Page 3 of The Valiant (Spy Girl 4)
"And?" he asks.
"My shoulder is a bit stiff, and my range of motion is not quite as good as normal. I'd say that side of me is functioning at about three-quarters capacity. The good news, however, is that it did not affect close-range shooting skills. My preferred Sig Sauer P229 weighs in at just under two pounds, but the Dragunov sniper rifle, for example, is much heavier at nearly ten pounds. I was able to shoot the heavier gun. I just wasn't as accurate without support."
"I've had about enough of snipers," he says, causing me to laugh.
"You sound like Chauncey when he said he was sick of explosions."
Lorenzo rolls over, quickly pinning me underneath him. "I still can't believe you talked me into letting the assassin in my country. Are you sure we can trust him?"
I bite the edge of my lip in consideration, but before I can answer, Lorenzo leans down and kisses me.
After a few delicious moments of making out, he pulls away.
"You didn't let me answer," I tease.
"I already know your answer. What are your plans for the day? More rest and relaxation I hope?"
"Actually, yes. I'll be spending time by the pool, reading Clarice's diary. There has to be some sort of clue in it."
"Well, as much as I would like to stay in this bed with you all day, I must get to the palace. Take care, my sweet. I will be counting the hours until I can see you again. I will send a car for you at seven."
"Um, what would you think if I snuck in the back way, using the passage from the docks to the war room?"
"Ah, are we having an indecent rendezvous? If so, I must prepare," he teases as he crawls out of bed and gets dressed.
I sigh in happiness, but Lorenzo's comment makes me wonder what kind of relationship my mother had with Ares Von Allister. Were they just school friends? Were Ari and I the result of a one-night stand? Or could they have been in love and, if so, why were they not together?
"Did you ever meet Ares Von Allister?" I ask, remembering our fathers were friends.
"Of course, but it was years ago." He stops in the middle of putting on his suit jacket and sits on the bed next to me. "Did my indecent rendezvous comment make you uncomfortable?"
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him close. "Not in the least. Prepare away."
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" He squints his eyes.
"That I love you? Yes. That I want to explore the physical aspect of that love in great detail? Absolutely."
He smiles but then hangs his head. "I am struggling with my feelings in that regard."
"Are you saying, you don't want me?"
"Of course not, my darling." He slides his hand across my cheek. "I am--how can I say this in a way that won't offend you? Eager for that exploration. But, at the same time, I am luxuriating in the slow progress of our courtship. It is refreshing, and I feel like I am able to truly get to know you without all the physical desires taking control." He laughs. "You clearly have me under some kind of spell, for I have never uttered words such as these to anyone."
"I think your words are the most beautiful I have ever heard spoken, Lorenzo, and I am amiable to your wishes, for I feel the same way. It's interesting that I do. My mother used to tell me to wait for sex until I was in love, but at Blackwood, I was taught the complete opposite--that sex is simply a release of desire. That love should not be involved in the process, for it only impedes your independence and makes you weak."
Lorenzo's lips press against mine with such force that I am pushed against the tufted linen, which separates my head from the wall behind the bed. I kiss him with equal passion. When the kiss ends, my body is left wanting, and my heart is left swooning.
"The reason I asked you that question is because what you said made me curious about my mother and biological father's relationship. The fact that he was never in my life suggests it wasn't love."
"You never know," he says, shaking his head. "People do strange things in the name of love." He finishes putting on his jacket and leans back toward me, slipping a finger under my chin. "Until tonight."
After he leaves, I lie back in bed and allow myself a few moments to revel in his love. Then I get up, throw on a bikini, order breakfast, and take Clarice's journal out to the pool deck.
As soon as I sit down, I get a call from Daniel.
"Your brother tells me your brain is mostly intact," he says, not bothering with a hello.
"Yes, I'm feeling much better, thank you."
"But, if that's true, Huntley, why are you still seeing Lorenzo?"
"Maybe I love him," I say, feeling the need to be up-front with Daniel.
"I don't think that's going to end well for you," he replies.
"Because it's dangerous, and I nearly got blown up?"
"I was thinking more about a specific body part, if you must know."
"You would," I smart.
"I was referring to your heart, Huntley. He's going to break yours in two."
"And you wouldn't?"
"That's not what this is about," he says with a sigh. "You're my friend. I care about you, and I promised I'd protect you."
"I appreciate that, Daniel. And you know I feel the same for you."
"Then come to Omaha on Sunday. The Olympic Trials are starting. You promised to cheer me on."
"For the actual Olympics."
"Yeah, but if I don't do well at the trials, I won't make the team, so if you want to cheer me on there, you have to come here."
"I'm still sort of recovering--" I start to say, but Daniel interrupts me with a laugh.
"Your brother told me you'd tried boxing with him. You can barely walk in high heels; what made you think you'd have a chance against Ari?"
I wish I could reply with the truth. Tell him I could kick his very buff ass in a heartbeat or could kill him in less than five seconds, but that's probably not something a girl should brag about eve
n if she wasn't sort of undercover.
"You're right; I am kind of a klutz," I lie. "Daniel, how well did you know Ophelia and Clarice?"
"Not very well, more socially."
"No pillow talk between either of you?" I ask.
"No way. Ophelia is way too bossy for me--I mean, was. And Clarice, while hot, was a little flighty."
"Speaking of that, you were supposed to come talk to my dad, too. He's going to be in Omaha for the trials--on the sly. You could kill two birds with one stone."
I let out a chuckle. Our instructors at Blackwood said never to bother with a stone when a bullet would do. Not that I'd ever kill a bird. Crazy, right? I'd never hunt animals, but people, apparently, I'm okay with.
"I would like to see the trials," I say, placating Daniel. "Will you have a fan club?"
"I don't know. I was hoping Lizzie would be able to come, but she has to be in Montrovia that week," he says with what can only be described as a pout.
"Are you and Lizzie ... do you--"
"Yes, if you must know, I do like her. She's interesting and beautiful. But her sense of duty to her family is something I don't understand. If it came to a choice, she'd choose them over me."
"You, of all people, should understand the pressure of being in a prominent family. You're the president's son. Great things are expected of you."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." He sighs.
"Wait, are you referring to her possibly having to marry Lorenzo someday?"
"Yeah." I can tell this upsets him.
"I don't think you have to worry about that," I reply confidently.
"Because you think you're going to be his bride?" he mocks.
"It's too soon to say that, of course--"
He cuts me off again. "Huntley, come to Omaha."
"What's even in Omaha--cornfields and tractors?"
"I'll be in Omaha. That's all that should matter. A promise is a promise."
"Maybe," I reply even though I have no desire to go. I promised the Olympics, not some trials where I know all he has to do is show up.
