Page 31 of Protector

“Yeah, sure, brother. Shit, I already told them as much.”

I watch Billy get into his car and drive off before heading back to the lobby to wait for Shay.

Thankfully, Rio leaves before Shay, but once she’s done, she asks me to go back to her place.

“I thought you were having friends over tonight.” I almost sound like a parent, but I resist the cringe.

“I am… But after those texts, I just don’t want to be away from you. Is that okay?” She looks at me with those goddamn innocent eyes, and I can’t say no. If I did and something happened to her, I’d never forgive myself.

So, I spend the night hiding away in the guest room, working, reading, and listening to the mini party scene in the living room. I actually crack a few smiles when I hear Shay’s voice above the others. She needs this time to feel happy, secure, and to recharge. Plus, my own place is so quiet and…cold—I don’t mind the change.

Just as I’m dozing off, my phone sounds with a text.

Shay: Can you come here?

It’s from Shay, so I bolt upright in a panic. I told her no late-night excursions—or at least not without telling me.

Brooks: Where the fuck are you?

When I hitsend, I immediately regret the tone. More and more, Shay’s safety feels personal instead of professional.

Shay: I’m in my room. I need to tell you something.

I don’t know whether to laugh or take her over my knee, but the smile on my face tells me either would suffice. Damn Millennials and their texting.

I hop out of bed, still dressed in jeans and an undershirt and pad barefooted down the hall and over to her room. The door is open, so I stop and lean against the frame, spotting her in bed, the covers at her waist, a silky blue tank stretching across her breasts. Her room reminds me of a fluffy cloud with most everything white, including her bedding, pillows, curtains and dresser, along with some baby blue and gold accents around the room.

“You rang, your highness?”

A playful grin takes her mouth, and she bats her eyelashes. I see it now; this girl’s drunk, and that spells trouble.

“Come closer,” she says, patting the bed.

I shake my head. “Don’t play games with me,young lady.”

She sticks out a pouty lip and scoots herself higher on the bed. “Not cool, man.”

“I think you asked for that. If we’re done here, I should probably go.”

“You’re not leaving, though, right?” Her wide eyes look frightened when she adds, “You said you’d stay tonight.”

“Fine, but you need to sleep it off, so I’m going back to my room.”

I move to leave, and her voice catches me. “Brooks, please.”

I might be assuming too much at this point, but I can’t afford miscommunication, so I say, “Not going to happen, Shay. Go to sleep.”

She shakes her head. “I know. I’m sorry, Brooks. Yes, I’m a little drunk, but I’m really just avoiding something I don’t want to do.”

“And what’s that?”

She tucks a loose piece of her disheveled hair behind her ear and then lets her gaze fall to her hands resting in her lap. “There’s something I should have told you before. Something I convinced myself wasn’t important…or that it didn’t make a difference, but after that call from Stalker Sam…”

My pulse kicks up with her words, with the look on her face, and I step into the room. “What is it? Whatever I need to know, you can tell me.”

“It’s something I’m…just not comfortable sharing. Not even my mom knows. I don’t know, maybe that’s why I drank so much tonight. To give me the courage to tell you.”

I move all the way to the bed, sit on the edge, and take her hand. “It’s okay, Shay, just tell me.”

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