Page 54 of Close Protection

‘I wanted to check you were all right after everything you heard downstairs.’ I look at him, studying his face.

‘Yes.’ I smile, starting the walk to my room. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’

‘You sure?’ Something about the concern lacing histone makes me stop walking and lift up on my tiptoes to hug him. My arms snake around his neck while he stands there tense and rigid. I breathe a laugh as I drop my arms to find his and bring them to my back.

‘Thank you for being the one to tell me the truth,’ I whisper.

‘You deserved to know.’

I smile into his chest as I feel his arms tightening around my waist, pulling me closer into him and his firm, warm body. Gosh he smells good.

With his strong arms wrapped around me and his hands pressed against my back, I feel oddly at ease, the closeness mixed with his all too familiar scent comforting.

It’s strange: not half an hour ago I was listening to how my life has completely fallen apart, fear dominating my mind and worry climbing up my spine. But now, as I stand here, all I feel is peace.

Amid all the turmoil and uncertainty, Milosh has been the calm in the storm. Always knowing what to do, figuring out solutions for our problems and protecting me.

I know it’s his job, but a tugging feeling in my heart tells me it could be something else.

Something… more.

‘Milosh?’ I whisper, starting to break the hug so I can look at him.

‘Hmm?’ His low voice rumbles as his gaze bores into mine.

‘I—’

‘Oh,’ Teddy interrupts. He’s standing awkwardly in the doorway to my father’s bedroom. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know you two would be out here.’

‘Teddy, what were you doing in my father’s room?’ I start to pull away from Milosh, but he holds me there, his hands firmly on my waist as he looks at Teddy with such cold calculation that Teddy starts shifting uncomfortably.

‘Oh, well.’ He starts laughing, looking anywhere but my face. ‘I was looking to see… if he had a toilet brush.’

‘There’s a toilet brush in the bathroom in the guest room. Why were you looking for another one?’

His face starts heating. ‘It’s a bit embarrassing, I don’t want to really get into it.’

‘Answer her question, Teddy,’ Milosh warns coolly. The cold steel of his tone is at odds with his gentle yet firm touch.

‘W-well, I… ugh… made a bit of a mess.’

‘A mess so large it causes you to slip and fall into another man’s bathroom?’ Milosh queries.

‘Yes?’ Teddy sounds like he’s questioning himself.

‘Oh, well, I’ll call Charlotte to come and sort it out. Depending on the size of the problem she may need to calla plumber,’ I respond. Milosh keeps his face impassive but I can hear him breathe out a laugh.

Teddy’s face reaches a shade of red a ripe tomato would envy. ‘No, no. Goodness, no. Th-that’s all right.’ He starts fiddling with his toilet brush-less hands. ‘I’ll sort it all out, no need to worry!’ he calls out as he promptly walks into his room, shutting the door.

‘That was odd, right?’ I ask, turning back to look at Milosh, dropping out of his embrace.

‘Yeah, it was.’ Milosh studies me for a moment, slipping his hands into his pockets. ‘Does your father keep anything valuable in his room?’

‘I’m not sure.’ I furrow my brow. ‘Why? Do you think Teddy was after something?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Oh, I don’t think so. Yes, Teddy has certain… eccentricities, but he’s not one to steal.’