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I nod and take a deep breath. “You know, I moved out here so I would finally be done babysitting people.”
“If it makes a difference, I promise that she’ll be on her best behavior and won’t cause too many problems.”
I roll my eyes. “I have a hard time believing that.”
Brennan grins. “That’s probably for the best. Brielle’s great, but she can be stubborn. I’m sure that the two of you are going to butt heads more than once.”
“Great. You know, if you come back and I have her tied up in a closet so she doesn’t bother me, then that’s on you.”
Brennan laughs and shakes his head. “Dealing with Brielle won’t be that difficult. I’ll go over and tell her that you’re going to be looking out for her. She’s not going to take it well, but she’ll get over it.”
“Good luck with that.” I look around at the stacks of boxes still left to be unpacked. “I’m going to unpack a bit more but I’ll be over to see her in a few hours.”
“Thanks again.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I wait until Brennan lets himself out before looking over my shoulder and out the window. Brielle is standing beside her house, looking at the rose bush with a pair of hedge trimmers in her hands. Brennan walks over and starts to say something to her.
As she storms away from him, I know that I’m going to have my work cut out for me.
* * *
As the sun sets,I grab a bottle of white wine and make my way over to Brielle’s. If we’re going to sit down and talk about the babysitting arrangement, then I’m sure I’m going to want something to drink throughout the process.
She’ll likely feel the same way.
After all, talking about the people who want you dead is bound to be stressful.
I knock at the door, looking at the rose bushes on either side of the door. Both of them look like an angry woman came at them with hedge trimmers. I’m sure that Brennan is thankful that the bushes seem to have taken the brunt of her anger.
The door opens and Brielle stands there in nothing but a pair of tiny cotton shorts and a crop top. My gaze drifts down her body, trying to memorize the tattoos on her arms and thighs.
“You know, I may have to get the name of whoever you’re going to for the tattoos. They look like they know their way around some ink.”
She sighs and pushes one of the tendrils of hair out of her face and back up into the messy bun on top of her head. “What are you doing here?”
“You know why I’m here but I brought a little gift as well.”
Brielle takes the bottle of wine and opens her door a little wider. “So, you do have some manners after all.”
“Don’t look so surprised. Now, you and I have a lot we need to talk about, which means that we need to have a drink. Neither of us wants to be here or deal with this.”
“You’ve got that right,” she says as she heads into the kitchen and puts the bottle on the counter. I watch the shorts climb a little higher on her legs as she stretches to take down two wine glasses.
“So, while I’m babysitting you, let’s make it clear that you stay out of my business.”
“You’re not going to be babysitting me.” Brielle opens the bottle of wine and pours two glasses. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you here to do it.”
“Well, your security system is old and outdated, at least from what I’ve seen while glancing around. It could use an upgrade. There are also people who want to kill you and you open the door without a weapon in your hand.”
“I don’t need to point a gun at everyone who comes to my door,” she says as she hands me a glass.
Brielle brushes by me and heads into the living room. She curls up in a corner of the brown leather couch, nestling in and pulling a blanket over her lap. I sigh and take the armchair across from her.
“Make yourself comfortable if you don’t plan on leaving,” she says, the slightest hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Just to push her buttons, I put my feet up on the table and slurp my wine.
