“Oh yeah,” he rumbles. “I’m still here after hearing that little exchange.”
I tense at his tone. “And…?”
“And, I’m gonna send in another man to take over.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Ben, that was…I don’t know what the hell that was, but I’ve never heard you like that. I don’t like it.”
“It’s fine. I’m good.”
He grunts. “So good you got distracted flirting with—”
“I wasn’t fucking flirting. Jesus, Drew.”
“Okay. Let me rephrase.” There’s a long pause. “You were so distracteddiscussingdinner plans that you forgot I was even on the phone.”
“I didn’t forget.”
“Bullshit.”
He’s right.
I know it, and he knows it.
And that is not a good thing. It’s a very,verybad thing.
It’s my job to protect her, not be her friend or her roommate. But lately, she’s been happier, more talkative, and I don’t want to be a dick when she’s finally content, so I’ve been getting complacent.
Shit.I’ve been getting complacent.
If something happens to her, if someone harms her, especially because I’mdistracted, I’ll spend the rest of my life seeking vengeance—I’ll become my father.
“Dammit, Ben. I knew this would get personal for you.”
I grab a pot from the kitchen cabinet, glance at the feeds, then go to the sink. “Of course it got personal. I’ve been alone with the girl since July.”
“She’s seventeen.”
“She is…” Although I don’t need the reminder.
A heavy silence stretches between us before Drew finally says, “Do I need to repeat myself?”
I close my eyes and suck in a big-ass gulp of air so I don’t punch a hole through the wall or say something I can’t take back. His implication is something I absolutely refuse to let myself even think about. “This conversation is over.” And it’s insulting as hell.
“Don’t make me regret keeping you on her, Ben. The last thing she needs is—”
“You don’t know the first thing about what she needs. Ya know who does?” I poke myself in the chest. “Me. And you know why I do? Because I’ve spent every day, every fucking hour for the past four months learning everything about her. I know what her favorite movie is, and I know when she’s on her fucking period. I’ve heard her cry herself to sleep more times than I cancount, and I’ve seen her tremble when a fucking deer makes noise outside.”
“All right.”
I roll my shoulder and lower my voice. “I’ve seen her smile, Drew, butnot oncehave I heard herlaugh.”
“I get it.”
“No, I’m not sure you do,” I grind out. “She trusts me. She’s my client, my responsibility. I’m all she has until this shit is over, and no one’s taking me away from her. She’smine.”
Thennothing.
