Page 6 of Protected By the Gargoyle
Arto adjusted his weight on the chair. Not sometimes. Every night. He couldn’t resist flying through Boston after his shift to check on Janie. “I want to ensure you’re safe.”
“I know. And I appreciate that, but I was telling Larissa how I’d feel better if I learned some self-defense.” When he was about to speak, she raised her index finger. “You can’t protect me all the time, Arto.”
Although her words were gentle, the truth of them hit him like a blow. Heshouldbe able to protect her always, and that deficit gutted him.
“I need to learn how to defend myself. You understand that, right? So, I don’t feel like I’m helpless.”
He nodded. “I understand.”
“You could teach her, Arto,” Larissa suggested.
He shot her a surprised look and then turned to read Janie’s reaction.
She stared at him with her beautiful blue eyes. “Would you? You know, whenever you have time.”
He’d do anything for her. Anything she asked. “Of course.”
She beamed at him. “You don’t know how much that means to me. I have to do this for myself, just in case.”
Just in case… She didn’t say anything further, leaving him to contemplate what could happen.
Larissa slapped her hands on her thighs. “Terrific.” She gestured to Janie. “Of course, I’ll help however I can.” One side of her mouth curled up in a half smile. “And maybe an occasional lesson with Talia.”
Talia? His gut churned. Yes, she was a gargoyle shifter who was very skilled with a sword, but he’d been presented with an opportunity to spend time with and protect his mate. He couldn’t have it yanked from him before it had even started.
Janie groaned. “No, thank you. I would much rather have Arto teach me. At least I know he won’t torment me.” She turned to him and flashed a conspiratorial smile. “Not too much, I hope.”
“Never,” Arto declared. He’d care for her. Caress her. Love her and protect her. Never hurt her.
But she didn’t want him in that way. So, he’d continue to yearn from mere inches away.
“When will you two get started?” Larissa asked.
Janie pinned a questioning gaze on Arto. “I’m free when you are.”
Who needed rest when he had the chance to be near Janie?
“Now?”
JANIE
“Shall we go to the compound?” Arto suggested. “We have a training area there.”
“Sounds good,” Janie agreed and then slanted her gaze. “I know you flew here, but I prefer to travel on the ground.”
Although flying could be thrilling, it was also terrifying, and she didn’t need anything else fraying her nerves or reminding her of—them. A demon had stolen her from her hospital room and flown her into its realm. She’d been incapacitated with fear. If she’d fought him and it had released her, she’d have plunged to her death. So, she’d remained frozen during the terrifying flight until it had taken her into a cave and restrained her there. The terror lingered, replaying the worst of her fears in paralyzing nightmares.
“Of course.” Although his expression was neutral, she sensed the letdown in his tone.
Arto loved to fly. That was in his nature as a gargoyle. He’d even come to save her from that realm and then had flown her back. They’d soared together during the night of Larissa’s and Roman’s ceremony, but that’s when the fear had bloomed with a reminder of the demon. She’d kept it to herself because she wouldn’t ruin their happy celebration. Arto had asked her to fly since then, but she’d joke that without wings she was meant to be earthbound. Despite her light-hearted tone, she could tell he sensed the real reason and tried to help her deal with the new anxiety by flying with him. Maybe one day, but not yet.
That seemed to be her way of dealing with many things, pushing them off for another time—a better time—to deal with them.
“Don’t worry, Larissa will be with me.” She touched Larissa’s forearm and turned to her. “You’re going with me, right?”
“You mean I have to take public transportation after having a private flight?” Larissa joked.
Janie smiled. “We can order a rideshare.”
