Every eye focuses on me and the blood rises to my face. I run my hands through my hair and stand. "Yes, okay, as stupid
an idea as it is, I care for that girl. If she doesn't stay with me, her parents will sell her back to the sex trade," I say, my words jumbled.
"Breathe, Lily. That's such a selfless thing to do. You're an amazing woman," Doctor Saladinya says, smiling.
I stare at him, wide-eyed. "Thanks," I whisper. "Alright, enough of this. I'm exhausted."
"Where are you going?" Blake says.
I glance back at him, a sly grin playing at my lips. "To our bedroom. See you when you come up."
†††
Making love to Blake is something I'll never get tired of doing. My emotions are all over the place, but in bed with him is the one place where everything makes sense. I close my eyes, the soothing rhythm of Blake's shower pulling me toward sleep. He sings, not overly loud, but enough that I can hear him. He's pretty good.
I smile to myself— half dazed, as he gets out of the shower and moves around the bathroom. He whistles the song I sang to him at the piano a while back. There couldn't be a more perfect song for us. Well, from me to him.
The bed indents and my eyes flutter open. Blake's staring down at me, his face impassive. I raise my eyebrows, pushing myself up onto my elbows.
"What's wrong?"
"I want to talk to you about something," he says his voice soft.
"Okay. So talk."
"I'd like to organize a charity event in honor of Shannon's return. Nothing too big," he says, sprawling out next to me, propping up on one elbow.
"Blake, you know that would be very dangerous. You hosting an event is sure to attract the people we're trying to keep away from you," I say sternly, rolling onto my side to face him.
"I know, but it's important. I want to have some of the girls from the halfway house come. Sorina, for sure. Some of the people I know from Interpol."
I sigh. His lips press into a thin line, his features softening. "Talk to Vlad about security and Sammi about location and surveillance. I'll call Monroe and get the okay from my side."
"Seriously?" His eyebrows shoot up and his mouth gapes.
I laugh. "Yes, Blake. I can tell this is important to you, so we'll figure out how to make it happen."
"There's something else I thought about while I was in the shower," he says in a hushed tone, looking down at his fingers, trailing patterns on the blanket.
"What else?"
"I'd like Sorina to come live with us now." He looks at me through his eyelashes and I stare at him, stunned.
Now?
"Blake . . . I . . . "
"We can do more for her here," he says, determined.
"When?"
"Tomorrow," he says, cupping the side of my face.
"You don't think we're moving too fast?"
"Do you want to take care of her?"
"Yes," I answer with vigor.