Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(41)

His smile faded. He went still, staring intently at her a long moment. Their gazes locked, neither backing down or looking away. Then he slowly nodded.

“We understand each other. But know this, I’ll expect certain concessions from you when I’ve fully recovered from my surgery. As long as you keep me happy, you’ll give me no reason to go back on my word. Keep that in mind.”

His meaning couldn’t be misunderstood. He did expect an intimate relationship with her, and it didn’t even appear as though he planned to wait until after her child was born. Her stomach revolted at the mere thought.

“Now that we’ve gotten business matters out of the way, shall I have something else for you to eat brought out to the terrace? Or perhaps you’d like to retire to your room now and contemplate your new circumstances.”

She nodded numbly and then pushed up from her chair, her knees shaking so hard she worried she’d fall. Armand appeared, his sharp gaze finding hers. Then he took her arm, his grasp surprisingly gentle.

“See that she makes it back to her room,” Mendoza said. “And arrange for breakfast to be brought to her in the morning. Don’t worry about preparing anything, Maren. Armand will take care of all our travel arrangements. When I’m ready to leave, Armand will come for you.”

Armand’s grip suddenly tightened on her arm and she blinked, realizing that he’d been saying something to her.

“You’re pale,” he murmured, surprising her by offering an opinion. He rarely said anything at all, and usually it was to give her a terse order from Mendoza. “Come with me. After I’ve taken you to your room, I’ll have some hot tea brought to you. I made certain we stocked all your favorites.”

She stared hard, her mind grappling to take it all in. This had been planned. She’d been watched for God only knew how long. Armand knew far too much about her. He knew about KGI. He knew what teas she drank. Who the hell was this man?

Armand urged her forward, and she had no choice but to fall into step with him or be dragged behind him. He didn’t walk with his usual brisk pace, though. He slowed and seemed to wait while she slogged through mud. Every step was like dragging a ton of bricks behind her.

When he got to her door, he opened it and instead of leaving her as he usually did, he ushered her inside and eased her down on the edge of the bed.

“Put your feet up and rest. I’ll have your tea brought to you,” he said shortly.

Her gaze collided with his and she shook off the fog surrounding her. “How do you know so much about me?” she asked quietly. “Who are you?”

One corner of his mouth quirked upward, but it didn’t remotely resemble a smile. It just made him look more dangerous than ever.

“Why me?” she blurted. “I heard what you said to him. You think he shouldn’t involve me. Can’t you convince him to leave me behind?”

Armand’s eyes flickered and then his lips tightened into a firm line. “It’s too late for you, Maren. You know too much. If he leaves you behind at this point, he’ll kill you. Your only option is to go along for the ride and cooperate fully. Don’t do anything to piss him off. I’ll protect you the best I can. But be smart.”

With that he turned and stalked from her room, leaving her openmouthed on the bed where he’d left her.

Protect her? He scared the hell out of her. She was far more scared of him than she was of Mendoza. And he was going to protect her as best as he was able?

This was becoming more bizarre by the minute. She’d be a fool to trust him. She’d be a fool to trust anyone. Armand was right about one thing, though. She had to play this smart.

If only she could send word to Steele. Or Sam. Or anyone with KGI. What she wouldn’t give for them to storm the compound and get her the hell out of here. If Armand was to be believed and they indeed knew about KGI and, as Mendoza had hinted, that there would be a rescue attempt, then maybe, just maybe she could at least leave a clue for them. Not that she had much to offer in the way of information. But she’d tell them all she could.

Her eyes lighted on the pretty floral stationery on her nightstand. It was a long shot, but it beat doing nothing at all. She grabbed a pen and hastily scribbled a note giving as many details as she knew, which, granted, wasn’t much. She outlined the situation, saying that Mendoza planned to have surgery in Paris and then relocate to an undisclosed location.

She hesitated, not knowing if she should say she was pregnant. She mulled it over before deciding it would serve no purpose to put it down. The last thing she wanted was for Steele to find out this way. It would only make things worse, especially if he and his team were the ones to come in and then find her gone with a note saying she was pregnant.

No, she’d leave that part off and just hope to hell she got the opportunity to tell Steele in person that she carried his child.

After finishing the note, she folded it and slid it underneath the mattress. When it came time to leave, she’d place it under her pillow. It wasn’t likely anyone would find it, but if they did a thorough search of the premises, maybe they’d come across it and maybe it would at least lead them in the right direction.

She had to hold on to that hope, as slim as it was, because it was all she had.

She straightened and put a hand to her belly, staring down as her fingers splayed wide over her stomach.

“I’ll do anything to keep you safe,” she whispered. “Even make a deal with the devil himself.”