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“I remember. Your face changed and then you ordered them to take me away.”
She nodded, biting her lower lip. “It was a test, like everything. If I revealed that I cared for you at all, they would’ve used you, tortured you, and probably killed you to manipulate and mold me.” She looked at the wall beyond him. “I’m so sorry, Hays. I lost all hope that day and my heart broke for what I had to do to keep you off their radar. I’ve lived in fear the past fourteen years that they’d remember you and use you against me.”
Hays blew out a breath. “Ah, Liz … Of course I forgive you, and I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be sorry.” She knocked her shoulder against the doorframe.
He wanted to reach out for her, but he had never seen her so jumpy. She was usually completely in control. He wasn’t sure which was more concerning.
“I should’ve come back for you, penetrated their defenses again, but this time brought support and stolen you away.”
She smiled briefly. He stepped forward, but she held up a hand. “I wouldn’t have come with you,” she said, her voice tremulous.
“Oh.” He stepped back again. “I thought …”
“Not because I wouldn’t have wanted to.” She met his gaze, and he could see that she’d had dreams of them together too. “I could never have left Quaid and Jacey.”
He could understand that. His parents were incredible, but if his sisters were ever in danger … he’d do anything to keep them safe.
“I’m sorry,” she said again.
“It’s all right. I understand.”
“Thank you.” She looked him over. “You can understand better than most how dark my father is. Will you help Aiden take my father seriously? Quaid, Aiden, and Sutton can’t underestimate him for a moment.”
Hays nodded, trying to focus on the redirection when he longed to keep talking about their relationship, what they could have had. “We’re all taking this very seriously, Liz. Please trust me. Aiden and some of the Colevilles might make light of things or act cocky, but that’s simply the way they deal with the pressure. We will keep you safe, and Quaid and Aiden will work with Sutton to figure out the right path to prevent your father from ever hurting you or anyone else again.”
“You said you believe me, but I don’t know if I can believe you,” she said. Her blue eyes asked him not to be offended. “I believe that you mean what you say, but I don’t know how to believe that I’ll stay safe or that anybody could best my father.”
He nodded. There was no way to persuade her. He’d have to show her. “Knock knock,” he said.
She didn’t stare at him as if he’d lost his mind like the first time he had told her a knock-knock joke years ago, but she didn’t smile like she had many other times. “Who’s there?”
“Says.”
“Says who?” She did gift him with a partial smile and at least played along.
“Says me.” He eased in and let himself cup her smooth cheek with his palm. “That you will be safe in my care.”
Her pulse quickened. He tenderly ran the pad of his thumb across her cheek and along the softness of her full lower lip. His own heart raced out of control.
This was not the moment to kiss her. He knew that. Why he leaned down and wanted to cheer when she arched up wasn’t something he stopped to consider.
Steps sounded on the stairs.
Elizabeth stepped back into the doorframe, and Hays’s hand fell to the side.
Mama Millie rushed down the hall, effectively interrupting their moment for a second time. Was that on purpose? She had a stack of clean towels and insisted they take their time, but breakfast was hot and ready whenever they wanted.
Elizabeth gave Hays a reluctant look but turned back to her room to dress and get ready for the day. Hays waited just outside the door. When she walked out wearing a simple pale blue tank top and matching shorts that set off her smooth, olive-toned skin and dark hair and revealed lean arms and legs, his pulse took off at a gallop.
He offered his hand. Elizabeth placed her palm against his, and he wrapped his fingers around the back of her hand. All was right with the world in that moment.
“Knock knock,” he said.
She smiled and shook her head. She’d claimed as eighteen-year-olds that she loved his knock-knock jokes. Did she think they were ridiculous now? After all they’d each been through, maybe they were ridiculous.
“Who’s there?” she asked.
