Page 20 of Blood of Vengeance

“Done. My number’s in there, and you’ve been added to the locks. If you leave the property, they’ll lock. Just hold your phone up by the door when you get back, and they’ll unlock.”

I took my phone back when he handed it to me, staring down at the screen as if it was something I had never seen before. “Oh.”

“The prospect will be out front and will follow you if you go anywhere—that’s it, though. He’s a fucking shadow. If he bugs you, tell him to fuck off. If he hits on you, text me and I’ll handle it. There’s food in the fridge.” He pulled out his wallet and tugged two fifties from inside it. “The taco place on the corner is good, but if you go half a mile past, you’ll see a yellow van in the parking lot of what was once a gas station. No signs, no tables. Buy from him, and you’ll have the best tacos of your life.”

My stomach practically rumbled at the thought. I could go for tacos. But then… “What will you do for dinner?”

He looked up at me, seeming surprised by my question, a slow smile forming as he cocked his head. “You worried about me, short stack?”

I huffed, the nickname grating. “I’m not short, and no. Not worried. More curious.”

He set the money and keys on the side table, moving in closer. Invading my space with his big body and his annoying scent. “Don’t worry about me, short stack. I’ll grab something while I’m out.”

I wanted to clap back at the nickname, but the reality of the situation hit me right in that moment. I nodded, staring down at the fifties and keys. Shifting my weight from one foot to the other as the anxiety of having to watch him walk out the door settled in deep. As the knowledge that I would be spending the evening alone enveloped me.

Crap, why did that make me feel so sad?

“You good?” he asked, his voice a little lower than before. A little quieter, yet deeper. Inching a little closer.

I shivered, cold settling deep inside me, just like it had at the clubhouse. “I’m fine.”

He grunted, pulling me into his thick arms and against the wall of his chest. There was no way to resist him, not that I wanted to. He simply absorbed me into his frame. Making me feel small and protected. I felt safe with him, which seemed ridiculous. He was both a wolf shifter and a biker. There was no safe place in either world for me, and yet…

“Do you have to go?”

My question came out as barely more than a sigh, one I knew he’d heard when he tensed. I tried to pull out of his hold, but he squeezed me tighter and curled his body over mine, dropping his head to once again brush his lips against my ear as he whispered to me.

“I want to make sure your dad gets the respect he deserves in his final journey, but I don’t think you need to see him like he is. That’s the only reason I’m leaving you here.”

I nodded against him, clinging to his biceps.

“Fuck, short stack. You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine. It’s just been…a lot. Today has been a lot.”

He sighed and rested his head on top of mine for a moment. Hanging on tightly. Not allowing even a breath of space between us. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better, but it will get better. I promise.”

“Okay.” I took a deep breath and pulled out of his hold, trying my best to give him a solid smile. “Go. You told Zed you needed twenty to deal with me, and it’s been longer than that.”

“That fucker can wait.”

“Go.” I pushed him—not that I had anywhere near enough strength to move him. Thankfully, he went along with my ridiculous shove and started backing toward the door. “Go do what you need to. I’m looking forward to tacos for dinner and some cop shows to entertain me.”

“Red, blue, or gray?”

I grinned, unable not to. “Blue. Blue is the best.”

“Good to know.” He stepped out the door just as a bike pulled into the front yard. The prospect from the front door of the club sat astride a motorcycle, dark sunglasses in place, face firmly not looking in our direction. “You don’t need to entertain him.”

I returned my gaze to Flinch, giving him a nod. “I know.”

“And make sure you lock the doors.”

“I know.”

“You’ve got a full tank of gas?—”

“Enough.” I smacked at his arm. “Would you go? I am an adult, you know. I can take care of myself.”

---