Page 12 of Challenging Her Protector

“Open up.” It took a few seconds, but the lock clicked, and the door eased open a crack. The scent of whatever shampoo Silver had picked up in Walmart clung to the steam still lingering from her shower. Her back was to him, and he had to force his eyes away from the leggings that clung to her. She was too damn thin. If the way she’d dug into her chicken nuggets last night was any indication, her mother and the chef had half-starved her. When she was only able to finish a few before filling up, anger had welled up in his gut. Now, he was certain she was having some kind of hangup from her fucked-up family. They’d only loved her for what she brought them—more money, which they had plenty of, and her fame.

Growing up, his parents had pushed him. They’d been strict at times, but he never once questioned the fidelity of their love for him. Love that didn’t waver if he struck out at the plate. Love he didn’t question even when he messed up big time, like crashing his dad’s vintage T-bird after taking it on the road without permission to impress some girl. Didn’t remember her name, but the call he’d made from the police station was as clear as yesterday.

“I don’t know why I thought I could do this.” A small, self-deprecating laugh bubbled from her throat. “I can’t even seem to make myself leave the bathroom because I don’t have a full face of makeup. I know some women don’t wear it. Deep down I know it’s perfectly okay to walk down the street with your hair still damp from a shower and not blown out and styled. So why can’t I accept that it’s okay for me too?” She sniffled and before he thought better of it, he crossed the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. Her muscles instantly relaxed under his touch, and fuck, if that didn’t feel good.

“Because you’ve had it hammered home that your value is tied to your appearance. That your success and the way others perceive you rests on your shoulders alone. That others will accept you only if you look a certain way or live up to some ridiculous standard that isn’t worth shit. That’s not healthy. You should demand respect whether you’re decked out in an expensive dress or wearing a paper bag. If someone doesn’t like you because of it, you drop them out of your life. Those people are superficial and fake. They’re not worth building relationships with because when shit gets tough, they’re going to bail. You’re so much more than how you look, Vee.” He gently encouraged her to turn toward him.

His breath caught and his fingers tingled with desire to reach out and trace her soft skin. The lack of makeup only sweetened her. Glowing skin, rosy cheeks, big, gorgeous eyes that he could stare at for hours. Then there was the dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose. Freckles that hadn’t been visible beneath layers of powder or whatever it was she used.

“You’re beautiful, Vee, just like this, but it’s not your appearance that makes me want to get to know you better.”

“You want to get to know me?” She jerked her head back and scrunched up her face, like it was inconceivable that he had any level of interest in her. He hated that for her. Vee’s family had piled so much insecurity on her that she questioned everything from her worth to daily decisions she encountered.

He had to tread carefully here. The last thing he wanted to do was lead her to believe his interest was sexual.

“I do. I want to know the woman who had the strength to walk away from a marriage she didn’t want. Who stood tall and demanded to know what happened to her friend. Whose first thought was for someone else after she’d been shot at. Who found so much pleasure in a simple drive-through meal. The woman who’s going to square her shoulders and hold her head high going into the world just as she is when she wakes up in the morning. That’s the Vee I want to get to know. I like and respect that woman. I want her friendship. I want to watch her bloom as she recognizes that she needs no one’s approval but her own. Who recognizes her worth and doesn’t feel the need to do a goddamn thing to earn anyone’s loyalty.”

“Iron, that’s not who I am.” Color washed her cheeks.

“It is and it’ll be my pleasure to helpyoudiscover that person. She’s already part of you.”

She flung her arms around his waist, shocking him for the second time that day. “What you described?” Her breath tickled his chest through the thin fabric of his shirt. A shiver of pleasure rippled over him. “All those beautiful things? I want to be that person.”

“You already are. You just have to embrace it.” He stepped back, giving her shoulders what he hoped was a reassuring squeeze, before dropping his hands to his sides. He wasn’t immune to her sweetness. Her total innocence was like breathing in the earth after it’d been drenched in rain. He didn’t deserve to experience that. Not when there was a family who would always mourn the death of their son. Not when he’d had the power to reach out and stop Scooter from doing the unthinkable.

Chapter Five

“Ransom, one ofour teammates,” Silver began as they were flying down the freeway, “reached out this morning. He’s contacted some resources to help track Thalia.”

Vivienne closed her eyes, her chest expanding with relief. “Thank you so much.” There was nothing she’d done to earn these people’s kindness and yet they were helping her all the same, just because she was Hannah’s sister. Hannah, who belonged to their teammate Branch. That type of loyalty and love was completely unfamiliar to her.

“We don’t need your thanks. You’re one of us now,” Silver rumbled, and Iron nodded in agreement. He’d been quiet since they left the hotel.

Hannah had left home and made something of herself. She was a hero just like the men sitting in the car with her. Vivienne had to push down the flood of inadequacy. Just because she hadn’t done anything meaningful with her life—helped others like those surrounding her—didn’t mean she couldn’t start. She’d bet the cozy socks protecting her injured feet that Hannah had never been frozen in fear, terrified to leave the bathroom because of her appearance. Maybe that was why Iron wasn’t interacting with her like he had last night and this morning. Despite making her feel as though she shouldn’t be ashamed of her reaction, maybe he’d concluded she was shallow and insecure. She wanted so badly to be everything he described, yet so afraid she was going to fall short.

“Ransom also spoke with the police sergeant about your situation. He suggested filing a restraining order against your parents and Scott when we get home.”

Home.

Did these men have any idea of how moved she was by their easy acceptance? She was going to do everything in her power to become a person who deserved their goodness. “Will that stop them from trying to contact me?”

Iron shifted next to her. “They’ve already tried to get in touch with you?” His expression was unreadable.

“I’ve gotten some calls. A few texts.” Her insides turned. She didn’t want to talk to them, but she also didn’t want to put anyone in danger.

“How many?” Iron’s eyes bore into hers and she swallowed down the wedge lodged in her throat.

“I don’t want you to be upset.” She didn’t like the uncertainty in her voice.

Iron’s expression softened and he reached out taking her hand. He hadn’t touched her since their hug in the bathroom, and she wasn’t sure why that bothered her so much. Sure, he represented safety and escape, but it was more than that. Not that a man like Iron would look twice at her. He was a warrior and deserved someone just as strong and fierce as him. She’d been the one needing rescuing—something she should’ve done years ago.

“I’m not upsetatyou, Vee. I’m upsetforyou. They’ve piled enough shit on you. Put you through hell. Now they won’t leave you alone.”

“They didn’t put me through hell.” She wasn’t sure why she was protesting. They’d made her feel like less her entire life. She’d been told over and over that her dyslexia and learning disability was something to be hidden. That she had to rely on her looks and a good marriage to be of any worth. “Anyone would be lucky to be me. I have a beautiful house. I went to the best schools. Designer clothes. Priceless jewelry. Trips around the world. Parents who made me into something because I’m nothing.”

“Vee.” Iron’s hard voice snapped her out of regurgitating everything her parents ever told her. Shame’s tattered threads wrapped around her until she wanted to hide beneath its thick covering. She saw him exchange a look with Silver in the rearview mirror. They both looked furious. God, she was messing everything up. Making herself out to be a spoiled, ungrateful brat, and maybe she was. Maybe her own inflated sense of self-worth made her think she could be more, do more, when she should’ve been grateful to Scott and the people around her.

“Vee,” Iron repeated. “Stop. Whatever is going on in your head right now is bullshit.”

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