6

‘Nobody’ implied more than one attacker, perhaps more than one incident. When had it happened? After her father’s death, while she was on the run? She was too tightly wound now to question further, but there would be another time.

It grated that any woman would be attacked, but bit even deeper with this one. She was under his protection now, whether she cared for it or not, and he took that responsibility seriously. She couldn’t stay on the edge she was walking, one wrong step, and the knife’s edge would cut her in two.

Fortunately, he was a man of many talents. Taking care of women ranked among his best.

They were finishing their meal as the doorbell rang. Excusing