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I’ve got no idea what he’s doing, but I dare not ask and get told for the hundredth time since yesterday that it doesn’t concern me.
“Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You can choose, because to me it doesn’t matter. The outcome is still the same.” The look on his face doesn't give me much to work with.
“What does that mean?” I watch him relax his stance, leaning against the sink behind him and his hands now hanging onto the counter on either side of him. He crosses one leg over the other. It’s like he is relieved he has control of the room again.
“It means that we can butt heads over every little thing we need to discuss here and end up not talking unless necessary the whole time you’re here. Or we can be civil and rational in our discussions, friendly even, and perhaps I can keep you company while you have to stay in this house. Otherwise, it might get awfully lonely.”
He’s so smug I want to snap back at him that he’s just as arrogant as I was irrational, but I’m not about to give him the satisfaction of me admitting anything.
“What did you mean, the outcome will be the same?” I'm not even sure I want to know the answer.
“You are stuck with me. I am your person.” As he walks back toward me, the words are ringing in my head. Why do I keep hearing‘I am your person’and feel like it means something? If I thought he looked smug before, it’s nothing compared to now, where he looks like he’s carrying a secret.
“Well, I vote for the easy way, but it takes two people to make that happen, so don’t look at me like I’m the problem.” He might like to control the situation, and I get that it’s his job, but I’m used to running my own career and life, and I’m not bowing down to commands like I’m some insecure girl. I've fought to get where I am in this world, and I’m not about to just lie down and let people walk all over me yet.
“Okay, easy way it is then. Now, let’s get this paperwork sorted out and get you up to speed with what you need to know about your new identity. Also, we need to talk about how this will all work, including your interactions with me.” Again, his eyes change with the way he is looking at me, becoming more intense, and that makes me shiver.
What is it with this guy? One minute he looks like he wants to kill me for being painful to deal with and the next it’s like he is trying to break through to my soul? Great, a guy who is moody. Just what I need on top of everything else.
This could be a long stint in this place. I can’t even guess a time frame, because like everything else in my life right now, who freaking knows what that is.
After trying to settle down and just listen, we get through all the logistics. To be honest, my head is now spinning, and I didn’t realize how tired I am. The words are all starting to run into each other.
“I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be rude. I just… it’s been a long few days, and I haven’t really slept. Is it okay if we…” I'm struggling to get the words out, and I can feel my body dropping fast.
“Of course. Sleep, you need to rest. I’ll show you to your room.” He stands next to me, his hand outstretched to help me get up. Normally I would ignore that, but the fatigue I’m feeling is getting stronger by the minute.
“Thank you. I don’t know what happened. It just hit me.” Pushing up on to my feet, my balance isn’t working that well, and I’m falling sideways.
Ghost's arm comes around my waist before I even sway very far.
“I’ve got you. This is totally normal; I should have seen it coming.” His deep voice so close to my ear makes me feel better, instead of wanting to push him away. I mean, when would you normally let a man you just met put his arm around you and lead to the bedroom.
“This here is your bed. It’s not fancy, but it's better than the couch.” As he sits me on the side of the bed, I wonder in my mind how many other people who are running scared have slept in this bed. Alone and frightened.
“I’ll grab your bag from the bathroom for you.” Quickly moving out of the room, he is back soon, with the bathroom just next door.
“Thank you. I’ll just take a quick power nap and then I should be good to go again.” I lie down on the dark green velvet cover. It seems to be a theme through the house, the color green.
“Sleep as long as you need, it’s your body's way of coping with the stress.” I want to keep my eyes open, but it’s getting more difficult. Ghost steps toward the corner of the room where there is a brown leather reading chair, grabbing a blanket, and lays it over me.
The bed is lumpy and not at all comfortable, but right now, I couldn’t care less.
“Just give me twenty minutes,” I mumble as he walks to the door.
“Cassandra. Sleep.” The powerful words are all I remember before I slip into the dark, and my mind finally goes blank.
* * *
“Hi, Jason,” I say, answering my phone as I jump out of the taxi outside our apartment building in Washington.
“Leah, it’s Camilla, his PA.” I try not to groan down the phone. I know who the little upstart bitch is. I’ve only been dating Jason for eighteen months, so it’s not like we haven’t met or spoken a million times on the phone. I’ve given up even trying to explain it to her anymore.
“Yes, Camilla. What do you want?” It's a struggle to be civil to her most days.
“Jason can't make dinner. He has a meeting, and he said to tell you he will be leaving tonight to head out of town for a few days for several appointments. He has his bag with him."
“Tell him a call from him would have been more appropriate. Good evening.” Hanging up before she can even say another word, I stomp up the steps and through the security doors.
