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“He was.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. However out of line Corey was, I couldn’t help wondering if the guys did feel the same as him. That my secrecy was something to be feared.
“Sorry I dented your wall.”
I looked over to where Crew was now standing; a dent where the wheelchair slammed into the wood was slightly evident.
“It’s fine, Crew. It wasn’t done with malicious intent.”
Crew snorted. “Trust me, I was feeling very malicious.”
The low sounds of thunder forced my gaze to the window. Dark clouds were rolling in and with it a storm.
“Have you eaten?” I asked Crew.
“No, I was actually on my way to shower before I heard the shouts. I was working out. Gogo showed me his pole dancing abilities, and I can safely say that is not something I’m good at.”
I chuckled, a small thing but it felt good to let go. “Gogo is gifted. Why don’t you shower and meet me in the conservatory.”
“Ahh, the fancy room.” He smiled.
“Trust me, it’s going to be worth it. I love sitting in there when a storm rolls in.”
Crew’s eyes narrowed as he looked out the window. “Yeah, I’d like to see that. Thanks.”
I gave him a quick nod before he left to wash up. I called into the kitchen and asked them to prepare something and have it sent to the conservatory.
* * *
The rain had just begun when Crew stepped into the room. The thunder was still miles away as only distant rumbling could be heard.
“Yeah, this is a very cool room to be in during a storm.” He beamed as his gaze roamed everywhere, taking it all in.
Even though I knew the sight was breathtaking, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Crew. The wonderment in his expression was more beautiful than any landscape.
“Hungry?” I sat at the table where two chicken Caesar salads awaited along with drinks.
“Starving actually.” He came over, still watching the storm.
I found myself unsure of what to say. I didn’t want to talk about Corey, or what Crew had overheard, but I did need to address one thing that was said.
“I do promise no one in this house is in danger. I meant it when I said I’d never put a life in harm’s way.”
Crew pulled his attention from the storm to me. “I know.”
“Do you?” I cocked my head. “How?”
He shrugged and then grabbed his fork. “My gut. I trust it. It’s never, not once, steered me wrong.”
“And what does your gut tell you about me, Crew Riley?”
He waited to swallow his food before speaking. “If we push the obvious aside—the money, power, and stoic nature in which you present yourself—there’s a man who feels pain every day. You force the monsters back and some days you don’t win. You’re not running from your past as much as you’re hiding from it. Those close to you mean something, maybe even everything to you. I think that has to do with all you’ve lost in your life.”
Damn. That was bizarrely accurate. “Are you psychic?”
He snickered. “No.”
“A wizard then.”
He shook his head and stabbed his salad. “Observant is all.”
