Captive

Chapter Eighteen

"We're going to Texas." The four words hung in the space between them for a long time and she stared at him. Bret had pretty much left her alone after trying to confront her about her past. He tried to be friendly when they were together and she'd noticed he was doing more, like tidying up after himself, bringing his own laundry down and he'd even taken her to the library one day when he couldn't source one of the books she needed and she'd said that there might be other works she could use instead. He'd stayed with her but being able to visit had meant a lot, more than she liked to admit. She couldn't fault him for trying to build bridges between them but she also couldn't bring herself to let her guard down. He didn't try to grill her about her past again and she hoped that he had conceded defeat on that score. Now he was telling her that they were going to Texas and she wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"Why?" she finally asked.

"Stampede are doing a collaboration with the company down there. I thought you'd like to see your brothers maybe. You've got plenty of meds, enough to last the time we're there for at any rate."

"But what about your dad?"

"My sisters won't be coming, they'll keep an eye on him, make sure he has regular visits."

"And the bar?"

"Same again. My sister will help out there. Jim can manage without you for a month."

"But where will I sleep?"

"I'll get us a twin room," he said,shrugging, not anywhere near as concerned about this as she was. She flushed a little, not liking the idea of sharing a room with him full stop. She knew Bret had no concerns about wandering around half undressed but she had and the idea of a month with no privacy was a little off putting. There were also the dreams to contend with and though he'd never complained that she kept him awake sleeping in such close quarters would mean she was bound to disturb his sleep.

"Couldn't we have separate rooms?" she asked and he gave her a calculating look.

"No, wouldn't want you disappearing on me out there would I?"

"Where would I go?"

"Your brothers? Look Juliet it isn't that I don't trust you; I know you've had plenty of opportunities to walk away from me here and you never have.  But I don't trust them ok?"

"And what will I tell them? What will I tell Kane and Mark when I turn up with you?"

"We'll tell them we're a couple," he said and she blanched. Bret laughed at her reaction though.

"I know we had a few issues when we were kids but I've seen them both since and we get on alright. They're not gonna whip your ass for being with me if that's what is worrying you."

"But I'm not with you," she pointed out and he sighed, the smile dying on his lips that she seemed to find the idea of them being a couple so repugnant.

"Fine. We'll tell them you're working for me if it makes you happier. Tell them you're my PA or something. That's not so far from the truth is it?" She looked more comfortable with this and she even managed to give him a brief smile the first he had seen from her in weeks.

"It will be good to see them both," she conceded and he smiled.

"I hoped you'd be happy." He sounded so sincere that for a moment she almost smiled back at him but the moment passed and her expression became neutral again as she looked away from him. Doubts suddenly rose to the surface and she spoke quietly, avoiding his gaze.

"What if they've spoken to Dad? What if he's told them about us?"

"What does your dad know?" Bret asked, a little curiously as she'd never told him how she explained what was happening to her old man.