Page 78 of Angelic Acts
“She’s a good woman. I get why you’re so into her. I think Lizzy’s my first friend outside our world. If you’ll let me, I’d like to continue hanging out with her after this.” The smile on his face when he speaks of her shows me that he sees what others don’t. He sees what an amazing woman she is. She doesn’t have many friends. It consoles me that she’s made one in him.
“That’s not up to me. But I’m sure Lizzy is happy to have befriended you.” I clasp his extended hand and pull him in for a half-hug, half-back pat. “Now, get going. We don’t have time to waste.”
I watch as he sneaks through the hidden door in the fence. Once it’s shut, I turn on my heels and retreat inside. The noises leading to our bedroom tell me that Lizzy is packing, but what I don’t expect to see is my suitcase laid next to hers filling halfway with clothes. Withmy clothes.
My sweet angel is packing a bag for me. For me. It’s so domestic, so matrimonial. I stand in the doorway and watch as she carefully folds my most-worn T-shirt and carefully places it in my bag.
This is what I’ve done it all for. This is the life I envisioned every time I gazed upon her from afar all these years. When we get through this, I’m going to take the time to spoil her in every way possible.
With deliberately loud steps so as not to scare her, I enter our bedroom. When she sees me, she smiles. And it’s that smile that reminds me I’d do anything to keep this woman safe. Even steal her freedom for a bit.
“I’m just trying to lighten your load. You’re welcome to go through what I’ve packed to make sure you like everything,” she says lightly.
“No need. I trust you,” I assure her. Opening my nightstand, I extract my flashcards and place them in the zipper pocket of my suitcase unable to part with them. She watches me with a soft smile.
She rounds the bed and holds my hand. “I love you, Bash. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Lizzy, don’t ever thank me for giving you what you deserve. For treating you like the precious angel you are. Everything I’ve done for you has been a privilege. Just being near you is a privilege. Don’t ever discount that and think you could be a burden. Helping you isn’t a chore; it’s my reason for breathing.”
She presses up onto her tiptoes to reach me, and leaning down the rest of the way, I taste my woman, savoring everything she gives me. Everything she is.
When we separate, we continue packing, me packing our toiletries in the bathroom and her our clothes. Finally, we zip the bags, and I carry them to the front door.
“What’s taking Nik so long?” she asks in a curious voice.
My blood runs cold because she’s right. He should be back by now. He wouldn’t waste time when he should be guarding Lizzy.
I pull out my phone and dial him, but it rings through. Calling back, the same occurs. I check his location using his phone and see he’s still at Lizzy’s. I climb the steps to my office, Lizzy on my heels, ready to figure out the holdup.
However, when we pull up the camera feed of her house, I can’t see anything because it’s pitch black in there. With only a sliver of the moon tonight, there isn’t enough light to flood through the windows. Cursing, I turn to Lizzy.
“I have to go over there and find him. I’m going to be honest with you,” I suck in a harsh breath, not wanting to scare her, but needing her to understand the gravity of the situation. “Nikolai wouldn’t abandon post, and he wouldn’t waste time. Something doesn’t feel right. I have to go over there.”
She looks indecisive, and I know what’s going through her mind. She doesn’t want me to go into a dangerous situation, but Nikolai is her friend, and she won’t abandon him. Eventually, she nods.
“Listen to me. This is very important.” I wait until I have her full attention before I continue. “I’m going over there, and the first thing I’m doing is turning on the lights. You have to watch the cameras to make sure everything is fine. If you see anything,anything,unusual, you need to press this button.”
I lead her to my desk and show her a red button under my desk. One I’ve never had to use.
“It’s linked to Dom’s phone. He’ll get a notification of an emergency and come over. Knowing the situation, he’ll go to your house first. You are not to go with him. No matter what you see, you do not leave this room. Do you understand?”
“But–”
“No buts. You do not leave this room. I’m enabling lockdown. No one can enter this house, nor this room, from the outside. You will be safe.” I open up a cabinet to the left of my desk and start arming. I put a bulletproof vest on under my shirt, then start holstering weapons I pray I won’t need.
She watches with tears in her eyes. And when I hand her a pistol, she grabs it with shaking hands. Her whole body is wracked with tremors.
“It’s going to be okay, angel. I promise,” I lie to her, because I don’t know what’s waiting for me at that house. I shouldn’t make such promises. But I have to console her. “I love you, Lizzy.”
She inhales shakily, just like the rest of her, then throws herself into my arms. “I love you too, Sebastian. Please, be careful.”
“I will.”
With one last kiss, I go to my computer and enable lockdown mode. The entire house is reinforced. With one last look back at my teary-eyed angel, I shut the door to the office.
Each step toward her house is heavy because I know this is going to be bad. If a bloodbath ensues, she’s going to witness it all. Something she never should see.
When I get to her backdoor, it’s still unlocked. Taking one last deep breath, I go inside. Immediately, I turn on the kitchen light. I don’t see anything, at least not until I enter the living room.
