Page 68 of Severed Rivalry
To my surprise, Ayla hired a service during my recuperation. They’ve been in to clean the house, change the linens on the beds, and even re-stock the fridge.
I’m not Suzy Q Homemaker, but I keep up. With all day ahead of me, and no chores to do or errands to run, I’m at a loss. But I know I need some physical exertion.
The color in my face is that soft, gross yellow-green that comes after bruises leave but are still hanging on. Running and weights are both still out, but a long walk is doable and it’s happening.
Two hours later, Eleanor and I return home to Liam lounging in my recliner, thumbs flying over the device in his hands, as if he hadn’t broken into my home without even a word.
“Make yourself at home.” I hope the sarcasm is evident in my tone.
“I did. Thanks.” He snaps his fingers and gives a shrill whistle and Eleanor beelines it to his side. Butt down, chin up, she takes everything my brother offers before sliding onto herbelly and flopping to one side with a groan. She’ll nap for a while.
“This is unusual,” I offer after downing a huge glass of water. “What brings you my way?”
“I upgraded security at Ayla’s after they left yesterday. I want to do the same here, but we never discussed it.” He extends his tatted hand like a magician. “We’re discussing.”
“Do it. You know better than I do what I need. I don’t want her”—I dip my head to a snoring Eleanor—“to set off sensors. But I’m about it. And can you do it at Sariah’s?”
He pauses and stares at me as if he can see the veins tied together over muscle and bone. That is to say, straight through me, before bobbing his head.
“Yup. You gonna tell her?”
“I hadn’t considered not telling her. She needs to feel secure in her home and after this”—I point to my left side—“it’s a little something I can restore.”
“Her place would be easy to breach and easy to wire. How long before you move her in here?”
“We’ve only been talking for two weeks, Li.” I stand behind the chair opposite him, my arms resting on its back.
“Not what I asked, but okay.”
“We haven’t talked about it. We haven’t talked about a lot of things.”
“So, a month? Two?”
“She has a daughter and they’re a unit. They’ve got to be comfortable with a lot of change. And while I get the feeling they are, I want it to be on their terms.”
“So you’re moving in with them?”
I just stare at him. It’s not that easy.
“The kid is cool. She’s smart and strong. Not a fan of sitting outside in the cold, but at least I was entertained.”
“She’s great. A little teenager-ey, but funny.”
“You gonna give both of them your name?”
I drop my head to my shoes. When I look up the fucker is grinning at me. Grinning.
“As soon as I can, bro.”
His grin goes wide and points a thumb to his chest. “Last man standing. Not that it should surprise anyone.”
“When you fall, you’ll topple.”
“It’ll take a hell of a woman.”
There’s no doubt.
“You’ve got free rein here to do what you need. I’ll get you dates on their house.”
