“I have a delivery,” a man said from the other side of the door. “It’s expected.”
Elias recognized the guy as one of the guards who’d run down the street after Quinley yesterday. He was alone as far as Elias could tell.
But was he really? Was he there to drop off the items in his hands, or did he intend to try to take Quinley with him whether she wanted to go or not?
Elias unlocked the door, stepping back to let the guy lower the items inside because he wasn’t going to put the gun down, and he couldn’t accept the items the guard held without doing so.
He also didn’t want the camera at the door to pick up the exchange with him holding a weapon and shoot the video back to the cabin’s owner. “Just set them down. Thanks.”
The oversized guy glanced at the gun in Elias’s hand, then at the camera, seeming to understand the problem.
“May I come in? I was told to only release them over to the owner,” the man said pointedly.
The door behind Elias unlocked and opened, and he felt Quinley’s presence behind him.
The guard’s gaze immediately raked her from head to toe, and his expression softened, probably because she looked more than a little rough. Beautiful, but rough.
“You’re okay?”
“I’m fine, Axel. Thank you,” Quinley said. “Thanks for bringing my things to me.”
Elias watched as the guy’s gaze shifted from her to the gun he still held.
“I’d be happy to take you wherever you’d like to go,” Axel said. “Have you found a place?”
Was that offer hinting that maybe she wasn’t here by her own choosing? Or just a query to be taken at face value?
Elias stiffened. He’d never harmed a woman, and he’d certainly never held one at gun point.
“I’mfine. Truly. I haven’t decided my next step yet, but thank you anyway. I’ll let you know when something changes.”
“Ms. A—” the guy broke off with another glance at the doorway and camera. “May we speak privately?”
Elias shot a glance at Quinley and watched as her expression firmed.
“Whatever you have to say can be said in front of Elias,” she said, lowering her voice to add, “No offense, Axel, but I’m not going to let you bully me into going with you.”
She didn’t step much beyond the bedroom door, and Elias was glad for it. No way could the guy get there before she could slam it shut and lock it again, not with him also in the way.
“Your safety is my only concern.”
“Thank you, Axel. I assure you I am fine. I’m here of my own choosing and perfectly safe. You’ve no need to worry.”
Axel’s jaw flexed with his frustration of not being able to convince her to go with him or at least talk with him privately. “The boss would prefer you have your own accommodations. Anywhere you want to go,” he added, “but your own.”
“So I’ve heard. But I haven’t decided, as I’ve said. Seeing as how I’m here, and it’s…quiet,” she said pointedly, “I feel safe enough for now. Besides, it’s late, and so long as Elias doesn’t mind, I’ll stay another night and figure out the new arrangements tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind at all,” he heard himself say, even though for his peace of mind and sanity, the sooner she left the better.
He didn’t like how protective he felt towards Quinley. How worried he was that she constantly ate junk food and how the circles under her eyes had gotten darker. The way she looked wearing his clothes because they hung on her to such a degree.
“You have my number. I’ll be outside,” Axel said, tilting his head toward the SUV parked beside the Gladiator. “Let me know what you decide, and I’ll drive you. Boss’s orders.”
“Your bossneeds to back off,” Quinley said softly, though her tone held an edge as she made her point.
“Until certain matters are handled, I don’t see that happening,” Axel stated without a blink of remorse.
Elias glanced at Quinley and watched as fury filled her face with hot color before she released a frustrated sound and slammed the bedroom door, locking it with a loud click.
