To Love and Protect

“The fare is set,” Sophia told her. “Don’t pay more.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back in the morning.”

Sophia waved and stepped back from the cab. Liz slid onto the cracked seat and slammed the door.

Twenty minutes later Liz stepped out in front of an old, elegant building. Panes of thick glass surrounded the double-door entry. Tall, narrow windows marched across each of the five stories. Small balconies dotted the facade.

Liz paid the taxi fare, then crossed to the front door. A panel there listed occupants with a button next to each name. Only one space was blank. She pushed the buzzer and waited.

“You made it,” David said, seconds later. “Come into the foyer and I’ll be right down.”

When the door buzzed, she stepped into the building.

The entryway was huge—open and at least three stories high. Two old-fashioned elevators stood on the left with a long wooden counter on the right. The arched ceiling was covered with blue and gold tiles.

After a couple of minutes she heard footsteps on the marble and turned to see David hurrying down the curved stairs. He crossed to her and took both her hands in his.

“You’ve been crying,” he said. “What happened?”

She sniffed. “I tried to repair my makeup on the drive over. I guess I didn’t do a very good job.”

“You look beautiful and the signs are subtle. I’m trained to notice. Everything okay?”

She wasn’t sure if he pulled her close or she stepped into his embrace, nor did she know if it mattered. One second he was holding her hands and the next she was in his arms.

She buried her face in his shoulder and did her best to hang on to her control. Deep breaths, she told herself, while she savored the heat of his body and the sense of safety and security that filled her.

“Liz?”

“I didn’t want to leave her. I know that’s completely silly. Natasha has lived in that orphanage since her mother abandoned her nearly four months ago. She’ll be fine. I only have to wait until tomorrow. But I don’t want to.”

She felt his lips brush the top of her head.

“You’re not silly in the least. You love her and you want to be with her. You’re also tired from your trip, and in a strange place. All of that is bound to throw you off.”

“You’re being sensible,” she said, holding on even tighter.

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