Page 1 of Mine to Keep

Chapter One

“This isn’t negotiable,Veronica. Don’t be stubborn.”

Jay watched her closely for signs of capitulation. It wasn’t like her to resist his suggestions, especially when it came to her safety. Veronica tended to be passive and easy going. She was as close to a best friend as he was capable of having. At forty-one, she was nine years older than him. Though she looked much closer to his age.

She was standing with her back to him, watching the ships come and go from the harbour. He’d asked her to come down to his dockyard for this meeting. As usual, she’d agreed to his summons without complaint. He was beginning to suspect she might not have if she’d understood why he wanted her to meet him here. Already a small woman, she looked even tinier when she came out to the yard, surrounded by shipping containers, heavy machinery and cranes. Her thick black hair, streaked with bright red highlights was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore a tank top and shorts. She looked like she was ready for a run.

She sighed and turned back to him. “I already have a great security system, thanks to you. I just don't understand why I need some guy following me around too. I’ve worked hard for my independence, Jay. I like making my own decisions.”

Jay’s lips twitched as he heard echoes of her twenty-two-year old daughter come from her mouth. Though Veronica tended to be softer, more malleable, she and Allie still had a lot in common. Being around Veronica helped ease the constant ache from not having her daughter around anymore. He also saw through her concerns. It wasn’t her independence she was worried about. It was the thought of having a man following her. Though it had been years since the abuse she’d suffered on the streets, she still couldn’t shake the fear. And he couldn’t kill a ghost for her.

His eyes hardened and he shook his head. “I won't move on this. Business has been increasing and I must continue to make moves in this market if I’m to stay on top. You understand?”

She looked surprised. “Of course, Jay! I’ve always known you to do what’s best. I trust you completely. You’ve always taken care of me and my girl. Of course, you must do what’s best for your business. I would never think to stand in your way.”

He felt something loosen in his chest that he hadn’t realize he’d been holding in. He fell on the wrong side of the law more often than not. Though he’d helped Veronica move away from prostitution and drugs many years ago, a part of him still worried that she might judge how he accumulated his wealth. He was a tatted-up thug from one of the most hellish areas of Vancouver. One of the worst motherfuckers the city could scrape up. None of them were dealt a fair hand. Survival had become their way of life. Over the years, they had built a family of three and protected each other from life’s shitstorms.

“Then you need to understand that I have exactly two weaknesses. Two liabilities. One is tucked away safe where my enemies can’t get to her,” he explained patiently, his grey eyes implacable.

Her beautiful eyes grew sad. She said with a sigh, “And the other one is being a stubborn fool because she can’t abide the idea of having some meathead following her around and telling her what to do.”

He chuckled, his eyes softening as he sensed her capitulation. “I’m paying top dollar for Senator Security to watch over you. They will be respectful and discreet. I know the owner personally and use his services here at the dockyard. In fact, I’ve sent good men his way. You remember Roddy from Hastings?”

She chewed her lip and nodded. “Yeah, he’s working security for that bank now, isn't he?” she asked softly.

“He is,” Jay replied. “Everyone thought he’d end bad, but after he came to work for me I convinced him to go over to Senator and do some training. He channeled that aggression into something good. Now he’s got a steady job and a girlfriend with a kid on the way.”

Veronica smiled softly and ran her fingertips across the back of the leather chair by the window. “You’re a good man, Jay. You’re always helping out the guys from back in our neighborhood. It makes my heart so happy to see.”

He sighed heavily and rubbed a hand over his face. Trust Veronica to see only the good and not understand what he was getting at. The only two people he helped out of the goodness of his heart were Veronica and Allie. Anyone else was instrumental to his takeover plans. It helped having eyes and ears all over the city that were loyal to him. But whatever her soft heart wanted to feel as long as it made her fall in line with his plans.

“Will you at least talk to the guy from the security company?” Jay asked. “He’s a good friend of mine. His name’s Robert Senator. I’ve known him for several years. I can’t keep moving forward with my business interests unless I know you’re properly taken care of.”

She gave him one of those rare smiles that never failed to light up a room. It was like a punch to the gut. Not because he was reacting to Veronica, but because it made him miss Allison so fucking much he wanted to walk out the door and fly halfway across the goddamn country and bring her back home where she belonged. Protecting Veronica and building his wealth and holdings gave him something to do while he bided his time until the day he could finally have her.

“Of course, I’ll see him. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you aren't nervous about my safety.”

* * *

Rob glancedaround the dockyard noticing every discreet security measure with pride. Jay Le Croix had entrusted his operation to Rob when he purchased it several years ago and so far, the dockyard had never experienced a single hitch, despite some of the less savoury clients that occasionally drifted through. They teamed up on security for each subsequent business purchase or takeover that Jay made.

This new security detail was different though. Jay always trusted Rob to make his own decisions regarding security. Rob always hand-picked his own teams, trained and placed them. Jay knew Rob was capable and determined. He was one of exactly two people that knew Rob’s complete background. Instead of feeling insulted by Jay’s summons today, Rob was intrigued. Rather than simply placing the safety of this mystery woman in Rob’s more than capable hands, Jay insisted Rob come to his dockyard office to meet the lady himself before determining how best to protect her.

Rob was curious about Veronica Klassen. He’d tried to do some background research on her before this meeting, but Jay had done a thorough job of keeping only the bare basics on both the mother and daughter in the system. He couldn’t even find a photo of her. Not even a driver’s license. Just a social insurance number. She was like a ghost. He knew she was forty-one-years old, which put her four years younger than him.

What little he did know, he’d gotten from Jay so he could put together a protective detail on the woman. She didn’t work. She lived on Jay’s generosity. He would have questioned that set-up, except he knew Jay had a real hard-on for the daughter. Rob was still cynical enough to believe the guy was sleeping with her, except he’d gotten drunk with the mobster one night and found out exactly how deep his feelings went for the younger woman. There was no way he’d fuck the mother.

Still, it was a strange set up. One he couldn't quite put a finger on. Not that it mattered. It was just a job to him. A damn good paying one too. Jay was paying top dollar to make sure not a single hair on this woman's head was harmed.

Rob climbed off his Harley and hooked the helmet on the back. Running his fingers through his sweat-streaked dark grey hair, he squinted his eyes toward the office. As he strode toward the building he mentally ran through the list of guys he had available to watch over a spoiled rich lady that would likely want to spend her days shopping and getting her nails done. He’d probably have to rotate his guys so they wouldn't get too bored with the detail.

He knocked once on the door and shoved it open. He and Jay didn't stand on ceremony. He ducked his head under the frame and strode into the office. The door slammed shut behind him. He nodded toward Jay and scanned the office for his new charge. She was standing by the window watching the ships come into dock. She turned slowly to look at him, a warm smile of greeting on her lips. The smile slid slowly off her face as she took in his hulking form. Her beautiful, dark eyes widened in surprise, and if he wasn’t mistaken, trepidation.

He should have known better than to make assumptions. But his profession had taught him to size every situation up quickly and make snap judgments. He suspected he’d been wrong about Veronica Klassen. As blood flooded toward his cock, turning a forty-five-year old man into a hormonal teenager with a raging hard-on, he realized he was very much looking forward to finding out exactly how wrong.

She was stunning. He thought she must be Aboriginal, maybe Haida or Salish. Approximately 5’2”, more than a foot shorter than him. About 110 pounds, which was about 150 pounds lighter than him. Fuck she was tiny. Even if Jay wasn't who he was, she’d need protection just being as gorgeous and vulnerable as she was. She was wearing bike shorts and a tank top with some kind of spandex bra peeking through underneath. Like she was about to work out or something. She wasn’t wearing any make-up and looked like she was about ten years younger than she was.

Shit. His life just got a whole lot more complicated. No fucking way was he putting one of his guys on this one. He was watching this one himself. How the fuck was he supposed to run his multimillion dollar security company while baby-sitting this gorgeous creature? His head was going to be in his dick the entire time.

He locked his hard gaze on Jay Le Croix. The bastard was giving him a knowing look. This was exactly why Jay insisted on this meeting in person. He fucking knew Rob would want this woman for himself, thus ensuring she received the best protection available. Day andnight.

That one look said it all. Rob had Jay’s permission to take this one. He’d passed some kind of test over the years. Only the strong survived in this business. And while Rob might not be a good man, he was decent enough, especially when it came to women. His gaze settled back on Veronica, who was frowning anxiously between the two of them.

She had been sold and she had no idea.

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