Page 32 of Duty and Desire

I drew in a deep, hopefully cleansing breath. “You didn’t find anything, did you? He doesn’t present a threat, does he?” I arched my eyebrows. “Well?”

“So far, he looks clean. He’s a writer, he’s?—”

“‘He’s here to clear his writer’s block’ would sum up the situation.And there’s nothing about him that needs to be relayed to anyone who might be interested.” I straightened. “As it turns out, I’m glad you wanted to discuss Gio. Because so do I.” I narrowed my gaze. “You need to back off, okay? Stay away from me while I’m out with him.”

Franz stared at me. “Excuse me?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t mean to pry into your personal life, but I assume even you are familiar with the concept of dating. Being attracted to someone.”

Did I imagine his eyes flickering in Claudia’s direction? I wasn’t certain. If it were so, Franz had good taste in women.

“I’ve had my share of dates,” he admitted.

I smiled. “Then indulge me for a minute. Let’s say you’re having an intimate dinner with someone, and then your date asks who is the gorilla in a suit who seems to be attached to you, because everywhere you go, he goes. Imagine trying to come up with a reason for this guy’s presence—a reason that is plausible, that doesn’t arouse suspicion.” I looked him in the eye. “What wouldyousay in such circumstances?” Franz opened his mouth but I wasn’t done. “While I’ve lived here, there have been a few guys who’ve… caught my eye, shall we say. But they never got the chance to pass more than a few words with me, or maybe even have a drink, beforesomeonescared them off.” I hit him with a full-on glare.

I regretted it a second later when he winced.

“Franz.” I lowered my voice. “There are only a handful of people who know I’m gay. You are one of them. And if you’re on that very short list, then I have to be able to trust you, to take you into my confidence.” I squared my shoulders. “So I’m going to trust you now. Gio… he could be important, okay? But I’m not going to get the chance to discover how important if I have to fend off questions about you all the time. He thought you were a stalker. I put him right on that score. But if he sees you continually, then he’s going to ask more questions that I don’t want to answer.”

Franz pocketed his phone. “Are you asking me not to do my job?”

“Of course not. But answer me this. In the three years since I came to live here, has there ever been a threat to me? A situation where you felt I was in danger?” He muttered something, and I cocked my head. “Sorry. Can you say that again, please?”

“No, there haven’t been any threats.” His tone was sheer grudge.

I nodded. “And you like living on the island, don’t you? It’s an easy job.”

He chuckled. “I’ve had a lot worse, I can tell you.”

I smiled. “I don’t doubt it. All I’m asking for is some leeway. I’ll tell you if I’m going on a date. You’ll have advance notice, okay? But then you need to keep your distance. Gio can’t see you.” I narrowed my gaze once more. “And you don’t report back about him.”

Franz’s hurt expression shocked me into stillness.

“I would never do that. You must believe me. I know what their attitude is, but it’s not mine.” He swallowed. “I know I wasn’t detailed to you when you were at university, but I wouldneverhave betrayed you the way Gustaf did.”

“I believe you.” The earnestness lacing his words convinced me.

He cleared his throat. “Can I have your permission to use GPS tracking to locate your phone? That way, I’ll always know where you are.” His lips twitched. “Especially on those occasions when you’re someplace I can’t access.”

I gave another nod. “Thank you for asking first. Another reason for me to trust you.”

“If I may say something?” Franz coughed. “You’re far too trusting.”

I sighed. “You’re right. As a rule I trust everyone, until they give me cause not to.”

“And you trust this guy?”

I smiled. “Yes.” I wasn’t sure what it was about Gio that invited such trust, but I felt safe with him.

I hoped nothing would change that.

Chapter Eleven

April 10

Gio

Nick brought the boat to a dead stop. “Okay, this is the first spot.” He pressed a button, and the sound of a clanking chain filled the air. “That’s the anchor lowering.”

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