Page 6 of Elusive Enforcer

A look of amusement passes across his otherwise stoic features. “No, but maybe I should,” he says under his breath.

I untangle myself from his side and take a step back, clutching my purse. I haven’t had the attention of a man since middle school when Tommy Atkins asked me to the homecoming dance. I switched foster families and school districts before the dance, so I never ended up going.

Now, in one evening, I have two men who seem oddly interested in me. Of course, they are both questionable. The first man was definitely bad news. This one, however… I haven't decided yet.

He sighs and runs a hand through his thick brown hair, drawing my attention to the way the muscles in his arm flex with the motion. I see just a hint of swirling ink peeking out from beneath the collar of his shirt, and I'm insanely curious about what his tattoos are and how many he has.

Focus, Florence.

Deep brown eyes lock on mine and I’m frozen in place. “You have no reason to trust me,” he says, his voice low and serious. “But you’re in danger.”

I swallow thickly, breaking our connection to look over my shoulder. A chill runs down my spine and I’m suddenly aware of every single person walking past us. My gaze turns to the buildings lining the street, searching for danger in one of the hundreds of windows within view.

“Florence,” he says softly. “Look at me. I’m going to keep you safe. All you have to do is trust me.”

As if he cast some spell over me, my eyes focus back on his calming brown gaze. I don’t even know this man’s name, but he’s giving me a piece of his soul with one look. I get the sense he never lets his guard down for a moment, yet here he is, pleading with me to trust him.

“How can I trust you if I don’t even know your name?” This earns me a small smirk, which lights up every nerve ending in my body.

“I’m Lorenzo,” he says, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I stare at his outstretched hand, noticing the scars on his knuckles and rough calluses on his palms. Not what I expected from someone dressed in a suit that I assume costs more than six months of my rent.

I should run away or take shelter in one of the nearby restaurants. I should take out the pepper spray I keep in my purse and threaten to use it if he doesn’t back off. I should do anything except shake this man’s hand. And yet…

My arm moves on its own, and I watch as I wrap my hand around his. Instead of simply shaking my hand, Lorenzo holds it, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles as if admiring my soft skin. Why does he make me feel safe? Is it just the adrenaline of the last few minutes taking over and impeding my judgment?

“Thank you, beautiful,” he whispers, those dark brown eyes conveying a million emotions I can’t even begin to comprehend.

Without letting go of my hand, Lorenzo reaches into his pocket with his free hand and pulls out his phone. He types out what I assume is a text, and less than thirty seconds later, a black sedan pulls up to the curb beside us.

Lorenzo opens the back door of the car, motioning for me to get in. I obey, though a small voice in the back of my head is still protesting that this could be a trap. He motions for me to scoot over to the other side of the seat and my body moves on its own. This man seems to have a power over me I don’t quite understand.

I look at him over my shoulder, narrowing my eyes at him and giving him what I hope is an intimidating stare. “Are yousureyou’re not kidnapping me? I have pepper spray, you know.”

Lorenzo smirks again, his lips pulling to one side in amusement. It softens his sharp features, making me want to trust him even more.

“I’m glad you have pepper spray,” he says, surprising me. “Next time some strange creep steps up to you, spray him in the fuckin’ face.”

Despite my reservations, I smile at his suggestion. “Technically, you’re also a stranger. Are you saying I should spray you, too?”

"If that's what it takes for you to feel safe, then yes." I blink at him a few times, not expecting that response. "I promise, Florence. All I want to do is protect you if you'll let me."

While I’m still skeptical of my knight-in-shining-Armani suit, I can’t deny that he’s treated me with respect from the moment he stepped up next to me and saved me from an awkward, possibly dangerous confrontation.

I finally scoot all the way over so Lorenzo can sit beside me. The tall, muscular man with mesmerizing eyes the color of oaksurprises me once again when he grabs my seat belt and buckles it in place. It all happened so fast that I didn't even have time to tell him I'm fully capable of buckling myself in.

“Don’t pout,” he says, imitating my frown. “It’s all part of protecting you.”

I try my best to roll my eyes at how ridiculous he’s being, but I can’t hide the blush creeping up my neck and spreading to my cheeks. I know he sees it when he smiles and then quickly looks out the window. At least he’s pretending not to notice.

How can Lorenzo be mysterious, sexy as hell, built like a Roman god, and yet… adorable at the same time? I don’t think he shares much of his tender side with anyone, which makes me feel special. He’s trusting me the same way I’m trusting him. Either that, or I’m more naive than I thought and I’m falling for his charm hook, line, and sinker.

I’m about to ask where we’re going when the vehicle turns down a familiar street.There’s no way… Sure enough, we pull into the parking lot of my shitty apartment building, without me even giving the driver my address.

“How the hell do you know where I live?!” I ask, indignant rage boiling just beneath the surface. “I knew I was stupid to get in a car with a stranger. Have you been stalking me? What is the meaning of this?”

“Calm do–”

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