Page 79 of Bastard

What do I say? How do I explain? Except I don’t have to because everything between Hayden and I, the love, the struggle, the hate, the hope, is written across my face.

Mustafa shakes her head. “Do not worry, Luciana. That man is nobody’s fool. And only a fool would walk away from you twice.”

27

“She thinks we’re married.”

Hayden’s crouched down beside a large army pack on the floor of my hut and is busy reorganizing his things, making himself at home inside my space. Making it clear where he’ll be staying while fostering the lie about our relationship.

He lifts his head and locks eyes on mine.

“Sei già la mia debolezza.”

I exhale sharply. “I don’t understand Italian.”

His lips curl. “I think you understand me very well, Luciana. You just don’t realize it yet.” He turns away to dig inside his bag, leaving me to stare at his bowed head in wonder.

If this devilish man were any vaguer, he’d be transparent.

A yawn escapes me. I want a bath and then some sleep. Except ... “I suppose you’ll be sharing my bed?”

“Don’t married couples usually sleep together?”

I roll my eyes then gesture at the bed. “It’s a twin mattress.”

“We’ll fit.”

“But will we be able to sleep?” I mutter, moving away to dig inside my own luggage for something to wear.

“One of us might,” he softly replies.

A comfortable silence settles between us as we prepare to retire.

I retrieve a sheer silk, navy blue nightgown from my bag. Another one of his purchases, though I haven’t worn it. It’s beautiful and soft to the touch. The color suits me and the cut will cling to my curves.How would he react if I slipped it on after my bath?

Beneath my eyelashes, I watch him move across the small room, climb onto a rickety chair and pop the roof thatching apart. “Hand me the weapons,” he says without looking at me.

I place my nightgown on the bed, then one by one, I hand him the guns. They range from automatic rifles to small, handheld pistols. I’ve no doubt he’s an excellent shot, no matter which one he uses.

“Why place them on the roof?”

He slides the thatching back into position and jumps down from the chair. “They’ll be accessible from outside and inside.”

“You think of everything, don’t you?” He’s always been thorough. A masterful chess player in the game of life.

“My men would be dead right now if I didn’t.”

I grin at him, and am rewarded by his curious look. Chin high and hips swaying, I find my way over to my hiding nook and, removing the brick in the wall, place my own two guns inside.

“Clever.”

“I learned from the best.”

He grows quiet from my compliment.

I sigh and return to unpacking my bags. “In case the militants return, your men will continue to protect Nmimpi?”

“Yes.”