We sit in silence for a beat, before I decide to speak. “I’m going to head out. Make sure you keep that safety on,” I remind her gesturing toward the lip gloss Taser.
“Are you going to get back to your car now?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Do you not want me to?”
“Since you come and go from outside my house as you wish, I’m sure you can make your own decision,” she says.
“Or you can invite me in to watch you.” I’m testing her feistiness.
She clicks her tongue with a playful annoyance. “Not a chance.”
I laugh. And it’s a full belly laugh, one that makes me heart skip a beat.
“So, what do you do during the day when you’re not sitting outside my house anyway?”
I smile behind the fabric, warmed by her genuine curiosity and how she’s trying to keep our conversation going. “I run a tech company.”
“Interesting. That explains the gadgets.”
“Yes.”
Lux leans her back against the wall next to her front door, folding her arms across her chest. “What type of technology? Like hacking?”
“Not really. More like inventions. My research and development team creates advanced technology and weaponry for the government,” I tell her, feeling comfortable not giving to many specifics.
“What’s it called?”
I palm the side of her house with an outstretched arm leaning in closer to her and shake my head. “Nice try, but no.”
“Fine.” She looks away hiding a frown.
Lowering my head to capture her beautiful brown eyes, I pick up the sadness I saw on the camera a sort time ago. “How are you holding up?”
“As to be expected. I’m angry and lost.” She runs a shaky hand through her long tousled hair giving me a whiff of lavender. The scent is dizzying. “And the only other person who understands what happened or has any answers for me refuses to share any information.”
She’s implying me and my lack of transparency. I wish she’d understand it’s for the best.
“I know you want more, but I’m doing what I believe is best.”
“But do you see how frustrating that is? You’re keeping me in the dark.”
I exhale with frustration within myself and I go to look away, but the doorstep light shines on her face and I see dark circles under her eyes. “You need to try to sleep.”
“I…” Her eyes swell with tears.
My heart clenches seeing her suffer. “Trust me, I am handling it.”
“What’s in this for you, River?” she challenges. “Why are you going after this random group of men?”
Another question I can’t answer.
“I can’t—”
“You can’t tell me,” she interjects. “I get it.”
