Page 191 of Lau Ahi
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve already made your decision, Ori, don’t lie to yourself.”
The playful smile was again attempting to make an appearance. “You think you know me?”
“I know I know you. You’re not the only one in this partnership that has a brilliant mind. I might not be government trained but I know how to read people. If you were going to push her away you wouldn’t have allowed her to get this close to you. You don’t play games with people. Not their emotions, because you know that it makes them volatile, which leads to unpredictable behavior. You would keep someone you detested at arm’s length because their presence would cause you too much distress. But you don’t do that with her. You won’t do that with her. At least not yet.”
He squeezed my hand softly. “I see I’m not the only one who’s been doing lessons.”
“No, you’re not. Besides, as big as you are you’re bloody hard to miss.”
“So, what do you think I should do?”
I was appalled at his requesting my insight on this situation. “You’re asking me my opinion on your familial affairs? Have you seen the state of my family? I’m not really one to give that sort of advice.”
He pulled me to him and put his chin on the top of my head. “You’re my wife. However I move affects you too.”
“My God, I never thought I’d hear that word uttered toward me so often.”
A chuckle rumbled through his chest. “Unnerve you?”
My focus remained on his chest not wanting him to see the emotion playing out in my eyes. “Some. It’s not nearly as unsettling as I thought it would be.”
“That’s progress then.”
We looked out over the quiet canyon that had grown trees and wildlife in the crater some massive explosion had to make years ago. It was beautiful to see life prevail after destruction. Something the two of us were well-versed in.
“Thank you for bringing me here. I hope you know I’m going to want to come back often.”
“I’m glad we own this place then.”
My eyes rolled as my earlier musings were confirmed. “Of course you do. I should’ve known. And let me guess, there’s a perimeter in the woods with people stationed around for our safety.”
His eyes scanned the woods around unbothered. “It should be, but I don’t roll that way.”
“Too arrogant to think you need help?”
Ori motioned around us not pointing to anything specific. “There’s enough surveillance and weaponry tucked throughout this place that no matter where I’m standing I’m covered. I wouldn’t have you out here without knowing you were completely safe.”
“Thank you for that. For the consideration. But will that change when we get home?”
“What do you mean?”
I didn’t want to disrupt the placidity of the morning by questioning him but I needed to know how much my life was going to change. “Will I have to have someone with me all the time? My father is usually surrounded by security and so are my mother and brother. Sasha has it when she travels because of who she is but I’ve never had to live my life that way. I’m not sure if I would want to start honestly.”
“You have to be protected, Asha. I’m not sure what you’d have me do.”
“Do you trust anyone outside of your friends?”
“No.”
“Then it’s a moot point anyway since you wouldn’t trust me with anyone that you didn’t know. Your friends have very intelligent wives and I can’t imagine them allowing their husbands to play babysitter.”
I knew I’d won when he rubbed his eyes clearly aggravated. “You think you’re going to get your way that easy aren’t you?”
“It’s logic, Ori.”
“Logic my ass. Let’s go back to the cabin. I’m getting hungry and I need to make breakfast.”
