Page 57 of Villainous Mind
He moved to the window, looking out at the city, hands clasped behind his back.
“I mean, I get it. I don’t put off a come be my best friend type of attitude, but I wouldn’t classify myself as sad or morose.”
Not a single word.
“I can explain-”
“Enough,” he finally said. “I’ve heard enough.”
I sat there, the silence more and more unnerving as each second ticked by.
“Did you consider how worried I would be when I found out you were missing?” he asked.
“I just-”
“I said enough.” He spoke in a clipped and controlled manner. “You knew I was worried about your safety. I thought I made it crystal clear yesterday how much danger you were in, and yet youcompletelydisregarded everything I said and went off on your own because you had to think.”
He turned around, and I could see the worry and stress etched in his face. Worry I put there. “I thought we established a modicum of trust last night.”
“We did,” I said softly. “It’s only I thought maybe I wasn’t in so much danger because you were willing to leave me with Dafydd, and I knew if the danger was as bad as you made it out to be yesterday, you wouldn’t leave me at all.”
“The danger is real, Navy.” His hand went to his mouth, and he briefly closed his eyes while he composed himself. “I left you with Dafydd because I trust him, and I trusted you to stay with him. Leaving you almost killed me.”
My heart beat so fast I thought it might come through my chest. I wasn’t used to people caring for me. I wasn’t ready for it. “I’m not used to trusting people, Rhys. It’s not something I can turn on all of a sudden. And I was telling you the truth when I said I needed a moment to think. This is overwhelming.”
“I get this makes you uncomfortable, but I am this close-” he held up two fingers with barely any space between them “-to taking you to a safe house and leaving you there while I deal with what I need to deal with.”
“I won’t go,” I argued. “I’m not afraid.”
He stepped toward me and leaned in, putting his hands on the back of the couch, blocking me in. His voice was low and threatening. “I need you to be afraid. Very afraid. And if I say you’ll go to the safe house. You will go. I will make sure of it. Do you understand?”
A tear fell from my face, landing on my shirt. “Yes.”
“Good,” he said, stepping back. “Perhaps you’re beginning to understand.”
I bit my lip, hoping to steel my nerves.
He sat down next to me, resting his head in his hands. “We’ll head back to St. Ishmaels this afternoon. I’m sure you’re anxious to get back to your work.”
Another tear fell as my fortress began to crack. “I don’t think I even have a job anymore. I should go talk with Granger.”
“Until he contacts you, I would continue as if the story is yours. It means too much to you to give up.”
I shrugged.
“Come here,” he said, holding his arms out to me. I moved closer to him, and he pulled me onto his lap. “I’m sorry, I should not have left you with Dafydd.”
“I’m sorry for running off. It’s how I’ve always dealt with things when I’m uncomfortable.”
He held my head to his chest, resting his chin on top. “I know you didn’t ask for this, but I need you to know I will protect you. I won’t leave you again until this threat is over.”
“Hopefully it’s soon.”
“Hopefully soon, fy merch hardd. I’ll make sure of it.”
* * *
I breatheda sigh of relief as we pulled into the entrance of Môr Haven Manor. It was ironic, considering the first time I arrived here, I was taken captive, and now I was not only coming here willingly, I actually wanted to be here.