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I let her go as if she’s on fire, because goddamn if I’m not burning up. I can’t remember the last time I was taken so off guard.
I throw myself into business mode.
“Each room here has a private bathroom, where you can freshen up.” I look down at her clothing and frown. “Do you have a change of clothes?”
She looks down at her rumpled clothing and hangs her head. “I don’t. I left—I came here—”
I can tell she doesn’t know how to continue.
“I’ll take care of that. But listen, we need to have a name. I know you don’t want to tell me, but this isn’t going to work unless I can call you by name.”
I want to know everything about her, but I’ll start with a name. Maybe if I begin, I’ll make her more comfortable. “My name’s Sergio.”
“Pleased to meet you, Sergio.” My heart swells at the hopeful look that flashes across her face. “If I tell you,” she asks, biting her lip thoughtfully, “can you promise not to ask any more questions?”
“Can I… promise… not to ask more questions?”
She looks as if she’s going to cry.
Lying to her seems like the worst of sins.
And here I am thinking my conscience is dead.
“I promise.” I can’t. I won’t. I have other methods of finding out about her.
“Thank you,” she says softly, and in her eyes, I see something I’ve never seen in the eyes of a woman.
She trusts me.
I stifle a groan.
If she thinks I’m the guy she can trust, she’s more innocent than I thought.
I release her hand.
“My name is Eden,” she says.
“Eden,” I repeat. “Like the Garden?”Good ol’ Catholic school for the win.
“Yes.”
I have to get out of here. I need to walk away from her. I’m not used to the way I feel, and it makes me uncomfortable.
“Go freshen up while I find you some clothes. There are toiletries and things you can use in there.” We have every room outfitted like a luxury hotel room with benefits. Thank God she chosethisroom, the tamer of the lot, that really looks like a hotel room save the small metal rings on the bedside posts she probably didn’t notice. Other rooms are themed depending on the needs of our guests.
“We’ll get something to eat, then I’ll show you around the kitchen.” My voice is rough and my tone commanding. I don’t normally think about it. It’s how I talk most of the time, but there’s something about Eden that makes me want to temper myself. Maybe even gentle my voice.
I point to the bathroom.
When the door shuts behind her, I pull out my cell phone. My hand shakes with the effort of controlling myself.Jesus.
I call Mario, who’s working in the North End today so he’s only a few blocks away.
“‘Sup, bro?”
“I’ve got…” I rub a hand across my brow and try to think about how to say this. “A situation I need some help with. A woman’s touch. Gloria around?”
“Nah, she’s working up at The Castle today. Marialena’s here with Rosa, though.”
