I shook my head. “I can’t protect you that way in a strange city.”
She grew more frustrated, forgetting the bomb and my injuries. Her laugh was halfhearted, filled with more animosity than humor. “I can completely understand my brothers’ concern, but I really can do a very good job of taking care of myself.”
“Were you aware there was a photographer who’d been following you around at least for the night, including standing outside your house taking photographs of you? He didn’t really need his telephoto lens given you had your damn blinds open, which was about as reckless as you could get, Emmeline.”
When she paled, her lower lip quivering, I could tell she was bothered. But not entirely about the photographer per se. “How do you know?”
Well, I’d just told on myself. “Because it was my job to make certain you arrived home safely.”
“See! That’s what I’m talking about. What did you to do to this photographer?” The way she was spitting out the words seemed off.
When I grinned, she tossed several napkins at me, which of course I ducked.
“You fucking killed him. Didn’t you?”
“No, but I did ensure he wouldn’t bother you again. After taking his sim card of course.”
Now she was white as a sheet. “Do you still have it?”
The little lady had been up to something else. “No, it was heavily damaged in the blast.”
A look of relief crossed her face and she looked away, her mind spinning. What was going on? “Do you know how many times I’ve had my picture taken?”
And she couldn’t look me directly in the eye. I bit back a grin. Perhaps leverage I’d use, only if necessary.
“You’re missing the point. We don’t know what we’re dealing with. The best thing for you to do is to come home. After we discover the people responsible for torching my place, then you can head on another vacation.”
“You mean one complete with a half dozen guards like I have every day of my life living in a very safe city with my entire family living around me.” She peered at me with hope in her eyes that I’d understand. “I can’t live that way, Donatello. I know you’re merely doing your job and I honestly do appreciate all you do for the family, your loyalty. All of it. But get the hell out. Now.”
When I didn’t budge, she threw her arm toward the door.
“I’m not leaving.”
“Then I’ll shoot you in the middle of the night.”
Her playful side had returned, the one I wanted to capture and keep. “No, you won’t. You’re not that kind of girl.”
“Oh, yeah? Then what kind of girl am I? You think you know so much about me so please, tell me who Emmeline Prince truly is.”
In all the years we’d known each other, she’d been the one to crowd my space when we butted heads. Not because she felt superior to me in any way. That wasn’t Emmeline. It was because she’d enjoyed challenging me since no one else dared do so for fear of facing first her father then all four brothers’ wrath.
This time, I crowded hers because it was my first opportunity to share with her that I’d been paying attention. “Emmeline Prince is highly intelligent, not only because of her ability to speak several languages or that she graduated the top of her class at Columbia. She’s brilliant in her observations of people and has the most profound instincts with danger I’ve ever experienced. How am I doing so far?”
I dared crowd even closer. She didn’t back down quickly if ever. Today was no exception. “Go on.”
“Martial arts. Weaponry. Archery. Computer programming. You made certain you were an expert in as many avenues of what I’d call security features as possible, which I applaud you for, whereas your family doesn’t give you enough credit. But none of them make you happy.”
“And what does?”
“Being in love. Being able to enjoy nights on the town, mornings in bed. Wine by a fire and a relaxing trip to the Cayman Islandswithout fear of being shot and killed. While you work harder than almost anyone I’ve ever seen, money doesn’t make you happy. Not really. Other than maybe by allowing you to enjoy your choice of vehicles. Flashy sports cars that you can test for both speed and endurance.”
By now, she was fighting a smile.
“Is that all?” she asked, further standing her ground by folding her arms across her chest. Did she have any idea how the simple act ignited something deep within?
“Yeah, one more thing. For all your toughness, you’re a true lady inside. That’s why I purchased the flowers. Now, while I’d like to convince you to return with me tonight, I doubt you will. I’ll willing to stay for a few days, but it will be as your personal bodyguard whether you like it or not.”
“Including if and when I get close to a man?”