\[Elise’s POV\]
Shock rolls through me as my head presses against William’s firm chest and the sound of his heartbeat invades my ears. What was this? What was he doing?
As these thoughts appear, his strong hand comes to rest on my back and begins to rub gentle circles. The action is both soothing and unsettling. And before I can stop myself, I’m jumping up.
“What are you doing?” I ask, scooching away from him. “Who said you could touch me?”
I wait as William takes me in as if I’m some strange creature, and when he opens his mouth to speak, I hold up a hand to stop him.
“Nevermind,” I sigh, realizing that it was just a split second reaction to me crying. “I’m sorry. Can you pretend none of this happened?”
Shit. Was I still feeling weak, and that was the reason I said too much? And in front of Rosco’s cousin, no less. Wasn’t it bad enough that Rosco considered me to be the enemy and unworthy of respect? Now I was sitting here, acting weak.
Ugh. I fucked up.
“Does it unnerve you that much for someone to see you break down?”
Tensing, I slowly meet William’s gaze, which is unreadable.
“It isn’t a crime to show weakness.” He continues when I don’t speak. “You’re human. So you…”
“No,” I hiss, jumping up off the bed while he continues to watch me. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
To show emotion was a weakness, and in the world I grew up in, it could have gotten me killed. Hell! It was because I allowed myself to feel that I ended up doing all those horrible things for Alexander.
‘That bastard!’ Anna growls, taking me by surprise.
‘It’s in the past.’ I say softly. ‘It was a lesson, and we should take that lesson to heart.’
“I should go and find Denali to make sure that she is alright.” I say now, wanting any reason I could find to escape.
“I’ll go with you.” William offers, beginning to get up. “You could still...”
“NO!” I say forcefully, beginning to back up. “I get that your thing is being a gentleman, and that’s fine, but I don’t want you trying to use that act on me.”
“A gentleman.” He repeats, an odd emotion flashing across his eyes. “Is that the way you see me?”
Was it? Yes. It definitely was. From the moment we met, he had been nothing but gentle and demure. How else could I possibly see him? Even just now, when I was showing weakness, he was kind to me. He was a fucking criminal.
“You couldn’t be more wrong.” He says now, getting up and making his way toward me. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to judge a book by its cover?”
“W-what?” I gasp as he begins to back me toward a wall. “What are you trying to do?”
I don’t finish my words before his hand is shooting past me and I’m being pinned in place.
Eyes widening, I take in his face, which no longer holds that gentle expression I was coming to know. In its place is something dark, something that causes a chill to race down my spine.
“You were fine with teasing me.” He says now. “Even using me to get away from Rosco, when I actually get to see who the real you is, you attempt to put up a wall. Do you really think that you’re the only one with a past?”
“I…” I try, but stop as his eyes flash with warning.
“I don’t know what you’re trying to play at, but I’m not one to trifle with, and I would suggest you think before you decide to pique someone’s interest.”
“What?” I gasp, ducking beneath his arm and grabbing the door handle. “Is that all it takes to get you interested?”
As I go to pull open the door, William slams it shut and presses his torso against my back. Where he touches, it comes alive with a delicious warmth that I haven’t felt in so long.
“Do you have split personalities?” I demand, beginning to get angry. “Stop using your damn body to try to intimidate me!”
“Is it intimidating you?” He chuckles too damn close to my ear. “Or is it doing something else?”
Mayday. Mayday. I needed to get the hell away from this man and fast.
Deciding that using violence was my only option, I swing my arm, but he’s quicker than me and grabs it. Snake it around his neck; he holds it in place while he rests his chin on the crook of my neck.
“Listen,” he begins as I debate kicking him in the balls. “I need your help.”
Help. What the hell was this? What kind of help could I possibly give?
“And if I don’t want to help you?” I ask, not buying what he was selling. “If you need the help of a woman, wouldn’t any woman do?”
Growing quiet, I wait as a bark of laughter escapes William. The sound sends a tingle through me and makes my heart kick up in rhythm.
Stop it, stupid heart. I hiss inwardly. You’re not supposed to feel! And so soon after everything you went through.
“I need the help of a professional.” He finally responds.
Gasping, I find myself being spun around, so I’m left to stare into William’s eyes while he takes me in.
“I’m sure you spent a lot of your time gathering information without being caught, correct?”
“Maybe,” I respond, putting on my poker face.
Instead of responding, William gives me a look that screams that he isn’t being fooled by what I’ve said.
“Fine, I have.” I huff. “But I swore to put my criminal ways behind me.”
“Think of this as doing something good.” William counters. “There’s something I need to find out, and I can’t trust many to help me.”
“But you can trust me?” I challenge. “Aren’t I the last person you could depend on?”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “If anything, you are exactly the person I can count on.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but I stop as I continue to take William in. What exactly was he up to, and why was I actually becoming interested?
“Who are you trying to get the goods on?” I ask, lowering my voice. “And know that my help doesn’t come without a price.”
“I figured as much.” He chuckles. “I can’t discuss it here. Meet me on the grounds later this evening.”
"And if I don't?" I say, unable to stop myself. "Did you try to get me to let my guard down this whole time so you could recruit me?"
"Maybe," he shrugs, giving a wink. "See you later, little criminal. Don't be late for our date!"