Page 116 of The Devil’s Lair

I squeeze his waist, and our eyes lock. “You didn’t take away my power. You showed me that my safety and my feelings come first. Besides, I’m not sure I could have asked you to kill them and put that weight on your shoulders. I wouldn’t have wanted to go to the police, though.”

He nods. “Same as me with the Southalls.”

“Exactly. The thought of being dragged through the courts, having to relive and relay to a bunch of strangers what they did to me.” I shudder. “No. It’s better this way, and if that makes me a bad person, I’ll live with it.”

“There isn’t a bad bone in your body.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve left Felicity hanging. Some might say that’s bad.”

“And some might say it’s deserved. Let her sweat. Whatever you decide, I will support you.”

Tobias brushes a thumb along my jaw, his expression one that makes my insides twist and something warm unwind in my chest. For a long moment, we lie there listening to the birdsong out the window, absorbing the events of the last twelve hours in our own way.

Eventually, reality nudges its way in.

“I should go before Isla wakes up and wonders where I am.”

Reluctantly, I peel myself from his body and swing my legs out of bed. Picking up my dress from the floor, I toss a glance over my shoulder.

“Does it count as the walk of shame if it’s in your own house?”

He smirks, his gaze traveling slowly down my body, inch by inch.

“Don’t,” I warn, trying not to smile. “If you start something, Maisie will take one look at me and know I’ve been thoroughly compromised.”

“You have been thoroughly compromised.”

I throw a pillow at him.

He palms it away and laughs. “I’ll get a dressing gown for you.” He climbs out of bed and pads into his adjoining bathroom, returning with a dark blue robe. He swaddles it around me and ties the belt. It’s far too big, but it’ll do the job. “Go, before I convince you to stay.”

I cup his jaw, stealing one last kiss. “See you later?”

“Count on it.”

With a final glance at my husband, I slip out of his rooms and make the short trek to mine. Both Maisie and Isla are already up, watching TV. Isla’s tucked into Maisie’s side, dressed in a pair of plaid leggings and a black T-shirt with a picture of a cat on it.”

“Good morning, pumpkin.”

“Mama.” She slides off the couch and toddles over to me, flinging her arms around my thighs. “Paw Patrol.” Taking my hand, she tugs me back to the couch.

“Thank you, Maisie. You’re a lifesaver.”

“Of course, Mrs. De Vil. Anytime. She’s already had some cereal and a glass of juice.” She flicks the end of Isla’s nose. “See you later, sweetheart.”

“Isla, Mama’s going to brush her teeth. I’ll be two minutes, okay?”

She nods, attention absorbed by her favorite show.

I strip off Tobias’s dressing gown and hang it on the back of the door. And yes, I do bury my nose in it and breathe in deeply. I shower quickly, conscious of Isla in the living room. I know she’s safe but old habits die hard and loosening the apron strings, while getting easier, is still something I have to consciously force myself to do. I get dressed and wander back into the living room.

Isla’s sitting on the floor with her back to me, legs crossed, shoulders hunched. Her beloved backpack lies next to her, and she’s reading something that has a flowery pattern on the cover. I don’t recognize it.

“What have you got there?”

Isla hugs the book to her chest. “Mine.”

I grin. So possessive. “Yours. Can I see, though?”