Page 117 of The Broken Keys

She studies me. “Why did it take so long for us to get back together? It’s so confusing. I know I love you, so what happened?”

“Honestly, I fucked up and you moved to Paris.”

She rests her head on the back of the couch, staring at the ceiling. “Maybe I should forget about trying to force my memory to return.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Trying to bring it all back gives me terrible headaches. It’s obvious to me that something I don’t want to remember happened, so maybe I should just let it go.”

I sit with that for a few moments. On one hand, it’s all I want because we can build a new life together. On the other hand, I feel like I’m hoping for a future with her that’s built on a shaky foundation. If she gets her memory back, there’s a good chance I’ll lose her, and that stings.

She lifts her head and gazes over at me. “It’s weird, though. When I think about having my own place, I always pictured something different.”

“Different how?”

“Smaller, I guess. Something with character.” She glances toward the windows. “I don’t know. I guess I always thought I’d end up in Malibu.”

The words hit me like a fist to my jaw.

Malibu. Where Jaxon’s beach house sits. The one she was driving to when the accident happened.

“Malibu?” I force my tone to stay neutral. “Why there?”

She shrugs. “I used to dream about it. Remember? I’d talk about having a place right on the water where I could watch the sunset every night.”

I do remember. I was eighteen years old, lying on the bed in the guest suite in her parents’ basement. It was a few days after I gave her a promise ring. She talked about the future as if it were something we could control.

“Yeah. You mentioned it a few times.” I clear my throat. “But this house is nice. It’s secure, and your pops designed it exactly how you wanted it.”

“I’m sure he did.” She doesn’t sound convinced. “It just feels like I’m living someone else’s life. It’s like I walked into a movie where I’m playing a character I don’t know how to be.”

“Lily—”

“I’m not ungrateful.” She slides her palm into my hand. “I know I should be thankful I have all this—a business, this house, and my health. But Callum, what if I never remember? What if I’m stuck being this stranger?”

The vulnerability in her voice guts me. I thread our fingers together.

“Then we’ll figure it out together.” I squeeze. “One day at a time, okay?”

“Together.” She repeats the word like she’s testing its weight. “You’re really going to stick around through all this? I mean, are we together or not?”

“I’m not going anywhere.” The promise is an honest response. “I’ve got you, Lily. No matter what happens.”

She leans her head against my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her, holding her steady while my mind spins.

She thought she’d end up in Malibu. And somewhere in her broken memory, part of her still believes that’s where she belongs.

Even with that, I swear I’ll keep her safe. But there’s a sense crawling up my spine warning me that the real danger hasn’t arrived…and when it does, it won’t miss twice.

Chapter Twenty-Five

LIVIANNA/LILY

Now

Soft Lights & Sharp Edges

Not everything dangerous announces itself.