Page 16 of Cruel Salvation

Chapter5

“This isnice for a safe house. I thought they were all grungy and dilapidated.”

“You’ve been watching too many TV shows. A safe house just needs to blend into its surroundings and not have a bunch of people on neighbourhood watch documenting the comings and goings.”

Looking around at the two-bedroom detached house in a quiet street with empty driveways, he shrugged. It looked exactly like what it was, a first-time buy for a new couple. Which meant empty houses around them as people were at work during the day. Except it was Sunday so, when they’d arrived, Naz had grabbed his hand and smiled up at him.

“Pretend we’re newlyweds.”

“Um, how?”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” She had leaned into his arm and giggled up at him and he couldn’t help but smile down at her indulgently. “See, you got it.”

Once inside, she dropped his hand like it had rabies and moved to secure the exits. It might look like an average home but inside the security was high-tech, and he suspected it might even be bulletproof glass.

“So what now?”

“We wait. You can go relax. I want to go over the footage again.”

As she moved away from where he stood in the tiny living room, he saw her sway and caught her under her elbow. “Hey, you need to sit.”

Concern filled him as he made her sit on the grey, faux leather couch. He couldn’t help but remember how pale and sick she’d looked at the scene earlier too. Maybe she was getting sick. He couldn’t imagine Nazareli was very good at looking after herself.

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine. You might be getting sick.”

She shook his hand off and he sat beside her, determined not to let her fob him off with her prickly attitude.

“I’m not sick.”

“Then what the hell? When did you eat last?”

“Same time as you, at lunch.”

“I ate, you pushed your food around your plate.”

Her gaze flashed to his. “You were watching me? That’s creepy as fuck.”

“I wasn’t watching you like that, I just noticed.”

“I wasn’t very hungry, that’s all, and I told you I didn’t sleep very well.”

“Fine. You sit, I’ll dig us up some food.”

“I’m not a child who needs babying, Damon.”

“No, you’re a human being who needs rest and food and I’m a friend who’s going to get it so you can stay sharp and keep us safe.”

He knew she wouldn’t argue with that.

“Fine, there should be food in the fridge. Nothing greasy.”

“Yes, boss.”

Damon went into the kitchen, that was no bigger than two meters squared, and rummaged through the fridge, pulling out tomatoes, onions, some chicken fillets, and basil. In the cupboard, he found dried pasta, and set about cooking up a quick sauce. It was in no way gourmet but it had carbs, veg, and protein. Leaving it to cook, he headed back into the living room and found Nazareli spread out on the couch.

He watched her for a moment, taking in her delicate features relaxed in sleep. Her warm olive skin tone looked pale, and her thick dark hair, which hung long and straight, looked a little limp. Again he was struck with worry for her. She was always so busy taking care of other people’s problems and making herself responsible for them but who looked after her?