Something inside me blows up like a balloon. It feels suspiciously like real joy. “Thank you.”
Once we’ve said goodbye to Elle and cleared the restaurant, Alyssa turns to me with a grateful smile. “Thanks for letting me do that today. It was much needed.”
“How much did you tell her?”
“Only enough to reassure her that I was not in any danger with you.”
“So you lied to her?”
I suppress a smile and step on the gas. I already know that the long wait will piss Nikolai off. I’m hoping it does. I’m not in a charitable mood.
The moment we get back home, I escort Alyssa to her bed to get some rest. She goes without a fuss, which is a surefire sign that her little outing has tired her out. Once she’s tucked away, I leave the house again and cross the garden towards the shed.
Nikolai’s already
