Yeah, staying with my boss and his adorable little girl was thelogicalchoice, but logic had nothing to do with my heart skipping a beat and my body overheating whenever he got too close.
“I’ll go with you,” he said suddenly, his voice low and firm.
I frowned, my shoulders slumped because I knew this was an argument I wouldn’t win. “I am perfectly capable of handling a few bags on my own. It won’t take more than an hour.”
He crossed his massive arms, the muscles in his forearms flexed, making it impossible to concentrate on whatever he said next. “Someone broke into your place and left photos of my daughter. You must be crazy if you think I’m letting you out of my sight.”
I opened my mouth, ready to argue about being strong and capable and independent, but Sledge wasn’t finished.
“Fuck,” he growled. “You are not safe, can’t you see that? They might have been watching my daughter, but they targeted you.” His voice grew softer as the sentence dragged on.
His words stopped me cold. I didn’t grow up in the best neighborhood, so I was used to a certain level of danger, but the fact that this man who seemed to be on a first name basis with danger was worried about me, shook me to my core. His tone was soft and worried, barely controlled like he was working hard to stay calm, like I mattered to him and that made me feel something else.
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I’ll have one of the club girls keep an eye on Zoya while we get you moved in.” He said it like his words were final, like it was just a fact.
“Until this is all over,” I added softly, although the words were more for me than for him.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “Sure. We’ll go after dinner.” His gaze held mine before he turned away, walking off while muttering something about checking on Zoya.
I let out a slow breath and watched Sledge walk away. His broad shoulders and thick arms gave way to a narrow waist and hips before clearing the way for long, strong legs. Staring down at the counter, I got lost in thought. I didn’twantto stay here. Not really. Despite the tension between me and Sledge, it was that simmering awareness that made me want to run in the other direction. But the thought of my dark, trashed apartment waiting for me with the spray-painted walls, and photos of a scared little girl, made my stomach churn.
Yeah, I didn’t want to stay there either. The idea of going back there at all, made me sick to my stomach.
A few minutes later, I heard the sound of small feet pounding down the hallway and then Zoya burst into the kitchen, wearing a bright smile that lit up her face. She wrapped her arms around my waist, squeezing tight.
“Good morning, sweet girl.” I closed my eyes and hugged her close, inhaling that sweet little girl scent. “Did you sleep well? Have lots of good dreams?” She seemed more relaxed when I talked to her normally, so I kept doing it.
“Did your daddy tell you I was going to come stay with you for a few days?” I asked.
Zoya nodded and slid into her seat at the table with Hoppy tucked under one arm. She wore an expectant expression, which I knew meant she was ready for breakfast.
Sledge appeared in the kitchen seconds later, his presence filled the remaining space in the room, momentarily distracting me from all thoughts of breakfast. “What’s for breakfast?” he finally asked.
“Breakfast sandwiches,” I answered. “The question is what goes better with eggs and cheese—bacon or sausage?”
His lips twitched as if he knew what I was doing, and then he joined Zoya at the table. “What do you think, bacon or sausage?” He leaned in close, talking to his daughter as if they were conferring on this very serious subject matter. He spoke in small, steady words that kept her engaged instead of fading into the background. “Are we sure?” he asked, his face transformed to an affectionate smile.
Zoya’s smile was just as big as she nodded.
“Okay. Zoya thinks bacon is the only option. It’s crispy and greasy and goes perfect with cheese and egg.” He winked and Zoya let out a soft—and too quick—giggle. His eyes flashed wide and that was the only indication he gave that the sound mattered to him.
“Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. Coming right up.” I turned away, smiling and overheated. He was trying. Every damn day he was trying and that was even sexier than his forearms and hazel eyes.
I set three plates on the table and took a seat across from father and daughter. I watched as Zoya picked up her sandwich carefully, examining all sides before she took a tiny bite. Some of the tension left her shoulders as she chewed and I took that as a good sign.
“Good?” I asked softly.
She nodded and took another bite, bigger this time.
Sledge gave me a look that almost looked like approval. He tore through his sandwich and the extra I made quickly and stood, kissing Zoya on the head before his gaze found mine. “I gotta get to the clubhouse, see you girls later.”
He took me to one side and said quietly, “I’m gonna get a couple of prospects to keep an eye on the place. Don’t take Zoya anywhere today, okay?”
“Okay. Be careful out there,” I said easily, as if I wasn’t worried about whatever or whoever had destroyed my home. My safe space.
After he left, Zoya and I finished our sandwiches in a comfortable silence, and I let her help rinse the breakfast dishes and put them into the dishwasher. She hadn’t used her words, but she grabbed the stool and set it beside me, insisting on helping.
“What did you do last night?” I asked as I thought about what we’d do today. Sledge was right, until we had an idea who was watching Zoya it wasn’t safe for us to be out and about. Itried to keep my tone as upbeat and breezy as I could. This little girl had already been through a lot in her short life, she didn’t need any more worry.
