A small line forms between his eyes as his brows squeeze closer together.
“I’ll meet you back at your apartment in a while.”
Ly, Jamie, and Van step into the living room.
“Cole, hang out with us for a bit, and if TJ can’t benice, we’ll take you home,” Van tells him.
Cole steps away from me, but his uneasy eyes remain on mine.
I point at TJ. “You sweep his apartment.” I want to make it clear he’s not to cut any corners.
He offers nothing but a salute.
I glance at Cole one more time, our eyes locking for only a millisecond. Then I push out the door, unable to contemplate whatever it is I see on his face.
A young girl needs me, and I just hope I’m not too late.
Jos pulls on a helmet as I lean into the rental to grab my backpack. Behind the door, I slip on my holster, check my Sig, and slide it in. The cold, sleek metal of security brings comfort.
I loop my arms through the straps of my backpack, and from the front porch, I feel Cole’s eyes watching me as I pull on a helmet and swing my leg over Track’s bike.
I kick start it, and Jos climbs on, her arms linking around my waist.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The clock is running. I release the clutch, increase the throttle, and tear down the driveway. Kelsey reached out for help, and I don’t intend to let her down.
Chapter 13
COLE
It’s been an hour since I pulled into the parking garage with TJ’s truck on my tail. Instead of sitting in the quiet while he silently dissects my every move, I turned on game tape, hoping to focus on anything other than wondering when Ryder will get back.
It was all fine. I was just beginning to feel like a form of myself I hadn’t recognized in so long, and then she took off. Just like that. She hopped on a motorcycle and disappeared.
The open flesh on her shoulder is all I see while trying to force my attention to the guys moving across the screen. Her words roam my mind on repeat.
This is what I do. I help those who need someone to come after them.
I don’t know what that means. She was assigned to me, and Tracker said she was the best. I’m beginning to think that wasn’t in reference to guarding athletes.
“So, is this what you do all day?” TJ sits in the corner, scrolling his phone like he couldn’t be more bored out of his mind.
I recall what Ryder said to me earlier about not being intimidated. Insecurity has never been an issue. TJ can scowl and think I’m just some dumb jock. He has no idea what my life has been like, what I’ve sacrificed, or how hard I’ve worked to get here. He’s one more person who doesn’t know shit about me.
I made it here by my own hard work, and I learned from the best. My dad knew not only how to play the game but also what it meant to be a man. He taught me both.
I ignore TJ, unwilling to explain anything to him. I watch the game, tracing the defensive moves I’ll face at the end of the week.
His phone buzzes and then buzzes again.
I glance at him, and his gaze lifts to mine.
“Is that Ryder?”
He stares at me, not answering in retaliation.
I don’t know what his problem is. It was one thing when I thought he was Ryder’s boyfriend. I wouldn’t want my girl moving in with some guy, but I’m over whatever this is.
