Page 78 of Gilded in Blood

She’s covered up. Keeping herself hidden. Keeping herself safe. From me. Another knife twists in my chest.

I slide a plate toward her. “I ordered food.”

“Thank you.”

She takes the plate and chooses the stool farthest from mine.

She picks at the food, taking small bites without any real appetite.

I don’t touch mine. Watching her hurts enough. I can see how cautious she is now. The way she keeps her eyes on me like she’s waiting for me to turn into the monster she thinks I am.

“You don’t have to be scared of me,” I say softly. “I would never hurt you.”

She doesn’t respond. After only a few bites, she sets her fork down. “I’m done.”

I gather the plates and carry them to the sink. When I turn back around, she’s watching me.

“Before we talk…”

She hesitates.

“Can you take your gun off?”

I blink. “What?”

She closes her eyes for a second before opening them again.

“Will you please just do it?”

I reach beneath my shirt and unholster the pistol from my waistband.

I eject the magazine, rack the slide, catch the chambered round. Then I place the unloaded gun on the kitchen island and slide it well out of my reach.

“There.”

“Better?”

She nods. “Can we go talk in the living room instead?”

I follow her gaze and see her eyes flick to the knife block behind me. It hurts more than I expect. She thinks I might grab one and hurt her.

Without another word, I follow her to the living room. She takes the chair farthest from me.

I sit down across from her, giving her as much space as she needs.

“Start talking,” she says quietly. “Maybe start with your real name.”

I look at her for a long moment, trying to find the right words.

“Kirill.”

She huffs. “Why am I not surprised?”

“First of all, you have every right to be hurt,” I say. “This is not how things were meant to turn out.”

A bitter laugh escapes her. “No?” She looks up at me, her eyes shining with fresh tears. “How was it supposed to happen?”

She holds my gaze. “Were you supposed to kill me?”