Page 22 of This Bitter Sweet Temptation
My heart gallops.
So ridiculous.
Here we are, having a staring contest, and I’m losing because he knocks me off-kilter with a look. He’s very good at that.
Another chill zings up my spine.
I’m not intimidated. I know he wouldn’t hurt me.
My stomach twists. It’s having him around, I think. This unwanted chaperone and the ugly possibility that I even need one.
PopPop’s letter was nice and vague, after all. Just how muchdangeram I in?
“Where’s Kit?” I ask, mostly to distract myself from the simmering tension in the room. “She seems like a sweet girl.”
“Gone. Not your problem.” His mouth presses into a hard line.
“Um, okay.” I’m a little taken aback and I shouldn’t be. “Seeing how you’re doing your whole bodyguard thing now, I figure it wouldn’t hurt to ask. God forbid you take a compliment, father of the year. Will she be hanging around with us? I bet it can’t be easy finding a babysitter on short notice.”
God, I hope so.
She’s definitely the fun one in the Verity family.
He sighs, dragging a hand through his hair. Muscles bulge again, and I do my best not to look.
“My parents will look after Kit as long as this godforsaken job takes. I ran her over to their place,” he says. “Now, do you have any idea where you want to start, or is it too early for that?”
I stiffen.Rhino prick.
“Well, since I’ve known about this treasure and had my life turned upside down for a grand total of two hours, I’d say yeah, it’s a tad early. Like, give a girl a day or two.”
“It was just a question.” For a faint second, he sounds apologetic.
“Yeah, a dumb one.”
He stares at me, obviously unwilling to say the magic words. My emotions fizz like champagne, gently shaken, not stirred.
“You don’thaveto be on sentry mode all the time, you know,” I snap. “You obviously haven’t changed. At all.”
“Funny, I noticed the same thing, Nile. Gimme a damn break.” He sighs. “Really, the only one who never changed was Mr. Blackthorn.”
My heart falls at how true that is.
“For the record, I’mnotmy father. I’m responsible, Holden. And no, Gramps didn’t change. He also knew how to treat me like an actualhuman being.”
He opens his mouth and hesitates. Possibly for the first time in his life.
My throat scrapes with sadness.
Being judged because I’m the daughter of a failed sculptor and a successful alcoholic isn’t new. Neither is being reminded how much I acted up when I was young.
Somehow, it hurts more coming from him, the last real living piece of my grandfather’s world.
Things really don’t change, do they?
“I’m treating you appropriately,” he mutters. “If we’re going to get through this, you’re welcome to de-escalate first—”
“Don’t bother,” I bite off.
