AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m well aware of that. And not too happy that she was leaving to meet someone she didn’t even know. I’ll address that with her later,” he said.
“Hey, chill out. She’s had a rough day already. You don’t need to jump down her throat about one mistake,” I stated. “Trust me, I don’t think she’ll do it again.”
“I’d like to hear that for myself,” he stated. There was another knock on the door. “Expecting anyone?” I shook my head. “Might as well answer it. I have a feeling it’s just who I wanted to talk to.”
Meri had said she was going to lie down. But then again, that was more than an hour ago. “I’m not opening the door if you’re going to be on the attack. She’s a victim. Remember that,” I said firmly.
“I know how to talk to people. But it is my job to protect Reesa and the future of Tabiq,” he replied.
“And it’s my job to protect Meri. Sounds like we’re at a standstill. I’m not letting anyone hurt her. Not Mombo and not you,” I warned.
“I’d never hurt her,” he snapped. “I know what she means to you.”
Really? Because I haven’t figured that out myself yet.
There was another knock and I called out loudly, “One minute. I’ll be right there.”
I knew that there was something special about Meri. Denying that would be unfair to her as well as to myself. What I didn’t realize was that it was obvious to others. Going forward I was going to need to be more careful in public, for Meri’s sake. But I could handle Bennett.
Turning my attention back to him, I added, “Yet, here we stand. You are ready to tell her what she did wrong, instead of seeing how scared she must be. If that is what you’re planning, then you can get the fuck out of my room,” I said firmly, meaning every word.
His eyes widened. “Wow. I think I was wrong.”
“About?”
Bennett grinned. “She means even more to you than I originally thought. You have my word. I won’t say anything to upset her.”
“Good. Now, I can open the door.”
When I did, Meri was standing there in a clean set of clothes, but her hair was twisted up in a towel on top of her head.
“Sorry to bother you Ryker, but I didn’t bring any toiletries with me. You wouldn’t happen to have a brush that I could use, would you?”
“Of course. Come on in,” I said.
She stopped when she saw Bennett sitting on the couch. “I didn’t know you had company. I’ll go and ask if they have one at the front desk.”
“Meri, please come in. You’re not interrupting anything,” Bennett said.
I was hoping he’d say he was just leaving, but he had no intention of doing that. Meri entered and I closed the door.
“Why don’t you have a seat while I get it for you.”
She sat opposite Bennett, looking nervous. I needed to make this quick.
In the bathroom, I searched for my brush. I knew I had one, even though I hardly ever used it. Then it hit me. I never unpacked it. I flipped open my suitcase and there it was, sitting with a book, I told myself I would read on this trip.
I grabbed the brush and headed back to the living room. Instantly I saw Meri’s eyes glistening with tears.
What the fuck, Bennett?
Rushing to her side, I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and she leaned into me. I glared at Bennett, but softly asked Meri, “Sweetheart, what's the matter?”
“We...we were just...talking,” she sniffed.
“About?”
“TJ. We were talking about that day that he was rushed to the hospital. Bennett hadn’t known that I was the nurse assisting Dr. O’Connor in the ER,” she said.
