Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“You—” she pointed at Niall “—are no better. She is safe in the hotel. I am safe running. You said so yourself.”
“Safe from any danger we currently know of,” Finn stated smoothly. “We will always err on the side of caution.”
She muttered something that sounded like “Feck’s sake,” and I chuckled.
“Careful, Una. Hanging with these two, you’re sounding more like them every day.”
Niall laughed and pulled me close. “You will too. Besides, I think you have a little Irish in you somewhere.” He winked. “I know so ’cause I put it there.”
I rested my head on the window, staring over the city, the thoughts of earlier making me smile.
I heard his footsteps, then felt Niall’s warmth behind me, drawing me into his arms.
“Why did I wake up to a cold bed, mo mhuirnín? You should be beside me, sleeping.”
I shrugged.
“Nervous about the morning?” he guessed.
“A little.”
He met my eyes in the glass. “Say the word, I’ll put it off.”
“No, I want to. I’m just overreacting.”
He frowned. “No, you’re not.” He turned me in his arms, lifting my chin and making me meet his intense gaze. “You went through hell, and this is part of healing. I know you’re scared. But I am so proud of you simply for trying. If you’re not ready, there’s no shame.”
“It’s not that as much…” I trailed off.
“As?” he prompted, his voice gentle.
“I’m worried about the walk,” I blurted. “Of going outside these walls where you see me and I’m safe. Even with men following us.”
He bent and kissed me. Soft, tender brushes of his mouth. “Would it make you feel better if you knew it was me coming with you? Finn and I were planning on coming for the walk.” He touched the end of my nose in an affectionate gesture. “I’m not ready for you to go out of the hotel without me either.”
I flung my arms around his neck, burrowing into him. He was always so solid. So safe and warm. I felt protected in his embrace, as if nothing could harm me while he was there.
“Will I ever be?” I asked.
“Yes. I promise.”
He bent, lifting me off my feet. “But for now, Polly Pocket, I’m taking you back to bed. Tomorrow, you’ll take it one new task at a time. One minute, one hour. And all you have to do is press the toggle on your bracelet, and I’ll be right there.”
I laid my head on his chest. “Okay.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
NIALL
Iwalked Anna to the desk, smiling at her, hoping to relieve some of her nerves. She was dressed in the hotel uniform, the colors suiting her. She had chosen the slim black pants and long-sleeved blouse with a waistcoat. She still got chilled easily, so she carried a heavy sweater with her, the cream of it setting off the blue and green of the tartan on her outfit.
Una was waiting with George, and the lobby was quiet, the guests mostly still asleep or at breakfast.
I tapped Anna’s wrist as I leaned down, my lips close to her ear. “Right here, mo mhuirnín. Right here.”
She nodded and walked away, greeting George and Una. Una glanced my way and tilted her chin as if reassuring me. I headed to the elevator, fighting the urge to stay and be close to Anna. In some ways, this was as hard for me as it was for her.
In the office, Finn waited, handing me a coffee. He’d set up the monitors so the middle ones formed a larger picture, zoomed in on the front desk. He didn’t tease or make any comments since he knew exactly how I was feeling. I drank my coffee, and we started on our usual day, focusing on numbers and reports. Tasks to be done, areas needing visits. Shipments.
As the morning progressed, my shoulders loosened. Every time I looked up, Anna was smiling. Greeting customers as if she’d been there all her life. She and Una were often side by side, their heads pressed together as Una showed her something. I saw high fives and laughter.
“She’s a natural,” Finn observed, watching her with a guest. “Una texted me and said she caught on to the system right away. She’s doing check-ins and -outs herself already.”
“She’s intelligent.”
A woman walked up to the desk, talking to the girls. I studied her. “Is she a problem?”
He shook his head. “Overly friendly, from what Una says. She finds her a little pushy at times.”
“Anna hasn’t said much about her, except she invited her to lunch more than once.”
“I gather she sees them most days and chats.”
“Ah.” I looked at the screen. The woman was leaving, waving to the girls. I tapped the screen, following her. She walked out of the hotel and slid into the back seat of a dark sedan. I switched cameras, focusing on the driver. He was broad and wore a jacket. From what I could tell, he was dark-haired with a heavy beard. Glasses. He said something to his passenger and drove off. There was nothing amiss or suspicious.