Not sure how this is pertinent to our convincing people we’re married, but I don’t mind answering it. “They’ve always been supportive of my choices, even if they don’t entirely understand them.”
Her mouth tenses for a moment. “That’s nice.”
“What about your parents? Do they approve of their daughter being in such a dangerous line of work?”
She clears her throat and studies her notebook. “They passed away when I was very young.”
The twist I felt earlier in my chest returns twice as hard. “So sorry. That must have been difficult.”
Her shrug doesn’t hide the wariness I see on her face. “I don’t remember much about them.”
“Did your grandparents raise you, then? Mine like to play second parents to my sister and me, always nosing into our business.” I finish with a chuckle.
She shakes her head. “My parents didn’t have any family, so I grew up in the foster system.”
I don’t recall ever meeting someone who spent their childhood as an orphan. At the moment, I dearly wish I had some of my sister’s diplomatic abilities.
“Sorry again.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “I’m honestly not sure what to say.”
“You don’t need to say anything. It’s simply the facts. On the bright side, we won’t have to make up any stories about meeting my parents. Makes things easier.”
As much as I wish at times that my parents—and grandparents—would show less interest in my life, I can’t imagine not having them in my life. And my sister, of course, whose penchant for bossing me around is either her way of showing she loves me or her superpower. Maybe both…
I run my hands down the front of my trousers. “Right. So, what’s your story then? Do I tell my teammates you’re a…you know, a…”
“Bodyguard?” A gleam of mischief sparkles in her eyes. “After high school, I did a short tour in the Army, then moved into the private sector, doing security in London. It’s vague but detailed enough.”
“You mentioned keeping things as close to the truth as possible, so is that true?”
“Pretty much.”
“Why did you leave the military?”
She studies me. “That’s complicated. Let’s just say I realized I wanted somethingdifferent.”
Color me intrigued and completely fascinated. I want to ask her to expound, but I get the sense she holds this close. If I planned to spend more time with Lily, I’d wait for her to trust me before asking her for details about her past. But somehow, I have to find a way to cut this arrangement short before I’m back with the team.
“Hmmm. I can relate to that. That’s how I wound up playing ice hockey in another country. I wanted something different.”
“But for different reasons, I’m sure.” She says this with a finality that tells me the subject is closed.
The lights dim in the cabin, drawing our gazes upward. A yawn bubbles up before I can squelch it.
Lily closes her notebook. “Get some rest, Payton. We’ve covered enough for now.”
I nod as I reach to close the small door between our seats, but she stops me.
“Sorry, but I need to keep eyes on you at all times.”
“But we’re on a plane.”
“Whatever threat’s out there?—”
“If there even is one,” I interrupt.
“A single moment of vulnerability is all it takes, Payton. Trust me on that.” Her gaze never wavers as if to bring her point home.
Aside from the jitters now coursing through me, I confess I find the thought of her watching me as I rest somewhat unsettling yet comforting at the same time. On the ice, I can count on Luke or Ethan to have my back, but in life, I’m largely on my own in the States. Returning for Sebastian’s funeral reminded me how much I’d missed our family gatherings.
