He kisses my knuckles and tucks my hand into his lap, holding it there while he maneuvers the car back to the main road. Once we reach the gates of my house, I clutch his hand tightly, not missing the fact he’s squeezing my hand back.
“I want to be strong, Lev,” I tell him after he parks in front of the columns. “But I still need someone who can protect me.”
“I can protect you, Alex.”
I bite my lower lip while my eyebrows dip together.
He holds my palm to his cheek and says, “I have a plan, but I can’t tell you about it now. You’ll just have to have faith in me, okay?”
I frown. “Lev, I…”
“Okay?”
I search his gaze, recognizing the conviction there. After a moment, I nod and then lean forward to peck his lips. I stand despondently on the steps of the porch while watching him drive off.
He’s promised protection in the past, I think. Can he do it this time?