Page 270 of Lars

When I met her halfway across the field, she looked at me with a mixture of fear and irritation. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. She had so desperately wanted to escape, and I had ruined it all.

Well, actually, the snake had ruined it. I’d just prevented the snake from REALLY ruining her plan.

“You have to be careful out here,” I said kindly, trying not to lecture her too much. “You shouldn’t stray so far from the house.”

“Or what, you’ll shoot me?” she snapped.

A little bratty, considering I’d just saved her life. Or maybe just her leg.

But I chalked it up to her situation. If someone had kidnapped me and was keeping me against my will – no matter how nice the prison – I wouldn’t be in the best of moods, either.

I should know; I’d spent three and a half years behind bars. Even if San Vittore had been a five-star hotel, I would have wanted out.

Being helpless can make you hate even the most beautiful surroundings. Golden handcuffs are still handcuffs.

I chuckled, mainly to let her know that my next words weren’t a threat so much as a joke.

Although… they were still kind of a threat.

“No, I’d have to sling you over my shoulder and carry you back, and you might not like that so much.”

She looked at me out of the corner of her eyes – probably wondering if I would do to her what she’d seen me do to Umberto Fumagalli.

“You have nothing to fear from me,” I said gently as we walked back towards the house.

“Riiiight. I have nothing to fear from the man tracking me with a gun.”

“I was ordered to keep you safe. Which, you must admit, I just did.”

“Yes, but the snake’s not the only thing I’ve seen you shoot.”

There it was –

Confirmation of what I knew she’d been thinking.

“The man last night was a snake, as well,” I said. “Just a different type.”

“Let me guess,” she said sarcastically. “You were protecting me last night, too.”

“No. I was protecting the family.” And because I was getting irritated with her attitude, I added, “Although, one could argue that I protected you by walking out of the café after it was over.”

A wave of fear passed over her face, and I immediately regretted what I’d said.

“Why didn’t you kill me?” she asked quietly.

I tried to lighten the mood with a joke. “I thought the snake was a bigger threat.”

“You know what I meant. Why didn’t you shoot me last night?”

I played dumb. “Why would I?”

“I was the only witness – and you looked right at me. I could have identified you to the police.”

She was 100% right.

I decided to tell her the real reason I hadn’t –

The only rule I had.

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