My stomach drops.
“We have to get out of here.Now.And in a way that makes her think I’m never coming back.If Ms.Baker knew how important this place is to me… I can’t be the reason anyone here gets hurt.”I curse the fear in my voice, but the adrenaline thrumming through my veins makes controlling my tone impossible.
This gym means too much to me.
“I’ll get the footage from Matteo—this security system automatically backs up to a cloud system, so we don’t need to worry about the on-site tapes,” Brennan explains as he shrugs out of his coat.
His simple black t-shirt stretches over his muscular chest.My mouth waters.I blink and swallow as he settles the coat around my shoulders.His delicious cinnamon-and-clove scent wraps around me.
“I’ll make sure Audrey gets home safely.”
He pulls my hair out of its ponytail and fluffs it around my shoulders before tucking me against his side.
“Pretend to cry a little, baby doll.Not real tears, though.Neither of us can handle that,” he murmurs.
My heart gives a prolonged squeeze at the softness in his gaze.
All traces of gentleness leave his face when he lifts his attention to my favorite wizened old man.
“If you’ll follow us out, Mr.Carter, I’m sure that’ll be enough to deter them.”
With a grunt and nod, Mr.Carter agrees.
I wrap an arm around Brennan’s waist and curl toward him as he pushes the front door open and maneuvers us through.As he pivots us in the direction we intend to take, I catch the surprise on Mr.Carter’s face as he stares at my death grip on Brennan’s jacket.
With his imposing silhouette backlit by the open door, I send silent prayers of thanks to the man who introduced me to Brook and saved me from self-destructing during the lowest time in my life.
As Brennan leads me down the sidewalk, another of my defenses shatters.He may not understand why I cherish the old gym so much, but he took my words at face value and did everything in his power to ensure it was protected.
I’ll never be able to repay him.Even though part of me still hates him for deserting my mother and me thirteen years ago, I understand what happened afterward wasn’t his fault.He kept his word and had no part in his father’s life after he left.I believe he genuinely thought he was protecting me by leaving.
But the moment he sees my mother or learns the truth, he’ll have no choice but to leave me again.
With the reminder fresh in my thoughts, I refuse to enter my apartment building with him.I can’t let him into the tiny hovel I’ve sheltered in for years.It’s the only place in my life he hasn’t invaded.
“Let me stay with you tonight,” he urges.
I shake my head and straight-arm him away from me with a hand to his sternum.
“No.”
“Are you really so heartless you’ll leave me to fend for myself on the streets all night?”
I scoff and poke his chest.
“Says the man with a penthouse in the city’s most expensive district and a luxury car no doubt parked nearby.”
He pouts.Actually pouts with his bottom lip sticking out and big, puppy dog eyes behind his glasses.
“I can’t sleep without you in my arms, Audrey.Last night—”
“Will be the same as tonight.Thanks for helping me at the gym, but I’m pissed at you—and you know I have every right to be.You broke your promise and followed me.”
I shove my finger into his chest before stepping back and daring him to deny it.
His expression falls.I wait for him to come up with some new argument, but instead he rubs his nape and nods.
“You’re right, I broke your trust.I’m sorry.”
