Page 22 of Made in Malice

“Yes.” I hold my ground, telling myself this is not about me being selfish and just trying to get what I want, though that’s what it feels like now.

“Do you have a problem with him?”

“No,” I answer quickly in an effort not to get him in trouble. Just because I think he’s a little bit of a jerk doesn’t mean I want him to lose his job. “I don’t want a bodyguard. It just makes me stand out more than I already do, and you don’t have to worry about me taking off.” I’m hoping the last part will help.

“It was always for your safety, Nova,” he tells me, and I almost believe him. “Please be careful. Trusting the wrong person could cost you more than you know.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem, since nobody really even talks to me. Plus, and I mean no disrespect, but I didn’t grow up like this. I know there are very real dangers.”

“You mean like a spoiled brat?” He actually smiles at me when he says it, and it tells me Alden repeated what I said about Lucian.

“Yeah, a bit,” I admit, knowing there’s no point in denying it. I wonder if Alden told him everything I said.

“If Alden is a deal breaker, I have a compromise, and I’m hoping you will indulge me.” Rory slides his hands into his pants pockets and leans back a little on the heels of his loafers, waiting for my reaction.

“What would that be?” I’m leery, but I’m willing to listen.

“I don’t want you walking to and from school anymore,” he says as his gaze turns a little shrewd. Is there nothing this man doesn’t know?

“You want me to call for a ride.” I nod once, thinking it’s definitely better than getting chased down the road and eating dirt.

“Close,” he says, walking over to the front door and opening it. There’s a small black SUV parked at the front of the circle drive. “It’s more practical than your mother’s car, but that’s in the garage when you’re ready for it.” Rory extends a key fob to me. “There’s a remote for the gate inside.”

“This is for me to drive…by myself?” I question slowly.

“It’s yours, even if you were to leave.” He maintains eye contact with me as if he’s telling me something important. Does that mean he wants me to go?

“I—”

“Just take it, Nova,” he interrupts me.

“Oh, I’m going to take it.” I hold the key to my chest, and a small chuckle escapes me. “I was just thinking I might be a little bit of a hypocrite now for that spoiled comment, but I don’t even really care.”

Rory smiles again, seeming much more relaxed than the other times he’s been around. Maybe he just needed a little time to adjust to me. “Smart girl, just like your mother.”

“Thanks,” I tell him, feeling like I’m missing something again, but I’m not sure what.

“Be safe, and please let us know if you’re going to the mainland.”

Twenty is a little old to have to check in, but I think I can manage to do that without too much trouble, at least for now. “I don’t really have anywhere to go, but okay,” I agree.

Rory looks down at his watch. “Don’t you have a meeting in a little while?”

“I do, thanks for the reminder. I’m going to go.” I start walking slowly toward the SUV as if to give him time to change his mind, but he just slides his hands back into his pockets and watches me.

The interior still has that new car smell, or I think it does because I’ve never really smelled it, only heard about it. Everything is leather and shiny. I don’t know what half the stuff does, nor do I have the time to figure it all out now, but I search for the ignition, coming up empty.

A knock on the window has me jumping, then I feel around for the door handle to open it. I feel a little silly when I say, “I don’t know how to start it.”

“As long as you have the fob on you, you just need to push in the brake and turn this.” He twists a little knob to the left of the steering wheel, and the car starts with a low hum. “Turn it again to shut it off.”

I look around to make sure I don’t need an explanation on anything else, but the gear shifter seems pretty straight forward, and I think I can figure the rest out. “I’ve never had a car before.” I grin over at him.

His face falls. “You do know how to drive though, right?”

“Yes, I just never had a car of my own.” I dismiss his worry.

“Well, be safe and call if you need anything.” He steps back from the car, and I buckle up before slipping it smoothly into drive and gliding away.

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