They’d give a priest a hard time. I’m fine.
And that was that, she supposed. Whatever his brothers had said to him, Elias wasn’t going to share it with her.
G’night, Elias. Sweet dreams. And thank you again. For everything. It means a lot to me.
She curled up on the bed, setting her phone aside when the lag stretched and she gave up on getting a response from Elias.
But then it buzzed once more.
I’d do it again. Sweet dreams.
The following morning, Quinley insisted on driving herself to her new home, even though Axel and another guard stayed right behind her little Audi TT in the SUV.
Dawson Blackwell emerged from the house as she pulled under the shaded parking. He waited on her small porch as she exited. She hurried toward the entry, hoping no one would notice her or the guards, at least for a while.
She’d already signed the lease, so Dawson introduced himself and gave her a quick tour while Axel remained out front and the second guard checked out the back door and yard. Rhys’s PA had texted her this morning, alerting her to the fact her clothes and items would arrive soon.
Quinley was well aware of Dawson’s curious gaze on her, assessing her like a man used to sizing up opponents in the workplace as they finished the tour.
A noise sounded outside, and Axel opened the door, allowing a familiar face inside. Rhys wasn’t taking any chances, it seemed, as his PA’s assistant entered the house carrying luggage.
“Ms. Anders,” the young man said in greeting.
“Hi, Paul. Just set them anywhere. And thank you for seeing to it yourself.”
“My pleasure. Due to heightened security, Mr. Lachlan didn’t want to use a courier. A couple of trips should have everything inside.”
Dawson made small talk while Paul made a second trip with more luggage, then a third. On the next came a few boxes. By the time Paul finished, Dawson openly gaped.
She avoided the man’s gaze and thanked Paul again for his help, walking him to the door.
“You don’t have furniture?”
Quinley lifted her chin and flashed a breezy smile she didn’t quite feel. “It’s called glamping. Like I’m back in my college days. I’ll make an order for an air mattress and some sheets, and be good to go. No worries.”
Her composure nearly broke when Dawson’s gaze seemed to soften, looking so much like Elias’s she swallowed hard.
“Let me know if you need anything,” he said. “You have my contact information for anything that pops up during the day. Otherwise Sophia and I will be next door after office hours.”
She should be an actor the way she smiled and nodded as she walked him to the door. And the moment it clicked shut?
Quinley leaned against the paneled wood and stared at the empty space, save for her luggage and a few boxes. Her life was so different than what she’d thought it would be a year ago. A week ago. So different.
Her eyes stung, and she wrinkled her nose to combat the burn and swallowed the lump in her throat, tossing her head determined tonotshed another tear.
The house might be empty, but it was her new beginning, and she loved it.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Ana had always called the island a fishbowl. And as Quinley peeped out the pulled blinds and saw the small crowd gathered across the street, she knew it would take time for those assembled to grow bored of her.
It had taken exactly forty-five minutes for someone to notice the guards hanging around outside. And since Axel’s weather-worn and rugged face had been pictured with her quite a bit in the past several months asherguard, word had quickly spread.
At least it was a Monday and the full summer season hadn’t officially begun. Otherwise there might be more than just reporters and a handful of curious neighbors and tourists out there.
She’d given up all thought of going out to get her own items and sent up a cry for help to Ana, asking if she could pick up some things from the local superstore on her way over to visit. Now that Quinley had officially returned, the crowd outside of Ana’s had disappeared, freeing her friend.
Ana had asked what she needed, and Quinley had reluctantly admitted bare-bones basics, like an air mattress, a few groceries to tide her over, and a cheap but cute chair to sit in. She could have asked Rhys for Paul’s help again, but knew it wouldn’t be right to do so. She also considered having some things delivered, but she hated the thought of stranger picking up her items and possibly talking to the press just because they could.
