“Blah, blah, excuses. If you’re scared to try, just say so. No one will blame you.”
“Pardon me, but did you say ‘blah, blah’? And I’m not scared. Please.”
“Well, we know there’s nothing wrong with your hearing.”
He’d laughed, scooping her into his arms, swinging her round. And nearly kissed her. “Americans. You think you’re so wise.”
Her eyes narrowed into a golden, hazel-tipped spear. “Think? My dear Stephen, we know.”
“Stephen.” Thomas came onto the balcony. “I rang Miss Del Rey. She granted permission to stay at her flat.”
“You what?” Was this a conspiracy? “No. Find other accommodations.”
Thomas shook his head. “I’m head of security and I make the calls. Miss Del Rey’s place is secure and private. Her flat is the easiest and safest.”
Stephen sighed. Thomas maintained strict control when they traveled. Even with the team, if Thomas didn’t feel safe, he’d move Stephen to another hotel. Since Torkham, the palace demanded certain security requirements. Stephen could never be “one of the lads.” But he’d made concessions to do what he loved.
He narrowed his gaze at Thomas. “Are you sure she doesn’t mind?”
“I didn’t ask her if she minded. I asked her if there was room for us. How she feels about the situation is second to your security.”
Stephen sighed and started for the stairs. “When do we meet up with her?”
“She’s on her way home now, making a stop along the way. We’ll meet her there in an hour.”
Up the stairs and in the shower, a wave of panic slipped through him, soaking through to his heart as warm water ran down his neck and back.
How could he convince her? He could be a brute about the annulment, make her hate him. But he wasn’t sure he could bring himself to do that. Or if it would break her resolve to find out what happened to her brother.
Regret. He wore it like a winter scarf. If he could go back and change the events leading up to that night, he would. But he couldn’t, and six men had died. For him.
Stephen hammered the shower tile with his fists. He didn’t know.He did not know!
What did it matter what he told her? He’d just make up something. Because whether or not she signed the papers, he’d never be a free man.
And that was the reality he’d live with for the rest of his life.
At her condo building, Corina stepped out of the elevator to the sound of the familiar ping, Publix bags swinging from her fingertips and a vase of red roses cradled in the crook of her arm.
Gigi had just dismissed the staff to take care of their homes and families when Thomas rang, asking for shelter in his kind voice, catching her off guard.
“It’s just that we don’t know anyone else and we do need a secure location.”
“Well, I–I don’t know . . .”
“Please, Corina, you’re our quickest and safest option.”
Sigh. “Only if he behaves.”
Thomas laughed. “You’ve my word.”
But really, what was she to do? Tell Thomas no? “Let the son of a gun get washed out to sea.” Or “Weather it out at the Sea Joy Motel”?
As she pushed her cart through a crowded Publix, she found the silver lining. Spending eighteen or so hours locked in her condo while a storm raged might just get the truth out of Stephen.
As she entered the building lobby, Corina nodded at Captain, the doorman, as Stephen and Thomas came in behind her.
“I hope we’re not imposing.”
