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“Do you want me to detain her?”

“No. I’m on my way now. She doesn’t knowabout you, or that we all have bodyguards and she will too soon.”Brand knew it goaded me to admit I needed protection. I’d learnedmy dad may be ruthless but other men were worse.

“Call if you need anything. David is withyou.”

I hung up, already able to see Jade. Catchingup to her, I grabbed her arm. “Slow down.”

She turned startled eyes on me and all myanger and worry came flooding back.

“You run off and don’t even know where you’regoing. You have no money and no phone. How did you expect to gethome if you lost me? What would have happened if someone took you?I know you’re angry with me but that’s no excuse for puttingyourself in danger.” I tugged her against me needing to hold her. Ineeded to know she was safe. Stroking her hair and taking deepbreaths of her lavender scent, I calmed my raging heartbeat.

Jade was stiff in my arms but she softenedwhen I stroked her hair and held her tighter. Holy shit, how thehell did my father and family put up with the curse? I’d becertifiably crazy if I kept acting like this? Pulling away, Igripped her shoulders. “Don’t ever do something like that again.We’re in the city for Christ’s sake.”

“I’ve lived about twenty minutes from hereall my life. The city isn’t bad. I’m safe here.”

Taking my hands from her, I stepped backbefore I shook her. Jade didn’t know half the shit that went downaround here. I was tempted to tell her some of the things I knewbut I didn’t want to ruin what she considered her safe place.“Let’s go, I’ll take you home.” I turned and walked back toward theshops and my car.

I was surprised when Jade yanked on my armand came up beside me.

“You’re angry with me. I should be the angryone, not you.” She poked my chest. “You barge into my life lessthan forty-eight hours ago and expect me to fall at your feet andthen get angry and pissy when I don’t. Well guess what, buster, Idon’t need you and I didn’t ask you to be in my life.” She stompedahead of me and I followed, smiling as she walked to my car.

“I’m only going with you because I don’t havemoney to get home otherwise.”

Opening the car, she got in and I laughed.Jade was perfect.

Chapter Six

Jade

The car ride home sucked. I ignored Stephanas best as anyone could ignore a gorgeous, demanding, bossy, andarrogant guy. It was late afternoon by the time we got home and Ihoped Grandpa wouldn’t be angry. I was back before dark, but I knewSunday night was one of his busiest nights.

Stephan pulled around the back even after Iasked him to drop me out front. “No way, little bit. Did you seeall those bikes and cars? Anything could happen while you weregetting back here.”

Rolling my eyes, I got out of the car andgrabbed my bag. Stephan followed. Oh no. I didn’t want himfollowing me. There was no way I wanted him to see how I lived. I’dseen his house, well mansion. The whole apartment was almost thissize of his bathroom. “Stay here. I’m fine from here.” But ofcourse he didn’t listen as usual and followed me up the steps. Noway was I opening the door. “I’m here now. You can go.”

“I want to come in and say hi to yourgrandfather. I also want to help you set up the phone.” There wasno way he was seeing or talking to my grandfather, and I hadforgotten about the stupid phone.

“Grandpa is downstairs. It’s busy tonight.” Isnatched the phone out of his hand. I knew he wouldn’t leave unlessI took it. “I can set this up myself.”

Stephan gave me a stern stare, the one heused to make me cave, but not this time. I was too embarrassedabout how I lived, no way was I showing him and I hated feelinglike that. He must have known I wasn’t going to fold because he ranhis fingers through his hair and sighed.

“Fine, you win this time. But you better havethe phone tomorrow. I’ll call you in the morning and if you don’tanswer, I’ll be around. Okay?”

I nodded because right now I’d agree toanything as long as he left. I opened the door, slipped in, andshut it in his face. Leaning against the door, I closed my eyes andsighed in relief. Opening my eyes once I knew he was gone, Iclutched my bags and went to my room to play with my new phone.

*****

The ringing woke me and I shot up out of bedsearching for the mobile before it woke Grandpa. Grabbing it offthe charger, I slid my finger across the green phone icon.“Hello?”

“Hi, little bit.”

I got back into bed groaning until I saw I’dslept in and my alarm hadn’t gone off “What do you want?”

“That’s not a nice way to talk to me,especially since I’m ringing to tell you I’ll be there to pick youup in in half an hour—so be ready.”

It took a minute for my still groggy mind toregister what he’d said, and then it hit me. “What. No. You can’tpick me up. I can get to school on my own.” I was too late though,he’d hung up.Wanker.

Getting back out of bed, I emptied my schoolbag of clothes and put my school things back in. Gathering myschool clothes I rummaged in my garbage bags for clean underwearthen headed for the shower, grabbing a towel from the closet on theway. I needed to be ready and out front before Stephan got anyideas of coming up the apartment.

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