Page 27 of Boss Daddy

I walk over to the SUV feeling a little intimidated, dwarfed by the size of it. He approaches and opens the passenger door, guiding me in with a gentle push upon the small of my back. The inside feels like being in a futuristic tank.

Samuel closes my door and rounds the vehicle, climbing into the driver’s seat. The SUV rumbles to life, the low growl of the engine vibrating through the seats. It’s the kind of ride that looks like it could bulldoze through anything, and right now, that’s exactly what I need.

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

I feel safe.It’s an unfamiliar feeling, and I’m not sure if I should lean into it or question it.

Samuel’s hands grip the wheel, his eyes focused on the road. “I’ll drive you to and from work. Don’t worry about getting around.”

“I don’t know, Samuel. Having a personal chauffeur doesn’t feel right.”

He laughs. “I’m going to guess being stalked by a former boss doesn’t feel right either. Just a matter of picking your poison.”

I flick my eyes over at him. “Good point.”

He takes in a slow draw of air through his nose. “Listen, I know this is six different kinds of fucked up, but I’m going to do my best to make sure you’re taken care of, that you’re safe.”

All I can do is nod, my throat tight.

The lights of Denver blur past, streaks of neon and headlights flashing through the tinted windows. My mind spins, trying to process everything that just happened. I stare out the window, words jumbling in my head, none of them making any sense.

After a while, I clear my throat. “So, what’s your place like?”

He glances at me briefly before answering. “I have a cabin about thirty minutes outside of town. Nothing fancy, just comfortable.”

“You own land in Denver?”

“Thirty acres. No big deal,” he replies.

I raise an eyebrow. “You don’t think thirty acres in Denver is a big deal? Hate to see what you thinkis.”

A ghost of a smile tugs at his lips. “You’ll see for yourself.”

I feel a flicker of excitement bubble up and it surprises me. I’ve never been in a fancy cabin out in the middle of nowhere. Most of my life has been a series of cramped, rundown spaces in big cities. Part of me wonders if I’ll feel out of place, but another part is curious, eager to see a world that’s always been out of reach.

The excitement fades as we turn onto my street. The buildings loom dark and grimy. My jaw tightens as he scans the surroundings, his eyes sharp. He pulls to a stop and glances around the dimly lit block, his hand reaching for the glove compartment. He pops it open, and I catch a glimpse of a gun inside.

My breath hitches. He came prepared.

He looks at me, his voice low. “You want me to come with you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

He studies me for a second then nods. “I’ll be right here.”

I grip the door handle, taking a deep breath. The night air feels colder now. I step out, squaring my shoulders. The door clicks shut behind me, and I walk toward the building.

One bag. In and out.

Chapter 10

Erin

“Holy shit, Erin!”

Tiffany’s standing there when I open the door, her phone in her hand. Her eyes lift from her screen, widening slightly when they land on me.

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