Page 17 of My Secret Protector
I rub her upper arms as we step out into the daylight. “Silver’s house is just down the road. I’ll drop you off. It’s nothing you need to worry about.” I know my voice is clipped, but the adrenaline has started to kick in. I need to protect my Flora. I need to make sure these guys are taken care of.
She climbs in the truck and gives me an aggravated look. “You know that’s not me, Levi. I’m not the little lady that you can just pat on the head and tell to “go be pretty and paint my nails”. If this involves me, I should know.”
I grit my teeth. I love my hard-headed girl, but damn I wish she could be just a bit more pliable. But then again…she wouldn’t be my Flora.
“It seems like a couple of men have arrived because of the bounty on your head. I’m going out to find out who they are.”
I feel her stiffen beside me. “They’re here for me?” she asks in a small voice.
I nod as we pull up to Silver’s bigger ranch style house. “Yep, looks like,” I reply before turning to look at here. The fear on her face is evident. I reach out to cup her shoulder. “Listen, Flora, I will never let anyone hurt you. These guys won’t even make it past the front gates. I promise you.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t understand. I know that. I know you’ll stop them. I’m just worried about you.”
“Worried about me?” I question, feeling gutted. No one has worried about me in so long that I forgot what it felt like. “I’ll be fine, Flora. I’m a tough son-of-a-bitch.” I toss her what I hope is a carefree grin and tug her close to me.
She slaps my arm. “I swear if you get yourself killed, I’ll never forgive you.”
I grin and kiss her lips softly. “I wouldn’t dare die for fear of your wrath.”
I can’t help but look back as I drive away. Flora still stands on the porch surrounded by two of our men and Lacey. Knowing she’s here waiting on me to return fills me with warmth. I don’t know what the next few minutes hold, but I know I’ll do anything to come back to the woman I love.
Chapter Twenty-One
If I didn’t know I loved him before, I do now. -Flora
I pace back and forth in front of the living room window. Lacey winces as I take a sharp turn at the doorway and then walk back again. I’ve already worn a pattern in the carpet.
“You should probably get away from the window,” Lacey says softly. “The guys have us covered, but it’s probably giving them a heart attack every time you walk in front of that window.”
I twist my hands together and bite down on my lower lip. “Shit, forgot about that. Good point. Not used to being the target of killers. Silly me.”
“Come sit here. We can find a movie to watch or just talk if you want.” She pats the
cushion next to her on the huge sectional sofa. She’s a small, pixie-like creature with short, black hair and a gentle voice. Even though the thought of sitting threatens to give me hives, I find myself doing as she says. There’s something so peaceful about her.
“Go through this a lot, uh?” I ask with a wry grin, “Used to babysitting damsels in distress?”
She chuckles. “You can say I’ve been here a few times before.” Her grey eyes darken with emotion. “I’ve even been on your side of things before.” She places a soft hand on my shoulder. “It’s a tough place to be.”
I sigh and rub my sweaty hands along my leggings. “Sure as fuck is.” I wince. “Sorry, excuse the language.”
“It’s okay. I’m twenty, even though I know I don’t look it. And I’ve heard and seen a lot worse around here.”
I send her a startled glance. “You look like you’re sixteen. You’re so tiny.”
She lets out a long huff. “Don’t I know it? Everyone here thinks I’m a kid.”
My mouth crooks up in a smirk. “I know the feeling.” I pause. “What’s it like around here, anyway? Living here with all these guys on the compound?”
“And being the Founder’s sister?” she asks and wrinkles her nose. “About like you would expect. I’m smothered by all these guys.” She spreads her arms out wide. “They all look at me like I’m a little sister,” she grumbles. “Imagine having twenty older brothers.”
“Ugh, that sounds awful,” I say thoughtfully. “Of course, I never had siblings. There would have been a time or two I would have liked one.” I cast a glance towards the closed door, thinking of Levi again. He feels like my family now.
I turn when I feel Lacey’s hand on my shoulder. “These guys, even though they’re annoying, know how to protect those they love. Especially women and children. It’s even in their club motto.”
“I’m not worried about me,” I say softly. “I just want Levi to be okay.”
She sends me a sympathetic look. “They’re also very good at taking care of themselves.”
