Page 7 of Hunter's Trial

“You flatter me.” Horus smiles in return. There’s something charming about the bashful almost modest way that he lowers his gaze. I wonder what makes him tick. Perhaps he’s just not used to such forward women in his life? It will be a fun thing to play with if that’s the case.

“You’re easy to flatter.” I push the manila envelope with copies of my signed contracts to Horus and he quickly accepts them, bending to place them inside of his briefcase and then he turns his undiluted attention to me as our first course is brought to the table. I wonder if he has somebody waiting for him at home?

“I trust that your meeting with Mr. Volkovich went without difficulty?” Horus asks as he happily examines his plate. I can see by the way his eyes widen that he’s something of a foodie as he turns his plate this way and that.

I need to remember exactly what I said to Nikolai so that I don’t blur the lines and end up doing something that will cost me my job. I need this contract.

“He certainly is an interesting character. I think I made the mistake of underestimating his intelligence.” I confess, only to stop mid train of thought by a bite of the delicious food in front of me.

Horus smiles in understanding. Does he know Nikolai as well? “Many tend to make that same mistake. His brawn and reputation make many think that he’s only muscle and violence. Nothing could be further from the truth.” He points to something on my plate. “You should try those two things together.”

I do as he says. Oh, he’s definitely a foodie. This is perhaps the best dinner that I’ve ever had in my life. “You speak as if you know him well.”

“You could say that I am rather well-acquainted with him. Enough to tell you to never make the mistake of dropping your guard near him. He is far more perceptive than you think. He was raised in a very cutthroat, competitive environment where he had to always be three steps ahead of his competition at all times. The fact that he was caught was a very well-timed stroke of luck. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that because he is confined, that he is any less lethal.”

“And yet I am supposed to free this man? Be alone in a room with him?”

Horus smiles kindly as the small first course is cleared away and a second one is placed in front of us. “Mr. Volkovich is famous for his temper, this is true. However, he does not make any moves without reason or cause. Even if his actions seem random, he always has a reason for doing something.”

“You’re not making me feel very confident, Horus.”

He politely wipes his mouth. “A smart woman like you is more than capable of handling him, I assure you.”

“And what about the previous smart women in his life?” I ask, curious about some of the rumors that I’ve heard.

“You mean Anya, his wife?”

“And any of the others that have been tied to his name.”

“I am truly sorry, but those are not my stories to tell.”

“You must be a very loyal person, Horus.” I smile, meaning it as a compliment. For a moment I swear something like sadness flickers across his expression. I get the distinct feeling that perhaps there is something more to this story than they have told me.

“I promise that I will be very diligent in my duties to guard you and your young daughter, Ms. Thorne.”

“I have faith that you will.”

“I will personally be guarding your door twenty-four seven, Ms. Thorne. I hope that this meeting between us will ensure that you feel comfortable in asking me whatever it is that you might need.” Horus offers.

“You’re going to be there even at night?”

Horus smiles with one side of his face, showing a glimpse of a dimple. “Even at night.” he confirms.

“Surely you don’t mean that you’re going to be sleeping in your car or anything?”

“I could hardly serve you properly while I’m asleep, now could I?” Horus teases. He’s such a strong, stable seeming man. He’s exactly the sort of man that I ought to be focusing my attention on. It would be the most responsible choice. There’s absolutely no doubt that he’s attractive. But even still there’s something… missing. Something that I can’t quite put my finger on.

“So you just stay awake for days on end, cramped in your car like some sort of glorified stalker?” I blurt, not thinking that the words might somehow be found offensive. I could at the very least make the couch into a bed for him. Though, that might make him uncomfortable. He would be able to keep a better eye on us that way. That much would be certain at least.

“There is very little that I would not do because of how seriously I take my duties.” Horus winks.

It would be so damned simple to turn this whole outing into a date. Even as they clear the plates and bring out the next, I find myself indulging in the idea of the strong man coming to my rescue. Specifically, this strong man saving me. My focus drifts to his powerful hands. Has he spent his whole life working in security? He must catch me staring, because there’s an almost hidden smile waiting for me on his handsome face when I look back up at him.

“Something the matter?” He asks. It almost feels like he wants me to admit it, but I can’t. I cannot allow those lines to be blurred. But he’s too perfect of a distraction, I just can’t help myself.

I wink back at him as I take my time in savoring the next course. “No, everything is perfect, actually. Thank you.”

“I just can’t do it.” I say to Horus when we finally arrive back home. Standing on my porch, I know that I have to go inside and pay the babysitter for her time so that she can get on with her life. But I can’t stand the thought of Horus going back out to his car and spending the night there. “I insist that you come in for tea.”

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