16
Carter and I both had our stories. In the end, we reached a settlement.
Levias flew back overnight. When he came in, bringing the cold wind with him, I was curled up in a beanbag chair, my face flushed, watching a steamy movie.
So awkward…
Levias grabbed my shoulders and looked me up and down. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine… Carter, that bastard, is the one who’s in bad shape.”
Levias pulled me into his arms. His heart was beating so fast. I sneakily found the remote and turned off the movie. The shameful sounds finally stopped.
I looked up at him. When I met Levias, he was already a top–tier powerhouse, his aura formidable, seemingly indestructible. Now, the image of him as a pitiful boy was stuck in my mind. It made my heart ache. It made me want to protect him.
“Why are you looking at me like I’m a sad little puppy? What did Carter tell you?”
“He showed me… the videos of them bullying you in high school.”
The corners of his eyes turned red. His body trembled slightly. He smiled. “You pity me?”
“I feel for you. But mostly, I admire you. Levias Thorne, you are truly… truly amazing.”
I stroked his back, wanting to soothe his battle–scarred soul.
We spoke at almost the exact same time. “If only I could have protected you when you were eighteen.”
i stared at him, stunned.
He said, “You’re amazing too, baby.”
Levias and I were each other’s salvation.
I leaned in, about to kiss him.
Levias suddenly stood up and strode out of the room.
I missed, tumbling into the beanbag. “Hey, hey, hey, we just had a breakthrough here. Where are you going?”
I muttered under my breath, “And I was just getting warmed up from that movie.”
