"Thank you." I try out the two words. Easy enough. I'll be polite and welcoming. That should keep her guard down. I want to be as unintimidating as possible.
"He took her with him on his trip. She doesn't think they'll be back for a few days."
"That's not too bad," I offer to try to perk her back up.
"I thought we'd be back by then. I can't go back home."
"Why not?" My dumbass just clocked that she came stumbling off the property and was not simply picked up from her front door. She snuck out. Is there a threat at home? I could eliminate it quickly.
"Roland.” I grit my teeth. "He's all protective, and he'll talk me out of this plan."
"Who is Roland?" The mention of the man’s name has my blood boiling. I shuffle through the information I had in the file and quickly piece things together. Teddy's name wasn't on the house because the old woman died and left it to her.
"If you asked him, he'd say the butler. If you asked me, I'd say he's like an older uncle." I relax at her answer. This Roland wants to keep her safe because he believes she is not capable of making this trip. She's not. Alone, at least. Without questions or hesitation, she got into my vehicle. She needs to be protected.
The more I rethink everything that has happened, the more I start to get pissed. I shouldn't give a fuck. I got the answer Tristan wanted. I'm done here. Except now I'm not.
"I'm going to see if I can change my flight."
"Probably not. A snowstorm is rolling in," I point out and nod toward the windshield and the snowflakes hitting it. "I'm sure they'll ground flights for the next few days.” I doubt it, but it's worth a shot.
"Oh man." She puffs out a breath, believing me. Naïve. "I guess I could get a hotel and wait it out."
"We could drive it," I offer.
"Drive it?" She sounds confused.
"Sure. If we drive, we'll outrun the snowstorm, and it would only take a few days. You've got the time now."
Teddy turns partly toward me. "Are you saying you'll drive me?"
I glance over at her; the moon gives me enough light to make out the hopeful expression on her beautiful face. Beautiful. Don't think I have ever thought that word about anything before. I suppose because I haven't seen it until now.
When she stares at me this way, I bet I'd agree to anything she asked, even if it wasn't my new plan.
"I mean, I'm a driver," I remind her, shrugging, trying to downplay it. "Driving is what I do."
"Wait, how do you know it would be a few days' drive? I didn't tell you where I was going." Naïve but not stupid.
"I just figured that since you're flying, and it takes about three to four days to drive across the country."
"Right, duh." A small laugh leaves her. "But you'd do it for me?"
"If you wanted."
"It could be fun." She pauses, thinking over what she is about to say next. "We could maybe stop a few places along the way. Make it more of an adventure.”
I should say no. Turn around and take her back home and hand her over to this Roland, but I know me. He'd end up dead. I don't think my ball of sweet energy would be too happy about that, and keeping her happy is all I want to do right now.
Chapter Five
TEDDY
Hope blooms in my chest that I can still make this all work. It actually might be better. Tristan never takes Lily with him on his trips. This one might get him to pull his head out of his own ass. Lily might not believe it and find it laughable, but I think he's in love with her. I can't blame him; Lily is easy to love. She's a saint. I don't know why she deals with me and Tristan. That sounds exhausting. I'm me, and I exhaust myself.
"So?” I nudge him along for an answer. Wait, I don't know his name. I only knew that a car was coming from the company I had contacted.
"That does sound fun."
