Page 9 of Nine of Swords
“If you’re hungry, the fridge and pantry cupboards are stocked. Help yourself, and if you can’t find something, I’ll be in the next room. Just knock.
“Thanks,” she says and turns to me, her face seeming gracious for the first time since we unofficially met at her apartment. “I will. How long are we going to have to stay here?”
I shrug one shoulder. “Probably the weekend. Maybe longer. It just depends.”
“On what?”
“We just want to be sure you’ll be safe when you go back to your day to day life,” I explain.
She sets down her bags on the floor and straightens up, folding her arms and staring up at me skeptically. “You know, that answer sounds like you’re talking to a timid little child. Don’t patronize me, Blade Steele. If that’s even your real name.”
“It is.”
“I’d bet. Your parents sure must’ve had a sense of humor,” she muses, casually looking around her room.
“I wouldn’t know,” I say flatly, and pause to give her time to consider her comment. She doesn’t so I add, “I never met them. My mother gave me up right after I was born. Who knows, maybe she had a thing for knives.”
I see her head snap in my direction as my answer sinks in. Her mouth parts, but no words come for a while. “I… shit I didn’t know. Sorry for being so cold and callous. I didn’t mean to.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You must have quite the life story,” she whispers.
I nod. “Don’t we all. Try to get some sleep.”
“I’d love to hear about it sometime.”
“Sure. Whatever you want to know, just ask.”
“How about … right now?” she asks. “I think we got off on the wrong foot. And I’d really like to be more familiar with the person hired to watch my back. If you don’t mind.”
I point to the living room sofa, a slight weight off my back that maybe from this point on, once she knows more about me, the woman I’m assigned to protect will trust me to do just that, without all the resistance and attitude.”
“Have a seat. Ask me anything.”
* * *
It’s beenclose to two hours since Sydney and I sat down in the safe house living room. I’ve answered every question honestly, we’ve traded life stories, and shared a boatload of details about our common interest in what I now know is our favorite topic of discussion.
Our mutual passion for anything with a sharp blade.
My secure phone buzzes in my pocket with a text message that can only be from Aiden or home base. “Enjoy your night,” I tell her, and leave for my room, locking my door behind me. Quickly reading Aiden’s text, I decide not to reply, as he’s outside already. We meet at the door at the top of the steps, he quickly hands me the items he retrieved for me from Sydney’s condo unit, and with a nod, he leaves. We make a habit of not being in the same place at the same time. As we’re each other’s only backups in the field, it’s safer for both of us, and more importantly for whoever we’re assigned to.
Returning downstairs, I lock and test each door behind me, then knock on Sydney’s door.
“What’s up?” she asks, pulling her door partly open. I smile as the gasps she makes when her eyes land on my open army-colored satchel, revealing every one of the nine large blades that hung on her living room wall. She puts the deck of tarot cards she was playing with on the dresser next to the door. “When… how… goodness, thank you for going back for these for me.”
“I figured you’d want them nearby,” I tell her.
“But when did you get them?”
“I have a backup.”
Her composure completely changes, her defiance and resistance replaced with a more humble, grateful attitude. I like this on her. She takes the bag from my extended arm, wrapping her arms around the middle and looking up at the edges of each blade, lance, spear and sword. Then she stares past them, lifts her hazel eyed gaze and looks up at me. “And what about those men?”
“They’re taken care of.”
“I… well… I really can’t thank you enough for these,” she breathes out.
