Part 54 (2/2)
Vanity called after them, saying, ”Don't worry about me.” With purring undertones, she added, ”I'm sure I can entertain myself.”
That was all the invitation she needed to issue before a half dozen fighters converged on her. Knowing Armie would oversee things, Cannon went along willingly with Yvette.
In the break room, she turned him loose and, avoiding his gaze, took a seat at the table. Muggles started dancing, wanting her to hold him. She pulled the dog up to her lap.
Cannon didn't sit. He crossed his arms and stared down at her. ”What's going on, honey?”
Still not looking at him, she drew a deep breath, blew it out slowly. ”I've been thinking about things. About... the future.”
No way. He angled his head, watching her warily, arguments already forming for why she should stay. Forever.
With him.
Two fingers in her hair, she whispered, ”I've read over my grandfather's letter so many times.”
Guilt softened his stance-but only a little. ”I'm sorry I kept it from you.”
”He asked you to. And I understand why. From the beginning, my only intent in coming home was to take care of things so you wouldn't be bothered by the ways he'd obligated you.”
How could she still have things so wrong? ”I've never been obligated.” Though he'd certainly taken advantage of the gift her grandfather had given him. ”I was here for you.” Always.
A sad smile flickered into place. ”I know. Even after everything you'd already done for me, Grandpa sort of tangled you up in that again, too.”
”No. I never-”
”For so long now, you've been protecting me.”
”d.a.m.n right.” Because he loved her.
”But...” She lifted her shoulders. ”The threats are over now, so you...you don't need to anymore.”
Like h.e.l.l. ”What about the trial?” Gathering steam, he reminded her, ”You hate being the center of attention.”
”I'm getting better at it.” She bit her lip, then cleared her throat. ”But speaking of that... Everywhere you go, you're the focus, right?”
Was she worried about getting caught in the spotlight? He wouldn't lie to her, but he also didn't want to give her reservations. ”A lot of times, away from the fight crowd, no one knows who I am.”
”But if a woman accompanied you to a fight-”
”Yeah. Maybe.” Fighting the urge to scoop her up and hold her close, he admitted, ”The camera might find you occasionally, especially during a t.i.tle fight.”
She smiled. ”Which is coming up very soon.”
He nodded. Not that he was thinking about that right now with Yvette keeping him guessing. ”You shouldn't worry about-”
”Cannon.” She looked up at him with pleading eyes. ”Just let me say this, okay?”
”Fine.” Determination pulsed through his blood. ”But you'd better say things I want to hear, honey.”
”You don't have to protect me anymore.”
Wrong. ”I'm always going to want to protect you, because you're important to me.”
She breathed faster. ”You have so many wonderful fans.”
”True.” He took a step closer. ”But I want you.”
Laughter from the outer room drew her attention, and she glanced that way before facing him again. ”And so many good friends.”
Another step toward her. ”They're all blessings.” Softer. ”I want you.”
”You have a busy life, a thriving career, money and-” ”And you. I want you, Yvette.”
She straightened her shoulders. ”Well, I want to make plans.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't give him a chance.
”I want to be with you. And...and I don't want you to go to Harmony without me.”
Wow. After so many straight jabs, she blindsided him with that quick combination. ”The p.a.w.nshop-”
”That's why Vanity is here!” She rushed to her feet, setting a grumbling Muggles aside. ”She'll run it for me when I need to be away.”
Had she arranged everything? ”When you're away with me?”
”Would that be okay?”
Better than okay.
”Because I know this was all sort of forced on you-”
”Not even close.” It was past time he set her straight on a few things. ”You know I gave Rissy her house, right?”
”Yes. But what does that-”
”And I bought my own house in Harmony. Free and clear.”
”Wow.” She swallowed. ”I didn't realize-”
”I don't need a share of your grandpa's house, or anything from the p.a.w.nshop. But I wanted to be with you, so I went along for the ride.”
”The ride?”
”Staying at the house with you. Claiming half the p.a.w.nshop so you couldn't just sell it off.” He touched her chin. ”I used the excuse your grandfather gave me to make my move on you.”
She sputtered a laugh, saw he was serious, and her brows went up. ”But...I've always been crazy about you. You knew that.”
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