Charity turned to the computer screen. The raiders were leaving the cave. Their heads swung back and forth, surveying the area. “You were free to go the moment I released you from the chair.” She waved her hand in the direction of the door.“You’re still free to go, but don’t expect me to let you in again. I won’t.”
Enzo slid the backpack from his shoulders. “I’m not free to go. I promised you I’d stay the two weeks.”
Her attention returned to the screen. The men had moved up the road, still searching for him. “I’m sure you’ll find a way around that promise too.”
Man. “Hurt feelings don’t count,” he reiterated. “That wasn’t part of the oath.”
She rolled her eyes and didn’t answer.
He took out the can opener and put it on the counter. A box of matches and a few other items had survived the attack as well. He kept stealing glances at her. Her hair was mussed, as though she’d raked her fingers through it. Or maybe that had been his doing when he’d tangled his fingers through it earlier. Her hair had been so silky that he’d had a hard time leaving it alone.
If he hadn’t left the cabin, if he’d decided to stay … best not to think about that, to imagine what they’d be doing right now.
She stalked off to the bookcase, pulled out a book, and plunked down on the couch. He’d expected her to go to her bedroom and avoid him. He knew the reason she hadn’t as soon as the thought occurred to him. She didn’t trust him not to do something stupid and figured she had to keep an eye on him.
“I’ll go without food until dinner,” he said. “I’ll only eat a meal a day, so you won’t run out of food on my account.”
“Fine.” She flipped a page. “If that’s what you want.” She didn’t look at him.
He sighed and got a glass out of the cupboard. He was thirsty from all the running. He filled it and drained the entire thing.
She sat on the couch, stiff and stoic, ignoring him.
“Look, Charity, I know I’ve disappointed you in a lot of ways. I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t tell me you’re sorry.” Her gaze stayed firmly on her book. “You don’t mean it. Besides, apologies are wasted on crazy people.”
He filled the glass again. “I never said you were crazy. I said your parents were. I’m sure if you’d been born to normal parents, you would be?—”
“Cynical and bitter like you.”
“I’m doing what I have to in order to protect our country.”
She glowered at him over the top of her book. “How could you have lived with us for weeks and not seen that we’re not a threat to the country?”
He took another long drink. “You were putting on a show for me because you knew I was an agent.”
“We didn’t know you were an agent. Do you think I would’ve ever kissed you if I’d known that?”
He paused and couldn’t help his smile. “Judging from your actions an hour ago when you knew I was an agent, yes.”
She blushed and returned her attention to her book. “That was different. I was thinking of ending world hunger.”
Hmm. The girl had a solid dedication to helping the world.
Enzo went back to unloading the backpack and noticed a blood spot on it, a reminder he needed to take care of the wound on his back. He headed to the bedroom, stripped off his shirt, and checked the mirror. Blood was smeared across his back. He couldn’t tell how big or deep the cut was, but his adrenaline had worn off enough that he felt the persistent sting. One more thing to deal with.
He grabbed some clean clothes and strode to the bathroom for a shower. A bottle of shampoo sat on the shelf, along with a crisp bar of soap. He was afraid there wouldn’t be much warm water, but it didn’t run out.
When Enzo finished, he did his best not to get blood on the towel. The mirror told him the wound was about an inchlong. Not too bad. The bathroom cabinet had antiseptic and an assortment of bandages. He applied one the best he could and got dressed.
This underground place with its little rooms would be his home for the next two weeks. Would the department stop looking for him by then? What would his mother think when they reported he’d disappeared? He hated that he had no way to tell her he was alive. Even if he got a hold of Charity’s phone, it wouldn’t have a signal out here.
He wandered back to the main room, unsure what to do next, or for that matter, what to do for the rest of the day. The place felt claustrophobic. No windows, no views of anything, only the knowledge that a cave-in would bury them. “What’s there to do in here?”
She didn’t look up. “I’m reading a book.”
“Okay, what else did you plan to do for two weeks?”