Me: Exactly. But if he touches you, there will be no saving him. Not even your tears will keep me from killing him.
21
Nova
I was still pulling my hair into a ponytail as I hurried off the elevator and rushed through the crowd of people in the hotel lobby. Arriving after midnight, I’d taken a long shower and then fallen into bed in utter exhaustion. But sleep had eluded me.
I was excited to be able to put some of my multilanguage skills to use helping Lyric’s aunt Emmie, but I wished it had been in any other city in the world except for New York. It felt weird—and kind of wrong—to be in this city without Ryan knowing I was there.
Other than responding to a few random texts, I hadn’t spoken to my best friend since my birthday. It was the longest I’d gone without hearing his voice since the day I’d met him. With each passing day that I didn’t answer his calls, my heart hurt a little more, but I kept telling myself this was how it had to be. Hurt a little now to avoid more pain later. It would get better. I would get over this infatuation.
I repeated those words each night like a mantra, but the next morning I would wake up, and the pain would seem to double.
In the hotel restaurant, it wasn’t hard to spot the redhead sitting at a corner table, two bulky men in suits across from her. I weaved my way through the other patrons and tables. When she noticed my approach, her green eyes brightened, and she stood to embrace me.
“Nova,” she greeted, her arms going around me in a tight hug that was kind of comforting. I’d met Emmie Armstrong when Lyric married Mila, and she came to visit often with her husband and Lyric’s parents. Apparently, back before my mom had married my dad, she had worked for the Armstrongs as their nanny. It was weird imagining my mom working for rock royalty, but there were pictures to prove it.
“How was your trip?” she asked as she pulled back, her eyes skimming over every inch of me in a way only mothers seemed to do. From the first time I’d met Emmie, I’d been comfortable around her. There was just something about her that set me at ease. Maybe it was that she exuded the same kind of strength most of the adult women in my life did. After the way she’d taken charge and put together Mila and Monroe’s double wedding in just a week, I’d witnessed just how much power she could wield with only a few clicks on her phone. “I’m so sorry you had to take a commercial flight. I ended up having to do the same since the company jet was being used to pick up the guys. I figured it was easier for them to fly private so I could at least attempt to control the situation.”
“It was an experience,” I said with a laugh, taking the seat beside her when she motioned me toward it. I couldn’t ever remember flying commercial before. Ryan always made sure the jet was available if I needed it. If I’d told him I was traveling, he would have sent his pilot to collect me.
But Ryan had no idea I was anywhere but home. Or maybe he thought I was in Paris with Anya since it was the day after Christmas. This was typically the time the two of us would be arriving at the hotel, and then we would have had a light meal before she put me through my paces. Guns. Knives. One stressful situation after another until she was sure that I was leaving with more finely honed skills than I’d arrived with.
That wasn’t going to happen this year, however. Anya knew I was doing a favor for Lyric, but I hadn’t gone into details about what I would be doing or where I would be. She hadn’t been happy, but she’d understood. To her, family was everything, and she accepted that I wanted to help one of the newest members of my extended family.
“I heard your layover was extended by several hours in Denver,” Emmie said with a twist of her lips. “My personal assistant tried to get you on a nonstop, but there weren’t any available out of your local airport. I promise the return trip home will go more smoothly.”
“It’s fine,” I assured her as a waiter filled my water glass and asked if I was ready to order.
“Just toast and fruit, please.”
As the waiter went to put in my order, Emmie introduced me to the two men in suits. “This is Rodger and Marcus. They will be shadowing me all weekend. If you need anything, or for any reason you feel uncomfortable around the guys this week, don’t hesitate to let one of us know. If anyone is inappropriate with you or disrespects you in any way, I want to know.”
My gaze scanned both men. I was used to bulky men in suits following me around. When I was in New York each summer, I had my own detail when one of my cousins or Ryan couldn’t go somewhere with me. I smiled at them both. “I’m sure everyone will be on their best behavior.”
Emmie gave an indelicate snort. “This group? No way. They are rowdier than any other clients I have. I don’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to all of them in one city at the same time. We’re going to have to hit the ground running every day. I’m going to apologize in advance for all the craziness this week is going to hold.”
I shrugged. “Sounds like fun to me. Lyric said you have two Italian clients and one Russian?”
“And one Korean,” she confirmed. “I have another translator coming in for him, but you will be helping with the other three. Unless you speak Korean, too?”
The hopeful look on her face made me laugh again. “Sorry. I only speak fluent Russian, Italian, Spanish, and American Sign Language. Asian languages are something I want to learn, though.”
“Well, maybe Park Min Gi will teach you a little this week.” She lifted her cup of coffee, studying me over the top of her mug. “As soon as breakfast is over, we’ll get started. They’re up in the penthouse having breakfast there, but I wanted a meal with you before all the bullshit started.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I can keep up.”
She studied me for a long moment, and not for the first time, I got the feeling she could see beneath the surface. Past all my defenses Anya had made sure were reinforced over the years. Then she smiled and gave a small nod. “I know you can. That was why I asked Lyric to extend the job offer to you. He trusts you, and I trust him.” Her lips twitched. “Well, as long as he isn’t around his twin brother, I trust him.”
I couldn’t contain my laughter at her amendment. Having met Lyric’s twin on a few occasions over the years, I could understand her misgivings about trusting either of them while together. Mila and Luca’s wife, Violet, were constantly kept on their toes when the two guys were together. Ian and Isaac were already a handful, but I could foresee them getting worse as the years progressed.
Emmie handed me a stack of papers. “This is our itinerary for the week, but it is always subject to change. I’ll text you with any updates as I receive them.” She took another sip of her coffee. “And Lyric told me you have family here in the city. Please just let me know when you will be visiting them. I won’t micromanage your time like I will be doing with the rockers, but I would feel better if you let me know your whereabouts since you’re only seventeen and under my protection.” She gave a small shudder. “I adore your mother, but I’m sure you will understand when I say that your dad makes me a little…nervous.”
I lifted my gaze from studying the itinerary for that day, giving her a grim smile. “Yes, I understand. He can be a little intimidating. But really, he’s kind of a pussycat.”
“I’ll take your wor
d for it, sweetheart,” she said with a half smile.