“Then go find whoever you are looking for. I don’t care.” Bonnie retorted, “But there is no way in hell I’m going back home with another one of you guys. I have had enough already.”
She pointed an accusing finger in his direction. “And you know what, David? You should really listen to me and take lessons in communication because you suck at it. What is with you and wanting to make every fucking decision for me without talking to me about it first?”
“Excuse me, Mike,” David said, nodding in the direction of his friend, before grabbing Bonnie by her arm and pulling her away so they could talk without Michael hearing their conversation.
“Damn it, Bonnie!” he said, gritting his teeth, “What is the matter with you? I do that because you’re so fucking stubborn. You never want to listen because you always want things to go your way. You fight me on everything so I think it’s just better this way. And even after that, it’s still so fucking hard.”
Bonnie yanked her hand out of his grip and glared at him. “That’s not true. You only see things that way because you are a bully and the only way you know how to get things done is through force. I will not let that work on me… And don’t you ever grab me like that again.”
David’s gaze settled on her arm which she was rubbing gently and his eyes softened immediately.” I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Even if she was still angry, his apology helped calm him down a little. This man, she thought. He just had a way of getting to her. “I don’t want another bodyguard, David,” she said, trying to stand her ground. “I hated it when you first came… and now you and I see the mess we’re in”
His eyebrow lifted, and she immediately understood that her words might imply something else. “I’m not saying that I’m going to sleep with your friend” She frowned at the thought. In fact, it also bothered her that she couldn’t even imagine herself being touched by another man except him. If only he knew how he felt about her.
“It won’t be for long, please,” David said. “I just have to meet up with George. He has a lead and we’re going to follow it. I’m just worried for you because believe it or not Bonnie, but I really do care about you… and if something happened to you, I don’t think that I….” He stopped talking and sighed. “Please, Bonnie. I know you don’t have to listen to me because I have been such an asshole, but just… do it for me… please?”
Bonnie closed her eyes and slowly opened them. He had a point…. No matter how crazy it sounded and how annoying he could be, she knew that he was telling her the truth. At least she knew him that well. David wasn’t the kind of guy to lie unnecessarily or beat around the bush. He always spoke his mind and he was always straightforward.
“Fine.” she said, “I will let your friend come with me”
David gave her a small smile. “He’s not really a friend… he’s more like an colleague from the agency, but that’s okay”
He motioned with his hand to Michael to join them, and called them a cab. He helped get her luggage in the booth, then opened the door for her to go in. Bonnie moved past him. She wanted to be strong, but she couldn’t help it. He could act tough all he wanted, but she knew that he definitely felt something for her. He was just better at hiding it and refusing to let himself go and she couldn’t blame him. With a job like his, letting go was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
Bonnie threw her arms around him before he could protest and move away. She squeezed him tightly as the tears dropped from her eyes. One of his hands went around her and held her in place. At least he hugged her back, Bonnie thought. At this point, everything with him mattered…. Every second and every touch. When she finally let him go, she smiled sadly at him.
“Please be safe.” she said, then she turned away from him and got into the car with Michael.
For a while David stood there, watching with a heavy heart as the car disappeared from sight.
———-
David walked into the office where George Howell sat waiting for him. He was so stressed and he was in no mood for chit chat. In fact he was pissed too. Whoever this person who had caused him this much trouble didn’t deserve any form of rest, and after the way he had parted ways with Bonnie, he was more motivated to find this person.
He shook hands with George and sat down, but George knew him well enough to know that something was up. They had been partners for a long time and they shared a lot with each other.
“Wow. Someone’s in a mood” George said as he studied David. “You woke up on the wrong side of the bed or did someone piss you off on your way here?”
“Getting treats is enough to ruin my mood” David grumbled, but George wasn’t buying that explanation.
“We didn’t start receiving those threats now, and I’ve never seen you this pissed about it. Something is up… spill it… unless you want to keep it to yourself.”
David ran his hands through his hair and shut his eyes. “Did Micheal call?” he asked, instead of answering George’s question. “I tried to reach him this morning but his number was going through.”
George understood that David didn’t want to talk about whatever was bothering him, so he didn’t push. Knowing that David would open up when he was ready.
“Yeah he did,” George replied. “He said he couldn’t reach you either so he left a message for you. No sign of danger to the princess Bonnie”
David nodded. The sound of her name felt like someone was shooting daggers at his heart. “That’s good” he said, then after a brief hesitation, he added. “Did he say anything about her? I mean…. Bonnie… Is she alright… I mean… there’s no problem with her… is there?”
George shook his head. “No I don’t think so… At least he didn’t mention any.” He studied David for a few seconds before his eyebrows lifted and he grinned. “It’s her, isn’t it?” he asked. “Your attitude…. It’s about her”