Chapter 11
“Shut up,” Colt clipped at Trace.
He shoved to his feet, glaring at his friend. “You’re making a huge mistake. And you won’t realize just how badly you’ve fucked up until it’s too late.”
Trace turned and stalked out of the room before Colt could respond.
Dash smiled. It was the kind of smile that was easy and warm. “That went better than I thought.”
I turned to Colt. “Maybe this was a mistake.”
“No.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed. “That wasn’t about Trace not wanting you here. He’s just…worried. Our world isn’t always an easy one.”
I was sure that was true. With great privilege came a whole new set of risks.
I glanced at Ronan, who’d been silent through the whole exchange. And I couldn’t help but wonder if he was on Trace’s side when it came to me. His gaze bored into me, but I couldn’t read what was behind those eyes. It was as if he’d lowered some sort of wall, and I was on the outside.
“Come on,” Colt said. “I’ll take you to your room so you can get some sleep.”
I worried the side of my lip but moved to follow him.
“See you tomorrow,” Dash called.
I glanced over my shoulder. Part of me wanted to run back to Dash, to drown in his warmth and kindness. Instead, I just nodded, unable to get any words out.
As I followed Colt out of the room, I could feel Ronan’s eyes on me, but I was too scared to look in his direction. I didn’t want to risk seeing his displeasure at my presence here.
Once we were in the hallway, Colt waited for me to catch up to him. “Don’t let Trace get to you. He’s surly on a good day.”
“I don’t want to make him uncomfortable in his own home.”
“You’re not, I promise. He’s just got some baggage, and it’s coloring things now.”
I wanted to press, curious about the guy with the haunting violet eyes. But I didn’t. I wouldn’t invade his privacy that way. Instead, I asked another question. “What about Ronan? Does he want me here?”
Colt sighed as he climbed the stairs. “He wants you here, but he also doesn’t think it’s safe.”
My steps slowed. “Are you in the mafia?”
The question slipped out before I could stop it, but it was the only thing that made sense. The bodyguards, the crazy security measures, the wealth.
A laugh burst out of Colt. “The mafia?”
My cheeks heated. “All this talk about what’s safe, the men in black, what am I supposed to think?”
Colt’s smile faltered. “We’re not in the mafia. But our lives do come with risks. Living with us, you’ll be exposed to that…”
My gaze narrowed on Colt’s face, trying to read between the lines.
“But we’ll keep you safe.” Shadows flitted across his eyes. “You weren’t safe at home.”
I shivered at that. Safe with Maryanne and Chuck was the last thing I was. Whatever the risks were here, at least I wasn’t dealing with them. “Thank you. I’m not sure why you did it, but thank you.”
Colt’s breathing grew labored, as if he were struggling to keep himself in check. “I may not have been there when you needed me before, but I’m here now. You’re not alone anymore.”
The simple words made tears burn the backs of my eyes. “Okay.” It was all I could seem to get out.
Colt forced a smile. “Come on. I want to show you your room. I remembered you used to like blue, so that’s what I told the designer.”
“Designer?”
“We had to get the place ready for you.” Colt came to a stop at a set of double doors. He opened one and ushered me inside.
I gaped at the sight that greeted me. This wasn’t a bedroom.
It was more like an apartment. There was a sitting area around a massive window that included a window seat.
The study area had a desk, complete with a laptop and a fancy chair.
Bookcases filled with an array of textbooks and novels flanked it.
The entire space felt like a peaceful beach.
Light blue walls that were calming. A massive bed that looked as if it were made from driftwood.
Bedding that looked so fluffy, it might be able to swallow me whole.
A fancy cat tree was positioned next to another window, and Briar sat atop it, bathing her paws.
“Come on,” Colt urged, leading me toward another door. “This is your bathroom.”
We stepped inside, and I gasped. The entire space was white and gray marble, with gleaming silver fixtures.
There was a shower large enough to fit a football team.
I couldn’t even count all the spray nozzles in the enclosure.
There were two sinks with huge mirrors above them and a station that looked like it was for getting ready.
But the item that stole my breath was the bathtub. How long had it been since I’d taken a bath? I didn’t even know. I hadn’t been able to let my guard down like that in years.
I stepped forward, the gorgeous porcelain pulling me in. The massive tub sat in front of a huge picture window that I had a feeling had a view of the water. My fingers ghosted over the rim as my chest clenched.
“Do you like it?” Colt asked.
I turned slowly toward him, the pressure behind my eyes building. “This is too much,” I croaked.
Colt grinned. “We’re just getting started.”