Page 46 of Villainous Mind

“This is beautiful,” I said.

“Navy-” he started to say.

“Look,” I interrupted him. “Um.” I shook my head. “This is too much. I don’t belong here. I think this was easier – um, whatever this even is – I think it was easier when you were just some strange guy who lived in a caravan. But this is too much for me.” I was rambling, and my mind was going a hundred miles a minute.

“Navy,” he said again, taking me by my shoulders. “Please let me talk.”

“I don’t belong here.”

“Navy, listen.” His voice climbed an octave. “I know this a lot. It’s too much for me, but unfortunately, it’s part of who I am.”

“I need to go,” I said, trying to break free from his hold.

“I can’t let you go,” he insisted, increasing his grip. “I can’t let you go because you are in danger.”

I felt my face drain of color and thought I might pass out for a second. “I’m in danger?”

“Yes.”

“I told you I’m not afraid of whoever took those girls. Christ, I’m not even in Milford Haven anymore.”

“This has nothing to do with the girls,” he said, relaxing his hold on me. “This has to do with me.”

“What are you trying to say?”

He led me over to the couch, sitting me down. “I told you I was involved in different projects,” he said carefully. “Well, someone involved in one of those projects is upset and is threatening me and anyone who is special to me.”

“You’re speaking very cryptically. What are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying someone is coming after me and those I love. You can’t go to your flat. I can’t let you leave my sight.”

“Are you involved in something illegal?” I said. “Have you involved me in something illegal?”

“No. I promise you. I need you to trust me.”

“Trust you?” I laughed.

“Look at me, darling,” he said, holding my face. “I need you to trust me. Tomorrow, I am meeting with a friend, and we are coming up with a plan. In the meantime, you will be safe with me.”

“How do you know I’m in danger. I just met you. How would this person know about me? I’m a nobody.”

“You’re not a nobody. You mean something to me, and you’ve been seen with me, making you vulnerable.”

“I need proof,” I demanded, trying to wrap my head around everything he said.

“The bull,” he said. “It was a warning.”

“We found the bull days ago, and you sent me away.”

“I know. I thought you would be safer away from me, but someone was outside the caravan last night.”

“It could have been anyone,” I said, standing up.

“No. It was the same person who left the bull for me to find.”

“So, what now? We hide out. I have a job to do, a career on the line. I can’t stay holed up in your penthouse. Money might not mean anything to you, but I have rent to pay and a car note. I need to make a living.”

“We carry on as normal. I will stay with you as you work. As long as you are with me, then you will be safe. After I meet with my friend, we will come up with a plan. I’ll have reinforcements.”