Page 59 of All The Way Under
Part of my security detail is wearing plain clothes a few feet behind us, and a few went ahead to scope out the café and the surrounding buildings before we get there. I can’t tell if Brody is annoyed by the hired help or thankful for the extra sets of eyes.
I pull my beanie down a little further when we get to a stoplight because there’s a group of people waiting. I slam the button to cross the road. Taxis fly by, and the scent of sweet pastries fills my nose.
Brody smiles down at me before letting his gaze sweep again. It’s easy to play pretend when he looks at me like that. Like this is a normal date, without any hang-ups or qualifiers. Like I wasn’t just held captive with him. He takes my hand when it’s time to cross, and the buzz from his touch makes me blush.
It’s a brisk walk, and his hand wraps tightly around mine until we’re safely ensconced in the café. It’s empty. I groan when I see security in the back.
“They bought out the café,” I deadpan. “So much for a normal date.”
“Why are you so hung up on being normal when you’re anything but?” He pulls out a chair and extends his hand for me to sit.
The guard passes by our table and locks the front door.
“Your father’s orders, ma’am,” he says, obviously embarrassed, but duty-bound. I frown.
“Saylor,” Brody chides. “This is safer. We aren’t as far from Madagascar as you think. I’m not upset about a locked door and a couple of suits. You shouldn’t be either. Your dad loves you.”
He sits down and takes my hands in his.
“Imagine your child in this situation. What would you do? Especially if you have the means tobuypeace of mind.”
His eyes soften, and I lose myself in the moment, imagining having kids with him. Little blue-eyed babies toddling on the beach, fat bare feet kicking up water as they chase crabs.
Tears prick my eyes, and I hope he doesn’t notice. How would I explain how I’ve skipped several steps in my mind by merely looking into his eyes?
“I’d do the same,” I finally reply. “It feels like a lot, and I’m afraid,” I whisper.
The waitress hands us menus with shaking hands, and I feel for her, I do. But I know she’s safe even if she’s scared.
“Thank you,” I say, meeting her eyes, sliding the beanie off my head and onto my lap.
Her brown eyes widen further as she looks at my face. Recognition. Shit. I clear my throat, and she scurries back to the kitchen.
“What are you afraid of?” Brody asks, also noticing the interaction.
“Well, for starters, nothing being the way it was before. I’m scared all the attention is going to scare you away. Your identity needs to stay under wraps for your own safety. What if I’m theone who spoils that? What if I get you killed for no reason other than being linked to you?”
He picks up the menu, shaking his head.
“You’re spiraling. It’s not that serious. We should enjoy our date. I’m going to have the pasta. What looks good to you?”
I stare at him, unflinching, then hit him with a slow blink.
“You really aren’t bothered by the what-ifs?”
“Hell no. I’m ordering you not to be bothered by them either.” He clenches his jaw.
I give him a mock salute with two fingers on my forehead.
“Yes, sir. Look at you with your clenched jaw. Am I annoying you?”
We’re interrupted by the waitress asking what we’d like to drink and if we’re ready to order. I tell her what I want, literally the first thing on the menu—some sandwich because I didn’t have time to look—and a bottle of sparkling water. Brody orders next, in Portuguese too, as he scans the window to make sure the coast is clear.
“I’m not annoyed,” he muses. “I’m merely a curmudgeon. You know this already. I don’t want you to worry about what might happen or will happen. Hell, I don’t want you to worry at all, but I’ve dealt with some pretty heavy shit in my lifetime. Not just deployments where my brothers have died or I have narrowly escaped impossible situations, either. Normal stuff when I’m home. Being lonely or not knowing how to express myself without being an asshole.”
I smirk.
“Are you sure you know how to do that last one?” I tease. “So you’re saying dealing with a bit of notoriety isn’t going to deter you from spending time with the kidnapped Wyndham girl?”
