There’s a beat and I’m sure we’re both thinking about when I first arrived at Velvet House and discovered my mild-mannered math tutor was actually a criminal bad boy. I still kind of can’t believe it, but so many things have happened, I guess Bobby seems more normal. Except for the fact he killed Kurt, my bodyguard. I thought doing that made him evil, but seeing what Mr. Parker is capable of, I don’t know what to think.
“What’s on your mind?” Bobby asks, as we drive down the gravel path to the front gate.
“My old bodyguards… were they bad men?”
He gives me a sidelong glance. “You’re already having a hard day. Maybe now isn’t the right time, JJ.”
The nickname makes me smile. Bobby always calls me ‘JJ’—like Margot and my brothers. But then there’s always been something homey about him. It’s probably why Zia likes him best. “I guess I just want to know if there was a reason why you killed Kurt?”
The corners of Bobby’s mouth turns down. “I appreciate you trying to make excuses for me, but I’m done justifying my behavior. I think it’s more important you know I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Sorry for what?”
“For the way we met. For the things I’ve done since we met. For the things I did before we met. For the fact you’ll never look at me and see the guy who tutored you in math anymore. That I’m not the good guy you wanted me to be.”
“You are what I wanted you to be!” The words come out involuntarily, but they’re true. Back at Dreams, Bobby wrapped his arms around me and even though I’d made a mistake and got Adriano hurt, he still treated me like I was precious. He bought me dinner and Pop-Tarts and he just brought me juice. The other guys all look after me in their own way but Bobby takes proper care of me.
I touch a hand to my burning cheek and see Bobby’s blushing too. It’s so cute, my face gets even hotter. Then I remember Doc telling me he’s married. ‘Actually, I don’t know if he’s divorced. I don’t think the papers’ve come through.’
I lick my lips. “I kinda need to ask you something.”
He grins at me. “Go ahead.”
“Are you… married?”
The truck brakes hard. I grip the door handle as Bobby stares at me in horror. “What the fuck? No!”
“Oh,” I say, releasing the door. “That’s good. Are you, um, divorced?”
“No! I’ve never been married! Who told you I was?”
“Um…”
“Valente,” Bobby grinds out. “That fucking swine.”
For a moment he looks murderous, then he makes a conscious effort to calm his furious expression. “I’ve never been married, JJ. I’ve never even come close.”
“Okay,” I say carefully. “Although, I was almost married, so it’s fine. I know life is complicated.”
“It’s not.” Bobby takes my hand. “I like you. I want you to trust me. No matter what happens with Eli or any of the others, I want you to see yourself as mine.”
My insides give a squiggle. It’s not the first time he’s said it, but it’s lovely to know he still feels that way.
“Thank you, Bobby.” I say, before taking a big breath. “But, are you really okay sharing me with the others?”
He gives me a soft smile. “If it means I get to be with you, then I don’t see it as an issue.”
My stomach contracts. I want to make some kind of joke, but my brain has snagged on the idea that Bobby, sweet sensitive Bobby, also likes the idea of sharing me.
Like a wife to all of us,Eli said.
Bobby clears his throat. “While we’re getting things out in the open, JJ, I want to tell you the story of what happened with Parker.”
I blink. Since I was abducted, no one at Velvet House has ever willingly given me any information about Mr. Parker. In fact, everyone implied it was impossible, something I would never get to find out. “Won’t Eli and the others be mad?”
“Things have changed. You’re not our prisoner and the contract releasing you from Parker is being drawn up as we speak. If there’s any future for me and you, for you and any of us, I think you need to know the truth.”
“Will you tell meanythingI want to know?”
