She diverted her gaze. “Some douchebag that doesn’t deserve the breath it takes to talk abouthim.”
I put my hand on her shoulder. “Whoever it is you’re running from, we’ll protect you if youwant.”
“You don’t even know me.” Shesniffled.
“Yeah, I know.” I put my hand on her cheek, wiping away another lone tear. “But I would like to change that soon, if you’d letme.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, bouncing her knee as she glared at me. “Why?”
“Because I see something in you. It’s in me too. You don’t feel like you should be alive, but here youare.”
Her eyes got wide. “How’d you know that?” shewhispered.
“How about you just give me a week?” I was flying by the seat of my pants, hoping she wouldn’t think I was creepy as fuck for trying to convince to her tostay.
“I don’t think I should stay in once place that long right now.” The terror in her eyes broke myheart.
“I can keep you safe.” I grabbed her, pulling her tiny body into mine. We were standing in the back of the garage, completely alone. It was after hours and Red was the only one left because he was fucking livingthere.
“The cops can’t even keep me safe.” Her breath was hot on mychest.
I tightened my grip on her. “Trust me, we’re better than any police you’ve evermet.”
“Why are you doing this? Why do you want to help me so badly?” She pulled away to look up atme.
“Because I was given a second chance at life years ago, and maybe protecting you is the reason why that happened. I haven’t found a better oneyet.”
Chapter 6
Sloan
Ifeltcrazy for even considering Trent’s offer. The idea of being protected and not constantly having to look over my shoulder just seemed too good to be true. I craved being able to rest, to stop running. Maybe this was mychance.
“One week?” I clarified, standing locked in the strong arms of a completestranger.
He kissed the top of my head. “And then you can decide if you want to stick around here or continue the life of anomad.”
“I’ll need a job. I don’t have enough money to pay for a motel for a week withoutone.”
Trent started to walk me to my car again. “Let me make a few calls and I’ll get you set up with something. Go back to the motel, relax a bit, and I’ll be by in about an hour to pick youup.”
“Pick me up? Why?” I cocked my head to the side to give him a sidewaysglare.
He opened the door for me. “You’re going to question everything I do and say, aren’tyou?”
I slid into my seat. “Yes, but I’ll see you soon. I’ll let you not answer this one time, but don’t get used toit.”
Once I was back at the motel, I felt like a complete idiot. There was no way on God’s green earth someone would be as nice to me as Trent and the rest of his club were being without ulterior motives. I was putting blind trust in someone for the first time in my entire life. I felt utterlynaïve.
I tried to calm myself down by doing my hair and makeup. Keeping my hands busy and giving myself something else to focus on was helping a little, but my mind was still a jumbledmess.
I damn near jumped out of my skin when I heard a knock at the door. “Coming,” I yelled, trotting over with my mascara brush still in myhand.
Trent was holding a bottle of whiskey and a white bag of what smelled like greasy, delectablefood.
“May I come in?” he asked as I stood there, just staring at him like afool.
I moved to the side. “S-sure.”
