Page 79 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

A sigh fell from my lips. I knew they didn’t believe me and hell, I wasn’t sure I would believe me either in their position. They were obviously worried about me, and I was touched by their concern.

I was beyond stressed over this whole situation. I knew both of them had met their respective significant others through unconventional means... Maybe they could give me some advice.

“Listen, why don’t you guys sit? I’m going to change, then we can talk.”

I quickly changed, not bothering with my hair or makeup, then was back a minute later. They both stared at me expectantly as I dropped into the chair across from them. I didn’t know these women well, but that was my fault. I kept to myself, building a wall around me to keep everyone out.

As I sat there studying the two women, I found myself conflicted. How much to tell them? If Rodrigo truly was in trouble, then I wanted to help him. But I didn’t want to betray his confidence, especially not if it would put him in jeopardy.

He was obviously concerned about the men tracking him to Pine Ridge, and I was certain he wouldn’t want people to know how he’d ended up here. He was intensely private, determined to keep his true identity a secret until he moved on.

Pain sliced through my heart. I wanted him to be safe. I wanted him to be here—with me. If we could figure out what was going on, would he consider staying?

I realized I’d been lost in introspection for several minutes, and I cleared my throat as I turned my attention back to Mia and Jules.

“You’re right, I have been hiding something. But it’s not what you think. Smith”—I used the name I’d made up for him—“has been staying with me for the past few days. Yesterday he saw a strange man outside my shop. The guy took off, and Smith chased after him.”

I shook my head. “He didn’t find him, and he’s worried he’ll come back.”

Jules’s brows drew together. “I mean, it definitely looks bad that the guy ran, but... why would Smith think he would come back?”

“Have you been having trouble with someone recently?” Mia chimed in.

I shook my head. “No, this was the first time. And I didn’t even notice him until Smith took off after him.”

Mia’s frown deepened. “So you don’t really even know why the guy was there.”

I swallowed hard. “No, but?—”

“How well do you know Smith?”

I squirmed under her assessing gaze. “We’re... acquaintances.”

My cheeks heated. It wasn’t a lie. Not exactly.

“How did he end up here?”

Oh, God. How to explain that? I had to fight to keep my gaze on Mia as I spoke. “He wanted a break from the city, and he knew I lived out this way.”

“And you coincidentally just start having problems as soon as he shows up?” Her eyebrow ratcheted upward, causing my stomach to twist into a knot.

“It’s not…” I shook my head. “He wouldn’t hurt me.”

“I think what Mia’s saying,” Jules cut in, “is that we just want to make sure you’re safe. He seems very... intense.”

I rubbed my temples. “He is. But what you saw yesterday... I pushed him. I…”

I trailed off, unsure how to tell them without giving away too much. Jules frowned. “Does he get upset easily?”

It didn’t take a genius to figure out what she was hinting at. I held up my hands. “I know you don’t believe me, but he would never hurt me. In fact, he’s made it his mission to protect me ever since he showed up. He…”

I drew in a deep breath. “He wants to make sure I’m safe when he leaves again.”

Mia stared at me. “When does he go back home?”

According to Rodrigo, he could never go back to Chicago. And as for how long he planned to stay in Pine Ridge before moving on, I had no idea.

I shrugged. “I’m not really sure. He’s kind of playing it by ear.”

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