Page 34 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

“Yes,bella. Show me this room. Then you can tell me everything.”

We turn and head for the stairs so I can lead him back to my room. I am talking a mile a minute as we go. I tell him about my classes and how much I love to play at school. It’s nothing like the school I went to with the mean girls.

I haven’t made friends yet, but no one has been mean to me. I’m talking so much; I don’t realize I haven’t given Michael a chance to get a word in. I pause as he stands looking around my room.

“Oh. I am sorry. I will be quiet so you can talk,” I murmur.

“You are fine, Sim. I’m happy to listen to how happy you are. I can almost find it in my heart to be okay with not hearing you play every day.”

I gasp. “Wait, that reminds me. I have a gift for you,” I say and rush to get the box with the gift I have for him.

I retrieve the box from my bedside table and turn to hand it to him. He takes the box with an amused smile on his lips. I watch with bated breath as he opens it.

He pulls the lid off the box and pulls the pocket watch from inside. I smile as he brushes his thumb across the design on the outside. It’s his initials, MD. He clicks the button to open the watch, and “Für Elise” begins to play, bringing a smile to his lips. My heart swells.

I will forever think of him whenever I hear this song. It makes me think of the time when he gave me my first piano and sat to play with me. He lifts his blue gaze to look at me and smiles.

“Thank you, Sim. I have something for you too.”

I reach for the band on my wrist and begin to pop it. Michael places the watch in his pocket and turns to my vanity, where my jewelry box sits. I watch him closely.

He opens the jewelry box and reaches in for my rings. He then pulls a box from his other pocket and turns to hold it out to me. Confused, I step forward slowly.

“Wh … what is it?” I ask as I take the box with shaky hands.

“Open it.”

I open the box and find a pretty necklace resting inside. I pull it out and hold it up. It’s a white gold wheat chain.

Michael takes it from my fingertips and opens it. He then slides my rings onto the chain. He holds the chain up and motions me to him.

I turn and he places it around my neck. I reach to cover the rings as they rest against my skin. Looking over my shoulder, I stare up at him.

“How does it feel? Does it bother you?” he asks with concern.

“No. Thank you. I will not take it off. Thank you, Michael.”

He holds my gaze as he reaches for one of my locs. “This is gorgeous on you. What made you change it?”

I turn away and take a step away from him. I love his touch, but I feel like I’m about to lose control. I begin to pop the band on my wrist and try not to start chewing on my tongue.

I’m afraid to do something to mess the moment up. The butterflies in my belly are taking over. I never told him why I don’t wear my rings, but I feel as if he knows.

Michael seems to know me better than I know myself sometimes. It’s in the way he watches and studies me. I get the feeling he wants to know what makes me tick.

It takes me a moment to get it together. I still don’t know how to tell him my feelings. A part of me feels like it’s better not to.

“I wanted to do something different. Something I would be able to maintain without a lot of fuss,” I say to answer his question.

He nods. “Come, let’s go get something to eat.”

CHAPTER 19

Brokenhearted

Michael

Now that I’ve seen the fortress Uri has built around Sim I believe I might have made the right decision after all. Especially since we weren’t given the go-ahead to execute Trovati.

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