Page 54 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

I keep the door cracked and peer out at him.His face is shadowed with sorrow.“I’m extremely resourceful, Boots.No matter what kind of trouble it is, I can help.”

I shake my head.“You can’t.Not with this.There isn’t anyone who can help me with this.”

He tips his head and scowls.“I’m not just anyone.”

I find myself smiling, despite everything.He’s right.Special K MacLaine is not just anyone.He’s like no one I’ve ever met.In fact, I wasn’t sure men like him existed.But it doesn’t matter.The timing is all wrong.

I open the crack a bit wider, my hand gripping the edge of the door.“Please walk away.”

“I won’t do that.”

“Special K, I just heard all about what a lovely family you have.Please, I’m begging you.Go back to them and forget you ever met me.It’s the smart thing to do.”

“Boots—”

“Goodnight.”

I close the door behind me, spin around, and collapse against the rough boards, gasping for air.I cock my ear to listen.I hear the clunk of a log on the campfire and the sound of Special K unloading the rest of the storage containers from the trailer and placing them against the front of the cabin.

Which means he either doesn’t believe that I’m leaving, or he’s simply preparing for any contingency.He strikes me as the contingency sort of dude, so that’s what I settle on.

He’s one hell of a stubborn man.He refuses to walk away, but he has no idea what that means.No idea how radioactive I am.If he did, he’d run until he was safely out of the blast area.It’s selfish of me not to force him to put as much distance as possible between us.

Force him?Has anyone ever forced that man to do anything?

Pussy jumps from my grasp and starts pawing at the door to get back outside.

“Mrraaaooow!”

“I know,” I whisper.“I want him, too.”

“Meeeeewww!”

“I can’t, girlfriend.I can’t let it happen.”

“Raaaaaooorrr!”

“We can’t always get what we want, as Mick Jagger says.”

I glance over at the bed, and out of nowhere, the dam breaks.Tears roll down my face.Tears of loneliness and regret.And gratitude.I’m in awe that someone—a stranger—would treat me with this level of care and kindness.

In the golden glow of the lantern light, the bed looks like something I’d see in a five-star resort hotel.Decadent.Pure luxury compared to the cold, bumpy, and uncomfortable options I’ve dealt with the last few nights, either in the back of my SUV or on the busted-up old sofa.

I turn to the fireplace to find that Special K has already arranged kindling and wood, so all I have to do is click the lighter to get it started.Immediately, heat enters the cabin and pushes away the chill.

I take off the hiking boots and shorts and crawl under the plush softness of the flannel sheets and down blanket, Special K’s wool sweater is the only thing I’m wearing.

Relaxing back into the sumptuous mattress, I sigh and throw a bent arm over my eyes.I told Special K that I’m leaving in the morning.And since I really need to go, I will.I may not have a destination, but at least I can get on the road.Get out of Nevada.

“Mrrrp.”I reach over and remove Pussy’s harness and leash.She crawls in bed with me, equally relieved to have a soft, warm nest to snuggle inside.She immediately begins to purr.

I don’t.My mind is a jumble of troubled thoughts.

For the first time in many, many years, I wish I could go home.I wish it was possible for me to walk right into the back room of Poker Face Pub & Grub, where The Protectors hold their meetings, and tell my grandfather that I need help.

As I well know, that’s no longer an option for me.I burnt that bridge a long time ago.

CHAPTER 28