Chapter 4
Tobias

How do you trust a person after the one who was your everything betrayed you by sleeping with your best friend?

You don’t.

At least not me.

“I don’t need a bodyguard!” Hannah exclaims as we take off our shoes inside my hallway, which now is hers too.

“You do need one,” I say without facing her. All I want right now is a shower and some much-needed rest.

“No one would try to assassinate me!”

I arch an eyebrow while hanging up my coat, watching her over my shoulder as I do. “No, but… Someone might try to press me for money by kidnapping you.”

Hannah looks shocked by my words. Fear enters those ice-blue eyes, and then something weird happens: I, Tobias Ford, feel guilt for pulling this woman into my crazy life and schemes.

The guilt trip lasts for about three seconds. Then I remind myself that Hannah needs this. She is a broke college student, and I’m the answer to her problems.

I shouldn’t feel guilty.

Still, I sigh. “Look, how about we talk about this tomorrow? It’s late, and I have an early day tomorrow.”

Noticing my tiredness, Hannah relents. Her expression softens, and she stops pressing her agenda. How interesting. It seems former Mrs. Darling cares more about other’s people well-being than her own. I admire that.

“I suppose I can wait until tomorrow,” Hannah looks around and takes in the space around her. Her eyes widen like I knew they would, and shock crosses her features. “So this is your house…”

“Yes.”

She laughs, and I stare her down.

“Did I say something funny?” I ask.

“No, it’s just that…” a smile tugs on her lips, and she looks up at me with glittering eyes. So naive. So innocent and young. “If this is your house, why were you staying at the hotel?”

My mood darkens. “Because I was with my ex-wife when I bought this house. It’s filled with our old memories.”

“Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t know that… But I suppose I should have…” Hannah stares down at the ground, embarrassed. “Is it hard for you to be here?”

Is she serious?

The answer is yes, and Hannah should know that!

I’m in agony being here?! It’s like asking someone if they cut their hair when you see them showing up with a new hairstyle, for

my heart is broken, and I don’t

my temper like

your business…”

point is that she looks scared, kind

so much, why did she agree to marry

importantly, do

never considered myself intimidating, but then again, I rarely ask what other people think of me. Neither do

to think of

are trembling, and she avoids

Is she serious?

obviously sleeping in

“Oh.”

She looks relieved.

“With me,” I add.

“Oh…”

I’ve told her I’m going to take her out into the forest at night to murder her. Like, what the fuck? Is the thought of sharing a bed with me that terrible?! My

pumping.

her around. Instead, she grabs my hand, shocking me beyond belief. I turn around, losing my train of thought for a moment, until

eyes narrow. “Why are

my irritated tone wipe the sweet smile from her lips.

Irritated,

sun. “Do you know

expressions when they talk? A clown? A therapist, or perhaps a kindergarten teacher? She

do?” Tell me so that I can laugh

to three,” she is now slowly exhaling while keeping her smile. “And then I let

them really,

your inner anger and moving on. I promise you this will help you deal with your pent-up stress and anger.”

can’t help but laugh under my breath. “If I did that in front of the people at my office, I would be taken to

stops moving her fingers. “Don’t joke about that! I have friends there, and some of

roll my eyes. “Of

making fun

a facial muscle, but I’m laughing

“You’re being mean…”

person,” I meet her eyes in the dimly lit hallway. And

hands against it. Her eyes are wide with fear, and her bottom lip is trembling. She

“You’re…

deep breath and shake your fingers, you know, to calm down and all that,” I

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