My superhero.

It’s completely disorienting to realize that he’s just a man. A man who thinks he’s doing right, even when he might not be. A man who can justify his actions any way he wants.

“Saige?” Sylas says. I realize he’s been speaking to me and I’ve been completely ignoring him.

“Sorry, what?”

“I just asked if you wanted to go.” It’s still early and I’m still dreading going back to the apartment. Even though I’m tired, I’m not ready to leave yet.

“No, I’m fine.” He rubs my shoulder and I can see the question on his face, but he doesn’t say anything further about it.

I lean against him and he tucks me under his arm, holding me close. Hardy hasn’t said a word to me and I can tell he’s watching every move I make. I also know he has a perfect memory, especially where it comes to numbers.

I continue staring at him, not to challenge him, but to let him know that I see him and I’m aware that he doesn’t trust me. That’s fine. He doesn’t have to. I’m not asking for him to adore me.

“I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back,” I say, getting up. I need a second.

I head for the back where the ladies room is. There’s a line, and I lean against the wall and wait. There’s a tap on my shoulder and I turn around to find Hardy. As I expected. It’s part of the reason (other than needing to pee) I excused myself.

“Hello,” I say, giving him a smile.

“What’s your endgame, Saige?” A few of the other women in line are eavesdropping but neither of us is going to say anything incriminating.

“I love him. That’s it,” I say. “My endgame is to be with him.”

He looks at me for so long, the line moves and the women behind me have to shove me forward. I don’t look away from him. Being stared at by Hardy like this is a bit like being in an x-ray machine. I know he’s going to remember everything I’ve said and every move I’ve made.

He sets his mouth and then nods, walking away without another word. I hope I’ve passed the test he just administered. I turn around and lean back against the wall.

When I get back from the bathroom, I’m exhausted and I still need to study. I tug on Sylas’ shirt, letting him know I’m ready to leave.

“We’re going to head out,” he says, standing and taking my hand. I’m surprised he’s so open about touching me and being affectionate in front of them. I thought he would have reservations about it, but maybe he’s showing them that since he trusts me, they should do.

I get hugs from both Track and Cash and Baz gives me the kind of look that says he’s picturing me naked. Row and Hardy give me nods, but that’s probably as good as it’s going to get from them. Sylas and I head out. In spite of the awful morning, I’m feeling a lot better about everything.

“You did so great, but I knew you would,” he says, giving me a rib-crushing hug before we get in the car.

“I’m so glad you approve,” I say, my voice muffled by his chest. I’m not going to tell him about my little interaction with Hardy unless he asks.

“What did Hardy say to you?” he asks, as if he was reading my mind. He once told me he could read minds, but only those belonging to redheads.

“He just asked me what my endgame is,” I say. “And I told him it was to be with you. Nothing else. Then he studied me for a while, nodded and left me alone. It wasn’t a big deal. They’re all looking out for you. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t trust me either.”

He frowns and I tap him on the shoulder.

“Hey, it’s okay. I knew what I was going to have to face when I decided I wanted to be with you. Some guys have crazy exes or crazy mothers or other dark secrets. There are obstacles to every relationship and this is one of ours. It’s fine.” I’d be worried if they weren’t apprehensive of me.

He nods and I pull away from the bar.

“They’re protective of you. It’s sweet.” He makes a snorting sound.

“They’re not exactly sweet guys.” That makes me laugh.

“No, they’re really not, but I like them anyway and I like the way you are with them. You’re so happy and you laugh a lot. I feel guilty for taking up so much of your time. I know you used to see them a lot more than you do now.” He turns on the radio and starts drumming a beat on his knee with his hand.

“We didn’t actually meet a whole lot because we didn’t want to draw suspicions,” he says, but I think he’s trying to minimize it for my benefit.

“But you don’t have to do that now. You can see them whenever you want and I don’t want you to think you’re abandoning me to hang out with them. They’re important to you, so they’re important to me.” He takes my hand from the shifter and places a kiss in my palm and then starts massaging it.

“You’re important to me.”

“I know.”

I sigh and he starts softly singing along with the song.

“I thought you couldn’t sing,” I say, raising an eyebrow.

“Quinn couldn’t sing. But I can. My mother had a beautiful voice. She used to sing all the time, especially when she was cleaning. She said it made chores more bearable if you sang. I think I picked it up because I always catch myself singing when I vacuum.” I’ve never noticed. I make a mental note to watch him when he vacuums.

“I knew that was a lie,” I say.

“You did?”

“Yes.”

“Huh,” he says and then picks up the song again. His voice is beautiful and clear; good enough to be on the radio. In another life he might have been a singer/songwriter or a rock star. I could see him rocking leather pants on stage.

“What are you smiling about?” he asks, stopping.

“Thinking about you in leather pants. Mmmm,” I say and he gives me a confused look.

“I might be able to make that particular fantasy come true for you. If you’re a good girl.” I turn my head and give him a wink.

“But what if I’m a bad girl?”

“Then I’ll definitely make it happen.”

Twenty-Two

He doesn’t make the leather pants happen that night, but we do end up in bed together when we get back. I leave only to get the minimum amount of studying done and then it’s back to bed.

It’s the middle of the night and I have a marathon studying session to do the next day and Sylas is going to see Lizzy. I wish I could go, but I just can’t this weekend.

“Tell her I love her and I’m sorry I couldn’t be there,” I say for the millionth time. I’m so scared of disappointing my new sister and that she’s going to hate me and not want me to come back.

“I will. I promise. She’s not going to hate you, Saige,” he says, kissing my shoulder. We’re still naked, with me draped across his stomach, his fingers walking up and down my spine. My tattoo has finally healed and the colors have faded to the right shades. I absolutely love it and I still stop and stare any time I go by a mirror and catch it in the corner of my eye. I’m going to have to get some more dresses and shirts to show it off.

“I hope not. I’ve never had a sister, so I don’t know how this is supposed to work,” I say and he laughs at me.

“What’s so funny?”

“You. Worrying that Lizzy could hate you. It’s ludicrous. I’ve told you, she loves everyone, and you especially. There’s nothing you could do to make her hate you. Nothing.”

I’m not so sure about that, but I really, really want her to know that I would much rather hang out with her than study. Granted, I’d rather do almost anything than study at this point. My brain is so full of information, it feels stuffed and mushy.

“I don’t know what to do about Dad,” I say. I’ve turned my phone back on and there are a ton of messages from him begging me to come back and talk with him, to understand his position and so forth. I’ve ignored all of them, but I have the feeling if I don’t deal with him soon, he’s going to take matters into his own hands and show up here to talk to me.