Page 100 of Protect Me
“Hi, little one,” Liv sniffles. “I’m your momma. My little Reyes,” she coos.
“That’s a beautiful name,” Adaya says softly.
“It means king,” she replies. “A royal name for our little prince.”
D presses a kiss to the top of her head then leans down and does the same to their sweet boy.
I step away, but Adaya stops me from leaving. She wraps her arms around my shoulders. “You did amazing, Sway. Thank you for coming through.”
I glance over at D, who looks up from the baby long enough to shoot me a relieved look. “We’re grateful for your help,” he says quietly.
“I would do anything for Liv,” I tell them even as there’s a dark part of me reminding me that this is how it starts.
The power impresses people, and then it gives them grand ideas that lead to power cravings—and being willing to do anything to get more of it. The Ringmaster might not have planned to ask for favors from me before, but what about now that he’s seen what I can really do? What if my lions aren’t enough to protect me after all?
Chapter25
Sway
The days pass with both blinding speed and torturous slowness. Between shows and practice, Bracken, Duncan, and Killian consume my body and most of my thoughts, but in the small, quiet moments, I think about what I did for Liv.
Her baby boy is healthy and thriving, thanks to my help, but that doesn’t overshadow what I’ve given away about the true scope of my power. I know because, more than once, I’ve caught D watching me when he doesn’t know anyone’s looking. The way he studies me makes my fears come alive.
Like a death sentence, the end of my ninety days looms.
In the meantime, Bracken, Killian, and Duncan are attentive, passionate, and completely devoted to my happiness. Bracken woos me with flowers and chocolate regularly. Killian writes me a song that he performs on a guitar I didn’t even know he owned. And Duncan whispers promises of violence about the man standing in the way of my freedom.
None of them notices my growing fear about what D will do with me when my contract ends. Maybe because they’re all so caught up in catching Robert. Keeping their gaze on the devil that’s made himself known rather than the potential one right in front of their faces.
They all want so badly to make me free, but they have no idea it’s not just Robert who’s caged me. It’s this power—and now that I’ve woken it, the magic doesn’t want to go back to sleep.
With two weeks left to go, I know I have to start thinking about what I’ll do if D actually gives me the chance to walk out the door. There was a moment before I exposed myself that I might have asked to stay. But now, it’s too dangerous. If history has shown me anything, it’s that the temptation to use what I have for personal gain is only resistible for so long.
Powerful men remain that way because they constantly seek more power.
Walking away from my lion protectors will break my heart, but I refuse to allow my power to corrupt anyone else. Robert called me a parasite, and while I wouldn’t exactly consider myself that—I do believe that even if it’s not intentional, my power doescorrupt. And the Ringmaster isn’t someone who would let power like mine go to waste.
I spend part of my day off with Liv and the baby, careful to time my visit when D isn’t around. “He’s so adorable,” I tell her.
“He is,” she replies. “The picture of perfection.” She sniffles. I notice the dark circles beneath her eyes but chalk it up to the lack of sleep that comes with the territory.
When the little guy starts to get fussy, I push to my feet and head for the door. Liv’s half-hearted, exhausted smile as she looks down at her baby and cradles him for feeding tugs at my heart.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, momma,” I tell her.
“We’ll be here,” she calls as I slip out.
In the hall, Bracken strides toward me, his expression lighting up when he sees me.
“There you are. Been looking everywhere for you.”
“I just wanted to get my baby fix,” I say.
He grins, glancing behind me toward Liv’s door. “Can’t blame you there. Little monster’s a charmer already, isn’t he?”
“I didn’t peg you as someone who likes kids,” I tell him.
“I didn’t either,” he admits. “But seeing the magic of creation between mates is something special.” His gaze holds mine, sparkling with something intimate, and I suddenly wonder if his baby talk is more like baby fever.