Page 46 of Clean Slade
“Honestly, I don’t know either. I was sure I was dead.” He raised his cup and covered his mouth with it.
“What did he say?”
“He…he wants to meet his granddaughter. He wants to rebuild our relationship.”
“And?”
Somehow I found it hard to believe that was all.
“That’s it. He’s still angry I left, but he wants to start over. I’m as shocked as you.”
“I don’t buy it.”
I didn’t believe a man who would kill his own daughter was willing to just forgive and forget or that King was telling me everything.
Why didn’t he trust me? What more did I have to do?
I couldn’t blame him exactly, not after everything he’d been through, but it still hurt.
However, I couldn’t linger on that. I was practically a stranger to him. He didn’t have to trust me. He didn’t have to tell me anything. I just wish he would.
“Well, me neither. That’s why I need your help. I know you’ve already done so much for us and I can never repay you—”
“What is it? How can I help?”
He smiled at me, a sad smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and only reinforced my belief that more had gone down than he was letting on.
“He wants to meet Mackenzie and get to know her, but I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. So, if you’re looking for a job…”
It was my turn to cock my head to the side and grimace in confusion.
“I need you to be Mac’s bodyguard. I’ll pay you, of course. But there’s no one else I trust with this.”
“Her bodyguard?”
“I need someone to be her literal shadow. There’s no telling what he might do if he gets the chance.”
I took a big breath and rubbed my bad knee. I wanted to protect Mac more than anything. To make myself useful. To get another chance to finish the job I promised him I would do.
“Are you sure you want me?” I asked. “Maybe Ash or Maddox will want to help.”
King sat back and narrowed his gaze.
“You-you don’t want to do it?”
“Of course I do. It’s just…I’m broken.”
“What do you mean you’re broken?”
“My…my body is not what it used to be.”
“And that makes you broken?
“Of course. I would hate myself if I put either of you in danger because of my leg.”
King grimaced, and I braced myself for the rejection. It was bound to come.
“What are you talking about, Slade? What’s your leg got to do with anything?”
