“Hisgodchild?” I repeat, scowling. “We’re going to have a kid running around here?”
Wes chuckles but the sound isn’t one of amusement. There’s an edge of frustration to it that’s out of character for him.
“No, Blair’s not a child. I don’t think she’s much younger than you, actually. If she is, it’s only by a few years.”
The thought of a new housemate makes my stomach clench with anxiety. While I work with a handful of people every day, it’s easy to keep to myself since I’m the Head Mechanic. Butlivingwith someone else? It’s hard not to get to know someone after a while under those circumstances. I don’t need, or want, to get close to anyone else.
“How long is she staying?” I ask him.
Wes shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“When is she supposed to get here?”
“I don’t know,” he repeats.
I scowl, not sure what to do with this information. The expression goes unnoticed as Wes lets out a grunt then straightens. When he turns, there’s a grimness on his face that I rarely ever see.
“I promised Ledger that while she’s here I’d help make sure she was looked after.” He gives me a tight lipped smile. “I don’t suspect that there will be much of an issue with her around, but if you don’t mind keeping an eye on her too, I would appreciate it.”
“You want me to help…babysit?” I can’t have heard him correctly.
Wes tilts his head left, then right as he considers my question, or maybe his answer.
“No, not babysit. Ledger is just a little peculiar when it comes to his godchild. I’m more concerned that he’ll suffocate her. If you see she needs some space, can I trust you’ll help her find some?”
Oh. If anyone can understand needing boundaries, it’s me. It’s an easy enough request so I give him a curt nod.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Good. Thanks, Rhett,” Wes says. This time when he sighs, the tension in his body seems to disappear. “I’ll ask the same of Santi when he gets here in a few hours.”
“That it?” I ask him. “If so, I’m going to try to get some sleep before we have to get up.”
Wes nods. “Yeah, that’s it.”
I turn and head for the back door but pause just before reaching out to grab the doorknob. Turning around, I look back at Wes who’s turned his attention outward again.
“What’s with the sudden visit?”
Wes doesn’t look back at me when he answers. “I don’t know all the details. Just that she needs to lay low for a bit.”
My hands curl into fists at my side as worry creeps into my veins. “Boyfriend troubles or something?”
“Or something,” Wes mutters.
“There aren’t any—” I swallow hard before spitting out “—authorities or anyone like that after her?”
“Like I said, I don’t know all the details.”
Fuck. I don’t need any type of trouble coming around here. Living my life with my head down and sticking to my own business has gotten me pretty damn far. Having someone come into my life like a hurricane with trouble on their heels, messing up the good thing I got going here is not going to work. Certainly Ledger and Wes understand this, right? Given how Ledger found me and I came to be a part of this… whatever this is that I have with them, they both know it’s imperative to keep me off anyone’s radar. We can’t have the authorities snooping around here.
In case he’s forgotten, I warn, “Wes, you know I can’t risk too much attention on me.”
“I know, Rhett,” Wes answers, his voice quiet and soft. He looks at me over his shoulder. “You may not like it much, or even care, but I consider you family. I won’t let anyone, or anything, touch you.”
It’s the sincerity in his voice that eases the trepidation gathering in my veins. I don’t like that we’re going to havecompany for an indefinite amount of time. I do, however, appreciate that Wes has my back.
Chapter 4
