The Protector by Carla Capshaw Page B

his grasp. With a fleeting glance out the window, she saw Quintus was gone. Her heart heavy with disappointment, she knew it wasn’t Caros she didn’t trust.
    I don’t trust myself.
    She made her way to the couch across the room. Aware that she was being a coward, she found it infinitely safer for her peace of mind to indulge her fascination for Quintus from a distance.
    “I’d prefer someone else.”
    “You’re just being stubborn.” He ran his scarred fingers through his hair. “You won’t leave here without Quintus in command of your guards.”
    “You can’t make my decisions for me.”
    “No, but I can lock you in a room upstairs until I discover your attackers and have them arrested.”
    “You wouldn’t dare!” Furious he threatened her freedom, the one thing she valued most, she began to pace as though looking for a way of escape. “I’d never speak to you again.”
    “I’ll take my chances.”
    She came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the office and glared at him. “Fine. Have the slave packed and ready to leave within the hour.”
    Caros’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, but she managed not to flinch. He knew her too well. It wasn’t like her to capitulate with ease. But why waste time arguing with the stubborn ox when she could simply agree, then order Quintus back to the ludus once they’d safely left the city? She had the other members of her guard to protect her if the need arose, while Quintus’s absence assuredhe wouldn’t come to harm because of his association with her.
    “It wouldn’t be wise of you to leave until late in the afternoon.”
    “You know I must reach Neopolis as soon as possible. If there’s a chance to see Octavia before the end, I’d like to.”
    “I understand.” He spoke gently as though she were one of his skittish Spanish mares. “But think, you may not reach her at all if you don’t proceed with caution. Preparations must be made and new guards chosen if you’re to be kept safe. Leaving later will provide the time we need to find the right men and ensure enough light for you to make the first tavern outside the city before nightfall.”
    “Fine,” she snapped, rife with frustration, but unable to argue with the truth. “We’ll wait. However, I will leave for Neopolis today, and gods protect you if you try to stop me.”
     
    When the sun began to wane and the afternoon turned cooler, Quintus made his way to the courtyard behind the main house. Most of the day had been spent in unbroken activity. After praying for wisdom, he and Caros had weighed various plans of escape and worked out the quickest, safest route to Neopolis. Quintus had overseen every detail of the trip’s preparations himself. His own life meant little to him, but the thought of Adiona coming to harm chilled him to the marrow.
    The pair of geldings he’d chosen for the road portion of the journey to the port town of Ostia waited to be hitched to the raeda, a small covered coach in the center of the courtyard.
    Alexius hailed Quintus from where he sat on a benchunder an olive tree. The Greek joined him by the horses. He broke his half-eaten apple in two and fed a piece to each animal. “These scruffy beasts have certainly seen better days, no? With Caros’s stable flung wide for you, why not choose horses with more…appeal?”
    Eager to get the journey under way, Quintus cast a glance around the walled space until he located the assembly of formidable guards he’d selected based on their swordsmanship, speed and, most importantly, intelligence.
    “These mounts are perfect for my purpose,” he said, turning back to Alexius. “I picked them for strength, not beauty. If Lady Leonia’s assassins are watching the compound, they’ll expect her to leave in luxury, not cramped in the back of a shabby covered wagon.”
    “Good thinking, but I’m surprised Adiona agreed.”
    “I didn’t ask her.”
    “I see.” Amused disbelief crossed the Greek’s dark features. “Do you