“Naughty boy.” The serious look on her face fades to a playful smirk. “But it does make me wonder what Mr. Dark and Mysterious is getting up to for the rest of the day?” Her voice hardens, as if the thought of me leaving this room to go about my business will be her breaking point.
“Nothing.” There’s enough to do, but it can wait. The only thing that matters right now is her. “Which reminds me…”
“Uh-oh, here it comes.” Her eyes sink from mine.
“Relax, princess. It’s not serious.” I try to comfort her. “I stopped by your mom’s place while I was out yesterday. In the chaos of getting back home, it slipped my mind.”
“You did?” Gemma perks up immediately. “How is she?”
“Fit as a fiddle. Even shared a cup of tea.” Apart from yesterday’s check-in, I’ve had someone watching her mom’s house since the day I took Gemma away.
And while no issues have risen, and I doubt they will at all, I haven’t had the heart to tell Gemma. She’s happy, comfortable, and free here. It almost feels like if I say something, she’ll be worrying about her mom more than taking care of herself, while I do the same.
“Great,” she says it the same way I did. Teasing me. “But that also reminds me of something…”
“Oh God, here it comes.” My turn to tease.
“What would you say about going out together?” Her chin bobs against my chest with a nervous swallow. “It doesn’t have to be far, and we don’t have to stay out long or anything. It’s just … I’m getting a little claustrophobic here and wouldn’t mind a little time outside.”
It’s not a good idea. Say no. The chance might be small, but if someone notices her?—
“Of course, we can.”Fucking idiot. “We’ll go somewhere tonight.”
Her face lights up like a Christmas tree, and she lets out a high-pitched squeal that I’m sure woke up every dog within a ten-block radius. She launches off me, unable to contain her excitement, and starts bouncing frantically in place.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” This is why I’m breaking all my rules. It’s a terrible idea. It’s risking a lot for a couple of hours of fun. But to see her like this, so happy and excited, how could I ever say no?
“No need,” I say. “Real question is, did you pack something for a night out, or do you need me to run to the shops?”
“You’d really do that for me?”
And so much more.
I nod.
“A new dress might be nice. Maybe something sexy underneath for after.” There it is again. Her red cheeks from saying the tamest thing, but thinking it’s overtly sexual.
“How about you shop online for what you’d like me to get? You can surprise me. All I’ll do is pick it up.” I kick my feet off the side of the bed and shuffle through last night’s pants for my wallet. “Get whatever you need while you’re at it.”
I grab my card out of its holder and give it to her.
“You’re serious?” She stares at the plastic rectangle in her hands.
“What’s mine is yours, little Gem.” I give her a kiss on the cheek.
10
GEMMA
Our arrival at the Southern Sea Restaurant goes exactly as I pictured it would.
His hand on the small of my back while we walk. A warning to the world that I belong to him. That they shouldn’t dare look unless they want to face the consequences of his wrath.
But it’s not much cause for concern when all eyes are on him anyway. With his long, dominant strides, like he owns the place. His tense, flexed frame testing the limits of his navy-blue suit. Or best of all, the menacing, stern look on his face without the mask on.
Our waiter sets us up at a table, but it’s Ghost who pulls my chair out. Under Ghost’s order, we have a great view of the restaurant. A string in the corner playing modern tracks in an old-fashioned style. The bar in the distance is packed to the brim with people trying to order, but most importantly, a view of the people.
It was his one condition about tonight happening at all. He has to see all, so he can keep me safe.
