Chapter 224
Reed stood at the door, and I quickly shoved the picture in my pocket.
“Hey p>
“She’s finally asleep p>
“Yeah, like a log p>
I switched off the big lights, and I stepped out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
“You’re home early. How was work?” I walked down the stairs, and when I didn’t get a reply, I faced him.
“Don’t give me that look I said. “Reed p>
“I still think this is a bad idea p>
“We already talked about this I turned away to wash the dishes. “Had dinner yet? I can heat some leftovers and p>
“I know you’ve been contacting Tori p>
I paused before I resumed.
“There is no need to scold me about it. We’re gonna meet my grandparents already, so it’s only right we start talking p>
“Cat, we only agreed on your grandparents; anyone else is too risky p>
“Risky?
“I know, but we still need to be careful p>
I set the plate down and faced him.
“Reed, just listen, okay. Esme is gonna be happy with this, and I want her to be happy. Have you seen the way she talks to Gramps on the phone? She has a family out there, and I’m not gonna hide that away from her, not them, no matter how hard this is. Not them p>
“I know he nodded in understanding, and he always does.
“Good p>
He snickered, but it was brief.
“What p>
“After all these years, I still feel like I’m your bodyguard p>
“W-What do you mean p>
“You know what I mean p>
My mouth hung before I shut them close. Silence passed between us, and I grew nervous when he closed the distance. I gripped the sink tightly behind me, avoiding his gaze.
Over the years, there has been this shift between us, and the kind where the term “friends” was becoming a mirage. Even though we haven’t taken any steps to cross the line, any time I was near him, I could discern it was growing thin.
“You told me to take you away he began softly, emotions thickening in his voice. “I still remember that day, that night when I saw you in the lobby covered in blood and how you cried in my arms. You couldn’t take it anymore, and what happened with Ares he paused.
I exhaled a shaky breath, not wanting to recall that night. The nightmares were more than enough for me.
“I knew I had to protect you p>
“And you, did,” I said with a stiff smile. “I can’t seem to thank you enough p>
He shook his head slowly. “You don’t need to thank me, Cat.” He adjusted my glasses properly. “You know I’m always here for you no matter what, right p>
“Yeah I mumured.
I didn’t realize he had gotten closer until I felt his breath on my face, our lips inches apart.
“Esme is like a daughter to me, and I’ll keep her safe no matter what. She’ll meet your grandparents as planned, but we have to do it right. We can’t afford too much attention p>
“Okay p>
His lips pressed against mine, but I pulled back.
“I’m sorry, I just I slipped out for a breather.
I felt irritated in a way like I had done something wrong, all I could do was hug myself and hope the feeling would just die out, but it ony increased, and bile filled my throat.
“I’m sorry too p>
Hearing his voice behind me, I could feel the hurt in them. I knew he had feelings for me, but I just couldn’t accept it.
“I thought we both wanted this p>
“This just feels too forward, too fast, and… wrong p>
“Wrong?” he asked, amused. “You told me you never really married him and that it was all a contract. Which he terminated, remember p>
“Reed p>
“You don’t owe him anything. Your feelings, your tears, nothing. He broke your heart p>
“And I put a bullet through his heart.” It felt like I was being ripped to pieces saying that out loud.
He swallowed. “His father killed your parents p>
My eyes stung, and I was forced to look away.
“Have you forgotten p>
“How could I?!” I snapped.
“You wanna protect Esme, don’t you p>
“Of course I do. That was the only reason I never looked back p>
“I’ll do too, no matter what, and I’ll do whatever it takes. You didn’t want anything to do with the Kings. You wanted to move on, and you did. To stay clear of that world of crime and darkness. But why does it seem like you’re still stuck p>
“I’m not stuck p>
He came closer. “Then why haven’t you given us a chance p>
I didn’t reply. I had no idea why. When I found out I was pregnant, it changed everything. I spent the entire week in shock, hoping the report was wrong when the evidence stared right back at me.
At first, it was all denial, and I didn’t want it, but having a life grow inside me, spending those months waiting for her to come, gave me a light in the darkness. I knew I had to be strong for her, no matter what.
I made a promise never to go back to that city or have anything to do with the Kings’, to protect her from that world.
Reed stuck by me the entire time, and if it weren’t for him, I’d have been lost. It was only natural that I let him in and move on.
I don’t know why the fuck I keep going back, looking at those articles to keep tabs on Ares. It wasn’t fair to me or Reed or Esme. How can I protect her if I can’t, for once in my life, let go?
“I’m sorry I said faintly.
“Don’t apologise p>
“I just… this is hard, and all I want right now is this visit. If there’s one step I wanna take right now, it’s that p>
Reed nodded. “Of course He slowly backed away before going up the stairs.