Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 721

After making sure everything was settled, Silas shot Barnaby a series of meaningful glances—like he was spelling out a whole instruction manual with his eyes—then headed off to the study to grab something before leaving.

That left just Barnaby and Susanna.

Susanna quietly picked at her scrambled eggs, totally ignoring him.

Barnaby sat across from her, watching her with the intensity of a hawk. He didn’t even blink.

Susanna finally snapped. “Do you have to stare at me like that?”

Barnaby didn’t hesitate. “Yep.”

Susanna rolled her eyes. This guy was impossible.

Barnaby added, “After what happened last night, the boss said I’m supposed to keep an eye on you at all times.”

Susanna raised an eyebrow. “At all times? Like, what does that even mean?”

She still wasn’t over her cold. All she wanted after breakfast was a little nap.

Barnaby replied, “Means I gotta be with you everywhere. No exceptions.”

Susanna stared at him. “Everywhere? Seriously?”

Barnaby nodded solemnly.

Susanna tried to process that. “Even when I’m sleeping?”

Barnaby, deadpan: “Yup. Gotta keep watch.”

Susanna just gaped at him. How was she supposed to get any rest with this guy looming over her? And what if she needed the bathroom? Was he going to follow her in there too?

She didn’t dare ask—knowing Barnaby, he’d probably try.

Honestly, Barnaby was sharp in some ways, but hopelessly literal in others. She wondered what exactly Hull had told him. For all she knew, Barnaby would insist on standing guard outside the bathroom door.

Good grief.

Susanna’s mind spun. If things were really that dangerous, couldn’t Hull at least have sent a female bodyguard? But given her and Hull’s relationship, she figured she shouldn’t push her luck.

She just wanted a bit of space. Was that so much to ask?

Barnaby shook his head. “No can do.”

Susanna nearly groaned aloud. Sleeping on the couch was already her biggest compromise, but Barnaby was taking his job way too seriously.

She turned away, curling up so her back was to him, facing the couch cushions. But even like that, she could feel his gaze boring into her.

It was like having a porcupine at her back.

They sat like that for half an hour, neither saying a word.

Eventually, Susanna couldn’t take it anymore. She looked over her shoulder and saw Barnaby still staring, unblinking.

“Look, you really don’t have to do this,” she said, exasperated. “I can’t sleep with you watching me like a security camera.”

But Barnaby just shrugged. “I only do what my boss tells me.”

Susanna gave up. Unless Hull said otherwise, Barnaby was sticking to her like superglue.