Page 71 of Cooper

Of course, now that Lennox is coming back, I may lose my post, which is a bummer. Lennox had it first, though, and since she’s married to Sandor, I figure she’ll get whatever she wants on the duty schedule within reason.

“You can tell me all about how Ryan is in bed,” she teases as we take the elevator down to the garage.

“Dreamy,” I respond. “Absolutely dreamy.”

“If he can get you off, you can’t complain.”

“I won’t,” I reply. “He gets me off like no one else ever has, so I’m extremely happy in that department.”

“He seems like a good guy.”

“I just hope he likes me enough to want to stay.”

“One day at a time, sweetie.” She climbs into the passenger seat of the Mercedes we’re taking today. “You can’t rush a decision like that. I’m just glad you’re happy. Relax and enjoy the process of falling in love.”

It’s a little difficult with so much indecision about the future, but aside from the occasional bout of anxiety, I realize I’m genuinely happy.

And I don’t ever remember feeling that way before.

TWENTY-FIVE

Cooper

“Cooper.”

Joe calls to me, and I look up from where I’m monitoring the perimeter of the palace grounds. There’s a lot to keep up with in here so I stay pretty focused. This is my third day taking a shift for Joe, allowing him to take an actual duty shift, and it’s a good way for me to ease into things. Plus I like being useful. Especially since Sandor has already put me on the payroll, so at the moment I’m double dipping.

“Yeah, boss?”

“How’s it going? Do you need anything?”

“No, I—” Movement in the trees draws my attention, and I squint at the monitor, snapping back into focus.

Dammit.

What did I just see?

I scan all the monitors, but now there’s nothing.

Did I imagine it?

No.

I’m too detail-oriented for that.

“What is it?” Joe asks.

“Movement in the trees close to Location 47. There’s nothing actively happening but I saw something. Maybe an animal, but movement of some kind.”

“Let me send a few guards.”

Jesus, not again.

I’m starting to feel paranoid, especially since I can’t go out there myself.

I hate essentially being relegated to desk duty, but I understand they want me to be completely healed before letting me do anything strenuous. I don’t like it, but I understand it. I want to say I’m up to the task, but I’m not used to taking my time on anything. I want to make things happen quickly.

I drum my fingers on the desk, watching as Sandor stalks across the garden into the woods. Joe left and is moving along the side of the palace, and I see Lennox slip out the servants’ entrance.

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