Page 39 of Boxed In

“You didn’t fight it?”

He felt his features harden. “The Master of the Moon is all-powerful.”

“But according to you, the bad guys have gone after the box more than once.”

“They want its power. They are persistent.”

Luke sensed that the warrior might not be telling the whole truth. But it seemed that there was nothing he could do to force the issue.

So he went back to his stew. Actually, it was gratifying to experience the simple meal from Zabastian’s point of view. It would not have tasted remarkable to Luke, but now he could appreciate the expertly seasoned gravy, the tender meat and the chunks of vegetables in a new way.

Olivia finished first and ran water in her bowl in the sink. Then she started for the kitchen door.

“Where are you going?” he asked quickly.

“To look for the bathroom. If that’s okay?”

“Fine.”

“Where is it?”

“Across the living room and into the hallway. It’s the door beyond the den.”

He watched her hurry out of the room, and he felt mistrust welling up from within himself—mistrust emanating from the warrior.”

She is up to something.

Unfortunately, I agree.

And it is the same for you, the warrior added.

What do you mean?

You are thinking of calling your friends at Decorah Security.

They can help us.

I will handle this.

The man with two minds quietly pushed back his chair and walked lightly across the living room, heading for the hallway where she’d disappeared.

She might be going to the bathroom, but she’d stopped in the den first.

The receiver from the landline was in her hand, her shoulders were tense, and she was quickly dialing a number.

He stepped up behind her, grabbed the phone and pushed his finger onto the button that clicked off the connection.

You need to learn how to handle your woman, the warrior muttered.

She’s scared. She wants to talk to her friends.

Don’t make excuses for her. Take her mind off her fear.

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