Kingpin (Court University 2)

Probably best.

Daddy’s jaw moved. “The police believe he’s more dangerous now than he was before.”

“LJ?” I questioned. I wouldn’t look at my father, let alone listen to him.

I think LJ understood that, his arms falling around my hips. His attention drifted to my dad. “Alexi Marvelli is very powerful. Your dad says the police feel there might be some danger there. That Alexi might try to retaliate for his arrest. He’s head of the Marvelli family. Might cause some trouble.”

My insides jolted. “Wait. Are you saying you’re in danger? Could he hurt you—”

“No, baby. No,” he said, my insides instantly calming but not because of his assurances. It was because of what he called me. What I’d somehow come to mean to him. This guy went from hating me to loving me, the same on my end as well. I didn’t know I ever could, but I had somehow. His thumb dragged across my cheek. “The police have sent a detail for me. I’ll be safe.”

“So what is this then?” I asked to both LJ and Niko. Niko stood quietly, peering on during this whole thing. I jutted a chin at my dad. “Why is he here?”

“Sweetheart…” Daddy started to cross the room, but when I stiffened, he stayed in place. His hand lifted. “I’m here because I had some concerns for your well-being. Lance let the authorities know that you’re on Alexi Marvelli’s radar. They might try to go through you to get to him, and I can’t have you in danger.”

I frowned, looking at LJ, and he had so much war in his eyes it raced my heart. His throat constricted. “We need to put some space between us.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It would just be temporary. Babe—” He grabbed my hands, holding them when I tried to pull away. “Billie, it wouldn’t be for very long. It’d be short term, until things cool off around here for a little while, and I think it’s best.”

“Is that you talking or him?” I grunted, jerking my chin in Daddy’s direction.

“It was your dad’s idea, but I agree. You don’t know these people like I do, Billie. The Marvellis aren’t anyone to fuck with.”

“He’s right, Billie.” Niko forced his hands into his pockets. “We gotta get you off the grid.”

“You’d go to a safe house, honey.” My dad now came in, his expression grave. “And you’d have complete monitoring. I’ve spoken with the police, and they’re backing me up on this. You’ll be completely safe.”

“And Niko’s even going with you,” LJ chimed in with, his hand framing my face. “He’ll watch over you.”

“The least I can do, Queenie.” Niko shrugged with a smile. “And hey, we’ll have fun. Play board games and shit.”

“But what about you?” I pressed my hands to LJ’s chest. “Aren’t you going with us?”

“I’ve agreed to work with the police.” He gathered my hands. “I do that, and they give both me and Niko immunity for some of the other things we did. Our involvement with Alexi himself. I am going to meet you. Just not right away.”

“When?”

“Billie, honey?” My dad redirected my attention to him, and though he spoke to me, he didn’t move an inch in my direction. He didn’t dare, a sigh falling from his lips. “Lance will be safe. I’ve spoken personally with the police commissioner. He’s pulling out all the stops. Lance will be safe.”

He had?

“I’ll come right to you as soon as I help the police get what they need. I promise you, Billie.” LJ brought his arms around me. “I just need you to go along with this plan of your dad’s. I can’t worry about you.”

A plea deep in his eyes, and I knew that was the only reason I was agreeing to upend my entire life. It had nothing to do with my father.

I looked my dad. “I’m only doing this for him. Not for you.”

A blink before my dad nodded, but with that blink, so much relief hit his eyes. In fact, it was the happiest I’d seen him in a long time.

I didn’t know how I felt about that, looking at him. I just knew if something happened to LJ in all this, I couldn’t even think about what I’d do. I just knew my dad wouldn’t just be able to bank on me not coming to his wedding in the summer.

He’d be lucky if he ever saw me again at all.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Billie