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“Do you want to talk about the horrific scars on your back and chest?”
“No,” he grunted.
“Okay.” I wanted him to say something else. Anything at this point, but he hadn’t anticipated being stuck with a crazy woman for God knows how long. He couldn’t ease the pain. He couldn’t find nonexistent answers. “Is this your place?” I took a sip of my drink, grateful the smooth liquor was able to calm my nerves to a point.
“It is now.”
“Wait a minute. You didn’t break in, did you?”
He gave me a look of amusement. “Nope.”
“You’re not a big talker. Are you?”
At least my statement got a slight grin. “It’s been a long day. We need some sleep.”
“You’re not going to discipline me?”
“Right now, that’s the last thing you need. I’ll take you to your room. Unless you’re hungry. I can fix you something.”
My room, which meant he also had a room. I don’t know why it disappointed me. We weren’t a couple. One hard fuck didn’t make for a relationship. “You cook?”
“I had to learn to fend for myself a long time ago. I’m no chef but I hold my own.”
“Maybe we could make dinner together tomorrow. I mean if we’re staying here.”
“We’re staying here. For how long depends on if we’re found.” He threw back the second drink like it was nothing, still unable to look me in the eyes.
“Do you think that’s going to happen?”
“Do you want the truth, Isabella, or do I need to sugarcoat it for you?”
“Contrary to my recent emotional outbursts, I’m stronger than I look.”
He finally took a few seconds to gaze all the way to the ridiculous tennis shoes that had been purchased for me, smirking. “I have no doubt you’re a very strong fighter who can hold her own, but not with the kind of men we’re talking about. They will find us, Isabella. While I’ve prepared for various methods they’ve been known to use, you’ve become a prize worth millions. They’ll stop at nothing to hunt you down. At some point I’ll need to train you in what you’ll need to do if that happens.”
I noticed something in his hand. “What is that?”
“There is a panic button inside the gemstone. All you need to do it press it hard and from anywhere in the world, I’ll be able to track you. Never talk it off. Promise me that you won’t.” He walked closer, holding out the ring, intent on placing it on my finger.
I raised my left arm, uncertain why I’d chosen it. I could tell his breathing had changed, but now I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I could swear I heard crackling noises as the air sparked between us. He eased it onto my middle finger, doing his best not to touch my hand. I rubbed my finger across it, surprised how light it felt. Exhaustion had to be interfering but a part of me wished he was giving me a special gift. How stupid. “I promise and I’m not very hungry. Maybe some sleep will make me feel better.”
“I’ll grab your bag.”
“I can take it and thank you for making certain I had something to wear.”
“Don’t thank me, sunshine. I had nothing to do with it.”
The moment remained awkward, but exhaustion was already getting to me. I trailed behind him into the living room, realizing just how spacious and beautiful the small cabin was, my eyes drawn to the balcony overlooking the living room. There were three doors in the small hallway, the wooden railing old but exquisitely carved. I didn’t see any pictures or signs that Cobra lived here on a regular basis, but I had a feeling he owned very little.
“This is really beautiful,” I said as he grabbed the duffle.
“Rustic, but I like it.”
“It suits you.”
He chuckled. “How would you know that?”
“You need to be away from people to clear your mind. You like nature, trees and rocks. You’d much rather be working in the dirt than in a corporate boardroom. Here you can be yourself, sometimes even able to beat the demons furrowing inside of you.”
