“Hot property.” She shook her head in stunned disbelief.
“I want to work through why each is on the list.”
“Yeah? I want to know why I’m here. The real reason.”
I flexed my jaw.
Dixie smiled. “You’re not ready, and neither am I.” She heaved a breath. “How is it that I’m safer with a kidnapper than anywhere else on the planet?”
“I told ye. Because of my rules.”
Her gaze returned to me, some of the anger fading into curiosity. “By my count, we’re up to two. You’ll do anything to protect me. And no one will ever touch me again unless I want it. Isn’t that right?”
I was wrong. It wasn’t curiosity. She was deadly serious, and this was another test.
Centring myself, I showed her she was correct. “I would die by those rules.”
“How weird that I almost believe you.” Dixie pointed a manicured finger to indicate behind me. “Bacon’s burning, hun.”
I swore and twisted back to kill the heat and serve the food.
We ate, Dixie taking small bites, and me wolfing back mine. Yesterday, she’d been scared and meek. This morning, she was coming back into her power. It reminded me of the way I used to see her managing people in the brothel. Directing maintenance crews, fixing problems, or getting between two girls in a fight. She’d do it half-naked, unbothered by gawking and confident in her skin.
I liked the fight in her. The pushback she was giving me. It settled something tight in my chest that said she’d never trust anyone again. Made me happy that I’d given her the pause point she’d needed.
Had to take the wins where I could. Fuck knew I was on thin ice.
Dixie chewed, contemplating me. “Like I said, even if some people dismiss me as just a showgirl, or worse, I’m not stupid. I’m here because you want me, enough to lie to your crew. You’re using this situation to your advantage, so I get to do that, too. And you’re going to let me.”
I shrugged, not denying it. “What is it ye need?”
“My things from Mum’s house. Call Lovelyn, and if she’s still there, ask her to fetch them so she can take them back to Deadwater.”
“She’s still on the island. I’ll make it happen. And if ye need anything right now, borrow from me.”
“You have one bottle of shampoo that’s also body wash. I’m not that desperate.”
I hid a laugh and wrote out a message to Kane, a thought occurring as I did. Something that had been turning over inmy mind since she’d last mentioned it. “In your list of people chasing ye, there was one ye called the shithouse. This the guy?” From his profile, I brought up a picture of Kane and held it out.
Dixie peered at it then paled. “Oh my God. That’s him. Who is he?”
“Ye really don’t know?”
“Why would I ask if I did?”
“His name is Kane Ryan.”
Recognition registered in her pretty eyes. “He’s…?”
“Your brother. Also, as of more recently, Lovelyn’s boyfriend.”
Dixie’s jaw dropped. “Shut the front door. Lovelyn’s dating him? He is not the guy I’d pick for her.”
“They were in the game together. They’re pretty committed.”
“Holy shit. How long have I been away?” Her shoulders sank an inch. “I thought he was someone trying to hurt me.”
“Kane works for me. He’s a member of my crew. Even if he wasn’t your relative, he wouldn’t harm ye.”
