‘Why are you sorry?’
‘I just am.’
Julian—Julesrolls his eyes.‘Whatever.Is that all?’
‘No.I want to float you something.’
‘Float me something?’
‘Explain an idea.’
‘Like what?’
‘I spoke to your father about field training.’
‘I know,’ he sighs irritably.‘I’m not interested in—’
‘But I changed my mind,’ Lachlan pushes on, hoping that this doesn’t backfire.‘What I actually want to teach you is close-quarter combat alongside strength training.’
Jules’ gaze on him is unmoving, eyes slightly narrowed.
He is naturally mistrustful, this one.
‘Why?’
‘So if anyone tries to hurt you,anyone,then you can stop them.Your father wouldn’t agree to CQC in a million years.’
‘Why not?’
‘It’s not the kind of martial arts rich kids are taught.’
‘Is that what I am?Arich kid?’
Lachlan doesn’t take the bait.‘The training is brutal.Most people your age couldn’t hack it, but I know you can.’
‘You don’t know anything about me.’
‘I know you’re smart as fuck.’
‘He’ll never allow it.’
‘I’ll hide it from him.’
Jules gets off the bed.‘Why?’
‘Because I want you to be able to—’
‘Why?’he pushes with insistence bordering on anger.‘You don’t care about me.Your job would be easier if you could just lock me in here and pass food and water through.’
‘I would never do that.’
‘Hewould.’
Lachlan wants to tell this kid he had no idea what thiswaswhen he took the job, that he had no clue what he was walking into.He wants to tell Jules that no matterhow muchof a pain in the ass he is, Lachlan isn’t evil.He’s not going to hurt him or beusedto hurt him or… God, he can’t even think about the last thing Alistair said to him.He says none of that, simply nods and then tells Jules, ‘I’m trying to meet you halfway.’
Jules’ gaze drops to his hands.‘Like you did in the vent?’
‘Yes.’
