Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“You know, perhaps we should speak about your need to procreate again,” she said, grasping at a different topic.
To her surprise, he turned her, grasping hold of her chin. “Rhodes might let you get away with avoiding topics or things you find upsetting, but I’m not your brother. If I ask a question, I expect an answer.”
Oh, if looks could kill.
Little Miss Cate might be a touch spoiled.
Not to the point of corrupting her. It was rather cute the way she started to build to a tantrum.
But that’s why he had to have a firm hand from the beginning.
And he knew why Rhodes spoiled her. It was obvious that she’d had a tough time growing up. Hell, she still had a rough time now.
However, that didn’t mean that she got to avoid the tough conversations.
He intended to spoil her as much as Rhodes. Maybe more.
But not when it came to something he wanted from her. When it involved health and safety, she wasn’t going to get her own way and keep things from him.
She wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s so mean.”
“Being cute isn’t going to get you out of this.”
“Most people believe I’m cold and rude.”
Ethan narrowed his gaze. “Most people are idiots. Who said that to you? Was it Samantha?”
Cate tilted her head to the side, studying him. “Why do you want to know? She’s gone now.”
“For research purposes,” he replied.
“You’re researching people who have said rude things to me?”
“Yes.” He could feel the darkness creeping over him. Most people didn’t know it was there. He was the calm influence when everyone else was going crazy. The person with good advice, who didn’t lose it.
Ever.
Unless there was a threat to someone he truly cared about.
“You have a dangerous side, don’t you, Ethan Stone?”
“Yes, I do. You can be very perceptive.”
Her face grew red. “Sometimes. Other times, I’m just as clueless as I seem.”
Ethan placed his hands over hers. She was so small. And cold.
“Jesus, baby. Your hands are freezing.” Worry filled him. It was his job to keep her warm and safe. Grabbing her blanket, he placed it over her, ignoring his own discomfort since it was actually hot as hell in there.
“Now, I need you to tell me what this protocol is about.”
She fidgeted. “I don’t really want to.”
“Why?”
“Because you might see me differently. You might not want me anymore.”
Fuck. He hated that she thought that. That she didn’t know exactly how much he adored and cared for her. He’d need to work on showing her that better. Making her believe it.
“Nothing you could tell me would make me see you differently. I would never walk away from you. But you know how we talked about boundaries? Well, lying and secrets are a boundary for me. Do you understand?”
“You don’t want lies and secrets between us,” she replied with a nod. “I don’t like lies either. Not even the ones people tell each other to be polite. That’s why I often get myself in trouble. Sometimes, it’s easier to say nothing at all.”
“I get that. And I’m not talking about small lies that other people tell each other or themselves. I’m talking about you and me. You can tell Kevin that he has the voice of a soprano and I won’t care. As long as you never lie to me.”
“Why would I want to tell Kevin that? He might try to talk more.” The horror on her face had him running a finger down her cheek.
So damn adorable.
“I’m just using an example. There will be no lies between us. And I don’t want you to hold back anything from me that might affect you.”
“All right. I understand.” She clenched her hands together. “Protocol is what we call the rules for after I go . . . into my own head. That’s how Rhodes explains it. I don’t see how it’s any different from when I’m trying to think something through. Like for work. That’s all I’m doing. But . . . Rhodes . . .”
“Yes?”
“He’s always concerned something bad might happen to me when I’m on my own in here and I’m . . . I’m thinking.”
“Has something bad ever happened?” he asked in a low, soft voice. He didn’t want to scare her into going into her head, as she’d just said.
He knew what Rhodes meant, though. Cate couldn’t be left to think too much or she’d end up getting more upset.
“Once,” she whispered. “Yes.”
God.
He’d really hoped she was going to say no.
“What happened, Cate?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it.”
He was silent for a moment as they sat there. “There are going to be things in both of our pasts that crop up. And we won’t always feel like talking about them. Some things can wait, but anything that impacts your health and safety right now, I need to know. Don’t keep anything from me that could harm you.”