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Uri shakes his head wearily. “Lev is unpredictable. When he’s calm, he’s calm. When he’s out of control, he’s a force of nature. It’s hard to know who he’ll bond with—but when he does, he bonds hard.”
He gives me a glance that feels almost… accusatory? But as usual, I’m just taking a stab in the dark here. Guessing what Uri is feeling is a dangerous game.
“I’m glad he’s found someone he’s comfortable with,” I remark. “I’ll bet that doesn’t happen very often.”
“Outside of the family, George is the only one.”
Is that another accusing glance? Why do I get the feeling he’s trying to tell me something without actually saying it?
I tilt my face up towards the sun and sigh. “It feels so good to be out.”
“Enjoy it while you can. You’ve got five days of sunshine.”
My eyes fly to his face. “You’re really gonna make me go down to the basement every weekend?”
“Like I said, it might not be every weekend. But this coming weekend—yes.”
“Exactlyhowmany weekends do you anticipate I’ll be here for?”
“For as long as it takes to make sure the threat against you is taken care of.” He’s really sticking to that explanation but with every passing day, it feels more and more like a lame excuse.
“But why?”
He arches his eyebrows. “I didn’t think I’d need to remind you about the finger.”
I flinch and shudder at the memory. “Notthat.I meant, why do I have to go down to the basement on weekends? The staff knows I’m here. Lev knows I’m here. Security knows I’m here. What’s the big deal?”
In my mind, that’s a simple question. But not judging from the look on Uri’s face. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Considering I’m the one who’s stuck down there, I’d say it is very much my concern.”
He scowls and looks away. “I’ll make sure you get more knitting supplies and crossword puzzles.”
I glare at him, but it doesn’t do a lick of good because he’s not actually looking at me.Whyis he not looking at me? What is he hiding?
My heart drums hard against my chest and I find myself thinking about all the women he used to parade around here. Tall women, short women. Skinny women, curvy women. I’ve seen every hair color, ethnicity, and body type come through this estate. The one thing they all had in common was that each and every one of those women were absolutely gorgeous—and theyknewit.
It strikes me that I’ve just assumed Uri stopped entertaining his Playboy Playmate dates at the estate since I entered it. But who’s to say if that’s true or not? Now that I really think about it, I don’t just feel embarrassed; I feel stupid. Why on Earth would he stop sleeping around just because I’m here? I’m nothing to him. Nothing more than an inconvenience.
“Is that from your sister?”
The question comes out of left field and it successfully distracts me from setting off on that particular downward spiral. I look down at my charm bracelet and of course, I’m fiddling with my Z link without even realizing it.
“Um, well… it was hers. Ziva’s. My sister. I started wearing it after—” The lump that forms in my throat is fat and ruthless. I swallow it away. “—just, after.”
He’s watching me close enough that I feel my cheeks burn. “You touch it every time you feel uncomfortable,” he observes.
I shrug. “It’s basically my safety blanket at this point.”
“That makes sense.”
I frown. “Does it?”
He glances at the bracelet. “I’m guessing before that bracelet,shewas your safety blanket.”
“Oh my.” I haven’t even got a coherent word out and already I can feel the tears coming. I try to bite them down but the lump in my throat is back with a vengeance. I make the mistake of looking into his piercing blue eyes.
I’m not sure what I see in them. Sympathy? Understanding? Compassion? Whatever it is, a sob escapes my lips and then I’m fully crying.
