Page 23 of To Keep

“It was in the bag you gave me. Is it inappropriate? I don’t even know where we’re going.”

“It’s perfect,” he said. Galen had given her a black garbage bag of clothes from the thrift store a while back. He wasn’t even sure what was in the bag. He’d told the woman at the store her size and asked for a bit of everything.

Now she was standing there in a white dress that made her look like an absolute angel. Her red hair contrasted sharply, and her curves filled out every inch of the dress in an unholy way. He didn’t realize how long he’d been standing there staring like an idiot.

“Where are we going exactly?” she asked.

Galen snapped back into the present. “Don’t ask.”

There was a barely audible gasp, but she kept her face neutral. He strapped on his gun harness, loaded up, then grabbed his jacket.

It wasn’t too hot outside. This time of year could be either hot or comfortable. He motioned to the black SUV and she rounded the truck and got in the passenger side.

“How many cars do you have?” she asked.

“A few. I like to mix things up. It’s never a good idea to be too predictable.”

He pulled out of the dirt driveway and headed toward the city. For a few minutes, he felt like a normal guy on any normal day, but nothing about his life was ordinary. Today was a fantasy, playing a role that wasn’t meant for him, nothing more. But he’d enjoy every moment of it. And she deserved to have a day without looking over her shoulder.

“Have you talked with Viko?” she asked.

“Relax, Skye. I’m not killing you today.”

“You’re wearing at least two guns.”

He shrugged. “I never leave the house without firepower.”

“Okay...” Then she shifted in her seat to face him. “Are you taking me somewhere so someone else can kill me?”

This time he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m taking you to lunch. That’s it. I’m not trying to trick you.”

Within minutes he parked at the lakefront restaurant and cut the engine. She looked around, with shock and confusion on her face.

She joined him on the walkway. “A restaurant? For real?”

He took her hand and led her to the front doors. Galen felt proud to have her at his side, and an unexpected wave of possessiveness washed over him.

“Am I underdressed?” she asked once they stepped into the lobby.

Galen shook his head. He could feel her trepidation. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

Her long red hair was brushed out smooth, and her natural beauty was incomparable to any of the women he knew. Skye was refreshing. Real. She made him want to drop his walls and the act and just live.

He got them a table for two with a view of the water on the patio.

She smiled after settling in her seat.

“What’s funny?” he asked.

“Nothing. It’s just that this kind of feels like a date.”

“Is that so dumb?”

Skye shrugged. “You know the situation. I’m basically a prisoner until I’m killed. And that time is still up in the air.”

He leaned back in his seat, his face stoic. It was hard fucking with her when she was so open and honest.

“I’m not going to kill you.”

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