Page 83 of Protected in Darkness
“You unlock it, I’ll get the bags.”
“Holy moly,” Penelope called out when she stepped inside. “The seventies called. They want their decor back. This place is… Wow. Just wow.”
Obsidian grinned as he followed her through the cracked and peeling doorjamb. He couldn’t deny the decor was atrocious, with the mustard-yellow flowers and paisley print on the walls. The brown carpet had seen better days, and the mirrored closet doors were pretty much useless, but the bed was solid and there was a bathroom. So long as they had running water, he figured, as far as places to sleep went, it would work.
“The guy said there’s an all-night diner about a mile up. They’ve got sandwiches and stuff.”
He passed Penelope his phone. “Text Reidar with what you want. Have him get enough to make it through the day. I won’t be able to leave until close to eight tonight.” Though his statement implied he was the only one who’d be pinned in the room, he had no intentions of allowing Penelope to wander the streets without him.
While Penelope typed up the information, transcribing his requests as well, Obsidian pulled out the blackout film from his bag. The curtains were thick and would likely do the trick, but he wasn’t about to take any chances. Once that was taken care of, he retrieved the additional locks for the door, which he would add after Reidar delivered the food.
“Do you use that on all windows?”
“Only when we’re not at home. The mansion has built-in shutters that close and lock during the day.”
Penelope flopped onto the bed, stared at him. “This feels weird.”
He went to work putting the film on the window. He’d done it enough, it was second nature at this point.
“What does?”
“All of it. Running for my life,abandoningsaid life.”
Obsidian hoped that in time, she would want a life with him and the past would be right where it was, behind them.
“Part of me thinks we should’ve stuck it out,” she continued. “Fought these demons. Won’t they eventually catch up to us?”
“It’s possible.” He tucked the remainder of the film in his bag, then sat on the edge of the mattress beside her. “I’m sorry for upending your life, but I have to keep you safe.”
Penelope nodded, then reached up and removed the dark shades from his eyes. She set them on the particle-board nightstand before coming to stand in front of him.
He brushed her hair back over her shoulders, cupped her neck in his hands. She was the most beautiful female he’d ever laid eyes on, and by the grace of God, she’d been reserved for him and only him. He figured he owed some time on his knees, thanking the man upstairs for being so kind. Unfortunately, that would have to wait until he got her to safety.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked as her gaze skimmed his face.
“I feel safe with you.” Her words were a soft rasp.
That was a start, he figured.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Penelope. You’re the most important thing in my world.”
Pulling her toward him, Obsidian melded his lips to hers, then shifted to the side, dragging her down to the mattress. A soft sigh escaped her as her arms slid around his neck. He got lost in her warmth, the sweetness of her kiss. The hunger was a flash fire, igniting in an instant. He was seconds away from ripping her clothes off her body when a knock sounded on the door.
Instinct had him on his feet, gun in hand, aimed at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Reidar. I’ve got food and I need a key.”
Obsidian glanced through the security hole in the door before unlocking it and allowing Reidar inside. When he passed over the key, hisladearesauntered back outside, returned a minute later.
“Where’s Oliver?” Penelope asked, running her fingers through her hair as she stood beside the bed.
“Gerran’s getting him settled in.” Reidar turned to face her. “Look, Penelope. I can promise you I won’t hurt your brother. He’s a major pain in my ass, but I can assure you, I’ll get him to the mansion in one piece. Not sure how long he’ll survive once we get there. But he’s safe in transit.”
She laughed softly. “He can be a pain, but he’s harmless.”
“More so because he’s tied up,” Reidar informed her. When she frowned, he added, “For his own safety.”
