Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

This time Nox touched my lips with his. “How about we let her decide? There are a few other things we need to talk about, things I’ve recently learned.”

I took the last carrot stick from my plate and eyed the empty bowl, wishing for more of whatever kind of soup I just ate. It reminded me of vegetable soup, but spicier with some noodles. “I would love more soup, but first, I want to see my mother.”

Nox reached for the tray. “Maybe it would be better if she explained some of the things.”

Wrapped in a towel after a shower, I entered the closet. It was the same place I’d found Nox’s belt so many months ago. Built-in dressers and racks lined what could be a room. One section was filled with my clothes. They weren’t mine from New York or Savannah, but they were all in my size. “When did these get here?” I asked.

“Earlier today. Deloris had them delivered. I brought them in here while you were sleeping.”

I shook my head as I searched the nearby drawers. “Did she send me any underwear?”

Propped against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his wide chest, Nox’s blue eyes sparkled as he watched me search. “What if I told you that I told Deloris you didn’t need any?”

I spun toward him. “What?”

His laugh rumbled through the small room as he took two steps and reached for my towel. I swatted his hand. “Stop. I want to see my mom.”

“I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”

“That may make your work and my school difficult.”

He reached for the platinum diamond-dusted cage. “This never comes off.”

I nodded. “Underwear?”

He pointed to one of the drawers. After I finished dressing in jeans and a soft white sweater, I braided my hair, pulling it all over one shoulder. For a moment I stared at the woman in the mirror. For the first time in nearly two weeks, my eyes weren’t filled with worry.

“You’re beautiful,” Nox whispered, his handsome face coming near my ear.

I spun toward him. “Did your dad really say my mom would be downstairs and out of the hospital bed already?”

“That’s what he said.”

I shook my head, recognizing an emotion I hadn’t felt in nearly two weeks.

Happiness.

In this home, under Nox’s protective gaze, and with my mother safe, I was happy.

More than happy. I was excited—almost giddy. It was as if sometime during the morning, a seed of anticipation had cracked open deep inside my soul. Its roots were spreading through me, pushing away the stress and gloom. No longer entrapped, I was like a young girl on Christmas morning, eager to go downstairs and see what was under the tree. “I can’t believe she’s that much better. I was so scared.”

A strong arm surrounded my waist and Nox pulled me against his chest. “Never again. No more scared.”

I leaned back, our hips touching, and my lips in a full grin. “What if I told you there’s something else that scares me?”

“Tell me and I’ll make it go away.”

“That’s the thing. I’m not sure I want it to go away.”

Nox’s brow furrowed as his lips quirked to the side. “I’m confused.”

I lifted myself up on my tiptoes and brushed my lips to his. “Me too. That’s what you do to me.”

As I began to pull away, Nox brought me closer. “Tell me what scares you.”

“You.”

His embrace stiffened. “Me?”

I looked down and ran my fingers over his belt buckle before looking back up through my lashes. “This… last night you said…”

“I said your ass is mine,” he said, finishing my sentence. “And it will be. Is that what scares you?” His question was laced with concern.

“Part of it.”

“Princess, if you want to go see your mom, stop talking in riddles.”

“The idea scares me…” The warmth I’d felt earlier in my cheeks burned hotter. “…because as much as I shouldn’t want what you described, I do. I trust you.”

His smile returned as his phone vibrated.

“I want so fucking bad to ignore that,” he said as he pulled it from his jeans.

DELORIS flashed on the screen.

“Where are you?” Nox asked.

I started to walk away when he stopped me. “Charli, where’s your handbag from last night?”

Spinning a full circle, I looked about the room. “I’m not sure. I had it when we got here. Why?”

“Deloris wants to know if the phone your stepfather gave you is in it.”

The happiness that had sprung to life evaporated as dread filled its place. “Shit, it is.”

“She’s been listening to audible surveillance. They know where you are and are speculating that your mom is with you. She believes they’ve tracked your phone.”





“YOU DON’T NEED to carry me.”

Adelaide’s voice might be weak, but the sparkle in her eyes wasn’t. The blue was glowing—electric—as if her eyes were telling their own story. They were saying that her body would still need to heal, but inside she was alive.