Lucas placed a hand over hers. “I’m sorry you have to go through this.”
She smiled wryly. “It’s definitely not your fault. And I appreciate your help.” She didn’t know what she’d have done without him.
“When are you going to realize I’d do anything for you?” he asked.
He’d made that comment at other times in the past, but something in his brown eyes and intense expression was different now. More protective. Possessive.
Before she could figure out what, he continued. “And because I’d do anything for you, I have some things I’d like to talk to you about, and after a morning doing this, you’re not going to like it.”
“Spit it out. I’m not sure there’s much more that can shock me.”
He nodded. “I hired security to protect you. I don’t trust this Bernardi character, and I’m worried about him coming near you again.”
She blew out a long breath. “And you’re expecting me to be upset that you’re making decisions for me or taking over my life?”
“Something like that.”
She stood and walked over to the box on which he sat, rested her head on his shoulder.
Exhaustion overwhelmed her but he was her rock. “I’m not upset. I’m so grateful that you care enough to keep me safe. I can be stubborn but I’m not stupid.”
He laughed and breathed out an obvious sigh of relief. “Well, that went easier than I thought. Next I have to deal with my parents.”
She looked up and met his gaze. “Have you heard from them?”
He shook his head. “But I need to go see them.”
“Okay … they’re your parents. You should visit with them.” But there was something he wasn’t saying. “Lucas, what’s wrong?”
“I hired people to protect them too. What if Bernardi starts to think maybe Keith gave the flash drive to my mother or father for safekeeping? He could go after them.” Lucas clenched his hands into fists.
“Oh my God. Do you think Keith did?” Maxie asked, horrified by the notion.
“Everything inside me wants to say no. He wouldn’t involve my parents, but if you’d asked me six months ago, I wouldn’t have thought he’d involve you.”
He had a point, Maxie thought.
“So I have to go tell them everything. They need to know exactly how bad things were with their son so they can be prepared and safe.”
And after the reaction they’d had about Keith last time Lucas had tried to talk to them, he must be dreading the confrontation.
She cupped his face in her hand. “I’m sorry you have to go through this.”
“It’s definitely not your fault either.” His lips twisted in a wry grin.
“I know your parents aren’t thrilled with us right now, but I’d be happy to go with you. For moral support.”
His eyes glittered with admiration. Considering her freak out after her in-laws had discovered her living with Lucas, she understood his reaction.
“Thank you but I need to do this myself. And it’s not going to be pleasant, so I think you should stay home.”
“I respect that,” she murmured. Everyone had things they needed to accomplish on their own, and just because she was allowing for security and help didn’t mean she’d changed her mind about the need to be independent. She was just taking a few detours on the road to getting there.
They returned to their search for another hour, until finally Lucas spoke from across the unit. “Well, this place seems like a dead end,” Lucas said.
Her stomach flipped, knowing that was not a good thing. “Maybe there is something at your parents’, or what about Keith’s old office?” she asked hopefully.
“It’s been awhile, but we could ask if there were any personal effects they didn’t pass on to you.”
Maxie nodded, grasping on to any hope that they could find what Bernardi wanted and get him out of her life once and for all.
“Are you ready to get out of here? I could stand to eat lunch.”
No sooner had he asked the question than her stomach growled in response.
She laughed. “That answers your question. Just one more thing.” Her gaze fell to the one box she hadn’t opened.
“What’s that?” he asked, his stare following hers.
“It’s got some things in it that were meant for the baby.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I couldn’t bring myself to part with them, so I hid them in my closet.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Why hide it? I’m almost afraid to ask.”
She swallowed hard. “Keith got rid of anything related to the baby immediately, so I stashed things I couldn’t bear to part with at the bottom of my closet. One night when he was out, I packed it all into a box and put it beneath old sweaters.” She shrugged. “They were the only links I had to the life that grew inside me.”
“Aww. C’mere.” He held out his arms and she walked into them.
When she was enveloped in his embrace and the comforting smell of everything that was Lucas, the pain and sadness that came with the memories weren’t quite as sharp and acute. She rested her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart and letting it soothe her.
“I want to take the box home. If Bernardi comes back, I don’t want anything that has special meaning to be left for him to tear apart.” She tipped her head up and looked at him.