Page 5 of Set In Stone

He laughed lightly after his final statement. It was true. The salary that he was used to didn’t even compare to what he’d be getting from me. Nonetheless, he needed to know that this was not about earning a quickbuck.

“Money cannot be your motivation. Krystina will not be just a paycheck toyou.”

Samuel soberedinstantly.

“I never thought she was,sir.”

“Good. You should also know that she’s stubborn and doesn’t think she needs you for protection. I have no doubt that she’ll be resistant. Don’t let that deter you. It’s not your job to win her over. Her safety is of the utmost importance here. Hale and I have done a good job of shielding her, but she’snaïve.”

“Sir?” hequestioned.

“Don’t misunderstand me. Krystina has a brilliant mind, but she isn’t used to being in the public eye. I’ve already addressed social media usage with her. She no longer uses Facebook or any of the other social platforms, but you should still monitor that just in case. However, I suspect that the press is going to become a problem in the very near future.” I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. “There’s a court case coming up soon, one that is sure to cause a big stir. Hale has been working to ward them off, but they’re like dogs after a bone. It won’t be long before they make an attempt to get to her for a story. You cannot allow the press near her. In the off chance that they do get to her, ‘no comment’ is all you or she needs to say. Do you understandme?”

“I understand,sir.”

I narrowed my gaze and leaned forward on my desk before speakingagain.

“One last thing. Krystina is everything to me and she is about to become mywife,” I warned, emphasizing the last word and allowing it to sink in. “Don’t forgetthat.”

The statement was my not so subtle way of telling him to protect Krystina at all costs, but it was hands off. His eyes widened, but only for a moment before he quicklyrecovered.

“I won’t forget, sir,” he promised with anod.

“I’m glad we understand each other. Now, my original plan was to have you start on Monday. However, the court case I mentioned has been moved up. I’d rather have you in place sooner, allowing more time to get yourself acclimated to the position. Take the morning to get your affairs in order. Krystina is expecting you later this afternoon. Consider yourself on the clock from that pointforward.”

Samuel and I went through the final motions of signing paperwork to get him on the payroll. Once we finished, I sent him on his way. I had a mountain of contracts to get through and couldn’t afford to spend all afternoon ensuring that my message to him was clear. In the off chance that I wasn’t, I would make sure Hale kept a watchful eye on the young securitydetail.

Before long, it was nearing two o’clock. I sat back in my chair and rubbed my hands over my face. My eyes hurt from staring at the computer all morning and the early afternoon. I detested long days in the office where I did nothing but pour over buying contracts. I hated reading the fine print even more. I preferred a more hands-on approach when working on business deals, but a few time sensitive property acquisitions had not allowed thattoday.

My stomach growled, reminding me that I skipped lunch. Giving my eyes a break from the glare of the computer screen, I stood to walk over to the mini-fridge to see what was available. Working lunches were a norm for me and Laura knew to keep it stocked for theoccasion.

Opening the refrigerator, I perused the contents. Settling on half of a ham sandwich and an energy drink, I went back to my desk. After I was seated once more, my email pinged with a new notification. It was fromKrystina.

TO: AlexanderStone

FROM: KrystinaCole

SUBJECT:Reminder

I’m sure you know, but since we never discussed it this morning, I just wanted to remind you about our appointment with Dr. Tumblin after work today. Try to be a little more open to things today. Please. Forme.

Loveyou,

Krystina

XOXO

I scowled, a knot of dread forming in the pit of mystomach.

Like I would actually forget about the damnshrink.

A sort of restlessness began to set in as I thought about the upcoming appointment. When Krystina made the suggestion to go see a psychiatrist together, I should’ve known better than to agree to it so quickly. We had been seeing Dr. Tumblin for the past month and, as far as I was concerned, the appointments were nothing but a waste oftime.

Tumblin wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know. Every week he dragged us through the gauntlet, insisting that we discuss a past that I would rather leave dead and buried. And worse, every session meant an increased risk of him learning the truth about where I came from. When he poked and prodded into those issues, my back wentup.

However, Krystina felt that therapy was necessary, even if it went against every fiber of my being. My privacy had always come first and foremost. I guarded it well. Keeping an open mind was a goddamn struggle, yet I tried. I had to for her, despite the fact that I was failing to see any sort of positive impact. I was still experiencing frequent nightmares and Krystina seemed more withdrawn thanever.

I looked down at the sandwich that was half eaten. Suddenly, my appetite was lost and I pushed it away before typing myresponse.

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