Page 165 of Broken Daddy
“Sorry,” Devi said, watching Hayes warily. “He just got some bad news.”
Hayes turned away from her, leaning his fists against the wall.
“Hayes?” she asked quietly. “Do you . . . can I do something for you?”
He turned, his gaze intense. “Just stay safe. Stay fucking safe.”
Devi nodded slowly. “I’m trying. If it makes you feel better, Vega and his boss decided against taking that, um, agreement. He gave me that card so I could call him when my father turned up.”
“Did you?”
“No, but he . . . he turned up anyway. After Fury did this.”
Hayes paled and moved toward her. “What? Vega was there after you were stabbed?”
“Yes. And he could have killed me, but he didn’t even though he said it would likely make his life easier. That’s when he told me all of this. And it’s why you can’t go after him.”
“Because he didn’t kill you? That doesn’t make him a good person!”
“No, but I don’t need anyone else coming after me. I can’t cope with anything more. Right now, he’s not a threat to me.”
He breathed heavily. “I want to kill him. And Derick.”
“Derick is probably dead.”
“Good fucking riddance.”
“You promised not to go after Vega.”
“I promisedIwouldn’t. Not that Zander wouldn’t.”
“Hayes!”
“He’s not a good person. Hehurtyou. What did he do?”
“Just grabbed me a bit hard. It wasn’t that bad and I bruise easily.”
His breathing grew heavy. Then he closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them again, he seemed calmer. “What about all the women that they do buy? That they kidnap and use?”
Oh God.
She hadn’t thought of that. “We should help them.”
“Not we. But after we leave this town, I’m going to talk to Zander. See what he thinks.”
“Vega and his boss are likely dangerous,” she warned.
“So are Zander and his team.”
She nodded.
“Derick doesn’t deserve to live.”
“No,” she whispered. “He really doesn’t. I’m sorry I’m such trouble, Hayes.”
“Hey,” he said gently, cupping her good cheek with his hand.
Warmth filled her at his touch.
