10
ROSE
I’m not sure if I’m up to this. When sister Agatha told me about the test, I never thought for one second it would be like this.
I’m so confused and even more at how happy I am that my hand is in his.
I’m warm inside when I should be cold. So much has happened since I left the convent, and the fact a man was murdered because of me is playing on repeat in my mind.
“That man.”
My voice falters as Julius guides me to a seat.
“Which one?”
“The, um, one who is no longer living.”
“What about him?”
“Who was he?”
I sink into the comfortable chair, mourning the fact that Julius lets go of my hand and takes the one opposite, staring directly into my eyes as a flicker of distaste passes across his face.
“He worked for the man inside the plane. Liam Dettori. Their plan was to replace your cab driver, who theymurdered for showing up to work that day. Liam’s guard took his place, and his intention was to take you to Liam, where the marriage would take place. By the time the plane landed, I’m convinced you would be holding a marriage certificate and already pregnant with Liam’s child.”
“For my inheritance.”
My voice is sharp, and it’s as if I’m beginning to wake up from a dream, hell, a nightmare that I’ve forgotten was the reason for fleeing to the convent in the first place.
“Yes.” Julius shrugs, and I stare at him hard.
“And you. Is that also your intention?”
I study him carefully and the flicker of anger in his expression is confusing.
“No,” he states simply, and for some reason it’s a tremendous relief that he’s not the enemy.
“My intention was to get you safely to Washington. My father anticipated the interest in your family and took steps to avoid trouble.”
“Two men are dead already because of me. What if you’re next?”
My words catch on my breath because the idea of anything happening to Julius is painful, and I’m not sure why.
“I won’t be.” He shrugs, and the steely glint in his eye should terrify me. It’s only now that I’m aware of how much trouble I’m in that it becomes clear that they sent a demon to slay another. Evil versus evil in this case, and yet I can’t judge Julius too harshly because he has done nothing but protect me.
“What was the plan when I got to Washington? Would you be around to protect me there?”
I have to know because as I wake up to the facts, I’mbeginning to realize that my knight in dark armor may not be as gallant as I thought he was.
“I have been assigned to protect you throughout your year out. To help you, to be here for you and to be your contact.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and if anything, I’m shocked by how disappointed I am at that.
“I want to go back.”
The words may leave my lips, but I don’t really mean them. If anything, the past few hours have been the most exhilarating of my life, but I want to test my theory.
I study him carefully, and the flicker of disappointment in his expression confuses me. Is it because he wants to steal the prize, or is it because he feels more than he is letting on?
