“That’s ridiculous,” I said belligerently, even though it was entirely possible. I didn’t treat myself to much, but my luggage, a few pieces of jewelry, and my sunglasses were extravagant. People always expected me to have a lavish timepiece, but my Apple Watch was far too helpful to be replaced by something fancier. I could swim with it on.
We were methodical with packing, and he walked from room to room, making sure I didn’t need the few items I’d left behind. He suggested I take a shower to get the blood out of my hair, and since that sounded brilliant, I took him up on it. Once I was done, I stood at the small window in the bathroom and got caught up looking out at the view of all the other apartment buildings around, loving the idea that every light on was a story, like mine, in the city.
When I finally returned to the kitchen, Eli was on the phone with his boss—I could tell from all the times he saidyes, sirandno, sir—and he looked quite relieved when he hung up.
“What was that about?”
“He, uh”—quick breath—“covered us taking over your protection with the mayor and got the Feds involved.”
“Wow.” I was impressed. “How did he manage that?”
“Since neither the Feds nor the marshals service had jurisdiction, he framed it in the context of you being world famous, so any foreign concerns would need to be run down, and that could be taxing for local law enforcement. He made it about the resources they didn’t have.”
“Huh.”
“Right?” He caught his breath. “I mean, I could have been in trouble, and so could Ian, but he—I should have known better.”
“Yes. You should have,” I agreed. “You don’t look up to that man for nothing.”
He nodded.
“So what now? We leap into action and hit the mystery straight on?”
It was amazing how fast he scowled at me.
“I’m guessing not.”
“Remember how things were during the pandemic? How everyone stayed home and no one went anywhere or did anything and that was how it was?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you think protective custody is?”
“No,” I said because that was insane. “You can’t mean that I will—”
“I do mean exactly that,” he assured me. “You’re stuck inside unless I’m with you or until we figure this whole thing out.”
“You know, maybe we need to––”
“I packed your mom’s wind chimes, so don’t worry about that.”
Her wind chimes.
God.
My heart clenched with how thoughtful and considerate and everything else that was. The way he cared for me was like no one else.
“Now, do you have everything?”
“I think I need to pack all my alcohol, because it sounds like I’m going to need it.” I grumbled, trying for some degree of normalcy. I would not break down right now. Not in front of him. I couldn’t.
“Don’t be dramatic. You know I have booze at my place.”
“That’s your takeaway? Me being able to drink?”
“Wasn’t that what we were talking about?”
“I’m talking about me being bored out of my mind,” I yelled at him.