Chapter 64: Taran

"No, Mrs. Fuentes."
I narrow my eyes at the man in front of me, Grayson, my bodyguard turned jailor. He's blocking the door I'm trying to exit through. "Why?" I demand, hands on hips, trying to bury my annoyance. I knew leaving the apartment wasn't going to fly, but I'm over being cooped up. "Am I a prisoner?"
He clears his throat and shifts, looking distinctly uncomfortable, which is a funny look on a guy his size and scariness. He actually reaches for his gun and rests his hand on top of it. Probably a habit when he feels threatened. I swallow a grin at the possibility that I'm making this huge military man deeply uncomfortable. It's only going to get worse.
"Did my husband tell you to block me from leaving our apartment?" I demand stepping closer into his space.
"Commander Fuentes gave orders that you can't leave without permission and an escort. I don't have any excursions outside the apartment cleared with him."
"Then," I say with an edge to my voice, "Get. His. Permission."
He shuffles back a step, probably so I won't accidentally touch him and risk loss of limb due to the angry and possessive Warlord. "The Commander doesn't like to be interrupted at work unless it's an emergency."
"Consider this an emergency then."
"What exactly is the emergency, Mrs. Fuentes?"
"I'm about to set this apartment on fire," I snap. "Does that work for an emergency?"
The edge of his lip twitches and I wonder if he's amused or annoyed. The stiffness in his shoulders seems to ease slightly, so I'd guess amused. "I'd have to stop you from setting a fire ma'am."
Damn it, this one is sharp. Next time I won't announce my arsonist intentions before I set the fire. I turn away from him and pace around the table, thinking. Then I stop in front of him again. "Grayson?"
"Mrs. Fuentes."
"I assume you have a way of contacting my husband in case of emergency?" There's no way Diogo would leave me alone if he didn't have a way to check in.
Grayson drops a hand to the radio on his belt. "I can call the Commander with this."
"Excellent." I give him a bright smile that immediately brings the stiffness back to his body. He gives me a suspicious look. For some reason he doesn't enjoy verbally sparring with me. "Did my husband say I need permission to use the radio?"
His Adam's apple bobs and his eyes widen as he realizes what I want. His brain is whirring for a way out, but there's none. Diogo wouldn't think to forbid me from using the radio to contact him. Still smiling I hold my hand out to Grayson.
Still desperately trying to think of a loophole where he can deny my request he slowly hands it over. "What do I need to do?" Without actually touching me he shows me what button to press when I'm ready to speak.
I hold it up to my mouth. "Commander Fuentes?"
Nothing happens for a minute and I begin to wonder if my message got through when his voice comes on, loud, clear and deeply concerned. "Taran? Where's Lieutenant Truss? Are you hurt?"
I wink at Grayson who's beginning to look a little green. "I'm not hurt, thank you for your concern. And your lieutenant is standing right here next to me."
A long pause, and then, "Why are you using his radio, Taran?" Impatience replaces the concern in his voice.
"Grayson very clearly told me that I need permission to leave our apartment. I'm attempting to get your permission."
"This is an emergency line, we'll talk about this later."
Apparently Diogo wants me to set a fire too. "If you don't grant permission immediately, there won't be a later to talk about. I will create an emergency that you'll have to respond to."
"Mrs. Fuentes, this isn't a private channel," Grayson whispers urgently. "You shouldn't be threatening the Commander."
Then Diogo's chuckle comes through on the radio and I grin my relief. "You will pay for that comment later, wife, and for torturing my man with your antics. Where do you want to go? I can meet you."
I sigh impatiently over his protectiveness. "I want to go see Doctor Bishop."
I really should've worded my request better. As soon as the Doctor's name leaves my mouth, Grayson seizes the radio while Diogo bursts through with. "What's happened, you said you were fine!"
"Are you hurt?" Grayson demands. I roll my eyes and wave a hand down my body showing him that I'm clearly not hurt. He sighs his relief and speaks into the radio, "She's in perfect condition, Commander."
"I'll be home in five minutes. Do not leave the apartment," Diogo's voice is harsh and rushed. I'm certain that he's already heading out the door.
I grab Grayson's hand and drag the radio back down to my face. I push Grayson's finger which pushes the button. "I'm bored, Diogo. I consider the doctor a friend and would like to go and visit him. There's absolutely nothing wrong with me except that I'm bored out of my mind. Stop overreacting."
"I would be happy to have a visit from the lovely Mrs. Fuentes." Doctor Bishop's amused voice breaks into our conversation. I smile in delight and glance up at Grayson. He pushes the button for me.
"There, you see. Now you can grant me permission to leave and I'll head over for a visit."
"He can come visit you in the apartment," Diogo interrupts.
"No, Diogo," I say as patiently as I can. "I promise you, if I'm forced to spend another minute in this apartment you won't have a home to come home to. I want to go see the Doctor, wherever he is. Doctor Bishop?"
"At my office, dear."
"In his office, Diogo."
"I can hear just fine, Taran," he growls. "And so can all of my men, this is a public channel."
I grin at Grayson. "So I've been told."
A long pause, and then, "Very well. You have two hours. If you aren't home by the time I get there, you will not enjoy the consequences."
"Wonder where I've heard that before?" I release Grayson's radio and give the poor man some space.
The call is ended and I wait impatiently for Grayson to get us prepared to leave. He buckles a small arsenal onto his belt before waving me out the door. He insists on taking the lead, treating each corner as though a Primitive is going to jump out and attack us. A week ago his hypervigilance would've amused me. Now, I can only feel grateful.
I get a nasty jolt as we approach the car and Grayson holds the door open for me. "This was Garrett's car."
His eyes flash bleak fire for a moment and then he nods. "Yes, it belonged to him. Now it's been assigned to me. I was his roommate and closest friend so most of his property fell to me."
This makes sense. Garrett hadn't any family in the city and I've often thought that most of the military is the same, Outsiders ready for Sanctuary and orphans with size and brutal tendencies on their side. I slide into the passenger seat and he closes the door behind me.
As he drops into the passenger seat I say, "I'm sorry for what happened to Garrett. I considered him a friend."
Grayson sets his hands on the wheel, the dark skin of his knuckles shining white as he grips it. "He spoke highly of you too, Mrs. Fuentes. Said you had honesty and integrity. That you were good for our Warlord." He turns his head toward me, the accusation he's managed to hide over the last few days now shining bright again. "That's why I can't figure out what happened. If you really were his friend, as good a person as he thought, then why would you lead him to his death?"