Page 69 of Dear John
He stiffened, standing up taller as his eyes flicked behind me. I turned around just in time for Kavanaugh to wrap me in a hug, his arms squeezing me way too tight.
“Thank God. I didn’t know where you were. You scared the shit out of me,” he said as he stepped back.
I wasn’t sure why, but my eyes shifted to IKE for just a second. To catch his reaction? To tell him I was okay? I wasn’t sure. Clearing my throat, I put more space between myself and Kavanaugh. “Why? Because you thought I might get shot?”
His eyes immediately went to IKE in accusation. “You told her?”
“Did you not want me to? My bad,” IKE said, not at all sorry for telling me the truth.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my anger returning.
“I had no proof, Isla. I didn’t want to worry you until I knew if my gut was right.”
“And how long has your gut been telling you something else is going to happen?”
When he didn’t immediately answer, I stormed past him into the building. I’d had enough for today. I still had to prepare for tomorrow and salvage my last opportunity to land the job. Itdidn’t matter right now what Kavanaugh did. There were more important things to consider. But as soon as I got to my room, Kavanaugh was there.
“Isla, please. Hear me out.”
The door beside ours opened and Anna stepped out, her eyes widening as she looked from me and then to Kavanaugh, whose eyes shuttered. I scoffed as I realized that not only had he called IKE out here, but also Anna, and probably Fox.
I allowed him to open the door for me, but when I stepped inside, I blocked his path. “You can get another room for the night.”
24
KAVANAUGH
The door slammedin my face and I sighed, leaning against it and thunking my head. Fuck, that blew up really fast.
Fox strolled out, a grin on his face as he popped some Flamin’ Hot Funyuns in his mouth. “Hey, buddy. How’d the meeting go?”
“Fox,” Anna hissed, elbowing him in the side.
“Oh. Oops. I take it the whole thing was a bust.”
“I’m really sorry,” Anna apologized. “I was just running out for some dinner.”
“It’s fine,” I muttered, knowing it really wasn’t. I’d fucked up big time, and everyone warned me about it. But I thought I could figure out what was going on first and keep Isla from ever having to find out about it.
“Is there anything I can do?” Anna asked.
“Yes!” Fox grinned. “You go get dressed and put on something amazing. Take our dear friend out to dinner and have a great time.”
She flinched back. “You want me to take Kavanaugh to dinner?”
He tossed his head back in laughter, then immediately stopped, staring at me with an intensity that kinda scared theshit out of me. “No, that would never happen. Isla. You should take Isla to dinner.”
“That’s not a good idea,” I cut in. “It’s dangerous and?—”
Fox wrapped his arm around my shoulder, dragging me down the hall. “See, this is where you’re wrong. You suspect there’s danger. Now, I get it. It can be scary to let go. Women tend to get themselves into trouble. When I was not stalking Anna, she actually let herself get taken by a serial killer.” His eyes widened as he shook his head. “But was I scared? Not at all. I had things under control, and I do tonight, too. See, what the ladies don’t know is that I will be tracking them every step of the way. I never let Anna completely out of my sight. She’s always being watched.”
“And you don’t think she’s figured that out yet?” I asked dryly as we stepped onto the elevator and headed downstairs.
“Oh, she’s figured it out for sure. It’s a little game we play. She gets mad at me when she figures out what I’m doing. Then I turn around and find another way to spy on her. Yeah,” he grinned. “It really keeps the relationship alive.”
“Doesn’t seem to be working for me,” I grumbled.
“That’s because you’re not doing it right. You have to be more honest and open with her. Own who you are.”