He’d make my escape plans a lot harder. But I couldn’t stand the thought of him being at the apartment all by himself and most likely hungry. There was no way I’d leave him by himself for who knew how long. Gunner would just have to get over his aversion to my pet.
When I opened the fridge, I found that the food fairy had come last night too. It was fully stocked, and most of it was normal human food instead of the vegetables and protein powder Gunner seemed to exist on. It made me wonder how long he planned on keeping me here, because there was a lot of food.
I got out the ingredients to make an omelet, then poured myself a big cup of coffee I made with the machine that had also magically appeared overnight.
“You found something for breakfast?” Gunner asked, walking into the kitchen ten minutes later, his hair wet, wearing a tight black T-shirt outlining his pronounced muscles above black cargo pants.
Does he have any clothes that aren’t black?My gaze lingered on his body before I willed them to look at his face instead, hoping he hadn’t seen me check him out.
He smirked, and I knew I’d been caught. My cheeks heated up; they must have been bright red. I was the only one in my family with a fairer complexion, taking after my mother. My brothers were carbon copies of my dad with their dark hair, olive skin, and tall build.
Not only did I get burned if I dipped so much as a toe in the sun without sunscreen, but I was also short instead of inheriting the height all my brothers seemed to have been blessed with.
“I did,” I said, looking away.
He grunted and made himself a shake.
“How long are you planning on making me stay here?” I asked, wondering if I should just call my dad and go home. Even if it would only mean replacing one prison with another.
“As long as it takes to eliminate the threat,” he said, not a muscle in his face twitching.
I rolled my eyes at the emotionless way he talked. “You mean until someone gets rid of the Irish.”
He watched me for a few seconds before answering. “Mr. Olysses is working on it. If all goes to plan, you’ll be back in your apartment by the end of the week.”
“Tell my dad I don’t need protecting,” I said, thinking an escape with a bunny in tow wouldn’t be all that bad after all, considering the alternative. “Especially not by you.”
I could look after myself. If I holed up in a motel room somewhere, there was no way anyone would find me. I’d just have to wait for everything to blow over.
He scoffed and watched me dump my omelet on my plate. “Is that why you were almost taken yesterday? Because you’re so good at taking care of yourself?”
“I had it under control. I’m not the helpless bimbo you seem to think I am.”
“Didn’t look like it to me.”
I fought the urge to flip him off. “Maybe you need glasses.”
He pushed off the wall he was leaning against. “You aren’t getting out of here until I get the all clear. Why don’t you sit down and watch TV? Or take a bath?”
When I didn’t respond and instead began angrily chewing my breakfast, he said, “I have work to do. If you promise to be a good girl, I’ll let you stay in here by yourself. I’d hate to have to tie you up.”
I thought I detected a gleam of excitement in his eyes at the suggestion, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. “You don’t look like the thought of tying me up makes you all that unhappy.”
He shook his head, a smile playing around his lips. “It doesn’t. Choice is yours.”
I huffed and crossed my arms. “Fine. I’ll stay in here and won’t try to get out again.”
“Now why do I think you’re lying?”
Because I was. As soon as his back was turned, I’d continue looking for a way out.
“Don’t know. Maybe you have trust issues.”
He chuckled, and I choked on my spit at the way his face transformed. He was usually scowling or looking angry. But there was a slight smile on his face for about three seconds, lighting him up and making his already beautiful face breathtaking.
Bastard.
Oblivious to my inner struggles, he turned and left me to it. I turned the TV on, cranking the volume up so he wouldn’t hear any furniture scraping along the floor. I planned on moving the cupboard in front of the door to stop him from coming inside as soon as I’d found a way out.
