Page 86 of Kage

The last straw had been when I’d made my famous fettuccini carbonara and he’d eaten a single bite before taking his plate with him to the library.

Slamming the door again.

The only win had been he’d eaten every last bite, the plate so clean I was certain he’d licked the stoneware himself.

I’d been trying to make amends for flipping my personality at the last minute, but Kage just managed to get under my skin every time. He could be so kind, got so angry at the thought of anyone hurting me and that was endearing. Then he turned around and acted as if I was a bother. What I knew more than anything was that his demons trumped mine.

If there was such a thing as comparing tragedies.

At least he’d left Tank with me constantly. My guard dog. Maybe when I got my life together, I’d end up with a furry companion. It was obvious even grown men were too much to deal with. I kept telling myself that Kage was just concentrating on the mission, but I honestly didn’t know what the mission was any longer. Yes, I understood bad guys were still out to get me. But why? Not for ransom money like I’d experienced before. A payback of some kind?

Something didn’t feel right.

I’d asked if I could contact my father more than once and all Kage had said the first three times was a resounding no. When I threatened to poison him, he’d finally admitted it was far too dangerous.

But I was determined to try again.

“Don’t you have a satellite phone like the spies do in movies? You know what I mean, the ones that direct your call through Istanbul and Nairobi so it can’t be traced?” I questioned as I walked into the library. Tank followed me inside, dutifully moving toward his master.

Kage barely lifted his head, but I could see the fury on his face from the fact I’d knocked only once, refusing to wait for him to allow my entrance before walking into his space, as he’d called the room where we’d fucked. He had his nose buried in the laptop on the desk, just like I’d seen him do numerous times.

“You’ve been watching too many movies. Besides, I’m retired. Remember?” His gruffness was accented by the fact he hadn’t shaved since I’d met him. The full beard was sexy, but at the same time I knew it was just a defiant moment for the man. Next, he’d stop taking a shower in some continued effort to turn me off.

The sad part was that I didn’t think that was even possible. Bad boys were obviously my thing.

The man was hard, hungry, and rough.

Or at least he had been before he’d shut down.

“I don’t really have time to watch movies, but I need to talk to my father. I don’t understand why you won’t allow me to make a single phone call. Hell, I’ll settle for an email.”

“Emails can be tracked easily and I didn’t think I needed additional security on my uncle’s laptop.”

“You don’t own one?”

“Never felt the need.”

“So why keep me from my father? Don’t you think he’s going nutty not knowing whether I’m dead or alive?” I walked further into the room.

His eyes narrowed, his kissable lips twisting in another round of frustration. “He knows you’re safe.”

While I breathed a sigh of relief, I could tell he wasn’t sharing everything with me. Arguing with the man was pointless, but at least it remained entertaining. “How long will I be here?”

He lowered his head, concentrating on whatever was on the screen. “Too long. Why don’t you go read a book and let me work?”

The moment we’d shared at the bar seemed like a little breakthrough, but as usual, I’d allow my insecurities to get in the way. That was no excuse, not at my age, but for all the posturing I’d done in my life, I’d never felt as strong as I’d acted.

I remained where I was, not easily deterred even though he was exuding a closed-off aura. “You know what? You’ll get a lot more flies with honey than you will with vinegar.”

His reaction was like every other one he’d given me since returning from the bar a couple of nights before. His expression was simply one of annoyance, as if I was the fly that he’d smash instead of attracting with honey.

This time, it wasn’t worth challenging him any further. I turned and walked out the way I’d come in, interrupted only by a deeper, gruffer voice than before.

“Close the door on your way out.”

I left it open.

Both hands were fisted as I headed into the living room. I’d purchased two books. They’d both been read. If he’d allow me into the great library, maybe I could find something else to read.

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