My eyes close and I sigh. “I can’t.”
“I’ll double your pay—in cash—and I’ll get you an RV to replace your van.”
My teeth dig into my bottom lip. “Why?”
“I already explained to you. My gran might need your help.”
“She can hire someone else.”
He snorts. “Do you know how long I’ve been asking her to get someone to help? An entire year. One year. Do you know how many people she’s interviewed? Over a hundred. So imagine my surprise when I come home and find she’s hired you.”
The pull to stay is strong, to escape back to the warm bed with the large protective dog. “Okay,” I whisper.
Fox tugs the duffel bag from my shoulder and swings it onto his before jerking his head back to the house. We trudge back up the drive. “What triggered you to run tonight?”
“I’ve been here too long.”
“Has there been any indication that you’ve been located?”
“No.”
“Tell me the real reason.”
I drag my teeth over my bottom lip. “You.”
He snorts. “Me?”
“Yes, you. Helen knows I’m hiding and doesn’t pry. You know, but have immediately started unpicking my secrets. I can’t deal with this constant suspicion.”
“It’s part of my nature.” He sighs as we move around the side of the house and enter the pool house. Duke grumbles low in his throat from the sofa. “I’m suspicious, but I’ll try to keep a lid on it.”
“Thank you.”
He moves into the master bedroom and drops the bags on the bed. I follow him inside as he twists to face me. His spicy clean scent invades the room. He reaches out and tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear, sending little tingles skating down my spine. “I promise if you stay, nothing bad will happen.”
“It’s a nice sentiment, but don’t make promises you cannot keep.”
“Do you know who you are sharing a house with?”
“No.”
He grins. “A highly trained soldier. After I left, I became an extremely competent bodyguard. I’m not a stranger to danger. I thrive on it.”
“While I actively avoid it.”
“I’m offering you my protection.”
“I don’t need protection.”
“Perhaps not, but you still have it.”
My resolve to leave was already on shaky ground, and he’s chipped away at the last of my resistance. My shoulders sag. I’m staying.
“What’s this?” He grabs the envelope from the pillow. I reach out to grab it, and he lifts it into the air. Fucking tall people.
“It’s a letter explaining to Helen that my leaving had nothing to do with her. It’s now redundant, so give it back.”
I raise a brow and hold my hand out.This is a test, Fox. You keep something as a simple letter from me, and I will be out that door so fast it will make your head spin.He must see these thoughts playing across my face because he places the unopened letter into my palm.
