She pulled open the sedan’s back door and grabbed a few of the bags that held the clothes, toiletries and groceries that would sustain us for the next week or so. I grabbed the rest and led her to the back door. I tapped the numbers on the security pad before using the key on the ring that held the sedan key to open the deadbolt.
The door opened to the small kitchen, and we dropped the bags on the counter. Alexis slowly strode toward the interior and down the hallway, clicking on lights as she walked. A few moments later, she returned, observing me as I unpacked the perishables and put them in the empty fridge.
“Seems like there are two bedrooms, a master and a guest,” she said. “The master has a king-sized bed, so I guess I should let you have that one since you’re twice my size.”
“The master has a private bathroom,” I said, closing the refrigerator and turning to face her. “You can have that one.”
“Will the guest bed be big enough for you?”
I gazed into her eyes as a vision of us tangling in the king-sized bed flashed through my brain before I could stop it. Inwardly chastising myself for the inappropriate thoughts, I nodded. “It will be fine. I’ll use the hallway bathroom. It has a shower.”
She slowly approached me, closing the distance between us. Once she stood only inches from me, she gently laid her palm on my bicep.
“Thank you for protecting me,” she said, those gorgeous deep green eyes filled with gratitude under the kitchen light. “I know you don’t want to be stuck with me either, and I’ll do my best not to drive you nuts.” Biting her lip, she shrugged. “I mean, it probably won’t work, but I’ll try.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lowering her hand, she studied me. “You don’t talk much, do you?”
Arching a sardonic brow, I pondered. “Not really, but you talk enough for both of us.”
A soft laugh escaped her lips. “I probably do.” Glancing around, she rubbed her palms on her thighs. “Do you know when the laptop with the VPN will be here? I can’t use mine because the IP address will be traceable over Wi-Fi.”
“I’ll talk to Michael and have it here for you tomorrow. You understand that you’re not to leave the house, right? I’ll go out occasionally for supplies, but otherwise, we’re both stuck here until Michael makes some headway in assuming your father’s business.”
“I understand.” Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, and I had the urge to comfort her for some reason.
“Come here. I want to show you something.”
I headed down the hallway to a door that opened to a basement. Opening it, I pulled the string attached to the lightbulb and pointed down the stairs.
“Are you going to murder me down there?” she asked, a nervous caution lacing her tone.
“There’s some gym equipment down there. A treadmill, a bench with some weights, some yoga mats. You get the drift. If you want to get some exercise, you can do it there.”
“Ah, exercise...” she said, her eyes drifting over my chest which was covered by my dress shirt. “Yeah, that looks more like your thing, buddy.” She patted my pec. “But maybe. Thanks for letting me know. Also, I’m super-creeped that our safehouse has a murder-basement. Who lived here before, and whoever he was, did he kill any of his wives down there?”
A laugh escaped my throat. “Funny. I promise not to murder you...I think.” Closing the door, I glanced toward the kitchen. “We’ve got pasta, frozen pizza or canned soup for dinner whenever you’re hungry.”
“I’m going to make sure the sheets on my king-sized bed are clean and bug-free. How long has Michael had this safehouse? It’s passable but also a bit...rough.”
“He buys lots of houses here and there. Not sure, but it’s better than being dead.”
“Sir, you are not a poet, but that is certainly true,” she said with a nod. “See ya in a bit.”
She returned to the kitchen to pluck the bag with the clothes and toiletries from the counter and then sauntered down the hallway to the master bedroom, closing the door behind her.
“Guess you get first dibs on the toothbrush,” I muttered, returning to the kitchen to pull out a beer. Opening it, I tossed the cap in the garbage and took a long swig. “Joaquin, thanks for the six-pack. I’m going to need it.”
After devouring another long chug, I pulled out my phone to text Michael that we’d arrived safely. The first night of who-knew-how-many with my sassy little ward was officially underway. Praying to the lord that we didn’t strangle each other, I headed to the guest bedroom to settle in.
Chapter 3
Alexis
The next day, I was finally settled in and able to video chat with Mom. She texted me as I was working on my new laptop, and curiosity coursed through my veins. How had her first night married to Michael been? It was still so strange to me to envision my mother married to someone else. My father had never made her happy, and I found myself hopeful that something good could come of our tragedy. Deep in my heart, I hoped that Michael would be kind to her and she’d experience something more profound than the loveless marriage with my dad.
Bianca: Michael set me up with a laptop. Can I video call you?
