Chapter Twenty-Four #2
“I was thinking while we were on the train.”
Uh-oh.
“It’s not like that,” he said hurriedly, seeing her tense. “It’s just about the reason I’m here. I’m here to protect you.”
She cocked her head. “And?”
He gestured to the couch next to her bookshelves in the corner. “I think I should sleep there.”
Scarlett flinched and took a step back. “Why?”
He pulled her closer, refusing to let her back away.
“Just for now, okay? Until you get a bodyguard, I need to focus on keeping you safe. I’ll probably get up a couple of times a night to do a sweep of the house and check the security footage.
I can’t do that if I’m getting lost in you for hours every evening, which I know will happen if I don’t have some discipline. ”
She lifted her chin. “So you’re not rejecting me because you’re mad at me?”
He cupped the nape of her neck. “I’m not rejecting you. I’m putting your safety first. I also don’t want to make this week more intense for you than it needs to be. You need rest.” He swallowed, searching her face for a reaction. “Goddess knows, neither of us slept much last night.”
She stared at the floor. Her thoughts spun as she focused inward, trying to process what he’d just said.
How could she not take this as rejection?
Did he really think it was necessary to sleep on the couch?
She’d probably lie awake later wondering if they were headed for a quick divorce as soon as this was all over.
“Don’t catastrophize,” chided Nori.
Nori was right. He loved her. He did. This was just his control-freak side coming out again, like it had when she’d threatened to leave him behind.
Her chin lifted, and finally, she spoke.
“Whatever you think is best,” she said in a level voice.
It was the best she could do. “Now, come see the mirror from my side. You can put your things in my bureau.” She took his hand and led the way.
Inside the dressing room, Brayden set his bag aside and peered through the gilded mirror. “This is surreal.”
“I had the same reaction in your dad’s office.
” Scarlett wondered how often she and Manon could continue to use this mirror—then she caught sight of the door to Manon’s room.
Which was now Beni’s room. “I’m going to check on Beni.
His room is on the other side of this door.
The bathroom’s through there, if you want to freshen up or anything. ”
He stared at her, concern written all over his face. But all he said was “Thanks.”
She rapped on Beni’s door.
“Come in!”
Manon’s peony scent hit her as she walked into her grandmother’s old room. Beni was at the desk plugging in his laptop. Manon’s floral duvet and sheets lay on the floor in a heap, and Beni’s bedding was wadded up on top of the mattress.
Scarlett went to the closest window and opened it, letting in fresh air. “We can fix this room up so it’s more you. I’ll phone a shipping company tomorrow and have them come get Manon’s stuff out of here, and then we can go shopping for some new stuff, if you like.”
“Sounds good,” he said, not turning toward her.
Scarlett picked up the sheets and started making his bed. After his duvet was spread smoothly over his sheets, she went to stand next to him at his desk. “Are you okay?”
“Like I said on the train, it’s strange to be back here after everything that happened. I’m afraid of her, and I’m afraid for you. I don’t want to pretend everything is fine.”
“You and I don’t have to pretend anything between us,” said Scarlett.
“Brayden too. This won’t last forever. We just need to keep things calm until we’re more in control.
” She looked him up and down. He’d grown taller this summer.
Had it been while she was in bed, asleep?
Or was it that Clair de Lune had changed him as much as it had changed her?
He stared up at her, looking reproachful. “I hope she’s out of here soon.”
“She will be.” Scarlett tried to sound confident, but she was remembering how Laylani had watched Beni walk into the house with that calculating look on her face.
That expression had made her fear for her brother in a new way, and she couldn’t unsee it.
“And we’ll get live-in security soon. Like, tomorrow, if possible.
Is there anything else I can do to put you at ease? ”
“Can’t we go stay somewhere else?” His breathing quickened.
Scarlett leaned down and gave him a hug, trying to soothe him before he got any more anxious. “If we leave, it’ll be harder to take back our home. Plus, Laylani will probably start rumors to try to discredit us if we do anything unusual.” She let her hands fall to her sides and straightened.
He studied the desk. “You’re probably right.” But he clearly didn’t agree.
Scarlett continued. “She can’t say anything if we’re pretending everything’s fine. You’re my heir and my baby brother—I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t think it was for the best. Soon we’ll kick Laylani out and live here by ourselves.” She reached down and patted his back. “I love you, Beni.”
“I love you too,” he said. But he still looked worried.