Cocky Protector - Kat Mizera Page 0,24

to try.

Chapter Twelve

Shannon

My apartment was a disaster. Whoever this was had made a huge mess, overturning furniture, pulling down my curtains, dropping picture frames and even smashing a bottle of wine. We’d called the police and it had taken hours for them to assess the situation, take statements, and write reports. By the time they were gone and Ace and I had cleaned up the worst of the mess, it was nearly six in the morning. I was exhausted but determined to go in to work.

“Are you sure?” Ace asked me at least a dozen times.

“I’m sure. I’m going to go in for at least a few hours, type out notes for my afternoon classes and see if we can either get a substitute or the other teachers can help out. Once they find out my apartment was broken into, I’m sure they’ll jump in. Then I can come home and take a nap.”

“I’m going to clean up while you’re gone,” Ace said softly, kissing my lips.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to. You get through the morning and by the time you get home, I’ll have a new plan.”

“You sure?”

“Come on. I’m walking you to work.”

I had to admit, having him hold my hand as we walked the six blocks to the school was kind of sweet and romantic, despite the circumstances. When we passed Mr. Koelzig’s bakery, he stopped us and gave us hot chocolate and some pastries, on the house, his smile indicating his pleasure that there was someone special in my life. I told him about the break-in and he immediately offered to let us stay in his guest room, and though we politely declined, I realized just how much I’d settled in to my life here in Cologne. The idea that someone was trying to ruin it infuriated me.

“I can’t believe someone broke into your apartment,” Sandra said, coming in to take over my next class as I got ready to leave. “But I also can’t believe there’s a man in your life and you didn’t tell me.”

“We knew each other years ago, when I was in college. Nothing ever happened between us, but we reconnected through social media and he called me when he got to town. He’s here on business.” I was a better liar than I thought because Sandra looked intrigued.

“Wow. What’s his name?”

“A-Andrew,” I said. I didn’t want to lie, but Ace’s warnings about keeping his identity as much of a secret as possible rang in my head.

“Andrew what?” she pressed. “Geez, girlfriend. Since when are you so cagey?”

I laughed. “I’m a little shaken up about the break-in. I’m so glad he walked me home last night.”

“You two were going to get naked, weren’t you?” she teased, lowering her voice.

I probably blushed, but shook my head. “He’s a gentleman. I don’t think so. But maybe.”

We giggled a little, which was a welcome relief since I was so tired, and she didn’t ask about his last name again, for which I was grateful.

“Well, you go home and get some rest,” she said. “I’ll handle your next two classes and Mariana will take your last period.”

“Thank you.” I squeezed her arm. “See you Monday.”

“Call if you need me!” she called after me.

Ace was waiting when I got outside, and he slid an arm around my shoulders as we headed back to my apartment.

“You look tired,” he said.

“I am, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep. I’m pretty anxious about the whole thing.”

“I don’t know if you’re going to like it, but I had a thought.”

“Shoot.”

“Somehow, I got on the mailing list of one of those really nice cruise lines that does river cruises, CMA Waterways. They have a cruise leaving Amsterdam Sunday that stops in Cologne Monday. My friend, the king of Limaj, is friends with the owner of CMA. He called him and if we want to meet the boat on Monday, there’s a room waiting for us.”

“But that’s three days from now.” I stared at him. “I can’t just get on a cruise the first day of finals.”

“What better way to get out of town? Chains is already in the air, flying to Germany to take over reconnaissance here in Cologne. He used to be with MI6 so he’ll be able to handle it and I trust him.”

“I can’t leave before Wednesday,” I repeated, because I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

“Shannon, my priority is protecting you. Since we can’t figure out who

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