41

Lea’s P. O. V.
I found myself smiling to myself as I followed him, Lynx, Miller, Paul, and Samuel out of the house and to the car, my mind reeling at the openly playful side of Carter. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and shook my head at the thought. I couldn’t believe that he had actually kissed me in front of our guards. Normally if he was going to pull a stunt like that, he would have sent them from the room.
As we neared the driveway, I looked up and was surprised that it wasn’t one of the Navigators that we were taking. Instead, there was a sleek, shiny, black Audi R8 and a matching Audi Q7 parked in its place. And I was surprised to see Xian stepping from behind the wheel of the S. U. V., normally it would have been Tony stepping out of the car.
Where’s Tony ?
He’s taking care of the house tonight.
Carter’s answer seemed guarded. I wanted to ask what that meant, but the way he said it told me not to press the issue.
I shrugged it off and looked from Carter to the group of men as he walked towards the sports car and opened the passenger door. Carter caught my worried glance and gently tugged on my hand.
Come, Lea. They will be right behind us.
I gave a slight nod and slid into the black leather seat, watching as Carter walked around and talked briefly with our guards before getting in the driver seat and putting the key in the ignition.
Carter pointed to my seat belt. Buckle up.
Is this one of the communal cars ? I asked in awe as I took in the features of the Audi.
No, this is my own personal car. No one is allowed to drive it except myself.
It’s sweet. I crossed the seat belt over my body, clicked it in place, and folded my hands in my lap. Where are we going ?
I didn’t really expect Carter to tell me and I was proven right as a sly smile settled across his face.
Somewhere.
Soft classical music streamed from the radio as Carter put the car in drive and pulled away from the house. Feel free to change the station if you wish Lea.
I reached over and scrolled through the stations, Is this pulling from satellites ?
There were so many different genres to choose from and then the number of substations were unbelievable.
Yes, it’s SiriusXM. There is also a binder of CD’s in the in the glove box if you prefer. Carter’s voice was amused at my expression.
Who needs so many choices from a radio ?
Carter laughed lightly, Your parents didn’t have satellite radio in their cars ?
I tensed and drew in a sharp breath at the mention of my parents. Carter cut his eyes to me and cursed himself.
Shit, Lea. I didn’t mean to. Dammit. He reached for my hand and ran his thumb over my knuckles, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought them up.
I shook my head, Don’t apologize. It’s Okay. Carter started to protest, Really. They made their choices three years ago. It hurt like a bitch, but when they decided their company and reputations were more important than me, and the grief and guilt I felt over loosing CeCe, it let me know exactly where I stood with them.
Carter lifted my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of it.
You really don’t realize how amazing you are, do you Lea ?
I shrugged my shoulder and looked out the window, watching the trees pass by in a blur.
You are. You’re a survivor, Lea. You’re beautiful, brave, strong, smart, and sexy as hell.
A couldn’t help the blush that tinted my pale skin. No I’m not, I’m just simply me.
Carter kept his face forward as he continued to speak. Yes, yes you are. A genuine smile lit his face, But you are more than just simply you Lea. You just can’t see it, but I do.
I shifted in my seat so that I could study the man I was slowly beginning to fall for and asked the question that had crossed my mind more than once in the last couple of days.
Do you regret not putting that bullet in me ?
I saw a flash of hurt and regret pass through Carter’s steel blue eyes as he shook his head.
At first I did. I questioned that decision everyday for the first week. The more you tried and defied me, the more I found myself wondering what the hell I was getting myself into.
And now ? I asked, a hint of fear lacing my voice at what his answer would be.
No. I don’t regret it. I think there are some things that we still need to work on, and there are some things that you need to understand about how things work in the house, but I don’t regret not putting that bullet in you, Lea.
We rode in comfortable silence for awhile as I thought about Carter’s words, the soft classical music still playing from the preset station.
What kind of things ? I asked quietly.
HM ? Carter hummed.
You said that there were some things that we needed to work on and that I needed to understand about how things in the house worked. What kind of things were you referring to ?
The rules of the house, what is and isn’t tolerated, and you pissing your guards off daily for starters.
I hung my head and sighed softly. Yea, sorry about that. I know I haven’t been on my best behavior, but it’s just,
Carter cut me off by reaching over and putting a finger to my lip. I understand why you have acted the way you have, Lea. You don’t need to explain it. But, I would like for you to ease up on everyone. It’s not their fault that you’re here. It’s mine, so if you need to lash out at anyone, you should lash out at me.
I placed my hand over Carter’s and moved it from my mouth, holding it in my hand as I spoke quietly, You may regret saying that. I played with Carter’s finger as he spoke.
Maybe so, but just keep in mind, I know how to get to you, too.
A blush settled across my cheeks, Yes, yes you do. So, what are the rules ?
You know about the meals, I nodded, and not going anywhere without your guards.
Yes, what else ?
There are some rooms that are strictly off limits. Under absolutely no circumstances are you allowed to go into them.
Why ? He had piqued my interest.
I don’t want you to see the ugly side of what it is that we do, Lea.
But I already have. I thought back to the man that Carter had killed in front of me a few weeks ago and the order he gave to have Kent taken care of.