Accidentally Yours (Merffy Kizzmet) novel Chapter 172

11:22 Thu, Oct 9

Accidentally Yours

Chapter 172

“Lola

“I” Her voice sharpened. “I’m not saying I will. But if I do, I don’t want them hunting blind. You’ll know exactly where I am. No more faves on nightstands. No more guessing.”

Jake stared at her, chewing the inside of his cheek like he was running probability in real time. “You hate being tagged”

“I hate being dragged out of my life more.” Her pulse thudded. “I’d rather have you in my skin than Dmitri’s men in my head.”

Enzo would lose his mind if he heard this. He’d think it meant I don’t believe in him, don’t trust him to keep me safe. He’d chain me to the bed just to prove a point. He’d burn another empire just to make the world fear touching me again. I can’t give him this. Not yet. Not when he’s already carrying everything else.

Silence stretched, Jake finally dragged a hand over his mouth. “You realize Enzo will kill me if he

“He won’t,” Lola said quickly. “This stays between us. You, me, maybe Nico–If I decide to

tell him. Not Enzo. Not yet.”

Jake exhaled, long and slow, then shook his head with a grim little grin. “You’re trouble.”

She smirked, though her throat was tight. “If I’m their problem, I’m damn well going to be part of the solution.”

That earned her the ghost of a laugh. “Fine. I’ll prep something Small, low frequency, triple–encrypted. Nobody but me will have the signal.”

“Good.” She eased back against the counter, chest sore, heart hammering, “When?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll bring the kit. His eyes narrowed. “But if you even think about telling Enzo, give me a live–minute head start.”

Lola let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “Deal.”

For the first time since the fox hit the table, she felt like maybe–just maybe–she wasn’t entirely helpless.

The den emptied in pieces–Dom grumbling about gear, Gino cracking his knuckles like he was already looking for a fight, Jake tucking his laptop under his arm with a ghost of a nod in her direction. Nico lingered, eyes following her too closely, until Enzo’s voice sent him stalking after the others

Lola stayed where she was a beat longer, shoulders drugging heavy. The adrenaline from the morning was gone, and with it came the weight of bruises, stitches, and cracked ribs. Her whole body felt like it had been carved out of glass and set down wrong.

She pushed herself up, slow, careful, and crossed into the living room. The couch caught her like a wave finally giving her to shore. She curled onto her side, tucking her knees as best her ribs would allow, one arm cushioning her head. The cushions smelled faintly of leather and cedar, Enzo’s world swallowing her even here.

Enza followed her out, steps quiet, eyes tracking every movement like he was cataloguing her pain. He didn’t stop at the edge of the couch–he bent, steady hands adjusting the blanket she hadn’t bothered to pull over herself. Fingers lingered at her temple, brushing stray hair back.

“Rest,” he murmured. His voice was low, roughened with the weight he never let anyone else hear. “I don’t care what burns out there–you

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11:22 Thu, Oct 9

Chapter 172

don’t move until I say you can.

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Lola blinked up at him, ribs tugging with every shallow breath. He wasn’t dismissing her. He was worshipping her in the only way he knew

by making the world wait for her strength to come back.

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