Page 77 of Receiving His Mercy
“Where is it exactly?” she asked.
“Kazbrekistan. They think that the current ruler is going to be overthrown. Civil unrest. It’s dangerous, but that will mean some amazing images.”
She drew out a breath. Fear filled her. Could she leave the safety of the states? She knew that safety was a relative thing. He had let her go. There was no reason to think he’d be searching for her. Hell, he’d likely moved on. And she’d been careful. She’d used a different last name when she was with him and he’d hadno idea that she was actually American. He thought she was from England.
Was it stupid to hope that would keep her safe?
“I know you’re scared?—”
“Do you?” she snapped.
He sat back in his chair, staring at her. It wasn’t often that she got mad at Oliver and he appeared surprised.
“Caren, there are ways to keep you safe. River said you haven’t contacted him again.”
“I don’t think he’s got what it takes to go on assignment. He wore hair gel. And white shoes.”
“So? That doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t make a good bodyguard. I didn’t think you’d be so judgmental about someone’s appearance.”
Ouch. Point taken.
“He has good references. And he can be on-call to leave at any moment. Take him with you. Let him be your assistant and your bodyguard.”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it.”
“I guess that’s all I can ask for,” he grumbled.
“It is. Have a good day, I’ll see you at the exhibition.” Standing, she grabbed her jacket, rushing out of there.
“Are you all right, Ms. Stanford?” Isabel called out. “Can I call someone to come and get you?”
“Ahh, no, thank you. I’ll take the subway.”
“Oh. All right.”
Caren stopped at her desk and reached over to squeeze her hand. “You really are stunning and sweet. Don’t let anyone make you think otherwise.”
“Um, sure, bye! Have a good day!”
A headache was thumping in her temples by the time she made it back to her apartment.
She didn’t know why she was hit by a stab of disappointment as she got off the elevator and found the hallway in front of her door empty.
As if he was going to be there waiting for her.
She was being ridiculous.
Getting into the apartment, she quickly locked the door and took off her jacket before taking out her phone. Then she paced back and forth before sitting on the sofa and opening the message.
OPN:Friends don’t pay their friends back for being a friend.
Oh.That was really nice.
And she should be glad that was what he’d said rather than . . . something else.
She should be.
But she wasn’t. Because all she could play over and over in her head was what had happened in the early hours of the morning.
