His to Protect - Em Petrova Page 0,55
in my wrist. It gives me advantages in my work, but it means I belong to The Guard, and they frown upon a bodyguard being with his ward.”
Oz sat back and toasted to that, lifting his glass and taking another sip. When he lowered it, he said, “Sit down, North. Come have a seat next to me, Miss Sailor. It seems we need to talk sense to our mutual friend.”
North stared at each of them.
Sloane sat between them and looked at the bottle. “Can I have a drink?”
“Of course.” Oz offered a smile and then poured her a fresh shot in one of the glasses he set out on the table.
She took it in hand, met North’s gaze, and then slammed it back. He watched her throat work and her eyes register the burn, but she didn’t even shudder at the strong liquor.
“Now.” She placed her hands on the table. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Oz eyed her. “The rule’s recently been amended in the book. There is no consequence for having relations with a ward.” He spoke directly to North.
“I know what was written, but that’s not the oath I took. I promised myself—”
“That you wouldn’t touch me?” Sloane asked quietly.
He nodded.
“I understand. I don’t want to cause you any problems, Bodhi—”
He swiped a hand through the air, cutting her off. “This isn’t your fault. It’s all on me. I knew better and I didn’t stop myself.”
“You don’t need to convince me of anything,” Oz said. “I’m as guilty of touching a ward. Hell, I married mine.”
Sloane’s head whipped around, and she gaped at Oz.
Looking at Sloane, North was forced to ask himself exactly what he did feel for her. A few days weren’t enough to know jack shit. He needed longer with her, and he’d been willing to quit The Guard if that was what it took.
“We’re not taking your chip, North. You’re too valuable. I said this before, and I mean it. I think you’ve been through some things, and you need time to think. Meanwhile, there’s a girl to save tonight.” Oz sliced a look at Sloane, and North read his unspoken question. Is she going?
Hell, I don’t know. She deserves to, but how can I put her at risk again? How can I risk my heart a second time?
“I’d like to go, Bodhi. Please.”
Chest burning with a sigh, he finally nodded. “All right. You go with us, but you do everything I tell you to, even if it’s to run and leave me behind. Got it?”
She didn’t look like she would agree, though she finally said, “Got it.”
Oz twisted the cap back on the whiskey and stood. “I’ll let Rose know that we’ll be alone tonight.”
North watched his boss leave the room. When Sloane turned to follow, he caught her by the wrist. Swinging her back into his arms felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her breaths quickened, her chest rising and falling.
“You’re fighting this battle because of me,” she said softly.
Staring down at her, he wondered how he could ever question himself about loving her—the answer lay there for anyone to see. Even Oz.
“I can’t deny that…I feel something for you, Sloane.”
She jerked her face up, eyes latching onto his. “You do?”
He focused on her plump lips and the twist that drove him so crazy so often. “Yes, I do. I’m not ready to trust it completely—I’ve never felt this way.”
“Bodhi, I’m as afraid as you are. You don’t want to get involved with me because of your work. I don’t believe in relationships either. I’ve seen too many bad things—young girls who should be in school, not wives and mommas and slaves to their lives.”
He nodded.
“Yet…” She tipped her head up to meet his stare. “I do feel strongly for you.”
“You’ve been through an ordeal. You could change your mind when you feel better.”
“You don’t understand that a woman knows when she feels something for a man. It’s not like experiencing indigestion.” Her lips twisted on the last word, but she couldn’t conceal the slight twang.
At that, he tossed his head back on a laugh. “Well, maybe it is indigestion. And I knew it—I knew you were holding back a Southern drawl.”
A small smile spread over her face. “You knew that?”
“I know a lot about you. And you know more about me than most.”
She slipped her arms up around his neck and tangled her fingers into his hair. Drawing him down bit by bit, she held his gaze. “Maybe I need