Page 25

Bishop

I spent most of the night working on the first stage needed to start the ball rolling on setting up Eden’s new life, jotting down notes and questions I needed to ask her. Things like whether she would be comfortable changing her first name to something else or whether she would find that hard to adjust to, and if she had any preferences on living locations or jobs she’d be willing to take.

I also arranged to have a credit card assigned to her, under her newly married name, and added her to one of mine so she could use it for her shopping trip with Magdalena.

By the time the sun rose, I had everything I needed to start finetuning the details ready for when we went our separate ways. I crept out of the house at six and took a quick trip into town to the local grocery store which I knew opened early and picked up breakfast options.

By the time seven-thirty rolled around, I’d restocked the kitchen. There was no sign of Eden, so I walked up the stairs to her room. A gentle tap on the door received a grumbled response that caused my lips to curve.

Definitely not a morning person, then.

I ignored the random memory of how much she’d made me laugh over the last couple of days, or how anticipation of seeing her pout and mutter about me waking her up so early unfurled in the pit of my stomach.

“Eden, you need to get up,” I called through the door.

The muttered response could have been an acknowledgement. It could also have been a request I leave her alone. I couldn’t quite tell, and that gave me the excuse I needed to open the door.

“Up. It’s a twenty-minute drive to Rook’s place. I’ve been out and bought food, so you can have breakfast and coffee before we go.”

“Coffee?” She surfaced from beneath the sheets, red hair falling like a fiery explosion around her face and shoulders. She shoved it away from her face with one hand, clutching the sheet to her chest with the other.

“So coffee is the key to waking you. I’ll keep that in mind.” I propped my shoulder against the doorframe. “You look like you slept well.”

“I’d still be sleeping if someone wasn’t insisting I get out of bed.” She gave me a pointed look.

“You can sleep in once the weekend is over. If you want to be a lady of leisure for the next four weeks, you can. Call it a vacation before your life restarts. But today, you need to get up, eat, and then go shopping.”

A serious expression crossed her face. “Is it safe?” Her voice was soft. “I mean … he’s found me everywhere I went so far. Why will it be different here?”

I pushed away from the doorframe and stepped inside the room. “Well, for one we’re no longer in New York.” I didn’t tell her my suspicions about the guy who’d bundled her into the trunk of the car I’d found her in. “Two, Glenville is a small town. Strangers are noticed. And three … if he turns up, I’ll kill him.”

I wasn’t sure if it was my words or the matter-of-fact way I said them that caused her jaw to drop.

“You can’t kill him, Bishop. He‘s a police detective.”

“He won’t be the first I’ve had to remove.” I sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m not going to lie to you, honey, but there is every chance that’s going to be the only outcome that works.”

Honey ? Where the fuck did that come from?

“You don’t think he’ll ever stop? Even if I change my name?”

“Like you said, he’s a detective. That means he has resources available to him that most don’t. Maybe he won’t see through the new life I build for you. Maybe he will. We won’t know for sure until we have you settled in place. I’m good at what I do. The best, in fact. But I can’t guarantee someone won’t see and recognize you and pass the information over to him. I’ll do my best to place you somewhere that won’t happen, but there’s always that slim possibility. But don’t worry about it right now. Once you’re situated, you will have access to a panic line, which is set up for anyone I hide, in case their new identity is breached.”

“How many times has it been used?”

I smiled. “None.”

She bit her lip, then nodded. “Okay.”

“Good, then come downstairs and eat.” I stood and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me.

I was placing bacon onto a plate when she finally appeared, dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. That incredible hair was still falling loose around her shoulders, and my fingers twitched with the desire to touch it and see if it was as soft as it looked. I squashed the urge, glaring at the frying pan until the temptation faded away.

What the fuck is wrong with you? It’s the red hair. There was something about it that drew my attention.

“I wasn’t sure what you’d want. Bacon, eggs or cereal.”

“Bacon is good. And that coffee you promised me.” She sent me a smile when I placed the plate in front of her. “Thank you.”

“How do you take your coffee?”

“With milk and sugar, please.”

“Coming right up.” I poured two coffees, added milk and sugar to hers, then picked up my own plate and sat at the table, sliding one mug over to her.

“Rook lives on the other side of town. I’ll drive you over. Magdalena doesn’t drive, so one of us will drop you into town, and then pick you up when you’re done.” I reached for a box I’d placed on the table before she came down. “Here.”

“What’s that?” She took it from me.

“Open it. There’s a cell phone and a credit card inside. My number, Rook’s and Magdalena’s are programmed into the cell. The credit card is in my name, but has you listed as a joint user. Use it for whatever you want to buy today. I have your own card coming, but it won’t be here until Monday at the earliest.”

“I don’t think I’ll need—”

“Yes, you will. It’ll look suspicious if you don’t spend any money, so make this lie easier for both of us by spending my money like it’s your own.”

She chewed on her lip for a second before nodding. “I’ll keep my spending small.”

I sighed. “Eden, I don’t know if you’ve just not realized it yet, but money is not a problem for me. Buy whatever you like. There’s no way you can max out that card in a few short hours in a small town.”

“But—”

“But nothing. Call it payment for helping me out of the jam I’ve gotten myself into. There are not many people who find themselves with such an opportunity.”

“Because you don’t make mistakes.”

“That’s right. I don’t . So, this fuck-up of mine has opened up a way for you to benefit. Use it.”

Her lips parted, and I could see she was going to argue with me further. I cut her off before she even began to speak.

“Don’t bother. If you don’t do it, I’ll call Magdalena and tell her to make sure you buy things.”

She glared at me. I ignored her and turned my attention to breakfast. Eventually, she quit glowering at me and did the same, and we ate in silence. When our plates were both cleared, she rose to her feet.

“You did breakfast, so I’ll clean up. Would you like another coffee?”

I leaned back on my chair. “Yes. Thank you.”

She took my mug and moved across to the coffee machine, where it bubbled away quietly on the countertop. I let my gaze drift over her. She’d picked a t-shirt with fuller sleeves, hiding the bruises that covered her shoulder and stomach. I guessed leaving her hair loose also helped draw eyes away from the bruising on her face, although makeup would also hide most of it. The bruising was fading now and would be clear in the next few days, but not quick enough to hide it while we were at Crosby’s.

I made a mental note to come up with a story on what might have happened to cause them and discuss it with her later.

“What?”

“Hmmm?” I refocused on her and found her facing me, one hand on a hip, mug of coffee in the other.

“You were staring at me.”

“Was I?”

She set down the mug in front of me, and I caught a hint of the scent of berries.

“Do I need to change? You were frowning.”

“You don’t need to change. I was just thinking about how your bruises are clearing up.”

Her gaze dropped away from mine. I stretched out my hand and tipped her head up.

“It’s interesting, you know. Most women in your position have been beaten down to the point of fearing every shadow. For you, it brought out the fighter instinct. You’re wary, but you’re not scared. You should be proud of that.”