Page 33 of Hide and Keep

“This is where guests stay?”

“The manor does not get many guests; however, there are many lodging options to choose from on the property.”

“All of them look like this?”

His mature eyes take in the guesthouse before saying, “Aesthetically speaking, yes.”

“Are the others less…” I wave a hand at the full kitchen with its own farmhouse sink.

“Less, sir?”

“Smaller.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Munreaux has made the proper arrangements for you to have the largest accommodation during your stay.”

Stay. Three years is more of a residency than a stay.

Although the guesthouse is way too opulent for my taste, it will be nice to have my own space away from Ever, especially during times like this. My body’s sticky with dried sweat, and I can smell something gross. I caught a whiff of it the moment I followed Ever out of the woods, and it’s been with me ever since. I’m pretty sure it’s me.

I finally did something to work up not only a sweat but a stink, too.

I did something.

Edwin leads me through the guesthouse, giving me a thorough tour while showing me where I can find literally fucking everything from bags of tea to hand towels.

When we reach the living room, there appears to be a giant unfinished portion of the hardwood floor but it’s actually transparent glass set directly above the indoor half of the pool.

“Whoa.”

Coming to an abrupt stop next to it, I run the toe of my shoe over the smooth transition.

“It’s structural glass.”

I look at Edwin. “Safe to walk on?”

“Yes, sir,” he says with a confident nod.

Just as I press one foot on it, the water below ripples. A moment later, Ever’s body slices through the surface as she does the butterfly across it. There’s a glass wall partition that stops a few inches above the water, separating the indoor half and the outdoor half. She dives under it, resurfacing on the other side, then continues on.

“Why doesn’t Ever live out here?” I ask once she’s out of sight. This seems like the kind of arrangement she’d want for herself. It’d make sneaking out that much easier. Not that she should have to sneak out. She’s old enough to live on her own.

“Even if I were privy to that type of information, I would not be at liberty to say. Discretion, in all manners, is of the utmost importance here at Munreaux Manor. It’ll do you well to remember that.”

There’s another long pause that I use to imagine all the ways I’d tell Edwin, Ever, and Arthur to fuck off. These people are something else. Something I could’ve gone my whole life never interacting with.

“How am I supposed to protect someone if I’m not allowed to know anything about her?”

“The same way I can predict what the Munreauxs will require without them even needing to ask…by watching.”

Ever returns, still doing laps.

“If that’s all, Mr. Brantley?”

Without taking my eyes off Ever, I nod.

Watching. Watching.

“Edwin?” I call him back.

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