Page 11 of Bartender Daddy's Girl
That’s as far as I’m willing to go. Any more, and I might taint her. But it’s not her perception of me, I’m worried about. It’s how hearing the horror stories from what I’ve done would turn her against the world as a whole.
“So, I left,” I change subject quickly, hoping she doesn’t return to it. “And with a newfound hatred for those on the upper echelon of society, I joined a crew of dubious criminals who wanted to make things right. They could’ve too, if it weren’t for a raid that got me locked up for a year and a half.”
“Oh shit,” she says, and cups my cheek reassuringly.
I like how warm it feels.
“With my history and service to the country, I got a light sentence. Wanted me to rejoin their fetid ranks, but I declined. That’s how Frasier and I ended up in Sugarcreek.” I find the strength to look back down at her, only to see her eyes sparkling with more intrigue and interest than when we first started. “But now you know mine, what’s your story?”
She bites down hard, and her face turns to stone, the same way mine had when she asked the question.
At least I’m not the only one carrying baggage too heavy.
“Who says I’ve got a story to tell?” Carrie does her best to put on a brave face, but it crumbles with a whimpering sigh that follows her words.
“First time you walked through my door, you scanned faces rather than looking at the messy scene left in my wake. You did the same thing when you came downstairs. Either you’re looking for someone, or they’re looking for you.” She winces at the second part, and I’ve got my answer. But she doesn’t have to be afraid anymore. Not while I’m protecting her. “And you arrived in a new town without so much as a carry bag. When you ran, you had to run fast. No time to stop and pack your things.”
I could go on, but I don’t. Either my point is made, or she won’t tell me. Either way, I’m here for support, however I can give it.
“Well, let’s just say you’re not the only one who’s run with the wrong crowd a few too many times.” Now it’s her turn to hide away while she speaks, staring off into the distance. Into a void. “But it doesn’t feel as bad in comparison.”
“Don’t let circumstances fool you.” I try to reassure her. “If it’s affecting you, it’s worse.”
Carrie’s breathing quickens, and she latches onto me tightly before she speaks again. I give her all the time she needs, stroking her crown gently to show my support.
“My ex-boss is stalking me,” she says, and with the first announcement, more information floods out of her in a stream of consciousness. “It’s the reason I quit working for him in the first place. Started with us bumping into each other in a grocery store and then the mall, then I started seeing him everywhere. It got worse after I quit. If it wasn’t him, it was one of his henchmen following me around. Tailing me through the city. I was never alone, never felt safe.”
Red-hot anger burns through my veins at her retelling of what’s been going on. At how scared she sounds of the man pursuing her.
I bite it down, letting her speak. Holding my breath and counting to ten like they told me to do in prison. None of it soothes me, but it does stop me from launching off this bed and immediately hunting this fucker down.
“Something inside me snapped when I saw one of them yesterday. I was out responding to work ads, and he was just there. Standing next to his boss’s silver BMW with a sickly smile on his face, and I just ran,” she sniffs, fighting back against the threat of tears. “I got on a bus and took it as far as it would go. Then another, and another, until I ended up on your doorstep.”
Geez. fate, or something, must be smiling down on her if she just happened to serendipitously stop in front of my door.
“And now you can stop running, Carrie.” I lean forward and press a gentle kiss across her brow. “Because I’m here now. And I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Even if it means making one more piece of shit disappear.
6
CARRIE
To hell with waiting.
I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours afraid, alone, and on the run. Too afraid to talk to anyone, lest they be under my ex-boss’s thumb. Suspiciously eyeing every face I came across to make sure it wasn’t one of his men. But Judge came in as a shining beacon of light and brought an end to my darkness. The best part is, he sure can back up the promises he makes.
I saw it with my own eyes when it came to the men downstairs.
I cup his cheeks in my hands and crawl up his body to give him a kiss. One of his hands instantly finds my thigh as I swing one leg over him to straddle his waist.
He wants to wait for the perfect moment to take my virginity, but when would there be another? A few hours ago, I was a lost stranger, and more than the roof over my head, he offered me kindness. Now, he’s willing to put himself in harm’s way to make sure I get out of this situation unharmed.
It’s not a textbook fairytale start to our relationship, but I’m not complaining.
“Carrie, what are y—” I cut him off by sucking his lower lip into my mouth and nibbling on it.
You’re not talking your way out of this one, Mr.
