She rolls her eyes so hard I can’t even see her pupils. “If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that line. Does it work on all the women?”
“I have no idea. I’ve never offered to bring a woman home before. Do I need to worry you’ll steal the silver and take off in the night?”
Her breath hitches. “I’m no thief.”
“And I’m not lying to you just to get you into my apartment,” I challenge. “Plus, I don’t have any silver, in case you’re wondering.”
Suddenly, she snorts and damn near giggles.
I want to hear that sound. I’m determined. I turn in the seat to fully face her. “The agency I work for is called Black Blade Protection. The owner is Blade, the man who untied you. The other two guys who took down that fucking piece of trash are Tank and Ghost. Our team consists of many more men. Blade owns a sixteen-story building in Seattle. Our business is on the fifteenth floor. He lives on the sixteenth floor with June. I live on the fourteenth floor. So do three other men who work for the agency. We’re a reputable business, highly sought after for all kinds of jobs that range from protecting people to rescuing them. Some of the wealthiest people in Seattle have used our services at one point or another. Some of the poorest people have, too.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket and open it to our website before holding it out for her to see. “I could provide you with fifty character references in a heartbeat if it would make you feel safer, but I’m telling you I’ve never in my life so much as raised my voice at a woman for any reason. You will be safe in my care and under my protection for as long as you need.”
I’m not entirely sure why I’m making such a blanket proposal to this woman. I don’t know enough about her to do so. But something about her calls to me. I feel drawn to her, and I want to help. I’ve said all I can say. It’s up to her now.
She releases her knees and lowers her feet to the floor before looking toward the food next to her. She picks up the apple. “Can I really have this?”
“You may have every morsel of food I have in this car. There are other snacks in my backpack if you want to go through it. I’ll admit most of them are protein-based and meant to provide energy above taste. But I’ll be happy to pick you up something else to eat as soon as we leave here.”
She picks up the apple and holds it in her hand, staring at it for long seconds before whispering, “No strings? I can just…eat it?”
“No strings, angel.” I fist my hands on my thighs. I hate what’s happened to her even before I know her story. I want to punch several people in the face. I’m kind of hoping she’ll give me a list so I can rid the planet of their ilk.
She turns to look at me, seeming to study my face. Her hand is shaking as she lifts the apple. She brings it to her lips and then stops. “I’m not going to sleep with you.”
“I’m not asking you to, angel,” I say as calmly as possible. I’ve never met a more damaged human.
Chapter Four
Eloise
* * *
A knock on the window makes me jump so hard that the apple flies out of my hand and lands on the floor. Panic fills me as I turn toward the window. It takes me a moment to register that two of the other men who work with Cannon are standing next to the SUV.
Cannon opens the door. “We good?”
The larger one answers, “Yes. Blade is with June. He’ll drive her back in the Camaro. Ghost and I will take Blade’s SUV. Are you good?”
“Yes.” Cannon leans back. “Angel, this is Tank and Ghost, two of the men I was telling you about.”
The shorter man—only in comparison—smiles. I’m pretty sure he’s Ghost. “Angel’s a pretty name.”
Cannon chuckles. “Angel’s not her name. Or maybe it is. I’m not sure yet.”
Ghost grins. “Well, it works for the time being. Do you need to take her to the police or the hospital?”
I shake my head. “No,” I insist emphatically. I get the distinct impression it would be messy for these men to take me to the authorities, and I secretly hope I’m right. I hope they cut that fucking asshole into ten pieces and left his torso bleeding in the middle of the living room. I’m not going to ask questions, though, because I don’t think they would tell me the truth, and I’m not in the mood for people to lie to me even if it’s to save me from the graphic details. Frankly, I’d rather hear the gory facts as long as they confirm Pete-the-kidnapper is dead.
Hell, if these guys are as good at their jobs as Cannon says they are, and they’re in the business of making people dead without raising suspicion, I could give them a list of people who also deserve to be unalived. I’d sleep better at night.
I glance at Cannon. He’s given me no reason to mistrust him, and speaking of sleeping at night, he’s offering me a bed. I could really use a good night’s sleep someplace where I don’t have to keep one eye open. When was the last time I had that luxury?
Oh, right. Never.
Cannon looks toward his teammates again. “We’re hashing out her options. I’ll text you when I know more.”
Tank pats the top of the SUV. “Sounds good. Shout if you need anything. We’re headed back.”
