"No. I'll be pissed the entire time. But, logically, it's needed to complete the act you have to put on for the public right now."
He leans down and presses his lips to my cheek. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I want you to survive. I want to be with you. I want all the things I never thought possible," I whisper running my hand up his chest.
"What are you saying?" His eyes bore into mine, hot and intense; his body flush against mine so firmly the flex of his muscles turns me on all over again.
My stomach clenches with desire, spreading throughout my body. "I'm saying that when this is over, I'd like a life with you. A normal life."
His eyes widen and his lips part slightly.
"Say something . . ."
"I love you, Lily, and you're the only future I want."
†††
"Sorina, you should be in bed," I say into my phone, pacing the window in Hyde's office.
"I know, but I have trouble sleeping."
"I have the same problem."
She sniffles. "Am I ever going to be normal again, Lily?"
"Of course you will. Healing takes time, Sorina. I know you wish it would all just go away, but you have to learn to deal. You have to be patient."
I'm not sure how Sorina got my cell phone number, but she called while Dresden and I rode the elevator to Monroe's office. I recognized the halfway house number, expecting it to be one of the nurses or something.
"I'll try. I've been seeing the psychiatrist once a week."
"Good. Keep seeing him. Keep talking about it. I'll try to come see you soon. Sorry I haven't made it back yet."
"It's okay. The nurses told us about what happen at Mr. Mason's."
I huff. 'Those women need to learn to shut up."
"Is it true you killed like 30 guys all by yourself?"
"It was seventeen guys, Vlad and Rhett helped." I chuckle.
"Still badass."
"Watch your mouth."
"Sorry. I'm going to go to bed now. Thanks for talking to me, Lily."
"Anytime, kiddo. See you soon."
I slip the phone back into its case, glancing at Dresden.
My stomach is two steps away from heaving up its contents. Dresden doesn't look much calmer. It's 5:00 AM and Monroe woke us for an impromptu meeting saying it was urgent. Nothing warranting this early of a wakeup call can be good. At least Sorina made me feel good. It makes me happy knowing she calls me when she needs someone.
Dresden taps his thumb on the table in a nervous rhythm as I pace the length of the room. A thousand, terrifying thoughts run through my mind, each worse than the last.
The door opens silently as Hyde steps inside the room. "Lily, Dresden, thanks for joining me."
"No problem, sir," I say in a shaky voice.