Aching for His Discretion (The Discretion Dynasty #1)

23. Teegan

Chapter twenty-three

Teegan

“ T esoro…” Levi muttered angrily as he watched me walk back and forth in my closet, debating what to bring on the trip. I had two suitcases open on the floor, and my room was an entire mess. Hopefully Grayson wasn’t under the pile of clothes…

“We are going for just a few days…” he attempted to explain, and I sighed as I turned to look at him.

“But... I-I just want to have options… and what if we have multiple things we want to do, or something gets dirty, or we decide to stay longer,” I pouted, and he glanced over my room before his eyes caught something embarrassing.

“Is that why you packed half of your underwear drawer?” he asked, and I almost tripped as I quickly closed the drawer and glared at him.

“That was private first of all, and second… what if something happens?” I asked softly, and he sighed as he took a seat on the bed and patted his lap. I reluctantly walked over to him, and he placed his hands on my waist as I looked into his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Tesoro?” he asked, and I bit my lip.

“I... just want everything to go perfect.”

He nodded and caressed my hips slowly.

“Packing two suitcases and a carry-on isn’t going to make it automatically perfect, baby,” he countered, and I gazed over my messy room as I looked back over to him.

“But it just… gives me reassurance,” I said softly, and he sighed as he placed a small kiss on my stomach.

“I know, baby, but you don’t need to overpack so much just to be safe. God knows you don’t need ten dresses, let alone twenty-five pairs of underwear.”

Reluctantly, I nodded in agreement, and my face reddened as he squeezed my hips.

“Now be a good girl and finish packing. You get one carry-on and one suitcase,” he bargained, and I smiled as I nodded once again, causing him to pat my bum softly, pushing me to continue.

Finding the perfect outfits, I began to pack them when I noticed Levi was leaving the room to take a phone call. I gazed over at him as he left and froze slightly as I noticed the phone he had in his hand was dark grey… not black... dark grey .

When he gave me his phone to put in my number, it was jet black. Whenever he’s used it here… it’s been jet black. When he let me read his messages to Mitchel... it was jet black.

Teegan, you’re being ridiculous.

Come to think of it, when I read the messages in the car… I didn’t think to focus on the color of the phone.

TEEGAN.

Maybe he got a new phone… that would be the only reason.

He got a new phone. Okay.

His old one probably broke, got cracked, dropped in some water.

He got a new phone. Okay.

Returning to my packing, I finished in the next thirty minutes and walked out, noticing Levi was still on the phone.

He was speaking in Italian, obviously, and I could tell he was getting ready to leave. He ended the call, and I pouted as he pulled on his shoes.

“Some last-minute things I need to take care of, Tesoro… how about you finish up and get Grayson packed too. I’ll be back in about three hours,” he said, and I walked over to him as my pout remained on my face. Hearing silence as he grabbed his keys, he looked over at me to see my slight sulk.

“Tesoro...” He spoke warningly, grabbing my jaw in his hand as he gazed down at my lip. “No pouting. I’ll be back soon,” he demanded, and a small smile broke out on my face as he placed a kiss on my lips.

Soon he’d left, and I was again reminded of the mess of my apartment.

After doing some cleaning, I placed my items by the door and watched as Grayson slept on the couch. I also realized he was out of treats and food, so I decided to text Levi and go to Target around the corner from my apartment with the few hours I had to spare.

After arriving, I grabbed a basket and walked over to the pet section. Picking up what I needed, I also, unfortunately, did a bit of wandering for myself in the haircare and candle section.

“Strange, isn’t it… spending so much time with a man you just met only a few months ago,” I heard behind me, and I almost gave myself whiplash as I made eye contact with Private Investigator Theodore Hale… the last person I wanted to see today.

“I find it even more strange how you two are going to Greece, and all of this is free... for you, that is. He’s paying for everything... Makes you wonder even more, doesn’t it?”

“Mr. Theodore. Please, I-I just want to go home,” I pleaded, and he tilted his head.

“Oh, will he be waiting for you there? Seems as though your landlord has no clue he or his buddies have been up there, but Mr. John seems quite content with them and even lies to his boss. He was probably just in about an hour ago… yet I never saw him leave.”

Taking a step back, he watched my movements as I spoke in utter bewilderment.

“Were you watching me today?” I questioned, my eyes opening in shock.

His eyes grew darker as he stared at me. “Wouldn’t say it’s just been today. Usually I get off the clock… when you go to bed,” he muttered, and my heart rate quickened as I turned and walked away, only for him to grab my arm and pull me back. I winced only slightly as I forced myself to avoid anymore eye contact.

He practically towered over me as I could feel the body heat radiating off of him. “Not so fast, little girl... we were only talking.”

“I don’t want to talk to you,” I seethed, trying to pull my arm from his hand, and his next words caused my heart to sink.

“No? Not even after you realized he had a second phone ?” He whispered the last part, and I ripped my arm away from him as I made a bee-line towards the register.

Upon exiting, I knew he wasn’t behind me, and I did my best to clear my mind.

He doesn’t have a second phone. It’s his only phone, and he didn’t lie to you.

Don’t overthink things.

Don’t.

You were just having a good morning. You’re stress-free. Ignore Theodore. Enjoy your time with Levi.

Levi, Elliot, Micah, Nico.

I told Mr. Madison that no one had been up here. Why did I lie?

Elliot and Levi said to be quiet.

Mitchel. Lidocaine. Trash bags. Blood. Killing.

“If I find out… that you’ve been lying to me, little girl, you are going to be in serious trouble, not with just the law or authorities… but with me.”

“And do me a favor… Say hi to Mr. Amante for me, will you?”

TEEGAN!!

I stopped in my tracks as I began to feel lightheaded.

Everything is fine… It has to be. Everything is fine. Everything is fine. Everything is—

“Tesoro?” I heard behind me, and I felt my skin crawl slightly as my shoulders tensed. Turning around, Levi pushed some hair out of my face as I gazed up at him almost wide-eyed.

“Is everything all right, baby?” he asked, concern laced in his voice, and I took a deep breath before a smile came to my face.

“Just had to grab some last-minute things after I finished packing. Everything is fine .”

“Bye, baby. I’ll miss you so much,” I whispered as I smothered Grayson’s face with kisses while we stood inside Elliot’s apartment. It had much of the same dark, expensive aesthetic as Levi’s.

Grayson purred as I hugged him close to me and sighed. This would be the first time I left him alone for more than a day, and although I trusted the guys to watch him, I would still miss him.

“Tell me again why the cat has to stay here tonight?” Elliot asked, and Levi sent him a glare as Nico spoke.

“Because I’m getting him tomorrow, and Micah’s taking over after that.”

Micah shrugged. “Think of it like joint custody,” he reasoned, and Elliot rolled his eyes.

“Have fun, okay?” I said to my little fur baby, and he purred before allowing me to let him down. Immediately he walked away to begin exploring, and I looked over at Elliot.

“Make sure your windows stay closed, doors locked, and cabinets closed too… he likes to explore.”

“I’m sorry. Are we watching a cat or a fucking toddler?” Micah asked.

Levi stood up. “Watch your mouth. Let’s go, Tesoro.”

“Bye, guys! Thanks again!” I said, smiling, and they replied with their versions of “you’re welcome.”

Upon making it outside Levi’s car, thoughts of events from earlier began to surface.

What did Theo know? He already admitted to watching me… so he had to know something was up. And Levi… if he has a second phone, then all that he showed me to prove his innocence could be a lie. Mitchel, Alec…

And here you are going halfway around the world with him.

You’re not helping!

I didn’t even notice we were at the airport already until Levi opened the passenger-side door for me. I looked up at him, and he helped me out of the car slowly.

“Tesoro... you’ve been acting strange all afternoon,” he said, and I sighed as he pulled me into his embrace.

“Just a little nervous, is all…” I whispered truthfully, and he hummed as he rubbed circles with his thumb on my lower back. My small worrisome thoughts began to drift away as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“My sweet Tesoro... Nothing to be nervous about, hmm? We’ll be back before you know it, and we can leave whenever you want. No pressure for you to stay anywhere you’re uncomfortable.”

He’s right. There’s nothing to be nervous about… everything is going to be just fine .