at the pillow under her head. “Sebastian.” Her hand reaches out.

“Shh, princess.” I brush her cheek with my knuckles. “Sleep. I’m here.”

Her eyes flutter open briefly, unfocused and heavy with exhaustion. “Please don’t leave me again.”

God, there’s nothing I want more. I’m sorry, princess. I’m so fucking sorry for ever doubting and leaving you.

I press a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be right back, princess. I promise.”

She nods sleepily, her eyes already drifting shut again.

I slip out of the room, pulling out my phone. Time to make some calls and sort this out. Mary and Gemma are probably worried sick. The screen of my phone lights up with several missed calls and texts. Work will have to wait. Lil’s well-being is my top priority.

I’m about to call my sister when her face appears on my screen.

“Hey Gem, what’s up?”

“What do you mean what’s up? Bash! Is everything okay? How’s Lil?” Gemma asks.

“Lil’s fine. She’s sleeping right now.”

“Thank God. What happened?” Mary asks.

“Someone broke into the apartment. I found her hiding in the bathroom. She’s shaken up but not hurt.”

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