Page 9 of Safe Haven

“Misunderstanding. Right.” Audrey almost sounds disappointed in my explanation. “And it’s totally fine. I figured it was just some sort of random thing anyway.” She yawns, reminding me that I’m supposed to be letting her sleep.

“Go to sleep, okay?” I give the shoulder I’m still holding a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

“Good.” She yawns again, and this time it ends abruptly, cutting off into the cutest little snort of a snore I’ve ever heard.

Chuckling, I roll to my back again, giving her as much space as I can and positioning myself so I’m ready for anyone who might come through the window or the door. I doubt it willhappen though. Isaac and Intel will have eyes on this place until we figure out who—if anyone—is in that car, so I feel relatively comfortable closing my own eyes.

I’m used to sleeping in strange places under dangerous circumstances, so I’m expecting my slumber to be light and short. Usually when I’m on the job, I can doze enough to get the rest my body requires while also remaining aware enough to do the job I’m there for.

But suddenly light is filling the room.

I jerk upright, eyes flying open because I think someone has flipped on the overhead fixture and caught me off guard. But it’s not artificial brightness making me blink.

It’s the fucking sun.

Somehow, I crashed hard, sleeping heavily through the night.

Looking from side to side, I double check that Audrey is safe beside me and my weapon is where I left it. Both important items are exactly where they should be, and the racing of my heart slows a little.

Raking one hand through my hair, I slide off the bed, being careful not to jostle the mattress as I get to my feet. After holstering my pistol, I move to the window, peeking out through the blinds. The side yard is empty, and I’m relieved to see I didn’t cause too much damage to the landscaping as I came in and out the night before.

At least I did something right.

Still feeling rattled over the unexpectedly hard sleep I just experienced, I make my way into Audrey’s bathroom. After taking care of my immediate needs, I return to her room toretrieve my toothbrush. She’s still sleeping soundly, so I silently collect what I need, giving her one more look before I leave.

After scrubbing the grime off my teeth, I head for her kitchen in search of caffeination.

I’ve lived most of my adult life at Alaskan Security headquarters, so the past few months of being on my own has been enlightening. I’ve discovered I don’t mind cleaning a house, grocery shopping is fucking torture, and having access to an espresso machine has made me a coffee snob.

But beggars can’t be choosers, so I drop a single serve cup into Audrey’s little machine, put a mug under the spout, and set it to run. While it’s brewing, I dig through her fridge, looking for something I can make for our breakfast.

I’ve got eggs, cheese, and a gallon of milk out on the counter when I hear a strange sound in the bedroom. Dropping everything, I race out of the kitchen and down the short hall, coming to a quick stop when Audrey’s wild eyes meet mine.

A rush of air passes through her parted lips as her shoulders drop. “You’re still here.”

Did she think I’d left? “Of course I’m still here. I told you I was staying with you until we got all this handled, didn’t I?”

A sad smile curls her lips. “I know, but I’m not really used to people—men, mostly—doing what they say they’re going to do.”

The burn of irritation I’m becoming familiar with flashes across my skin. I just don’t see how anyone could lie to Audrey’s face that way. What’s the point? Why make promises you don’t plan to keep?

It’s bullshit.

“Come on.” I reach one hand out to her. When she takes it, I heft her up off the bed. “Drink some coffee. Eat some breakfast. You’ll feel better once you have food in your stomach and caffeine in your veins.”

Audrey snorts, her hand remaining tightly clutched around mine as I lead her down the hall. “I think it will take a little more than coffee and eggs to fix the shit I’ve got going on.”

“Fair enough. But you still have to eat.” I give her a smile. “Especially if you want to be strong enough to swing that bat at someone’s head.”

“I’m also very interested in nut kicking.” She offers up the reminder of her second plan of attack.

“Then you definitely need to eat, because quads are some of the biggest muscles on the body and they require a lot of energy to stay strong.”

Audrey angles a brow at me, watching as I load another coffee pod into the machine and slide the second cup into place. “I didn’t know bodyguards were so up on their anatomy and physiology.”

“Bodyguards who work hard to be as strong as they can are.”

I don’t tell her why I’ve had to work so hard to be strong. I don’t want Audrey to worry any more than she already is, and hearing that the man responsible for her safety was flat on his back and weak as a baby six months ago, would probably shake her faith in my abilities.

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