Page 4 of Protecting Talia

“Do you think a scar would make me look like a badass?”

He leaned back and lifted his brows. “You already look like a badass. You don’t need any help in that department.”

She laughed, and he rolled his eyes, so she laughed more. He grunted and frowned, but she could tell it was playful. This felt so freaking good, laughing and talking with someone. It had been a while.

“Be quiet. I need to work.”

She went quiet, staring at the spot where his shirt was open at his neck. His beard was neatly trimmed, and he’d shaved his neck, leaving a hard line under his chin. He wasn’t wearing cologne, but he didn’t smell bad. There was a slight hint of something like sandalwood, but it wasn’t overpowering. It was probably his soap. A tuft of hair poked out from his open collar, making her want to investigate just how hairy he was.

His shoulders were broad, and she bet he was packed with muscles. The way he’d dealt with the guy inside meant he was strong. Cheryl didn’t employ weaklings and when the bouncer had gone up against Zip, Cheryl’s employee appeared to be small and weak.

Why had she come to see Cheryl? She knew her sister was an asshole. She’d worked to ruin Talia’s life before. She should have known better than to come here to warn her sister, but she couldn’t help herself.

3

Zip liked this woman. She was funny. He bet she wouldn’t put up with bullshit. What was up with her sister? There were two sides to every story, and he needed more information to understand what was going on. But from what he’d seen from Talia, she wasn’t a bad person.

“I like how it’s lined up. You could go to a doctor, but I have to say I did a great job.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. Let me see a mirror.”

“How about a phone? I’ll turn the camera around.”

He held up the phone, and she gasped. “I look like shit.”

He shrugged. “I’ve seen worse.”

Her nose wrinkled as she stared at him. “Gee, thanks.”

His lips twitched into a smile before he schooled his expression. “How are you getting home?”

She clicked her heels together, then shrugged. “Well, that didn’t work. I guess I’ll walk.”

Her reference toThe Wizard of Ozmade him chuckle. He wasn’t going to let her walk, though. Not after what had happened to her. “I’ll drive you.”

She clasped her hands together and opened her mouth in shock. “Really?”

He nodded, feeling like he was about to get blasted by her. “Yes, really.”

She snorted and looked at him like he was rotten meat. “I’m not getting in a car with a stranger. What kind of fool do you think I am? I mean, I’m obviously a fool because I came here to see my sister, but I’m not the type of fool who gets into some stranger’s car.”

“We aren’t strangers now. I know your name, and you know mine. We’re practically family.”

“Oh, hell no. My family would just as soon see me dead as alive.”

“Okay, we’re not family. We’re two people who just met, but I can’t let you walk home. Not after seeing that guy hitting you. You can send a text to a friend and let them track you.”

Talia scoffed. “Cheryl made sure I don’t have friends. There is no one who would care if you dumped me on the side of the road.”

Anger rose up inside, but he held it in check. “Fine.” Zip pulled out his phone and called Trip. “Hey, can you send me Ellis’s number? I have someone who needs a ride, but she needs someone to send her location to.”

“Sure. I’ll text it.”

He liked how his buddies just trusted him and didn’t ask questions. They were solid, and he knew they had his back, even in something small like this. “Thanks, man.” He ended the call and met her gaze.

“Wait. I don’t know this Ellis person. How can I trust him?”

“Ellis is a woman, my friend’s woman. You have to get home, and your sister is dangerous. Trust Ellis. Here, call her and tell her you need someone to know you’re with me and that you want someone tracking your location.”

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