19. Eliza

19

ELIZA

W hatever had happened between Niven and Levi would stand between us. It didn't matter that we didn't want it to.

"Last year, I learned my father—both my parents, actually—were heavily in debt. I also learned that, before her death, Niv's mother had been supporting them. She even purchased their flat. When she died, eleven years ago, the lavish spending Nigel and Millicent, as I've come to think of them, continued. Between then and now, they've outspent their income by a million pounds."

His eyes scrunched, but he squeezed my fingers, I suppose to let me know I had his support.

"Niven discovered their predicament and came to their rescue, so to speak. The cottage in Alfriston where he and Harper live has been in our family for generations, and when Nigel learned of its worth, he put it on the market, hoping he could use the funds to cover some of his debts."

"I'm sorry, El."

"Thank you, but there's no need, which I'll explain in a minute." I glanced at the kitchen island. "May I have another glass of wine?"

"Of course, unless you'd like something stronger?"

"Wine is good for now. Perhaps later."

He stood, picked up the bottle, then returned to my side of the table. After pouring, he set it down, then sat beside me. Before I could go on, he lifted me onto his lap.

"Levi—"

"I need to hold you, El. Will you let me?"

His kindness, knowing he cared enough to say what he needed instead of assuming I did, was nearly my undoing. I had to get through this, though, because what I did need was for him to understand my relationship with my cousin.

"As I was saying, my father attempted to sell the cottage. However, apparently, the listing agent found something in the title documents indicating he couldn't do so without the consent of any other heirs. Niven and I are the only two."

"Go on," he said, holding me tighter.

"Niven, who'd wanted to purchase the cottage, which is what led to all of this, also learned that if either of us wanted it, my father would've had to transfer ownership. He couldn't have forced us to buy it."

He reached up, smoothed my hair from my face, and brushed away the tear I hadn't realized had fallen.

"I would say I'm sure you know where this story is going, but given your feelings about Niv, I doubt you do. You see, he did purchase the cottage for the million pounds it was worth. Even that didn't cover my parents' debt."

"El, you don't have to?—"

"I do. Please allow me to."

He nodded. "Of course."

"Niven forced them to sell their flat but also gave them money to buy another worth far less. My father was livid, as you can imagine, but he'd made such a mess of his life that he had no choice but to do as Niv said. I should also mention Nigel treated him abhorrently his entire life in an attempt to control him. Still, he insisted on helping my parents, not for himself, but for me."

"I understand."

"Do you?" I asked.

"He cares a great deal for you."

"There's more."

He nodded.

"When all this was happening, I told Niven I would back him. He knew what I meant. If it came down to it, I would side with him, and by doing so, I would ensure a complete estrangement from my parents. Not that our relationship would've changed much." I looked into Levi's eyes. "We aren't close."

He leaned up and kissed me softly but didn't say anything.

"When I offered to cover their debts myself, Niven refused. He said that if I did, Nigel wouldn't stop there. He'd demand more in the same way a blackmailer would. While that may sound harsh, it is a reality."

"I do understand why you're telling me this, El, and I'll admit that the man you've described in the time that I've known you bears little resemblance to the one I knew."

"He's important to me."

"I know."

"If forced to choose, Levi, it would be him." They were the hardest words I'd ever said, but they were true, and he needed to know.

"I knew that already. I will never ask you to alter your relationship with him in any way."

"He demanded it of you."

"Until I hear it from your lips, which I pray I never do, nothing your cousin says or threatens will keep me from you."

I rested my head on his shoulder. "He threatened to kill you, and when I asked what he'd said, you covered for him."

Levi cupped my cheek. "Please look at me."

I raised my head and stared into the warmth of his gray eyes.

"I will always protect you, Eliza. From everyone and everything that tries to hurt you. I didn't cover for him for his sake. I did it for yours. I am here for you, no matter what you need, even if you don't realize you do. You asked me what happens when I get what I want, and I told you I'll keep you forever. Even if you decided you no longer wanted me in your life, I'd do anything to make you change your mind."

"Why?" More than anything, I wanted to believe him, to let my guard down, to trust his words.

Levi took my hand and put it on his chest. "Tell me you don't feel what you mean to me. Hours, days don't matter. I knew the minute I first saw you and every time after that. My only regret is the night we were both at the Fumoir and I didn't walk over and introduce myself. I've regretted the wasted time more than you can imagine."

I buried my face in his neck when all he said settled on my heart. I'd felt alone for so long, even with Niven in my life, and I yearned to have someone care about me the way Levi was saying he did. As hard as it was to trust he spoke the truth, deep inside, I believed he did. I wanted to believe.

He stood with me in his arms and walked to the lift. The farther we went, the harder I cried. Even when he rested me on the bed, he didn't let go. He somehow eased his body next to mine and wrapped himself around me.

"I will carry your sorrow, Eliza. I will bear your pain and suffering. I will celebrate your successes, and I will do everything in my power to make you happy, starting now and until the day I die."

"I so want to believe you."

"Every day we spend together, even those we don't, you'll see proof of what I just said. Those words are my vow to you. Whether it was by fate or some higher power, we were meant to meet. Me to protect you. You to give my life meaning. You soothe my pain just by being with me. Your touch heals wounds I didn't realize I had."

I leaned back and unfastened the buttons of his shirt I wore, then got on my knees. "Let me," I said when Levi put his hands on the waist of his shorts. I removed them from his body and made love to him.