Part 14 (1/2)
”I understand.”
”So you won't be returning to my house to get the rest of my things?”
”I regret that I must still go as per Mr. Bishop's orders.”
Diana stifled a laugh.
He was so proper.
So rigid.
So... butler-ish.
I wonder what type of boss Asher is. Does he provide his employees with more than just financial security?
”Okay, now I understand,” she said. ”I'll just handle this with Asher.”
”Mr. Bishop will be out shortly.” The driver went back to the limo.
Go back to get all of my belongings? That's silly. I only need a few clothes for a few days. There's no need to move in everything with me. He's absolutely ridiculous.
In front of her, the gigantic, wooden doors swung open.
Asher stood in the doorway, dressed as impeccably well as every time she'd seen him before. Black slacks hugged his long, lean legs. A white b.u.t.ton down, formed nice against his muscular torso. He looked like the spitting image of G.o.dd.a.m.n Bruce Wayne.
If only we had a Batman to conquer Cupid.
She laughed then, as visions spun through her head of Batman with his expensive toys battling Cupid and his deadly bow and arrow.
”What's so funny, Diana?” Asher asked.
She shook her head. ”Nothing.”
”It doesn't look like nothing.”
”Trust me. It's foolish.” She waved his curious look away. ”I figured you'd have work or some previous engagement since my move was such short notice. Were you waiting for me?”
His smile deepened. ”Of course, I wouldn't let you spend your first night here alone. What a terrible host that would make me.” Asher studied her belongings as his driver brought them to the door. ”This only looks like enough for a few days.”
”I only plan to be here for two days at the most.”
”Diana-”
”I've thought about this and although your concern for my safety and your investment is nice, there's no real threat.”
”He could be watching you, this Cupid guy.”
”If he is going to come for me, it will be in the next few days. Until then, I don't believe I have anything to really be serious about. There's been no threats from him or even a substantiated break-in. You're basing all your fears on what I thought I heard, and it was probably just the wind.” She looked around. ”Besides, I think Cupid will be focused on his next kill, not some women that he probably doesn't even know or care to concern himself with.”
Asher tilted his head to the side and grinned. ”And you know this how?”
”His victims have always been men. I explained this already.”
Asher wagged his finger. ”And what about Neil's mistress?”
A pang hit her heart. The reminder of her husband's death along with his adultery still hit home at times. The wound from both were still too strong, it sat within her, festering at times, when she was alone in the emptiness of their place.
”I already explained why Cupid murdered Neil's mistress. He thought she was just as guilty as Neil.”
”And you're willing to leave the safety of my property in two days, on this guess?”
”No.”
”No?” He quirked his eyebrows.
”I'm going to stay with you for two days to give you time to gather a proper security team with all of that money that you put into my bank account.”
”Why thank you, Mrs. Carson. I always like to know my orders ahead of schedule. And who is the security team for?”
”Me. You'll be providing this team for me.”
”And is this my only option of keeping you safe?”
”Yes.”
”I'm not sure I agree.”
”Doesn't matter. And I've discussed this with my boss, just in case you want to use him as a threat. My boss and I both believe that this funded investigation is important to the island and beneficial to the paper. However, we also agree that a security team is more rational than an Ovid Island news reporter living under the roof of one of the wealthiest men on the island.”
His face s.h.i.+fted into a neutral mask. ”Well, this is a twist.”
”Is it?”
”Yes. It seems my guest will only be here for two days.”
She beamed. ”That's correct.”
”Stop it.” He frowned.
”What?”
”You're over there grinning like a child that's stumbled upon their parent's secret place for hiding Christmas presents.”
She shrugged. ”My mother and father never could find a good place to hide the toys. I always found them a good week before Christmas. Luckily, they wrapped all of them before hiding them.”
”You never opened any of the presents?”
”No way.”
”Not even a little peek, like pulling the corner of the wrapping paper back just a tiny bit? Seeing as how curious you are, I don't believe you. Not one bit.”