Page 39 of Shamelessly Loyal
“Nothing specific. I have questions, except you seem tired and I don’t want to push you away by demanding a lot of answers.” Which was one thousand percent the truth.
“I’d appreciate that.” She should never have to thank me for being thoughtful.
“But—” I hated this next part. Just staring at the deep shadows beneath her eyes and the bruising in them. It would be impossible to miss. “—you’ve been through hell.”
Shock danced over her face. Shock and a little bit of fear.
“None of them said anything.” It pissed me off. I understood their desire to protect her. However, it pissed me off that they seemed compelled to protect her fromme. “At least not the specifics of what happened this time. But my point is, you need to see someone, to talk to them. I want to be that person for you, even though I don’t think I am.”
I wanted to be that guy. I wanted to be her big brother, yet it was about more than just her trusting me. It was about being less damaged than I was.
“Milo…”
“Nope, you don’t have to make me feel better. This is one of the things that I should be doing as your big brother. Only we’re not there yet.” We’d get there. It was a goal. I liked having them. “That said, I want to take you to meet someone.”
“I don’t want to be sent anywhere…” Defiance flashed in her expression. “You said you wouldn’t send me away.”
“I’m not going to.” I raised my hands, palms outward immediately. I needed her to trust me. That would take time. Right now, we had Ms. Stephanie, and she would be perfect for Ivy. She could listen in ways we didn’t know or understand. “She lives here—in Braxton Harbor. She’s a good person. Fuck that, she’s a great person. The point is, she’s been there for me. Hell, she’s been there for all of us. I don’t know a better person to confide in. She knows you—well, she knew you when you were little.”
“Okay,” she said slowly, not bothering to hide her relief, despite apprehension seeming a fixed point in her eyes. “Can I think about it? I’m not really big on strangers right now.”
“That’s fair,” I said, then raked a hand over my head. “Are you—planning on staying here at the clubhouse?”
“Do you not want me to?”
Hands on my hips, I kept my temper on a very short leash. “It’s not a call you want me to make.”
“Wow. That truly did look painful for you to say.” The hint of amusement curving her lips and definite spark of humor made me snort.
It was also funny. “It is painful for me to say. Do I need to point out that you literally just kissed Jasper, Vaughn,andKellan?”
“Nope. Pretty sure I was there for that part.” I rolled my eyes at her patently unapologetic tone and sassier smile, even if she did shrug. “I’m not going to apologize for that.”
“I didn’t ask for an apology.”
“Good.” Except she sounded a bit tense.
“Apparently.” Then again, so was I.
She sighed. “This is hard.”
“Fuck yes, it is.” I clasped the back of my neck. “Any chance you can just—go back to being someone who doesn’t know anything about boys?”
The regret in her expression at least seemed genuine, if not amused. “Sorry.”
“Right. I’m kidding—well, half-kidding.” Tell her or show her? “Look, if I have a preference, I’d rather you stayed at Liam’s place, or we get you a different place if you need to. We can come to you…”
“But you don’t want me here.”
“Don’t wantis a strong set of words.” I wasworriedabout her here. I’d probably be worried about her anywhere. “I just don’t know if it’s safe enough for you here. That said, I’m not going to order you to go back to Liam’s or—anywhere else.”
“You’re getting better at saying those words.” She almost sounded proud. What a little shit…
“Bite me.” The grouchy comment slipped free and I glared up at the ceiling. “I’m trying.”
“Yes,” she said, barely swallowing her laughter. “You are, and I appreciate it. I don’t mean to tease.”
“No, teasing is fine.” Better than fine. Little sisters were supposed to be annoying. I’d always pictured her getting away with murder because I would never let anything touch her. “It’s actually kind of nice.”