Yes, I suppose you have, and that I do regret. He wrapped his hand around mine, I want to keep you safe, and the only way to do that is to keep the rest of what we do away from you for as long as possible.
What about taking me out in public ? Doesn’t that increase the chances of someone you’ve pissed off seeing us together and put me at risk of being taken and used against you.
Yes.
I didn’t understand his reasoning. He wanted to keep me safe by not allowing me to see what all it is that he and the rest of the house does, but he was willing to risk us being seen together by his enemies. It made absolutely no sense.
So what’s the difference ?
Carter was silent for a few minutes and I could see the internal struggle being fought within himself, debating on how much he was willing to tell me. When he spoke a few minutes later, my heart froze in my chest.
Because Lea, the more you know about what it is that I, or the rest of the house does, it increases the chances of you being coerced into turning against us if you are are ever taken into custody. There are a number of agencies across the globe that would do their damnedest to use you to destroy everyone of us and that wouldn’t be allowed to happen. He sighed out and and clenched his jaw. There would be nothing I would be able to do to save you.
Oh. Understanding slowly started to set in. And if one of your adversaries took me ?
I would battle my way through the depths of hell for as long as it took to get you back.
An involuntary shudder coursed through my body at Carter’s revelations and I decided to change the topic. I took a few moments and thought of some of the other questions I had. Since he seemed to be willing to answer, I figured that I might as well get a few of them out of my system.
Why do you insist on everyone being at brunch and dinner ?
Mixed emotions that I couldn’t decipher passed across Carter’s face. Meals were my father’s favorite times of day. Carter squeezed my hand as he continued, They were always the one time that my family and the members of the organization came together. We would just talk, laugh, and relax without having to worry about what was happening outside the house.
I rubbed circles on the back of Carter’s hand as he drew in a deep breath.
What happened to him, your father I mean ? my voice was just audible and I steeled myself to hear Carter’s answer.
Let’s not discuss that right now. He gave me a small, heart wrenching smile.
I nodded in understanding and let it go, for now. Why do you insist on picking out what I wear ?
Carter looked at me and smirked, Did you not see what you were wearing when I met you ? I bet you didn’t own more than one or two pair of pants, maybe a couple of tee shirts, and not a dress one -other than a couple of extra uniforms. Am I right ?
My eye widened at his words, How did you know that ?
Carter glanced at me sideways, I’m usually very good at reading people, Lea. I also bet you worked somewhere between sixteen to eighteen hour days.
I nodded and Carter tusked at me.
Being a workaholic, for whatever reason, isn’t good for you, nor does it leave you much time to enjoy other things. I choose your clothing because, one, I don’t think you would choose anything more than a drab gray uniform, I snickered, he was probably right about that, two, you are now my responsibility, and three, my associates and business partners expect a higher standard from me and those I surround myself with, your wardrobe is a reflection of that standard.
I tensed at his explanation, I’m not a child Carter. Your explanation almost makes it sound as if I should be offended.
I know, and I’m sorry you feel that way as that is not my intention.
When will I be allowed to go outside the house ?
He shot me a pointed looked. You are outside the house now.
That’s not what I meant and you know it.
Once you are more familiar with the way things work, Lea, then you will be allowed some freedom to come and go, but only as long as your guards are with you.
I quickly debated commenting that it sounded like I was being held prisoner. I guess if you really stopped and thought about it, in a way I was. However, I decided against arguing that point and latched onto the topic of his businesses.
What kind of businesses do you own ?
Several different ones. His answer was vague, but I wanted to know more.
Such as ?
You know what I said earlier about knowing to much about what it is I do ?
I sighed and turned toward the window, Yea.
It’s for your own protection Lea.
I thought back to the night that Carter, Darrell, Darrien, and Tony first walked into my life and the reaction that Jack had at seeing Carter being the man I was arguing with over the ham and egg platters.
How do you know Jack ?
Lea, his tone held a hint of warning.
Damn it Carter, can you just answer the question. I know that Jack knows who you are. He told me your name after you all left the diner that first night. And he wouldn’t let me take the trash out until the the sun came up.
We’ve known each other for years. That’s all you need to know.
I frowned and tried to pull my hand out of Carter’s, but he only tightened his grip and shook his head. I was frustrated. How did he expect me to know how the house worked if he wouldn’t give me any straight answers ?
We had been driving for about an hour, me questioning Carter and him answering as vaguely as possible for the most part, when he slowed the Audi and pulled into a garage. Carter stopped at the gate and typed in a code and waited for it to roll back before easing forward. We drove to the top level and parked, the Q7 pulling in beside us.
Carter turned in his seat and faced me, cupping my chin and meeting my eyes as he spoke.
I know it sounds as if I avoided most of your questions, but I hope that you trust me enough to know why I did.
He searched my face and brushed his thumb over my chin. I closed my eyes and took a breath, saying the one thing that I hoped wouldn’t come back and bite me in my rear later.
I trust you.
Good. Now, I famished. Let’s go eat.
Carter stepped out of the car and walked around and opened my door. I didn’t even have to think twice about placing my hand in his outstretched one. We walked to an elevator and all seven of us stepped in. Lynx typed in a number and the metal box lurched upward. I took a breath and squeezed Carter’s hand.
God, I hate these things.
Carter pulled me into his side and ran his hand down my back. The elevator came to a sudden stop and the doors slowly opened. Our five guards walked out and waited as Carter and I stepped out before falling into a protective circle around the two of us.
We were greeted by two men outside a set of heavy wooden doors. Mr. Stephens, Ma’am.
They pulled the doors open for us and greeted each one of the guards by name. I raised by brow, but Carter just shook his head. I sighed in frustration.
Will it always be like this ?
Carter looked down at me, his steel blue eyes asking the question before he spoke, Will what always be like this ?