Nothing about Marie’s expression changed. She didn’t look at all surprised by his suggestion, which he felt for sure she would be. He expected an emphaticno, before he’d even finished speaking. Yet she sat still, watching him, giving nothing away.
“Marie?” he asked when the silence seemed to drag on longer than necessary.
“I’ve been expecting you to say that.” She picked at the fabric of her pants as casual as can be.
“You have?”
Her gaze met his. “Yes.”
Isaac expected her to elaborate, but she didn't, she just stared at him. There was nothing malicious or annoying about her gaze, it was clear and open. “Okay, so what do you think of the idea then?”
“It makes sense. I’m assuming you were extra careful when you drove us here and ensured we weren’t being followed. That the car you’re now driving hasn’t got a tracker on it.”
“Of course.” This was too easy, and he didn’t know how to take her calm acceptance of the change of her living arrangement.
Why was he questioning it though? He’d gotten what he’d wanted. Marie in his personal space and the time to convince her that what was growing between them, while fast, was pure and true. That she wasn’t an assignment, that this was what he wanted. Her in his home, for however long it was necessary.
Chapter Eighteen
Marie knewshe’d shocked Isaac when she hadn’t shown any surprise at his suggestion she stay with him. Part of her had always known it was heading in this direction when he drove them here instead of her apartment.
Knowing that the people after her knew where she lived, going back to her apartment had been the last thing she wanted to do. If she’d had to stay in a hotel, then that’s what she would’ve done. But staying with Isaac was much better.
His home was sparsely furnished, as if he didn’t want to make it too comfortable, because he wasn’t sure if he was going to stay long. Considering the bare minimum details of his past he’d given her, the lack of personal touches and warmth in the room made sense.
There was so much that made up Isaac that shewanted to learn. To ask. To find out about his time in the cartel, because that had to have changed him. There was no way it couldn’t have.
“Are you really sure you’re okay with this?” Isaac asked, pulling her from her thoughts.
“I am.” She patted his hand, and he grabbed it, holding it tight before she had a chance to pull it away. Not that she wanted to. She found that she liked touching Isaac. Liked him touching her.
How was feeling this connected and safe possible? It seemed as if they’d been together for months, not three days. But it had felt the same when they’d been in Guatemala. The second she’d seen him, she’d felt safe, so safe that she’d exposed her vulnerabilities to him and had then fallen asleep in his arms.
Something deep in her soul had latched onto Isaac that day and hadn’t really let go.
“You make me feel safe, Isaac,” she said. “If I want to be really truthful with you and myself, I was glad you brought me here to your place instead of my apartment. I don’t know if I’m ever going to be comfortable living there again.”
Was she being a bit over the top by saying that? Possibly, but right now she felt like she’d been violated. They’d known where she lived, because they’d placed the tracker on Isaac’s car while it had been parked there.
These weren’t amateurs they were dealing with. These were people who were able to disappear in a way that they couldn’t be located.
“You’ll be able to live normally, I’m going to make sure of that. And yes, you are safe here. The house is very secure, Cass made sure of that.” If he was prone to rolling his eyes, Marie imagined he’d do that talking about Alliez’s computer expert.
This wasn’t the first time she sensed there was something more between him and Cass than work colleagues. The relationship was almost familial. “Are you and Cass related?” she asked, wanting a change in topic. While she knew there was still more to discuss and sort out, for a little bit, she wanted to learn some more about the man who was her self-appointed bodyguard.
His eyes took on a faraway look and a soft smile teased the corners of his mouth. However, there was still a little bit of tension in his shoulders. “We’re not related, but she’s been a part of my life for a long time.”
Well that was clear as privacy glass.
Should she push for him to tell her more or wait? She didn’t have to wait long.
“I first met Cass when she was a small child. Her family history is complicated, and what we did to her–whatIdid–had far reaching consequences that Icouldn’t have imagined at the time when I’d made the decision I did.”
There was a tortured tone to his voice, and she wanted to tell him to stop, but she also wanted him to continue, because she felt like this story was important. That it made him the person he was now.
“Whatever it was you did, it hasn’t affected your relationship with her. I can hear in your voice how much you care about her.”
“Cass is a remarkable person. She’s far more forgiving than she should be. I’m grateful for her compassion and empathy that she could accept the decision I made and how it changed the trajectory of her life.” He looked at her, his eyes bleak and cloudy as if he hated himself.
