“Shall we?” He gesturedtoward the door. He gripped her bag in his other hand. It waslighter than he thought it would be. He actually expected at leasttwo more and heavier for a woman of her wealth. “Shouldn’t you bein a wheelchair?” he asked as he opened the door. The two menguarding her door were nowhere to be seen. They were obviouslyordered to leave when he showed up.
“I refused it.” She steppedby him.
“Usually they don’t let youdo that.” Hospitals are usually quite strict on that policy due toliability issues.
“I was firm,” she saidwithout looking at him. She also refused the nurse escort. The samenurse that was all goggle-eyed and drooling like one of Pavlov’sdogs at Mr. Casey only moments ago; like she needed to be trippingover the slobbering woman. Oh yes, she saw it but pretended not to.It was funny in a way because she was quite pretty, but he seemedannoyed at the attention instead of flattered by it. She knew fromthat first few seconds, that this man was more intelligent than themen her father hired.
“Paperwork?”
“Already taken care of. Ieven signed a ridiculous waiver in case I trip and land on my faceso I wouldn’t sue the hospital. How stupid. If I’m well enough togo home, I can walk for heaven’s sake!”
Ryan suppressed a smile. Hewas sure the Nickolov reputation came out when she refused thewheelchair. He had to give it to her though. She kept her headhigh. She walked proudly beside him as they left the hospital, andunless you were trained to notice it, the limp she tried to hidewasn’t that noticeable. At least they didn’t break her. God onlyknows what she went through, but she was still fighting the trauma.It was a good thing. He knew now that she would beat this even ifit took years. He actually wanted to cup her elbow and help her,but he knew from the first few moments of meeting her, that shewould be offended at the offer. She wanted to leave on her own twofeet and he was going to give her that grace.
Katya was relieved when shespotted the long dark polished grey limousine with tinted windows.It was waiting right where he said it would be as they exited astaff door.
It was the one that Ivancalled up for him after he’d settled his things in the room next toKatya’s at the house, the same one he rode in from the airport thatday. The car was very expensive, and plush. Nothing but the bestfor Nickolov’s daughter he supposed. He would have preferredsomething less conspicuous, but it really wasn’t up to him. Thiswould attract attention and the press was already out frontwaiting. He made sure they moved quickly before they were spotted.The driver, one of Peter’s men, got out and opened door. Ryanhelped her in before he gave the driver the suitcase and got inbeside her.
She crossed her legs andstared out the side window.
Ryan adjusted his blazerand shifted slightly when he sat next to her because his gunholster pinched his ribs. It was so routine that he didn’t eventhink about it. He was a big man, over two hundred and twentypounds at six foot four. Although he shouldn’t have, his eyes wentto her legs. She had nicely shaped legs, but there were telltalebruises on them also. He averted his gaze feeling a little guilty.More evidence of the abuse she endured. Apparently it wasn’tlimited to her upper body. God, he hoped she was still mentallystable. It would be much more difficult guarding a nut job. Theywere unpredictable.
Once the car started movingshe removed her sunglasses and without looking at him finallyspoke. “I don’t like to be hovered around Mr. Casey.”
“Noted.”
She glanced at himexpecting more of a protest. There was determination in herexpression. She was trying to sound and look firm. “Or spied on,or—touched.”
His eyes went over her faceknowing that last statement was profound. He was certain that she’dhad enough negative physical contact to last a lifetime judging bythe bruising. He also had the feeling she wasn’t done telling himwhat she expected, so he remained silent. He was right.
“I’m going back to schoolnext semester. I don’t need you coming and following me around methe halls. I’m going to have enough attention on me as it is. As Isaid, my father insists on this—protection,” she waved her handholding the sunglasses at him, “but that doesn’t mean I agree. Theonly reason I’m going along is—” she swallowed and turned away fromhim again to look out the window. She had to compose herself beforeshe continued. Her sister was dead and she’d heard them torture andkill her.
“Anything else?” he asked,unaffected by her emotional state.
She shook her head notlooking at him this time.
“Good. Now I’m going totell you how it is goingto be, Miss Nickolov, I will not pretend to knowwhat you’ve gone through, because I really don’t, but I have a jobto do and despite your protests, you need to know that you are notin charge here. You will do as I say, when I say, withouthesitation, so I can protect you.” He expected anger, but he waswrong. She gave a slight nod followed by another hard swallow thatshe tried to hide.
“You can’t blame me fortrying.” She turned her head toward him and moved her eyes up hischest to his face, “My father expects me to listen to everything hesays. I always have—my whole life. Now I found out some terriblethings, and realize that everything in my life has been a lie. Hedoesn’t own me or have any control over me as far as I’m concerned,but after what happened last week, I now know that there’s a stigmaattached to my family with certain distasteful people. I do needprotection. I am, after all, practical.” Her eyes met his, “I alsoexpected for him to send the best to try and get me to forgive him.He wouldn’t have sent anyone less experienced, including thoseNeanderthals
