“I didn’t miss it,” he assured.
In other words, he knew exactly what she was asking him, and he wasn’t about to share what Danny had just discussed with him.
Which was…well, fine. For the moment. But Fawn wouldn’t let Declan off so easily if that conversation should prove to be about something that might affect his health or the safety of either of them.
“You’re much stronger than you look,” Declan admired as she easily carried their bags when the two of them walked toward where Fawn could see four elevators, their silver doors gleaming from the lights glowing above them.
“I’m a lot of things more than I look,” she assured him pertly.
“I’m starting to realize that,” Declan acknowledged enigmatically.
Fawn didn’t add anything else, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still concerned. If Declan believed he had effectively divertedher attention from his conversation with Danny, then he was sadly mistaken. She was simply saving the subject for further discussion, if or when it became necessary.
Of course, Declan’s conversation with Danny could have been purely work-related, and so nothing to do with her. But a part of Fawn didn’t believe Danny would have asked to talk to Declan in private if that was the case. Or that the older man would have scowled so darkly as he listened to what Danny had to say.
After all, the reason Declan had been a patient in the hospital where she worked was because he had been shot. Twice.
She followed Declan as he walked to the farthest elevator, watching as he swiped a card and then pressed his thumbprint against the touch-recognition screen. The doors immediately opened.
“After you.” He turned her previous comment back on her as he stepped back to allow her to enter the elevator ahead of him.
Fawn was looking forward to changing into some of the casual clothes she had brought with her, but only after she had given Declan the painkillers and suggested he take a nap before dinner.
Except the moment they stepped out of the elevator into what was obviously the penthouse apartment, from the view she could see out the windows of what she believed was a thirty-story building, she realized the two of them weren’t alone.
CHAPTER THREE
“What the hellare you doing here?” Declan demanded of Linus Wynter as the other man stepped into the hallway from the direction of the kitchen.
Declan was still slightly on edge from his earlier conversation with Danny. A conversation he had no intention of worrying Fawn with the details of until, or if, he needed to. Because if Danny’s suspicion should prove to be correct, then Declan was no longer sure it was safe for Fawn to remain in his apartment with him.
Linus shrugged. “It was either me or Thea who came to check your apartment was suitable for guests. I thought you would prefer it if it was me.”
Declan’s jaw tightened. “You might be one of the bosses at Wynter Security, but this is my home, and this is the second time you’ve invaded my privacy without asking me first.” The first time had been when the younger man came to collect those things he had brought Declan in the hospital. And yes, it had been helpful having his own stuff then, but Linus still should have asked first. As he should have done so now.
Linus nodded. “I get that, and I apologize if I’ve overstepped. Again.” He grimaced. “But that first time, it was only so that you had the things you needed to be comfortable while you were in hospital. This time, once I knew you were definitely being discharged today, I thought it would be a good idea for me to come over and tidy up a bit before you and Miss Meadows arrived.”
Declan’s years in the military ensured that his apartment was never untidy. In which case, he didn’t understand?—
“I thought I would just check everything was…in order and things put away appropriately,” Linus continued. “Before Miss Meadows arrived?—”
“Fawn,” she invited, sounding slightly bewildered by their exchange.
“Linus,” he returned, his gaze still fixed on Declan. “Before Fawn got here,” he corrected with a pointed glare at Declan.
“If you’re trying to say you’ve made sure to hide his porn collection, then just say so,” Fawn dismissed cheekily as she put their bags down.
“I don’t have a porn collection,” Declan bit out from between gritted teeth.
“Girly magazines under the mattress?”
“No.”
“Why don’t you?” she returned pertly.
“Probably because I’m not fourteen.”
“But you were once— Never mind,” she dismissed when she obviously took note of his increasingly glowering expression.
