I blink at him. He’s barely said a word to me since I’ve been here, and now he’s interested in my comings and goings? That’s teenagers for you…
“Your father has an errand for me,” I tell him simply.
“Oh, okay,” he mumbles. His face is flushing. He’s moving side to side slightly on his feet.
I want to step around him and continue on my way, but for some reason I just keep looking at him. He looks…suspicious. Something tells me that something isn’t right.
“Is everything okay?” I ask him.
Nikolas stares at me. “Oh, yeah. No, everything is good.”
We continue to look at each other. “Okay. I need to get going.” I take a step to the side, but suddenly I feel him grab my arm. I tense slightly, and look to him again.
“Sorry,” he lets go and takes a step back. “I just wanted to say…ah…well. Thank you for saving my life the other day.” The words spill out of his mouth almost too quickly for me to understand. Almost.
I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. That’s all he was nervous about?
Teen boys are so…strange.
“It’s my job,” I tell him point blank.
“Well, I know that, but…” he rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve never…been almost blown up before. Beau has, but…I never knew how scary that kinda thing is.”
I have to actively try to keep my composure. With the family this kid is a part of and he hasn’t been under that kind of threat before? Eivor really does keep Nikolas out of the family business, doesn’t he? Well, that’s not going to last for long.
“It’s terrifying,” I agree. “But that’s why I’m here. Why the other guards are here. We’re here to protect you and the family.”
He nods slowly. “I just… I wish my father would let me in on what’s happening. I have to become a part of it eventually, right?”
I tilt my head to the side, trying to think of what to say to the kid. It’s not exactly my job to comfort him, nor agree or disagree with him. Frankly, I don’t give a damn. At least I wouldn’t have until what I just did with those photographs in the fire. Right now, Nikolas has caught me with an intense compassion for children running through my veins.
“Why don’t you talk to him about it tomorrow? Let him know you want to take a more active role,” I suggest. I’m not exactly used to giving teenagers advice, but I give it my best shot.
“I’ve tried,” Nikolas says with a sigh. “Me and Beau.”
“Use the fact that you were almost blown up. Maybe he’ll agree to let you start learning then,” I say with a shrug. “You gotta learn to protect yourself too.”
His eyes go wide for a moment. “Yeah, that’s a good idea! I will. Thanks. I need to go talk to Beau.” He side-steps me and shuffles away. “Thanks again for…you know.”
“No problem, kid,” I nod, and watch as Nikolas disappears down the hallway and up the stairs.
With my own sigh, I head toward the front door.
With Eivor expecting me to be out for a few hours tonight, and Rosalie’s door covered, there’s no better time for me to go where I need to.
13
Chapter Thirteen
Alessio
Ithought that some time alone would be good for me. It turns out that sitting in my penthouse all by myself is actually incredibly lonely and sad. Granted, I’m not completely alone. Several guards came with me to make sure I don’t get killed in my sleep, but I’m used to that. I hardly notice that they’re there most of the time, and that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
I’m having a hard time believing that sitting on my couch watching television all alone is how it’s supposed to be after marriage though. I should be sleeping in the same bed as Rosalie. Watching shows with her. Cooking and eating dinner with her.
Yet, despite being married to her, I feel lonelier than I ever have before.
It’s not only her fault. In fact, after our little confrontation at the gala, Rosalie seems to be trying to be more…friendly. She said goodnight and good morning following that discussion andeven messaged me tonight saying she wants to have breakfast together tomorrow.
