familiar with her.” He smiled. “Welcome to the building, Tara Orfanos. If you need anything at all, my name is Aaron. I live here on the ground floor and am head of security.” He inclined his head to Talyn. “I’ve already assured Major Batur that I will personally see to your safety, as he was quite adamant that no harm befall you, lest he make our future mobility quite impossible and painful. While I’m not as ferocious as the major, I am quite accomplished at my job, and will make sure no one bothers you.”
Felicia smiled at the male even though his words did nothing to lessen the fearful knot in her stomach. “Thank you, Aaron.”
He opened the elevator doors for them. “Good afternoon, mu tara. Welcome to your new home. I know you’ll be happy here, and if you’re not, let us know and we’ll make sure that you are.”
Felicia bit her lip at his kindness. “Thank you, again.”
Talyn pulled a shiny black card out of his pocket. “You’ll have to swipe the card to reach our floor.” He showed her how then handed it to her. “After the swipe, it requires a hand scan.” He pressed his hand to the panel. It lit up before the elevator moved.
“So you don’t press a button for the floor?”
“No. It knows where you live by the handprint. As soon as you’re squared away, I’ll call the manager and he’ll get you entered into the system. Whenever you have visitors, you’ll have to notify security. Then you can either meet them in the lobby, or security will escort them up. But only if you’re home. If you’re not, they’ll have to wait for you in the lobby. Like I said, the security here is very serious about the safety of their tenants.”
She glanced up at the camera in the corner. Not to mention the hand-carved mahogany wood and gilded ceiling. “This is much nicer than anything I expected. Thank you for letting me live here.”
He shifted the box in his hands. “No problem. Since I can’t visit very often, I wanted to make sure you were completely safe. I, um, I don’t know if you cook or not, but I had them stock the kitchen for you, just in case. There’s a grocery across the street and I worked it out with the manager to deliver anything you need or want. All you have to do is call them with your order and they’ll bring it over. Or if you pick it out, they’ll deliver it and charge my account. There’s also a deli and full restaurant on the first floor of the building, and a small convenience store that’s open twenty-four hours, even on holidays. Just charge the condo and it’ll go to my monthly bill.”
She gaped at his thoughtfulness that belied the ruthlessness she knew him capable of. Surely a beast wouldn’t go to this amount of trouble for a paid companion. Would he?
For that matter, her own father and brothers wouldn’t go to this length for any of the females in their lives. Especially her. They barely acknowledged she was a member of their family, and then, only when required by law.
“Likewise, I don’t know if you drive or not, but there’s a transport for you in the parking garage. The number for it corresponds with the condo address. It’s yours, too. If you can’t drive or don’t want to, I have the number for a chauffeur service and they’ll be more than happy to provide a driver for you. Also a protective detail should you have to study late at school. They just need a twenty-minute heads up to get someone to you. I’d prefer you use their service than take any chances with your safety.”
Stunned, she couldn’t think as the door opened into a bright, elegant hallway.
No, not hallway.
Foyer.
Holy crap… was this really her new home? Eyes wide, she stared in awe of the palatial estate.
Talyn led her into the condo that was finer than anything she’d ever seen in her entire life. Seriously. It even made her father’s expensive home look like a dump.
And it was huge! Open and airy, it had a breathtaking view of the city. The furniture was elegant and high end. Leather sofa, fully vided wall. Rich, hand-carved tables and expensive vases and flowers. Marbled floor, mahogany paneling, and a gilded tray ceiling.
She half expected some snotty female to come out and yell at her to wipe her feet.