Page 104 of Tribute
The place was amazing, high on a tabletop mountain with fantastic views and—more importantly—a security setup that even Kai couldn’t find fault with. Their position made the house easy to defend and almost impregnable. It also meant they had some freedom to roam outside and not be locked in one room together.
Rehz had asked Aled and Kai to take the bedroom next to his and Anna’s—although he hadn’t yet slept in her bed. He couldn’t bear it when she turned away from him and curled in on herself. He spent most nights roaming the hallways or sitting in the den, trying to get information out of the security chief on Palk’s whereabouts.
Bron had come with them and was directing the small security team, all of whom seemed efficient. There wasapparently still no sign of Palk. Bron definitely had a thing for Kai, which made Aled a mite touchy.
Rehz’s faint smile faded as Anna started making her excuses to leave. Abruptly, he stood up and walked with her to the door.
“I need to talk to you. Will you come in the study?”
She reluctantly followed him into the next room and waited as he closed the door and leaned against it, effectively blocking her exit.
“What can I do for you, Rehz?”
“Anna, justtalkto me, okay? I know you’re upset, but I don’t know why, and I don’t understand what to do about it. I’ve tried to give you some space, but things seem to be getting worse rather than better.”
She looked away from him, wrapping her arms tightly around herself.
“I’m fine, Rehz.”
“You are not fucking fine.” He hesitated. “What have I done?”
“Why do you assume you did something? Maybe this is about me and how I feel.”
He rubbed a hand over his scalp. “I suck at feelings. You know that.”
“Which is maybe why this has nothing to do with you.” She finally looked him in the eye. “Maybe I don’t have anything to say because I know you won’t understand.”
“Just give me a fucking clue here. Just a chance totryand understand.” He might as well dive in anyway. Being subtle and respecting her boundaries wasn’t working at all. “Is this still about what happened with theUngrich?”
“Still?” This time she glared at him. Hell, he’d take it—it was better than being ignored. “It was less than two weeks ago, Rehz. That’s not much time to—” She stopped talking.
“To what?”
“Nothing.” She swallowed hard and tried to smile.
“Anna . . . Gods, please fuckingtellme.”
“I can’t.” Her blue eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, I just can’t be strong about this.”
“Is this about the baby?”
Her face went blank. “I can’t discuss that with you.”
“Why, because you think it’s Aled’s kid?”
She stopped and poked him hard in the chest. “That is the moststupidthing you have ever said to me. Maybe this is aboutme, about how I feel, and not about any of you males at all.”
There was thatfeelingsword again. But this was Anna Lee—hisAnna, who never letanythingfucking beat her.
“Don’t look at me like that, Rehz.”
“Like what?”
“Like you don’t know who I am anymore.”
She tried to push past him and he grabbed hold of her elbow. “Anna?—”
She pulled away from him. “Don’ttouchme!”
