KLAUS’S POV
"I was just thinking..." Laila said softly, her voice calm, casual—but her words? They hit something raw. "Maybe if Gina had someone in her life. A man. Someone who could help take care of her and Bernard... maybe then she’d stop running to you for help. Maybe that’s what she needs. A real partner."
My head snapped up before I could even think. “She doesn’t need anyone,” I said, too fast. Too harsh. Like the words burned on the way out.
Laila blinked at me. “What?”
I stood up, trying to shake off whatever the hell that was that just hit me. “I mean... she’s doing okay, right? She’s been managing this whole time without anyone. She doesn’t need a man to fix her problems.”
Even as I said it, I knew I’d given too much away. My voice. The way I moved. Everything screamed too m
