He batted that thought away like a pesky fly.Enjoying someone’s company, caring for them, wasn’t the same as love.That was…friends with benefits.
Except, were they friends?
A few weeks ago he’d have said no.He also would’ve called her wild and impulsive and a danger to herself and others and…not truly meant it.If he were honest, those were the things that drew him to her.The only danger she presented was to his carefully crafted detachment.Hisfault, not hers.
What the hell was he doing?Elucidating Natalie’s finer points would not make it easier to say goodbye.
Snapping the leash lightly, he urged Blitz to do her business with haste, and called his sister with an update about Wallace’s possible connection to Archer Lonagan.
“Well, that’s a disgusting combo.”
“No kidding.”Ford scanned the park while Blitz glued her nose to a spot in the grass.Natalie and her friend had pissed off some of the worst of humanity.
Amber made a contemplative sound.“I still can’t believe Natalie’s all wrapped up in this.I might have to rethink my opinion of her.”
You and me both.
His sister promised to keep digging and when the call ended, he immediately dialed Lehmann.
She connected but didn’t say a word.
“How is he?”Ford prompted in German.
“He is doing well.Stable condition, recovering nicely.”
Ford relaxed a little, even as a gust of wind whipped at his shirt.“And safe?”
“Of course,” she said archly.
Oops.He grimaced.“I trust you.I just usually have more control over the situation.”
She scoffed.“Ja, okay.”
“Any idea how soon he can be moved?”Henri shouldn’t stay in one place for long.Getting him to a private clinic was paramount for his safety.Those places lived and died on their ability to keep their clients’ identities and whereabouts secret.
Unfortunately, while the rest of the world might still believe the man dead, the bad guys wouldn’t fall for that ruse so easily a second time.Ford tightened his grip on Blitz’s leash.Could thisbemore complicated?Until things were settled with Deschamps and Henri, and with Natalie and the cadre of powerful assholes who apparently wanted her dead, Ford was stuck.
He didn’t even mind so much with Natalie, but their time together had a fast-approaching deadline.They’d carved out some semblance of normalcy and joy, but even if she hadn’t declared her intention to leave in two days, their time together had always been stamped with an expiration date.
Only, the more time they spent together, the more difficult it became to imagine walking away.Just this morning he’d pictured her attending Deschamps’ trial with him, both of them there to support Henri.
Ridiculous.
Lehmann broke into his thoughts.“The doctor says a few more days.I already have a new location lined up for him.”
“Perfect.What do you need from me?”
“Just another installment.”
Of course.He paid her in advance for each additional week on the job.Exorbitant rates, but worth every euro.And one thing Henri did have was money.When Ford had first taken him on as a client, Henri had set up a generous account to draw from, ironically full of dirty money Deschamps had used to pay for his daughter’s care.Recent events meant they were burning through it faster than expected, but Ford could cover things for a while if it came to it, just as he’d been doing for Natalie.
As he ended the call with Lehmann, a drop of water landed on his nose.Cutting his walk short, he tugged Blitz toward their temporary home.By the time they rounded the fishmonger’s stand, the rain had begun in earnest and water glued his shirt to his back.Inside the building, Blitz moved slowly on the winding staircase with its slippery tile steps, and Ford held the rail to be safe as the two of them made a wet mess on the floor.He’d have to remember to come back and wipe it down.
The careful pace made him antsy.Like it or not, he couldn’t fight the pull toward Natalie.Just the thought of seeing her when he walked in the door made his stomach dive like a submarine.Blitz seemed to match his impatience, racing down the hall as soon as they made the top landing.He punched in the door code and pushed inside, a foolish smile spreading across his face.
Maybe after he shared the update on Henri, Nat would let Ford take her back to bed.Or take her on the couch.The kitchen counter.Anywhere.His pulse thrummed in his veins.“Hey,” he called out.“Good news.”
He locked the door behind him, dripping all over the tile.Blitz caught him by surprise, the leash slipping from his hands as she shot down the hallway into the dining room.“Fuck.Blitzkrieg, get your ass back here.”Even though he was going to have to mop the entire first floor now, Ford laughed at her eagerness.
