“So I guess this makes us coworkers now?” I say. I don’t like the sound of that.

“Close enough.”

I shift so I’m lying more comfortably on his chest.

“Did the rest of your guys want the jobs?” He lets out a long breath, his chest rising and falling.

“Yes.” His tone is clipped.

“Dad used what he had on them, didn’t he?”

“Yes,” he says again.

“I’m sure they weren’t very happy about it.”

Now he’s the one who shifts.

“I think they were more okay with it than I thought they would be. He’s got a lot of money, and they can do what they want more now that they have his protection.” Money is a powerful, powerful force. “Row has been wanting to work on cars forever, but a chop shop wasn’t exactly in the budget.”

“And what about you? Are you okay with it?”

“Ask me that question tomorrow,” he says and closes the door on that particular conversation.

I don’t answer, but close my eyes and breathe him in and thank the fates, or whoever it was that saw fit to put the two of us together.

“Stay,” I say later when we’ve both gotten up. “I’ll make you dinner.”

He opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.

“Okay, I’ll order dinner.” I’m not much of a cook. I usually don’t have the energy for it when I get home from school.

He looks down at me and then holds my face in both hands.

“Sure,” he says, placing a kiss on my lips.

We end up getting Chinese and eating it on the couch while we argue over which movie to watch. I’m in the mood for a costume drama, but Sylas is having none of it.

“If you watch this with me, I’ll watch whatever you want next time.” It feels so good to know there will be a next time. Hopefully there will be many next times.

This is what being a twenty-year-old girl is supposed to be. I’m supposed to fight with my boyfriend about what movie to watch. Not worry about getting caught on a surveillance camera as I sneak into a building to steal some documents.

He sighs like it’s the end of the world and then acquiesces.

“Fine. But you owe me.”

“Fine,” I say, selecting the movie and snuggling into his chest.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I say as the opening scene of the movie fills the screen.

“Me too, Redhead,” he says, kissing my cheek.

Eleven

Sylas has to wake me up the next morning because the alarm on my phone doesn’t go off. That’s when I realize my phone is still off.

“Shit,” I say, turning it on and seeing several missed calls and messages from Dad.

“Are you grounded?” Sylas says as he gets dressed in his old clothes. When he left last time, he took everything. I still have the lipstick heart on the mirror. I can’t bear to wash it off.

He’s in a good mood and I’m thrilled. I thought this side of him was lost to me.

“Haha, no. I just need to call him ASAP.” I walk out of the room and call him back.

“Hey, Dad. I’m sorry about last night. I turned my phone off and forgot.”

There’s a beat of silence.

“I really needed to talk to you, Saige.”

“I know, I’m so sorry.”

He’s really angry. He’s only silent like this when he’s pissed.

“I needed to talk to you about Sylas and the rest of his group. They’ve decided to work with me.”

“Really? That’s good, isn’t it?” I say, lying smoothly. Sylas seems to be the only who disables my ability to lie.

“Yes, but I had to use everything I had to make it happen. They didn’t come willingly.” I walk into the kitchen and start making coffee.

“Well, can you blame them?”

“No, I suppose not. But this is an opportunity that they can’t pass up. And it will give me a chance to show Sylas I can be trusted, so I’ll be able to see my daughter.” That’s his main motive. I hope Sylas understands that, because it’s important if they’re going to work together.

I hear my bedroom door open and I turn around and put my finger to my lips to shush Sylas so Dad doesn’t hear him. He nods before going to sit quietly on the couch.

“Exactly. Listen, I need to get ready for school and I’m running seriously late. Is there anything you need me to do?”

“Just stay away from Sylas. I can’t have anything jeopardizing the relationship I’m trying to build with him. Your job with him is done, understand?” He’s using his strict voice. The kind he uses when he gives orders and expects them to be followed.

I swallow before I say anything.

“Absolutely. I understand.”

I hang up and swallow again. Swallow the lie I just told my dad.

“He told you to stay away from me, didn’t he?” Sylas says, and his voice is so close that I nearly jump out of my skin. I didn’t see him get up from the couch and walk over.

I can only nod. I hate lying to Dad, but it can’t be helped.

“What are you going to tell him?” I set the phone down on the counter and put my arms around his neck.

“I’m not going to worry about it right now. We’re together and somehow we’ll find a way.” I press up to kiss him. He smiles down at me.

“It feels good to be here with you. I never thought it could be like this.”

“Me neither.” This isn’t something either one of us wanted, but it happened anyway. Life is strange sometimes.

“Do you mind if I bring Leo here? If I’m going to stay nights, I don’t want to leave him.” I can’t help the little flutter in my chest when he suggests it. It’s almost like he’s moving in. Almost. No offence to his living situation, but my apartment is much nicer than his. Not that I would say no to staying there. As long as I was staying with him, we could be in a cardboard box next to the railroad tracks and I’d be okay.

“Sure. As long as he doesn’t ruin my furniture.” Sylas smiles wide and my heart feels like it’s going to explode.

“He’s good. I trained him when he was little with a spray bottle and water. The only thing he likes to go after are toys, but I’ll bring them with me.”

“Okay,” I say, giving him another kiss and then going for the coffee cups. “Bring him over whenever.” I don’t know what Sylas does all day and I don’t ask. Things are too new and I feel like I’m going to be walking on eggshells, at least for the first week.

I’m late for class, but I honestly don’t care. I send Sylas a text letting him know I miss him already and he sends me one back. I know I have a constant smile and I must look like I’m on something, but I seriously don’t care. Of course Lo asks if I want to have lunch with her and she comments on it.

“We’re back together.” It’s only a technicality that we weren’t together the first time.

“I can tell. You look like someone who’s very satisfied.” I am. I’ve never had such explosive sexual chemistry with anyone. Whether we do it fast or slow, he’s the best I’ve ever had or will have. I don’t want anyone else.

“It’s good. We’re good.” I steal a green bean from her plate and she scowls at me.

“Well, good, I guess. But if he hurts you, I’m going to dismember him.” I munch the green bean and then point my fork at her.

“You’ll have to get in line behind my dad.” Lo thinks my close relationship with my father is a little odd, but usually doesn’t comment on it.

“Have you told your dad that you’re back together?” I shake my head.

“No. He doesn’t know. I’m going to wait until things are a little more stable before I tell him. It’s not going to go over well.” I roll my eyes, but it’s so much more serious than my dad just being mad that I got together with my boyfriend.

“I’m sure it will be fine when he sees how happy you are.” If only that were the case. I change the subject and ask Lo about the new exhibit she’s putting together. Art is one of the things that brought us together and it’s always a safe topic.