Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Unfortunately, heels plus stairs equals dangerous. Especially at the pace I’m moving.
Gripping the railing, I pray that I don’t end up at the bottom, a pile of broken kindling. Truthfully, I’m surprised I can’t levitate, as angry as I am.
When I make the ground floor landing and round the corner, there’s a clear path to the back hallway. Not a single person is in sight.
Thank god.
Finally something is going my way.
As I half trot down the hallway, my shoes clip on the tile, the skirt of my dress binding my knees, preventing me from sprinting.
“Let me get that for you.”
Walt’s voice scares me so bad, I almost blast through the door he’s trying to open for me.
“God, you can’t sneak up on a girl! You’re always doing that!”
“You knew I was going to follow you.”
I did. But still…
Clutching my chest, I hurry through the door, onto the back walkway. “I kind of figured you’d follow. You don’t seem like the kind of person that just… I don’t know what you are. Anway, I didn’t realize you were that close. You’re like a panther or something.”
“Or something, I guess…” He watches me from those dark gray eyes. “Are you okay?”
I could lie. But I don’t, it does not seem right to when he clearly saw what happened. “No. I’m shaken.”
There’s a solemn expression on his face when he nods. “I’m angry that I left you to deal with him. I knew better.”
“You did what I asked.”
“It still makes me angry that I let him treat you like that.”
He cares.
This stranger cares enough to follow me to make sure I’m not…
Crying my eyes out?
I pinch my lips between my teeth.
His hard expression softens. “Where are we going?”
I wince a little as I wrap my arms around my middle, still shaking from the sparring match with Sylvester. “Sorry to bail on my promise to talk more with you, but I think I should go home. I can come to your hotel in the morning.”
He just looks at me for a beat. Then, eyes softening until they are warm gray pools, he steps closer. “I’m sorry he upset you. I’ll go back in there and shove his face in the punchbowl if it makes you happy.”
“God, am I crazy for wishing you really would?”
He grips my arm, his warm fingers wrapping around the bare skin just above my elbow. “No. And I will.”
Short circuiting begins immediately. Why does his touch affect me so much?
Think, girl. I shake my head. “No, he’s not worth getting fruit punch on your nice suit.”
Walt smiles quickly then turns serious. “Where’s your car?”
I tip my head toward a cluster of guards that are staring at us. “One of them will drive me. They brought me here.”
Walt raises a hand, making some kind of quick swirling motion. It’s efficient and practiced, making me wonder if he’s in situations like this a lot.
Magically, one guard nods and heads toward one of the mayor’s cars.
Nervous still, I look around.
In all likelihood Sylvester’s drinking off his bruised ego. I’m sure one of the wealthy single women will take mercy on him and shove her boobs against him as she idolizes him.
Sensing my unease, Walt rests his hand on my lower back. “You’re nervous about him coming after you?”
I nod and moisten my lips. “Sylvester might see me out here. I should stand under the terrace while I wait for the car to come.”
Walt stands taller, adjusting his tie. “Fuck Sylvester. He comes down here, he deals with me and it won’t be a conversation this time.”
Something fluttery takes flight inside my stomach. “I kind of like having my own bodyguard.”
He moves to stand beneath the terrace with me. Silently scanning the area until the car pulls up. “You shouldn’t have to be worried. No woman should.”
“I couldn’t agree more, but this, unfortunately, is my life right now.”
Thankfully, I don’t have to explain. We’re moving toward the car. A long, sleek sedan, obviously washed today. Every inch of it is spotless.
Unlike my Land Cruiser. Which I was told not to bring. Thus the need for a ride.
The driver’s door swings wide and a gigantic man in a black suit exits. He also doesn’t talk as he opens the door. Another brooding, silent one.
I hurry forward and climb inside the open rear door, refusing to ponder why none of the guards here ever speak.
Walt rests his arms on the roof, and leans down to look at me. “You going to be alright, babe?”
The word babe hits—a soft punch to the center of my chest.
“I’ll be fine. I just need to get away from here.”
“Can’t blame you.” He stands and says something to the driver that I can’t hear.
When he returns, leaning down again, he smiles. “Mind if I get in?”