“Bainer’s right—the commissioner has a hard-on for getting you locked up, but he’s doing everything he can to stop that.” Danny was reporting to Gideon for the second time today.
“Eventually, he will simply call you in, Gideon, and then you’ll be out in the open. Why not beat him to it?” I offered only to get glared at. “You promised, and this is all we’ve got right now. You’ve devastated his businesses, he’s hiding. Force him out and end this.”
“Boss, I agree with Penn on this. The longer he’s hidden, the more probable it is that he’ll rebuild.”
Gideon squeezed his eyes tightly, his jaw clenching. “It’s dangerous.”
“So is doing nothing,” I argued.
Gideon’s hands slammed against the couch on either side of him. I knew he wasn’t angry at me or Danny but upset that it’d come to this.
“Fine, we all go and?—”
“No,” I interjected.
“Penn, you’re not going to the police station on your own.”
I slid closer to Gideon, and took his clenched fist in my hand. “How do you think it’s going to look if you or any of the guys who work for you stroll into the station with me? The commissioner will see right through it if he’s there, or anyone loyal to Lorcan’s side will jump on that.”
“You can’t be unprotected for the same reason you don’t want me showing my face right now.”
It was a valid concern and perhaps if I compromised, he’d relax. “What if two of your guys drive me there and stay outside? They can’t go in with me, though. Then when I’m done, I’ll text them, and they’ll make sure I get out safely?”
He hated every part of this. I saw it in his eyes, felt it in the way he squeezed my hand. I glanced at Danny, who took the hint and left us alone.
“Gid?”
“I hate this, Penn. I feel out of control, and I don’t like it.”
Without a second thought, I swung my leg around and straddled him. When my butt hit his lap, he immediately pulled me infinitely closer.
“It will be fine.”
“You don’t know that.”
I turned my head and pressed my lips to the side of his neck. “Fair, I don’t know. But if this could make Lorcan Anders go away, it’s the right thing to do and you know it.” I lifted upenough to peer into his dark eyes. “Your kids would be able to come home, Gid.”
He sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “Can we wait until tomorrow morning?”
Personally, I thought waiting even another minute was foolish, but he was trying to find control, so I’d give this to him. “Sure.”
Morning came and I woke,wrapped in Gideon’s arms. The night before, he’d taken me into the shower and washed every inch of my skin, so sweetly. The reverent way he’d looked at me had brought tears to my eyes.
Gideon Hendrix was a dangerous man; there was no doubt about that. If you crossed him, he’d destroy not just you but the memory of your existence. And yet, he’d been on his knees for me. So breathtaking…so powerful.
When we’d gotten to bed, I’d thought we’d fuck but he’d covered my body with his, blanketing me, his head pressed to my chest, and that was how we’d fallen asleep.
We dressed in silence, ate in silence…it was fucking quiet. I moved to leave, but he stopped me.
“You go in, make your statement, and get the hell out of there.”
“I will, Gid.”
“Maybe I should have my lawyer meet you there.”
I chuckled. “Gideon Hendrix’s lawyer? That would invite trouble.”
His nostrils flared. “If you get into a situation, I’m sending my lawyer over. I don’t give a fuck what it looks like.”
