Page 143 of Nothing to Fear

“I would never—”

“Your cellphone isn’t monitored.” The woman’s smile was meek. “Sorry, I’m used to Roxie’s not being an option.”

Astrid slipped something from her pocket.

The box was familiar. “What’s this?” It couldn’t be… She popped it open to see, yes, it was her cherry necklace. “Where did you get this?”

“Your apartment. Well, I didn’t. Ballard did. They got a few things for you.”

“They?”

“Anything that’s been missed can be replaced or retrieved. Please wear the cherry, it’s your security pass,” Astrid said and opened the door an inch. “Everything’s taken care of here. Crimson Palace is a place of pleasure, as Roxie likes to remind me all the time. If you’re ever anything other than happy here, just pick up the phone and we’ll change that.” She boosted open the door while staying in the hallway and gestured inside. “Enjoy.”

The assistant left with a smile before she ventured to go in. Right there in the middle of the sunken living room stood two men. Two Breckenridges. Tripp and, of course, Darroch.

“I’ve checked it all out for you,” Tripp said, his usual affable self. “Your room’s on this side.” He pointed one way, then the opposite way. “Roch’s at the other.”

They’d be sharing?

“Just for safety,” Darroch said, reading her mind.

“My place is just…” Tripp gestured higher in the direction of her room.

“Astrid told me.”

“Cool.” Tripp slipped his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, you need anything, or get scared in the night, just bang on the wall and I’ll come rescue you.”

The way his smile turned to a smirk was enough to curve her own lips a little.

“How much are you actually here?”

“On this floor?” He raised a shoulder. “Be here more if you need me here.” His hands were next to go up. “As a sister. You’re one of Roxie’s girls. There’s rules about that. Serious rules to be taken seriously.”

Said like a man who’d heard that more than once. Tactful, diplomatic, Tripp was smarter than people gave him credit for. Smooth though? Everyone knew that about him. He’d put herat ease without raising her connection to his brother but still conveying the point he had no intention of crossing any lines.

“I’ll leave you cats to get settled in. I’ll bring food and people later. Leave the party to me.” Tripp laid a brief hand on his brother’s upper arm, then did his mosey thing that could be quick or slow, everything with him was effortless. Coming in close, he kissed her cheek, and raised his lips to murmur in her ear. “We’ve got you.”

His serious eyes met hers for just a flicker, then he walked out and closed the door.

On her and Darroch.

Yep, that was them now, completely alone in their new home.

Living room in the middle, long dining table to the left, sort of semi office area to the right, all open plan. Double doors in each of the far corners, to the bedrooms by Tripp’s indication.

“If you want your own space—”

“It’s fine,” she said. “This isn’t—Roxie and Zairn are being incredibly generous. I don’t think it’s time to start making demands.”

His own lips quirked. “Good, because I was going to tell you tough. There’s no chance of me going anywhere.”

Maybe the humor was supposed to lighten the mood or lessen her burden. The danger superseded whatever was going on between them personally, she got that. In her weakness, her stupidity, of reaching out to him might’ve sent the wrong message.

Except it was worse than that. Whatever they’d been, that they were no more, had possibly put his life in jeopardy. This man may still be in physical danger over a relationship they no longer had.

“I’m sorry,” she said, which quickly wiped the amusement from his face.

“You’re apologizing to me? What the hell have you got to apologize for? If you and the Germ—”

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