Silencing Eve

Doane wants you dead, and that gives me another reason to be here.”
    “And why is that?”
    “I’m going to be your bodyguard.”
    She heard Stang give a strangled gasp across the room.
    Zander’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I’m going to take care of you,” she said simply. “I can’t let Doane kill you. You told Venable that Doane said he wanted to kill Eve in front of you. To keep Eve alive, I have to keep you alive.”
    “Did it occur to you that I might be able to take care of myself?”
    “Yes, but I can’t take the risk.” Her jaw set with determination. “I won’t let Eve die because I left her fate up to a man I’m not sure gives a damn. So suck it up, Zander. You’re stuck with me.”
    He gazed at her for a long moment, and she had no idea what he was thinking. “The hell I am,” he said softly. “Do you realize how easily I could dispose of you?”
    “I realize you’re an expert. But it wouldn’t be easy, Zander.”
    He didn’t speak for another minute. “No, I don’t think it would.” He leaned back in the chair. “Tell me, do you wear a knife in a holster on your calf?”
    “What?” she asked in surprise. “Sometimes.”
    “Now?”
    “Yes, I didn’t know what to expect. Why?”
    “Just something Eve told me about you. I was trying to fasten a knife on her calf and she said that she wasn’t like you and that you’d be more prepared.”
    “You gave her a knife?”
    “It seemed to be the thing to do at the time. Of course, then I sent her off to face her fate with Doane. So don’t think I was being particularly generous to her.”
    “I won’t.” She paused. “But maybe you were, considering what a cold bastard you seem to be.” She got to her feet. “May I go to the bathroom and freshen up? I just flew in from Atlanta and came straight here.”
    “By all means.” He nodded at a door leading off the sitting room. “Make yourself at home.”
    “Oh, I intend to do that.” She headed for the door he’d indicated. “And you might call housekeeping and get me a cot. Of course, I can always sleep on that sofa.”
    “You really meant it.” He was gazing at her quizzically. “You’re moving in.”
    “It’s the most practical thing to do. I have to be near you.” She tensed, waiting for the response.
    “You’re being absurd, you know. And you could be very annoying. You have that potential.”
    “Yes, I do. But I’m competent, reasonably intelligent, and I’m possibly the most stubborn person you’ve ever met. So unless you intend to drop me off that balcony over there, you’re not going to get rid of me.”
    “Tempting,” he murmured.
    “I’m sure it is.” She paused at the door. “So make up your mind.”
    He gazed at her without expression. “I object to destroying lovely pieces of art unless necessary. I’ll keep you around until you annoy me too much.” He added as he got to his feet, “But if I find that you’re neither helpful nor as competent as you claim, that time will come sooner rather than later.” He glanced at Stang. “Confrontation over, Stang. We’ll keep her around.” He turned and strolled back out on the balcony.
    Catherine’s gaze followed him. “Why do I feel like a stray puppy tossed over to you to watch, Stang?”
    “You should be grateful,” Stang said dryly. “And take into account that he meant what he said. You took a chance.”
    She had been aware of that threat the entire time she had been with Zander. “Life is full of chances. You just have to turn them into opportunities.” She opened the bathroom door. “I’ll be out in a few minutes, and you can show me the process of what you’re doing to monitor those cameras. Do you know you’re looking for a Toyota 4-Runner with a dented left fender?”
    “Yes.”
    “But you didn’t hear it from Venable.”
    He shook his head. “Zander never trusts one source, particularly if it’s government connected.”
    “Very intelligent.” She added, “And, after we go over the cameras, then I want you to go over the security measures in place here.”
    “Security?” He looked at her in amazement. “You really meant what you said about protecting Zander?”
    “I don’t usually say things I don’t mean.” She cast a glance at the door to the balcony. “He knew I meant it. That’s why he was so pissed at me. That’s the moment when it was touch-and-go.”
    “You’re underestimating Zander. You may not have even reached that point