“But…” The idea is exquisitely tempting but I don’t understand how it can happen when Baxter is adamant I shouldn’t leave. Especially after last night. And this morning. And hopefully again tonight. “Won’t the bad people know about my accounts and stuff by now?”
“What bad people?”
Now I don’t understand what’s happening at all. “The ones behind Sophia’s abduction. The ones who are still meant to have a hard-on over killing me.” Isn’t that why I’m still here in the first place?
“Forget all of that.”
“How?” Her casual attitude has me agitated. “How am I meant to forget that I stopped some powerful men getting what they wanted? Not to mention, I killed one of them. Am I just meant to take your word they got over it?”
Her face grows pale, and I wonder how much of my story had made it through to her ears before now.
“I don’t want to talk about this,” I say, turning my back. “Either give me the knife back so I can chop these or let me go back to my room.”
“Don’t you want to leave?”
Yes. Yes, I did. But every morning the urge doesn’t seem as strong as it had the day before. “I want to do whatever gives me the best chance of survival. Until your brother tells me it’s safe to go, then I’m staying put.”
“He’s lying to you.”
The stark warning doubles down on every fear lurking in my subconscious. I don’t want to believe her but I’m painfully aware it might very well be accurate. “And who around here is telling me the truth? You?”
She hands the knife back to me. “Careful with those.” She nods at the onions. “They’re really strong.”
Like I need any help with tears.
CHAPTERTWENTY
ISABELLE
“Did you enjoy your first day’s shooting, yesterday?” Baxter asks as he passes a plate of roasted artichoke hearts to me.
I rub my shoulder without thinking, then laugh as he catches the movement. “Let’s just say, I don’t think any attackers are in fear of their lives.”
“Those rifles are tricky to learn,” Yuri interjects.
“Yeah, point and make gun go bang,” I scoff. “Really hard.” I turn back to Baxter. “I’m afraid I’m not cut out for being a bodyguard.”
“Do you always give up on things you don’t immediately succeed at?”
The question sounds innocent but the golden sparks in his eye are anything but. My nerve endings sizzle sitting this close.
I like him.
It pains me to admit anything beyond a simple physical attraction but the more time I spend with Baxter, the more I want to. It’s like a disaster in slow motion and when I emerge from the other side bruised and battered, there’ll be nobody to blame but myself.
“Was that the wrong question?”
With a shake, I focus back on the conversation. “No. I just prefer things I have a natural aptitude for. The idea of shooting was far more appealing than the actuality.”
“So, I don’t need to worry about replacing my daughter’s newest favourite play companion?”
“Ah, is that what I am?”
“According to the detailed summary she gave me this morning, you are.” He shakes his head with mock regret. “If only she felt the same level of enthusiasm playing with me.”
“Maybe you’re built for an older age group?”
His heated gaze sweeps me from head to toe. “Perhaps. I take it you’re referring to 18+”
