I didn’t come here tonight expecting any of this. One look at her, the fire in her eyes, and I knew. It doesn’t matter what the boss wants, what Trent thinks, or what rules I’m breaking. She’s not staying with that sorry sack of shit, getting dragged down even more. No chance.
“He’s not going to like this,” Trent grumbles, his voice barely audible over the engine’s roar.
Of all fucking times for Trent to be the voice of reason. “Yeah. I know.” I keep my voice cold and flat. She doesn’t need to hear this. She doesn’t deserve the ugliness we’re bringing her into. Her old man has already put her through enough shit.
Trent, being the relentless bastard he is, keeps running his mouth. “He’s going to want to know why you’re not handing her over.”
“I’m aware,” I bite back.
“I’m just saying…"
“You’ve said enough,” I snap, louder. From the corner of my eye, I see her flinch, hating myself for it, but I can’t help it. I’m wound tight. I want to reach over, pull her into my arms, and hold her close. Promise that nothing is ever going to hurt her again. I want to fix it all for her, and that scares the hell out of me. I’ve never wanted that for anyone. No one’s ever been worth it. Until now. Until her.
She’s pressed into the door, eyes huge, shoulders hunched.I wonder what she sees when she looks at me. Does she see a monster, a savior, or something in between? What does she think I’m going to do to her?
She knows what I did back there. She saw the gun, saw what I’m capable of. She’s not naïve. She knows this world chews up people like her. Her old man is living proof of that. Fucking idiot, playing games he can’t win, wasting what little love he’s got left on a bad habit. What kind of father puts his own child in a position like that?Oh right, one of those guys who owes big to everyone and never pays up, no matter how much he promises.I’ll never get it. Guess I’m lucky I never had that itch. Actually, I’m lucky there are plenty just like him, guys who can’t keep their word. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have a job at all.
But I have to give Lennon credit. She doesn’t cry, not like back in the apartment. She sits there, silent, fierce. I’m not going to kid myself. I know she doesn’t trust me, and if she’s got half a brain in that gorgeous head, she won’t. I’m not trustworthy. I’m a weapon, a tool, an animal in a nice suit. I do bad things for worse men, and I was ready to put a bullet in that sorry bastard’s skull without blinking.
But those weren’t the boss’s orders.“He’s got a daughter,” he said. “He won’t have the money, so bring her to me.”That was until I met her, before I looked in those eyes and saw how devoted she was to a man who doesn’t deserve it. Hell, I don’teither. Now that I’ve gone off script, what am I going to do with her? What am I going to tell O’Grady?
Doesn’t matter. I’ll eat the consequences.
I know what I’m capable of, and it’s nothing compared to what O’Grady is capable of. I’ve seen it firsthand.
I can’t stop staring at her. I want to touch her blond hair—thick, tangled, and gold, catching the streetlights. I want to see if her skin’s as soft as it looks, if she’ll shiver when my calloused fingers brush against her cheek. I want her to look at me, just once, like she believes I’d keep her safe. But more than anything, I want to tell her she has nothing to fear with me.
Trent drives, his jaw set, knuckles white as he grips the wheel. I glare a hole in the back of his head. I hate that he’s here, that he can see the way I’m coming undone over this girl. He doesn’t get it. He’s never looked at someone and known that’s it. That’s the reason you get up in the morning, the reason you breathe.
He finally pulls into the parking garage under my building. My heart’s beating a mile a minute. Not from fear, but something wilder. Anticipation. I want to give her something better. I want her to feel safe, even if she doesn’t yet.
She’s clutching her shitty backpack like it’s a lifeline. I won’t take it from her. If it’s something she needs, she can keep it. She’s had to settle for scraps way too long. Not anymore. I want to tell her that. I want to promise her the world. I want…fuck, I want too much.
Right now, she’s a captive. She thinks I’m just like the rest. Maybe I am. But I’ll change that. I’ll show her. I’ll make her understand.
Trent parks in front of the elevator and slams the car into Park. “Here we are,” he says, like it’s just another drop-off.
Lennon tenses up, eyes darting everywhere. I want to tell her she can relax, that she’s safe with me. But I won’t do that with Trent here.
I climb out, walk around to her door, and open it slowly. She hesitates. “This is us,” I say, sounding as soft as I can. “Come on. You can’t sit in there all night.” She takes a deep, shaky breath, then slides out, lowering her foot to the concrete. She looks like a spooked animal I can’t afford to upset. As frustrating as it is, I give her time to exit the car, looking around to check out the surroundings.
Trent lowers the window and motions for me. He rolls down the window. “What are you going to tell him?” He keeps his voice low so that I’m the only one who can hear him—referring to O’Grady.
“This isn’t the time nor the place to have this conversation,” I snap through gritted teeth, my tone making him jump a little. “I’ll take care of it. He’ll know it was all me.” Because in the end, that’s all he’s worried about.
I made the call, and if anyone is going down for this, it’ll be me. Not Trent, and especially not Lennon.
We were sent out to do a job, and instead of returning with money or human capital, I’m returning with neither.
O’Grady has already had his sights set on her, knowing that piece of shit father of hers wasn’t going to be able to pay up, and it’s going to be worse when he actually gets a look at her. A perfect body, tight, full ass, perky tits, long, shiny hair. A face of an angel with pouty lips and big, bright eyes. At the moment, I am full of confusion and fear. A fear that would be much worse if she were in O’Grady’s presence. Which is why I can’t let that happen.
End of story.
He shakes his head, and I can tell he wants to argue, but I don’t let him. I turn away, leading Lennon to the elevator.
I can see the way she’s taking in her surroundings, memorizing exits, planning escapes.Good. She’s smart.But she’s mine to protect now. I won’t let her get lost in this place.
She finally speaks, voice small, raw. “This is where you live?” She doesn’t sound as feisty as she was back at the apartment, that’s for sure.
