“It’s only until I can sleep with her,” I try to calm her down. “Only until she arrives here, and I can put a baby in her belly.”
“That thought makes me sick.”
I kiss her forehead, her cheeks, her lips. “Me, too.”
“Promise you won’t fall in love with her?” Her question is barely audible over the sound of the party downstairs. “You won’t pick her over me?”
“Never,” I whisper my promise, raining kisses over her skin. “I swear…”
* * *
2 weeks later
“So, this is it, huh?”
Lily Anna looks around the room with a faint smile on her lips.
“I hope you like it.” I pat the bed, motioning for her to join me. “I had it filled with some of your favorite things.”
“It’s still kind of creepy, Dexter.” She shudders. “I mean, this is the room your parents died in, for God’s sake.”
“Which means nobody will question that I’ve sealed it off,” I tell her. “Even if people come over, they’ll understand why it’s off limits for them to go looking in there.”
“I’m really not sure,” she mutters. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“It’s the only option we have,” I remind her. “Look, you have windows overlooking the gardens. You have books, a computer, a phone. You’ll be fine here.”
“Just until she comes here, right?”
“Of course.” I squeeze her hand. “The moment I’ve done what I have to, you’re coming back out.”
“So…” She chews her bottom lip. “Everyone knows by now?”
“Yes,” I nod. “They all know.”
“Were people upset?”
“Very.”
“How upset?”
I furrow my brows at her, saying, “Why do you care about that? None of those people matter, Lily Anna. Everyone was devastated. Bryony sobbed when she found out.”
“And my father?”
“Your father is distraught,” I mutter, wondering why the hell she even wants to know about him. “He disappeared after the news broke. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Good,” she whispers, making me wonder what she means. “So… you want to christen the bed?”
“No, not today,” I say. “I still have to make an appearance at the station. They’re going to start the search for your body tomorrow. Not that they’ll ever find it.”
She sighs heavily. “It’s already started. You’re pulling away from me.”
“I’m not, baby,” I say calmly. “I’m right here, and I’ll be back in a few hours to take care of you. Until then, Anders is available for anything you could possibly need. He’ll take care of you.”
“But I don’t want Anders.”
“It’s only for a few hours.”