The Grim Reaper’s Mate

The Olive Branch

Christine

I felt truly grateful to David both for not taking advantage of me and for sparing my life. I can't reconcile the two sides of this man. He just killed my father, yet he's holding me protectively. Is he really a merciless killer? I can't help but think he's just gotten in with the wrong crowd. He doesn't seem innately bad. He held me away from his body and looked down in my eyes.

“You’re with me now,” his voice softened along with his eyes. “I’ll protect you. You don’t have to die today. We can just pretend you died today. I’ll take care of you. You can start a new life as a new person with me. If you want to.”

“Is that some sort of proposal? Do I really have a choice?” I couldn’t help but ask him. Is there no end to his benevolence toward me? He looked a bit startled, but his eyes were still gentle.

“No. Of course not. You won’t be tied to me. This isn't a commitment. You have a choice. If you want to find a job and work, you can, but you'll be safer with me. I will protect you. If you want to stay in my home, you can. I have an extra room in my house that you can have. You can become someone else if you want to and live a life how you want to. In fact, it would be best if you leave your real name behind and go by a new name anyway. You're supposed to die tonight. I was hired to kill the Rivers family here, not to leave with a pretty woman who also happens to be the Rivers heiress.”

What? This is too good to be true. All those leering men at my father’s socials came to mind. I’ll be free of them? Free of the loneliness? Free of the expectations? Free to live my life how I want to live it? One thing I’ve learned is that things that sound too good to be true are too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?” I needed to know the answer to this before I agreed to live with David.

“Look, I’m sure you think I’m now going to be wanting 'favors' from you, but I won't put that burden on you. I might be an assassin, but I'm not a monster. I kill the true monsters for a living. Believe it or not, I'm a gentleman. You’ve suffered long enough. I know your dad’s line of work wasn’t your choice. You didn’t personally do anything illegal or nefarious. I can't really hold you accountable for crimes you didn't commit just because you're blood related to the person who did. Besides, I don't hurt innocent women,” he paused and looked down at me. I don't think I'll mind the 'favors' if he asked that of me. I felt an immediate bond with him, but I didn’t want to be his prisoner. His offer of no-strings-attached freedom actually sounds genuine. I’ve been involved in my father’s work long enough to detect liars. David wasn’t one of them. For some reason, I feel like my assassin is a good person.

“I’d like to bring some of my things along...” I began.

“I’ll help you. Tell me what you need.” David answered. I blushed as he moved away from me. The sudden coolness reminded me that I'm still unclothed in front of him, and now it's starting to hit me that I should be embarrassed.

David moved away from me and began looking around the tent. The back of his neck and tips of his ears were red. I guess embarrassment was starting to hit him, too.

“Is this your first time seeing a naked woman?” I asked boldly. Sheesh. What was wrong with me? I’m usually pretty shy about this stuff, but something about this guy, or maybe it was courting death and the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, lowered my inhibitions. Whatever it was, it went directly against how I usually feel about these things. All the men I've met before were repulsive to me. I even started to wonder for awhile if men weren't my thing. Of course, I'd never voice that out loud, but I honestly didn't feel attracted to anyone. Until now, that is, and I kind of want to know if he finds me attractive compared to other women.

“Um. Yeah. Actually,” he answered slowly. Like he was embarrassed to admit he had no experience. "I've, uh, I've never even had a woman interested in me, much less kiss one under these, uh, circumstances."

"Do you think I'm attractive?" I asked shyly. His skin turned even darker red in the dim light.

"Uh, yeah. You're a beautiful woman, Christine. Beautiful and sexy."

I gulped and looked down at the floor.

"I, um, I'm going to step out and give you s minute to, Uh, collect yourself. I'll be right outside if you need anything."

"Right. Yes. Thank you. I can manage from here," I said, suddenly feeling anxious for him to leave me alone. There’s my lost inhibitions resurfacing. My face heated up, and I turned away from him to rummage for my clothes while he awkwardly saw himself out.

It’s got to be the near-death experience, I told myself.