“Oh, I don’t doubt it.”

I stood and grabbed the sheets to help her settle into bed. “You need to get some rest.”

She scooted in and cringed a little as she lifted her injured leg onto the mattress. “I hate jet lag. Sleeping for hours in the afternoon is such a waste of precious time.”

“I’ll be back later to check on you.”

“Before you go, could you grab my pain tablets for me? It’s in the side pocket of my handbag. I keep two on my bedside table because I hate waking up to a throbbing leg.”

“Sure.” Her Louis Vuitton bag was set on the couch by the window, a bag that would have been the envy of every fashionista in New York. The side pocket zipped open smoothly, and I reached inside, my fingers brushing against something cold. It was a key. A heavy brass key with rusty embellishments that reminded me of vintage houses and hand carved doors. “This an odd key to carry around. Do you have one of those two-hundred-year-old trunks with a bolt and keys you carry your clothes around in?” I teased as I dropped the key back into her bag and grabbed her pills.

Elena smiled. “That, my dear, is a souvenir.”

“Of what?”

The smile lingered on her lips as if the memory brought her joy. “Of the day I found the door that led me to the peace I’ve always longed for.”

Intrigued, I hovered next to the bed. “Tell me more.”

“That, I can’t do.”

“How so?” I placed the tablets on her bedside table.

“Because some stories aren’t meant to be told.” The brown swirls in her eyes were filled with mystery, her untold secret piquing my curiosity.

“Okay. Maybe one day I’ll get you to tell me the story,” I teased with a wink.

“Oh, I doubt that very much.”

I took her hand and squeezed lightly. “Get some rest.”

I reached the door when Elena called after me. “Mila?”

“Yeah?” I turned to face her.

“Don’t give up on him.”

My heart swelled a little, the sincerity in her voice tugging at the compassion that lingered in my chest. “I’ll try…but no promises. Now, rest.”

I closed the door and rested my palm against the wood. Relief flowed through me, easing every muscle in my body. Elena always knew just what to say to give me hope. To give me strength to be able to face a world with a man like Saint in it.

“She’s good with you.”

I closed my eyes at the sound of his familiar voice.

“She calms you.”

“Yeah. She does.” I turned to face him. He seemed different now, more in control and less malicious.

I placed my hands behind my back and leaned against the door. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but…thank you.”

“For what?”

My gaze dropped to floor. “For…you know,taking careof those men.”

His dark brows almost touched his hairline. “Are you saying thank you because I had them killed?”

“Don’t get me wrong, Saint. I’ll never condone the killing of another human being. What I am saying is thank you for caring so much that you’re willing to do that for me.”