Page 27 of Guarding Zuri
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen Odin. I—I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
“Where did she paint him?”
“There’s a preserve down in Florida. My mother ran it before she died. I haven’t been there in years. Busy with work.” He frowned and moved away.
“Your mother’s portraits are lovely.”
“Thank you.” He sat a hand on top of the wooden five-drawer chest emitting a faint scent of pine. “In here, she got away from the day’s business and re-centered.”
“It’s very calming and inviting.” She sat on the bed, the thick mattress barely giving under her weight. The beds on Daemon’s boat and planes were nice, but this one was different. More real, somehow, because it was in a home. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a home,” she said softly. Her fingers glided over pale violet linen bedding. “Where we met was usually how we lived. Sometimes twenty of us would sleep on the floor in the same room. If people weren’t afraid of Gohi’s retaliation, they’d lend us some rooms for a few days before we had to move on.”
“I’ve lived life on the move, often. It’s hard.”
“This is nice.”
Although he smiled, his eyes held sadness. “Good. I’m glad you approve.” He pointed to an open door. “En suite is there. And on the wall near the bed is the intercom system. You can ring almost any part of the house. My room is labeled, in case you need me.”
“I don’t think—”
“Uh-uh, Princess.” His teasing grin set more butterflies in her stomach to flight. “You’re not the type to take things back. Don’t say what you don’t mean.”
Zuri moved past him and flicked on the light to the en suite. She kept her mouth shut. Daemon chuckled, probably at her silence. She could afford for him to win this round because he was right: it would chafe her ego to walk back her words. And if she’d finished her sentence, she might’ve had to call him.
“Like I said, dinner is ready,” Daemon said as he moved toward the door. “You probably want to shower first, so take your time. The chef will keep it warm.”
“Chef?”
“Yup. We have one on staff. Several. Can make just about anything, if you ask nicely.” He winked.
“Traditional Bendolan food?” She challenged, crossing her arms over her chest. The raw scent was her. He was right; she needed to shower again; she’d slept for most of the flight across the Atlantic. He probably couldn’t wait to get out of that elevator. Zuri lifted her chin even as embarrassment flooded her, and she inched closer to the pine chest, hoping its strong scent would mask hers.
Daemon shrugged. “Not sure. I’m almost certain I mentioned it when I called from the plane. Either way, there are always cookies available because that’s my weakness.” He patted his stomach. “Don’t take the last one, or I’ll hurt you.”
“Is that a threat?”
He showed his teeth. “It’s a promise. And I always keep my promises.”
Zuri settled onto the bed after he left. Her nerves frayed and her chest hurt from the attack of her heart. She jumped at the sound of a ring from the phone on her nightstand. She picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hey, Princess. Patching David through to you.”
“Zuri?” David’s voice came over the line.
“David!” Zuri gripped the phone. “David, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes. You made it to DC. Aren’t you glad Daemon is there?”
“Yes, I made it,” Zuri acknowledged, ignoring the part about Daemon. “What is happening? Please tell me everything. I feel like I’m not a part of things anymore.”
Joqi’s body had made it out of the city and was on its way to his village. Relief eased her anxiety. “I hope his family can forgive us,” she said softly.
“Well, his wife was inconsolable. She curses you, Zuri.”
Zuri closed her eyes as tears threatened to run down her cheeks. “Does she know how sorry I am?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you. And, yes, she does. Daemon’s men relayed that, and I spoke with her on the phone. She thinks you and your father killed him.”
“We did!”
