Page 41 of Lady Death

“Thought it would’ve made me a little more respectable.” He gave a derisive snort. “Thought it could be a good home to retire in.”

“Retire?” she asked, surprised.

He sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Can’t be a hitman forever.”

“So,” she said, curious. “When is this retirement going to occur?”

“No plans anytime soon.” He narrowed his gaze as he stared at her. “You?”

Keres looked away. “I think I’ve already retired.”

Ronin closed his eyes. “That’s good. Too dangerous out there.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. Too dangerous out there. Too dangerous with her. She had a reprieve. For now. She just had to be ready when the next threat came.

Chapter Nineteen

After everyone had left, Keres explored the kitchen, searching what to make for dinner. She found pasta and sauce so figured easy carbs it would be. She got the water boiling and searched until she found a colander and bowls.

Once the pasta was done, she dumped the water out, filled up both bowls, and poured warm spaghetti sauce over it. Grabbing utensils and two drinks, she headed upstairs. Ronin opened his eyes as she stepped into the bedroom.

“Hungry?” she asked.

“Starving,” he replied, sitting up and letting out a hiss of pain. “My head fucking hurts.

“Once you eat you can take some ibuprofen.”

Slowly, he propped himself up with his pillows. Once he settled, she handed him a bowl and a fork. Sitting down, they both ate in silence. When they finished, she collected the dirty dishes and set them to the side. Keres poured two tablets in her hand and held them out. Ronin took them and swallowed them with a bit of water.

“I have to clean up the kitchen. Why don’t you rest more?”

Keres stood and collected everything before heading to the door.

“Keres,” he said, and she paused. “Thank you.”

She threw him a quick smile and then left. Down in the kitchen, she placed the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, added a cleaning pod, and started it up. Taking a beer from the fridge, she stepped outside onto the porch to watch the sunset. Beautiful streaks of gold and red blended together above the horizon line. The humidity wrapped around her like a damp blanket, bringing with it a host of mosquitoes. Not wanting to get eaten alive, she went back inside and wandered into the entertainment room. A ginormous flat-screen lined one wall.Bookshelves filled another. Modern design with warm accents and textures gave the area a comfortable vibe. She settled on the couch and picked up the remote to find something to watch.

Mentally, she was in this odd place. The weight of a thousand guilty thoughts had disappeared, leaving her feeling lighter than air. She found a movie to watch and put it on, not really paying attention to the plot, but needing some distraction because she wasn’t used to not having a million thoughts race through her mind.

“What’re you doing down here?”

She startled and swung her gaze to the doorway. Ronin stood there, chest bare and sweatpants hanging low enough to highlight the sexy Adonis belt on his pelvis.

“Relaxing,” she answered. “Just like you’re supposed to be doing.”

“I was never one who followed the rules.”

“You don’t say,” she replied dryly.

He sat down next to her. “What’re you watching?”

“I don’t know. I put something on for distraction.”

“Well, now I can distract you.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

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