Page 48 of Hide and Keep

It had to have been my nanny when she still lived here.

“Miss Munreaux, Chef Koch had to run out but he left some breakfast items on the counter for you and Mr. Brantley.”

“Is that why you’re up here?” I can’t keep the suspicion from my voice. Why is he here right now? Why are either of them here?

“No, I was just showing Mr. Brantley to his room.”

“His room? He’s staying in the guesthouse.”

“Not anymore,” Crue says smugly. “It’s too far away.”

“So put him in another guest room,” I tell Edwin, ignoring Crue altogether.

Crue’s the one to respond first. “This is the closest to yours.”

“But it isn’t available.”

“Miss Munreaux, do you have a guest I’m unaware of?”

I look between Edwin and Crue, both their expressions souring by the second.

“No, but that doesn’t mean I want one either. That room’s off-limits. There are six guest rooms in this house. Give him one of those.”

“Five now.” Shit. That’s right. I’m not used to any of them being occupied. “Mr. Munreaux believes this one is best suited for Mr. Brantley’s needs. The close proximity will provide—”

“The close proximity will provide a stranger direct access to me,” I fucking hiss.

“I’m not a stranger. I’m your executive protection agent.”

“You’re not my anything, and I’m not an executive.”

“You will be soon enough.”

I glance at Edwin for the briefest of seconds, but he’s back to being as stoic as ever.

“If you’d prefer, you can call me your personal protection ag—”

“I’dpreferto call animal control to come fetch this fucking stray trying to make himself at home outside my bedroom!”

I can’tbelieveI took it easy on him this morning.

Ignoring my mounting hysteria, Crue just says, “As your personal protection agent, I need direct access to you in order to keep you safe.”

“If you want to keep me safe, get me a lock for my door!”

“Your door doesn’t have a lock on it?”

He eyes my doorknob with a scowl.

“I didn’t think I needed one…” My gaze drops. “Until now.”

“I’d never go in your room unless it was for your protection,” Crue says quietly but vehemently.

I don’t acknowledge him, only continue staring at the floor. It’s not like anyone would believe me anyway. My room’s never felt as unsafe as it does now.

Edwin breaks the tense moment with a forced cough. “If you’d like, Miss Munreaux, I can make the proper arrangements to have one installed while you’re at school.”

“I’llinstall one myself,” Crue tells him. “I need to make sure no one else can make a copy of the key.”

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