We finally finish, and somehow, I manage to get the job done without pinning her against the tile and burying my cock deep inside her. Once we dry off, I toss her another shirt of mine and a pair of sweatpants. She pulls them on, grinning when it swallows her up. She looks so fucking sweet, standing there barefoot, hair hanging down her back.
I make cereal because it’s all I have, and set two bowls on the counter. She climbs up on a stool, cross-legged, spooning in mouthfuls like someone who’s gone too long without food.
“I need to make a store run and get some real food,” I mutter around a mouthful of Cheerios. “Maybe I’ll cook you steak and eggs next time.”
Her smile hits me right in the chest. “This is enough for now,” she says. “You don’t have to go all out.”
I want to tell her that“for now”isn’t good enough. That this isn’t a temporary situation. She’s going to stay with me indefinitely.
A knock on the front door pushes all that into the background. My whole body goes cold. Lennon freezes, her spoon halfway to her mouth. I put a finger to my lips and move slowly. I grab my gun from the drawer, the hair standing on the back of my neck as all my senses snap into place.
A familiar voice sounds from the hall. “Open up. It’s me.”
“Trent,” I mouth over my shoulder.
Lennon’s eyes go wide. I can tell that doesn’t relax her one bit, and I can imagine why. Last night was traumatic, and he was a part of it. I shoot her a look I hope is reassuring, then square up and unlock the door. Trent slides in, glancing over his shoulder.
Once inside, his eyes immediately land on Lennon, then me, then Lennon again. “I see you’re still playing house.”
I step between them, blocking his line of sight. “What do you want?”
He shrugs, tone flat. “Boss is pissed. Wants to talk to you. Now.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I figured.”
“Like, furious…”
“Bro! I get the point.”
Trent leans in and lowers his voice. “He knows about the girl, Jack. He’s not happy you kept her here. He wanted her delivered right away. This is a mess.”
I clench my jaw. “I’ll handle it.”
Trent rolls his eyes. “Yeah? You’d better hope so. Because if you’re not, it’s both your asses on the line. Just saying.”
He glances at Lennon again, eyes softer for a split second. “You okay?”
She nods nervously. “Yeah. Fine.”
He looks back at me, mouth set in a hard line. “Don’t drag this out, Jack. Call him. Now. Maybe you can talk him down.”
I nod, squeeze Lennon’s shoulder, and head to my room, the phone already buzzing in my pocket. I hate how pale her face has gone, but there’s no time to comfort her.
I shut the door, pace, then dial O’Grady. He picks up on the first ring, voice cold.
“Tell me something, Jack. Why is it that I don’t have money in front of me right now? Did I or did I not give you a job to do last night with specific instructions? Where’s my money?”
I’ve spent most of my life following the man’s orders and doing whatever it takes to protect the family. Now? I feel nothing but disdain for the man.
“Frank didn’t have it,” I grit out.
“No surprise there. But from what I hear, you walked out with something else. Something that should be in my office right now. She’s missing, Jack. Why is she missing?”
“I—”
“Fuck your explanations. No more games. She belongs to me. You have two hours to bring her in, Jack. Or I send my people for you both,” he barks.
My free hand balls into a fist. “She’s not property.”
