Page 77 of Nine Months to Love
She nods, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. She wants to know more. To help. And if I tell her about Mikayla, she’ll insist on talking to her. On trying to understand why Mikayla betrayed us, on finding some way to fix it.
I can’t let that happen. Mikayla is too unstable, too dangerous. I won’t risk Olivia getting hurt.
“Come on,” I say, holding out my hand. “Let’s get you dried off and fed. You need to eat.”
She takes my hand and lets me pull her up. As we head inside, guilt gnaws at my stomach. I just told her I want honestybetween us. I just painted this picture of our future together, built on trust and choice. And then I lied to her face.
But it’s for her own good. To keep her safe. That’s what matters.
… Right?
I push the doubt away and focus on getting Olivia warm and comfortable. The lie can wait. The truth can wait, too.
Everything can wait as long as she’s safe.
25
OLIVIA
The manor feels different when we return. Or maybe it’s just me who’s different.
Stefan’s hand rests on the small of my back as we walk through the front door. He’s stayed within arm’s reach of me since he dragged me out of the water. In all honesty, I don’t mind one bit.
“You should rest,” he says. “You almost drowned this morning.”
“I didn’t almost drown. I was swimming and got caught in a current. There’s a difference.”
His jaw tightens. “Olivia.”
“Stefan.”
We scowl at each other. Then his mouth quirks up at one corner. “You’re impossible.”
“Says the most overprotective man who’s ever manned overprotectively.”
“I’m appropriately protective,” he retorts, “given that you keep putting yourself in danger.”
I start to argue, but footsteps interrupt us. One of the staff appears in the hallway. “Mr. Safonov, there’s a visitor for Dr. Aster.”
Stefan tenses immediately. “Who?”
“A Ms. Nguyen. She says she’s expected.”
The relief is instant and overwhelming. “Camille. I texted her earlier that I was coming back today.”
Stefan relaxes but doesn’t move his hand from my back. “Where is she?”
“The sitting room, sir.”
“Thank you.”
We walk together down the hall. Camille is perched on the edge of one of the sofas, looking around with wide eyes. When she sees me, she jumps up. “Liv!”
She pulls me into a hug that’s too tight and too long, and I realize she was actually worried. Really worried.
“I’m okay,” I murmur into her shoulder. “Pinky swear.”
“You disappeared for days. Days, Olivia! Do you know how freaked out I was?”
