Page 82 of Hurry Up And Wait
But before she went to sleep, we had to have a talk. I rolled her, making sure she landed on a pillow and was comfy before I started this particular discussion.
“So, I’ll call Cash and have him send over a team after I leave in the morning.”
Instead of the smile I was expecting, a hard frown hit her face and she sat up, nearly head-butting me. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I want to make sure you’re safe.”
“You’ve already had security installed. And I think based on that massive knot on your head, it’s safe to say I can take care of myself.”
“From an intruder, maybe. But what about that bomb in your fridge?”
“That’s what the security system is for. If anyone comes into my house, someone at OPS will be over in a flash. And…” she grinned at me. “I’ve already been invited over for the shawarma social. I think it’s safe to say that your guys will look out for me when you’re out of town.”
I shook my head, unable to believe what I was hearing. I got out of bed, grabbing my boxers from the floor. “You can’t really believe you’re safe.”
“I’m not stupid. I know what Shawn tried, but he’s not an idiot. He won’t try again. At least, not anytime soon.”
“And you’re willing to bet on that?” I snapped. “You’re willing to risk your life without having any protection because you think you know this guy?”
“Idoknow this guy,” she shot back, getting up and kneeling on the bed.
“Yeah, you know him so well you married him,” I shot back, not really thinking about what I was saying. “Did you know he was going to try to kill you when you put that ring on your finger?”
Her eyes narrowed dangerously and I knew I had fucked up. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I had a crystal ball and I knew he would become an asshole five years into our marriage. And I decided to go through with it anyway.”
I swallowed hard, trying to find a way to avoid the massive trap I had laid for myself. “See? I bet you wish you had never said yes,” I said awkwardly, trying to lighten the tension.
Instead, she grunted angrily and got out of bed, pulling on my T-shirt.
“I sort of need that.”
“I can’t believe you! You’re holding his actions against me like I’m some naive woman who thinks her husband will change. I left, remember?”
“It was a stupid thing to say,” I tried to backpedal. She was still putting on my shirt. I really did need it. I didn’t have any shirts here, and she had her whole wardrobe. And while I thought it was sexy to see her in my shirt, I couldn’t drive around without a shirt on. But now didn’t seem like the time to press the issue.
She spun and pointed her finger at me angrily. I had no idea a finger could spew such hatred, but at that moment, I knew that a woman’s rage was not dedicated solely to the anger building inside her. No, it moved through her body like some kind of chemistry experiment and shot out every possible exit. And that exit was currently pointed at my face.
“I’m not an idiot, Kavanaugh. I know what he tried to do. Realistically speaking, he’s too far away to try it again. Isn’t your company monitoring him?”
“Well…yes.”
“Then they’ll know if he leaves the state.”
“I guess?—”
“And wouldn’t it be a giant waste of money to have an entire three-person team on someone like me who is home all day with my sister and hardly ever leaves the house?”
“I think you’re missing the point,” I argued. “If he gets away from us…if he somehow…”
“Outsmarts you?”
I winced and nodded. “It’s been known to happen.”
She took a deep breath, one that told me this was going downhill fast. I needed to somehow save this before she totally blew her top.
“Look, I just want to keep you safe. I’m not around and I can’t look out for you.”
“That’s what the security system is for.”