Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 740(@200wpm)___ 592(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“He is?” she asked in clear alarm. “Is that safe? Will he be okay?”
That made his hands clench into fists. Her father didn’t deserve her worry. The bastard was neglectful at best, a criminal at worst. He wished he could say something to her. Ask her if she’d ever seen her father do anything that he shouldn’t. He was certain she had no idea her father was completely corrupt. Although the fact that she’d never reported Vince showed she knew something was wrong.
“Likely not,” he said. “But I’m not concerned about him.”
She blinked. “You’re not?”
No. He couldn’t give a shit about that asshole. He cared about the woman sitting in front of him, the one with a smidge of powdered sugar on her nose. He had no idea how she’d gotten that there, but it was freaking adorable. All he wanted was to lean forward and lick it off . . . no, nope.
Not happening.
Keep yourself under control.
“I’m concerned that if he thinks it’s safe he might withdraw your protection.”
Namely, him.
It still had to be costing her old man a bomb. Especially with the extensive alarm system they’d put in.
Although if he’d been a caring father he’d never have allowed her to move into a neighborhood like this.
He’d also have never let one of his cops harass her.
“Oh, I didn’t think of that.” She bit her lip and looked nervous. “I guess if there’s no threat anymore that’s what he’ll do. But . . . this is going to sound silly . . .”
“Just tell me.” He sat forward.
“It doesn’t matter.” She plastered on a fake smile that he didn’t like. “Do you think you should pack your stuff?”
“Haven’t had my marching orders yet, Spitfire,” he said dryly. “Anyone would think you’re eager to get rid of me.”
Her eyes widened. “No! No, if anything it’s the opposite.”
There was silence for a moment, then she scrambled to her feet. “I’m going to get ready.”
“Maya, come here,” he said to her.
“No!” she cried, moving toward the doorway.
“Maya,” he said warningly. “I want to talk to you. Come here.”
“No!” She turned back and stomped her foot. Then she gazed down at her foot and back up at him. There was clear astonishment on her face. “And don’t use that magic voodoo voice on me.”
He gaped at her in surprise as she raced out of the room. Had she seriously just stomped her foot?
And what magic voodoo voice? What the heck did she mean? Those were things he pondered as he followed her.
But mostly he’d wanted to know why she’d looked scared at the idea of him leaving.
He knocked on her door. “Maya, come out here. Please.”
There was a groan from in the room and a thump as though she’d landed against the door.
“Are you all right, Spitfire?” he asked.
Shit. He hadn’t intended to sound so . . . tender. He closed his eyes for a moment.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I just acted like a . . . like a toddler having a tantrum.”
She had.
But an adorable one. One who he wanted to gather up in his arms and shelter from the world.
Not yours.
“You looked scared,” he said to her. “When I mentioned leaving, you looked afraid.”
The door opened and she stood there, staring at his chest. Then, to his shock, she glanced right up at him and swallowed heavily.
“I am. I’m scared to be here. Alone.”
Oh, his poor Bébé.
His hands itched to gather her close, much like they’d itched to spank her just before when she’d stomped her foot like that. As cute as he thought it had been, throwing a tantrum and running from the room wasn’t good behavior.
“What have I promised you several times?” Her head dropped forward and he grasped hold of her chin, tilting it back so he was staring down at her. “What have I promised you?”
“That you won’t let anything happen to me.”
“Exactly.”
“But how—umph.”
He put his finger over her mouth, stifling her words. “Just trust me. I will make it happen.”
Even if he stayed without pay. He wasn’t leaving her until some things got sorted out. Until she had people she could trust at her back to help protect her.
“Now, go finish getting ready. We need to get the dogs into the car and go for a drive.”
“Come on, Tank, baby,” she pleaded. “It will be fun, I promise. We’re not going to the vet.”
Big Berry squealed at her as she said the V word.
“What was that about?” Matthieu asked.
“I forgot that Big Berry doesn’t like the V word,” she explained. “Come on, Tank. Come on, boy.”
“Can I try?” he asked.
She’d been trying for half an hour to cajole Tank out. She’d used treats. She’d used toys. She’d used a soft voice and gentle promises.
Nothing.
It was breaking her heart.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this,” she said.
“You’re trying to do something nice for him,” Matthieu countered. “Come here.” He crooked a finger at her.