There’s video in here but no audio.
‘You should know I’m a trained killer,’ he says flatly, no emotion.‘I’ve ended lives, killed more men than I can count.I’m here to do my job which is keep you both safe.Beyond that—’
Jules takes quick hold of Lachlan’s wrist, exposes the tattoo.
‘Beyond this?’he asks, sharp eyes have him pinned.‘BeyondMari?Beyond you shredding yourself bloody for me?Beyond you watching me dance and apologising for hitting me?Yeah, go on, Bodyguard.Push me away until I’m up against the wall.I’m waiting.’
Lachlan takes back his wrist.‘Nothing’s ever going to happen.’
Jules’ smile is slow growing.It burrows deep under Lachlan’s skin, gets right in through the breaks anditcheswhere he’s vulnerable because that smile is nothing but confidence bordering on pity.
‘Oh, Bodyguard.’Jules lets his gaze trail up and down, disdainfully pitying in every way.‘You really aresofucking naïve.’
?
When Mimi is feeling better, she starts following Lachlan around.
It’s rare for the little one to leave the East Wing, but in her efforts to follow him, she begins venturing out into areas of the Estate she’s never seen before.Sometimes Lachlan can accommodate it, sometimes he has to gently tell her no, which is met with a scowl that threatens his composure.
The staff all notice.Whenever a tantrum brews in the four-year-old, if he’s nearby, he’s the one they look to now.
Carrigan is so clearly displeased she doesn’t even waste energy scolding him.She just gives a quiet shake of her head and carries on with the job.On the days Lachlan does allow Mimi to follow him, he either carries her or they walk hand in hand in order to keep pace.She’s a chatty little thing once she’s comfortable, and he learns very quickly to achieve a perfect balance of both listeninganddrowning out the majority of it.He often mirrors the tail end of what she says with a question mark on it, an old trick he learnt from a seasoned hostage negotiator.They can talk for hours in this way without Lachlan losing focus on his job and Mimi feeling heard.
But on the days he can’t allow his little shadow sneak to follow him, he has to tell her,‘No,’ and she doesn’t like that at all.She’ll throw noisy tantrums, sometimes throwing things, holding her breath until her cheeks turn near purple and even fakes Mari being sick for sympathy.
Lachlan remains firm, sticks to his guns for now, although he’s mentally calculating adjusting his routes to allow her to come along more often.
‘Attachment transfer,’ Blaire observes one day while she and Lachlan eat lunch together, schedules and screens between them.There was a tantrum that morning only resolved by Jules agreeing to play dress up with Mimi.
Lachlan looks up.‘What does that mean?’
‘It means,’ she says quietly, just between them, ‘that children will often reassign attachment roles in the absence of primary caregivers.You’re consistent, you’re here every day.She’s transferred the attachment.’
Lachlan knows it makes sense but can’t help seeking to reject it if only to protect Mimi.‘It’s just the novelty.’
‘It’s not.’
At twenty-four years old, Lachlan can’t really comprehend the enormity of what she’s saying, doesn’t like the idea of anyone being reliant on him, especially not someone so vulnerable.He also thinks it’s bold of Blaire to say this given that it’s likely to get back to Penhalyx.
‘She’s just a kid.They go through phases, right?’
Blaire shrugs.‘Everyone sees it.’
‘Everyone?’
She holds his gaze with grassy green eyes.‘Everyone.’
Fenwick approaches him after lunch.They typically meet as per the schedule though Lachlan will occasionally go to Fenwick for something and Fenwick may come to him, but he dislikes the older man’s presence in the East Wing, let alone theCoveso he’s unwelcome today right off the bat.
Briskly, he asks Fenwick, ‘What do you need?’
‘Schedule adjustment,’ he says, showing Lachlan his tablet.It’s still refreshing to be met with a blank slate of operational neutrality.Fenwick never seems to take hostility personally and is always open to new ideas, like the addition of laminar alloy to all curtains in the Estate, effectively adding an extra layer of ballistic protection.He oversaw the installation.
‘I didn’t get an update.’
‘I’m delivering it to you.’
‘Direct from Penhalyx?’
