“Yes.” Ezra didn’t look at me. “You’re powerful, Quinn. I wanted you safe and in the company of those I trust.”
I didn’t expect an honest answer. I ate another of his bars—honey, nuts, oats, and chocolate; it was delicious.
“Was Brody on your list?” I asked.
Ezra shook his head. “My first interaction with Brody was yesterday, when he reported your absence.”
I let out a breath, more thankful than I wanted to admit. “Did you choose men for me to form contracts with?” I asked awkwardly, remembering Seth’s interest.
Ezra turned and gripped my shoulder. “No. Your body belongs only to you, as does your future.” His face fell. “I’ve gravely mishandledall of this. Everything I do is to keep you safe. Nothing more. I swear on the Architect’s life.”
My traitorous stomach fluttered under his touch. Believing him hurt worse than doubt, because hope always demanded payment. I reached up and covered his hand with mine, understanding ‘mishandling’ life all too well. It was probably naïve of me, but I wanted what he said to be true badly enough that I was willing to risk getting shit on a second time.
I squeezed his hand, still resting on my shoulder.
A question about the Architect was on the tip of my lips, but I swallowed it. Ezra might be this mysterious mentalist’s, whatever that meant, second in command, but that didn’t mean he knew the Architect’s mind. I didn’t need to make more assumptions based on incomplete information.
“I’m exhausted by the end of the day.” I pulled my hand off his, and he released my shoulders. “I don’t even have time to eat with my crazy schedule. If your goal’s to keep me too busy to think, it’s working.”
Ezra narrowed his eyes.
“I’m trying to say yes.” I patted his leg. “I’d love to have your expertise again. But I’m probably already late for the stables, and then I’m passing out.”
Ezra stood. “I will make sure you have time.”
I pursed my lips. He had made my schedule and wasn’t hiding it. He clearly enjoyed hard work; maybe he didn’t realize how bad it was for me.
“And breaks,” I added.
“As you wish.” Ezra held out his hand to help me up.
He had no idea he quotedThe Princess Bride, but I flushed, loving it.
His grin widened, sensing my reaction, though he couldn’t know why.
The rush of excitement from when we first met returned. He might be gay, but he seemed pretty happy to let me drool. I took his hand and gestured at his shirt, motioning up.
With a grin, he removed the offending garment.
“Better.” I bit my lower lip.
Ezra’s gaze scrutinized me. “You’ve not put on weight. I want you to eat two of my bars a day. I’ll have them sent to your dorm.”
“What are you, my personal trainer now?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know what that is.” Ezra inclined his head. “But I’m guessing it’s someone close to you who trains you, so yes, that is exactly what I am.”
I snorted. Before I did as he asked, his story came back to me. “What happened to the kid?”
A soft, unexpected smile filled Ezra’s face. “He became the Architect.”
Chapter 2
Rowan
IsatinValentino’soffice. The white scrawl I’d just finished glowed on the clean metal desk. Unlike the rest of Ezra’s five, Valentino’s space was always clean and organized. The calming blue walls were lined with paintings of rolling hills and distant lochs I’d never visited. A sketch of his horse rested front and center on the desk.
Of course it was a horse. Had to be.
