completely safe. I, um, I donât know if you cook or not, but I had them stock the kitchen for you, just in case. Thereâs a grocery across the street and I worked it out with the manager to deliver anything you need or want. All you have to do is call them with your order and theyâll bring it over. Or if you pick it out, theyâll deliver it and charge my account. Thereâs also a deli and full restaurant on the first floor of the building, and a small convenience store thatâs open twenty-four hours, even on holidays. Just charge the condo and itâll go to my monthly bill.â
She gaped at his thoughtfulness that belied the ruthlessness she knew him capable of. Surely a beast wouldnât go to this amount of trouble for a paid companion. Would he?
For that matter, her own father and brothers wouldnât go to this length for any of the females in their lives. Especially her . They barely acknowledged she was a member of their family, and then, only when required by law.
âLikewise, I donât know if you drive or not, but thereâs a transport for you in the parking garage. The number for it corresponds with the condo address. Itâs yours, too. If you canât drive or donât want to, I have the number for a chauffeur service and theyâll be more than happy to provide a driver for you. Also a protective detail should you have to study late at school. They just need a twenty-minute heads up to get someone to you. Iâd prefer you use their service than take any chances with your safety.â
Stunned, she couldnât think as the door opened into a bright, elegant hallway.
No, not hallway.
Foyer.
Holy crap ⦠was this really her new home? Eyes wide, she stared in awe of the palatial estate.
Talyn led her into the condo that was finer than anything sheâd ever seen in her entire life. Seriously. It even made her fatherâs expensive home look like a dump.
And it was huge! Open and airy, it had a breathtaking view of the city. The furniture was elegant and high end. Leather sofa, fully vided wall. Rich, hand-carved tables and expensive vases and flowers. Marbled floor, mahogany paneling, and a gilded tray ceiling.
She half expected some snotty female to come out and yell at her to wipe her feet.
Or leave before she tainted it.
Talyn smiled as he saw her gaze dancing around in appreciation. The sheer joy on her face was worth every precious credit the place had cost him. The last thing heâd wanted was for her to regret choosing him as her patron when she could have chosen anyoneâeven an aristo.
He set the box down on the dining room table and placed her rucksack beside it. âThis is your home, Felicia. You can have friends over whenever you like. I only ask that you keep our time for us. Iâm not real big on company. Ever. No one should bother you, looking for me. If the media does track me down here, tell them to contact my manager, and if they donât go away, report them to Aaron and heâll take care of them.â
She frowned at him. âThe media?â
He felt heat creep over his face. âYeah. They want interviews sometimes. Ferrick handles all of that.â
Before she could ask him for more details, he picked up the intercom and contacted the manager to come up and add her to the system.
His bracelet buzzed.
She frowned at the pulsing noise. âWhatâs that?â
He held his arm up to show her the black band on his left wrist. âMy military tracker. Itâs letting me know that my lunch time is almost up, and I have to leave in order to get back to my post for check-in. Otherwise, Iâm AWOL, and thatâs highly unpleasant.â
âOh.â The sudden sadness in her eyes touched him a lot more than it should have.
He picked up the link from the counter and handed it to her. âMy personal number is already programmed in, under three. If you need anything, day or night,