Eric glowered at the screen. Someone didn’t know how to talk to the boss. He fired off a quick follow-up.I think you meant to say, I can handle it. Consider the job done. Thanks for the opportunity, boss.
He waited for a reply. And then, it came.That means you aren’t shitting me.
The new hire definitely needed to work on his interpersonal skills.
But…Nope, Eric was not shitting him. Before Eric could text back, another response came from the new agent.
Consider the job done. I can protect Remy in my sleep.
Eric wasn’t so sure Remy needed protecting. He was a bit more concerned about who might be coming after Remy—and Remy’s new friend, Jacqueline. So he warned,Don’t let Remy go rogue.
Unfortunately, that warning was probably too little, too late. Most people believed that Rembrandt had gone rogue years ago, just like his father had.
Chapter Four
“So I’m just supposed to sit here?” He’d seen her bruises. Jacqueline hated that he’d been able to catch sight of them on her shoulders. The shower water had just been so tempting, and she’d wantedoutof that horrible dress. She’d thought that he’d already left the bathroom, but then he’d called out about soap and—
“Try to sitstillif you could.” Remy stared at her but seemed to seethroughher.
And as if on cue to that magic word ofstill,she rolled back her shoulders.
His eyes narrowed. He put down the paintbrush in his hand and stalked toward her. Music played again. Not the blaring rock music of before, but softer, sensual music. An elegant, classical refrain. She didn’t know much about classical music, so Jacqueline had no idea what the song was, but she liked it.
Remy stopped in front of her. “You don’t need to be afraid.”
Oh, he was so very wrong in that regard. “I’m being hunted. I left everything I knew behind. I think I have a reason to worry.” Why was she oversharing with him?
And, better question, why was he helping her? But he was. Opening his home to her. Lying to protect her. Putting himself at risk for her. “You should tell me to go.”
“Not happening.” His head cocked to the right. “When I said you didn’t need to be afraid, I should clarify. I meant, you don’t need to be afraid of me.”
Her mouth opened. Closed. Then she told him the truth, “I’m not.”
“No?”
“You’ve been nothing but good to me. An absolute hero.”
His brow furrowed. God, would she ever quite get used to how gorgeous this man was? Because it was truly startling when you looked at him. People were not supposed to be this attractive in real life. A face like his was supposed to be due to a whole movie magic trick process or something that involved lots of soft lighting.
“I hired you to be a model. Hardly what I’d call heroic.”
She shifted slightly on the stool. She’d found a pair of sweatpants that mostly fit and a loose t-shirt. With two pairs of socks, the shoes she’d discovered in the bottom of the trunk had stayed on her feet. Her hair had dried after the shower, and it tumbled over her shoulders. She had zero makeup on her face. Why the man thought she was any kind of model, Jacqueline had no clue.
“When you’re afraid, it shows in your eyes.”
It did? “Sorry. I’m not sure how to fix that.” She wet her lips. Jacqueline saw his gaze dip to her mouth. Was it her imagination, or had his stare just heated?Hadto be her imagination. A guy like Remy wouldn’t be seriously thinking about…
What?
Kissing me?No, no, she was the one thinking about that—about kissinghim—and she should not be. She certainly had enough problems going on without adding this weird attraction to her list, but…
Shewasattracted to Remy. Incredibly, overwhelmingly attracted. The kind of attraction that you felt with a touch. One that made a spark of electricity zing from your fingers through your whole body. The kind of attraction that she hadn’t thought was real, not until she’d first touched Remy.
Rembrandt.She liked his name, even if he didn’t. She pretty much liked everything about him. She especially liked the way she felt so safe with him.
“I will not hurt you.” His voice had gone extra deep. So rumbling and strong. Sexy. As if there weren’t already enough sexy things about the man.
“I didn’t think you would,” she returned.