“Thank you.” She stated simply, her eyes meeting his, watching as he softened, some of the anger dissipating.
“I don’t need a thank you, Alex. I just want to know what you are mixed up in so that I can help you. Why won’t you talk to me? Have I not proven myself trustworthy?”
There was no way she could tell him everything, not here on a ship with people milling around and walls as thin as ice. She wanted to tell him though. Deep in her gut, she knew she could trust him. Just now was not the time.
“How about you answermyquestions for a change?” Alex deflected.
“I’ve been honest about who I am.”
“Where did you learn to fight like that?” She asked, studying his face.
“Like what?” he responded coolly, but his eyes became guarded.
“You know exactly what I am referring to.” Now it was Alex’s turn to snap. Her anger bristled. She hated being lied to, even if it was a lie of omission.
“I picked it up in the army. It’s nothing special.”
Realizing that he wasn’t going to tell her, Alex lay back. She was too tired for this.
“Thank you again, Davin, for everything that you have done for me. I know you sacrificed a lot to get me here. I do genuinely appreciate it. I swear I will repay you this favor.”
“You don’t have to repay me, Alex. I am not asking for it. I did what needed to be done. Nothing more.” Davin jammed his hands into his pants pocket, obviously uncomfortable with the way the conversation had turned. The placating response tasted bitter, the words sounding as if she meant nothing to him.
“I accept charity from no one.” She ground out. “Why can’t you just accept my thank you and leave it at that?”
“Until we learn we can trust each other, and cease with this dance of deflection, we will get nowhere with this.” He growled. “I’m going to let you rest, as you obviously need it.”
“This conversation isn’t finished.”
Davin said nothing, just continued towards the door.
“You can’t go far,” Alex called after him. “There’s water on all sides.”
“Good thing you’re not in a position to chase me down.”
The door clicked shut.
Alex flopped back onto her pillows yet again. Gods, that man was frustrating! Why couldn’t he just answer my questions? He expected me to answer his! Trust him. HA! As if!Crinkling her nose, Alex let out a breath. But she did trust him. What was wrong with her? Why was he able to get under her skin like that?
“UGH!” she cried, her fists thumping on thebed.
The door opened a crack, a healer sticking her head through. “Is everything ok, Mrs. Monroe?”
Alex stared. “Excuse me,WHAT?”
“Are you ok?” The healer said again in a concerned tone.
“No, what did you just call me?” Alex demanded.
“Mrs. Alex Monroe?” The healer looked confused, leaning back to double check the chart on the door. “That is who you are, correct?”
“My name is Alex, yes, but that man isnotmy husband,” she grit out.
“Are you having any pain?” She asked.
“No. I’m fine.” Alex sighed. It wasn’t the healer’s fault that the man was a controlling, all-assuming prick. Tipping her head, the healer left, closing the door quietly behind her.
The gall of that man! First, he insisted on following her all the way from Kalmia, then he interfered in the fight with the twins, only to play white knight and pretend she’s his wife? Who the hell does he think he is? Anger roiled off her in waves. Taking a few deep breaths, Alex attempted to calm herself.
