“Where are you from?” I asked as nonchalantly as I could. I didn’t want him to know how desperate I was to hear someone speak English. Everything on TV was in Italian, and although the dramas seemed pretty awesome, I couldn’t really understand what was happening half the time.
He didn’t look over. “Iowa.”
“Oh, Iowa? It’s a big state. Were you a farm boy?”
“Something like that.”
“You can talk to me, you know.”
He grimaced. “No, I really can’t.”
“Is there some rule against it?”
“No, but—”
“Then come on. I’m so bored sitting around here. Kaspar’s not around. I’m not asking you to do something bad. Just a little conversation, is all.”
He hesitated, looked back toward the house, then glanced over at me.
“I’m from a small town. You could say I’m a farm boy, although my dad was a pharmacist.”
“That’s a good job. What about your mom?”
“Paralegal. Mostly she stayed home and raised me and my four brothers.”
“Four brothers? That’s a big family.”
“So they say. Didn’t seem big to me at the time.”
“I had four siblings. Older brother, two older sisters, and a younger brother. Were you the oldest?”
“Youngest. I joined the Marines right out of high school. Did a few tours in Iraq.”
“That must’ve been hard. I guess now I understand how you ended up working for Kaspar.”
Scott shrugged and looked away. “He pays well and on time. Not everyone does.”
“Is that all you look for in an employer? Someone with lots of money and a sense of accountability?”
“I’m not sure what you’re looking for from me, but you won’t find it. I’m not going to let you leave no matter what you say.”
I snorted out a laugh. “That’s not what I meant. More like, why risk your life for him? What’s he to you?”
Scott was quiet for a long moment. “I’m not risking my life for him. I’m risking it for you.”
That made me sit up straight. “Excuse me?”
“Kaspar can take care of himself, but someone needs to watch your back. I’m not saying this because I like you, but because I’m afraid you’re going to get yourself killed if nobody steps up.”
“How chivalrous.”
“Hell, you don’t know me.” He walked over, glaring angrily. “I’m not trying to be nice to you, hear me? I don’t care about you. I only care about the job.”
“Then why say you’re sticking around for me?”
He ground his jaw and loomed over me.
The back door opened and Kaspar stepped out.
Nobody moved. Scott stiffened, grimacing like he’d been punched in the kidney. My mouth opened, and I wanted to explain, but I couldn’t find the words.
Kaspar stared, taking in the scene.
“What are you two talking about?” he finally asked.
Scott turned and stood with his back straight, like he was addressing a superior officer. “I was telling the prisoner that—”
“The prisoner?” Kaspar’s lips quirked. “Is that what she is?”
Scott seemed flustered. “I was telling her that I have orders not to bother her.”
“That’s right, you do. And yet I see you standing by her table.” He tilted his head and came closer. “What were you talking about?”
“Kaspar, leave him alone,” I said angrily, trying to use my rage to mask the fear.
He ignored me. Scott shook his head. “Nothing, sir.”
Kaspar punched Scott in the gut. He moved faster than I expected. Scott gasped and doubled over, and looked like he might try to defend himself, but Kaspar was vicious. His knee came up and smashed into Scott’s nose, cracking his face back.
Scott slumped over and hit the ground hard. He groaned as Kaspar kicked him in the guts twice then stomped once on his face. Another crack, another broken bone. Blood dribbled from Scott’s mouth and he spit out a tooth.
I screamed and knocked back my chair as I got to my feet.
Kaspar looked like he wanted to keep kicking Scott. I assumed he would’ve, if I hadn’t ran over and grabbed his arm. I pulled hard, screaming at him to stop, and Kaspar allowed me to steer him back to the kitchen and into the door. We left Scott on the ground, spitting blood and moaning in pain.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I shouted at Kaspar as he adjusted his tie.
The other guards stared, unmoving. Neither of them seemed surprised.
“They had orders not to talk to you. Scott disregarded those orders.”
“He was being nice to me. Do you have any idea how bored I am? We were just talking about where we grew up.”
“You don’t talk to anyone when you’re in my possession,” he snarled, leaning down into my face.
I flinched back and raised my hands to defend myself.
That made him pause. He stared at me, his eyes wide with surprise. I lowered my arms, body still tense, waiting for the blow.
“You think I’m going to hit you,” he said softly like I betrayed him in the worst possible way.