Page 49 of Nowhere to Hide
“Unless you just want to go back to New York. Do you have anyone who could help you recover?”
“No.” My voice was low and soft.
I didn’t have anyone.
Locke’s hold firmed on my arm again. “I can protect you. My former job was in personal security.”
“Former?” I glanced up at him.
“Sort of. I’m on sabbatical.”
“Oh.” I lifted my hand to cover his. It was so warm and solid. I didn’t want to be weak, but I really didn’t have anyone else. “Are you sure about this? It’s a huge inconvenience.”
“I’m sure. I’m currently invested in your survival, Priscilla Barlow.”
“Why?”
His face was suddenly unreadable. “Just take the help.”
I sighed. “Do I really have a choice?”
“Nope.”
I focused on Detective Stone. “Do you think this is a good idea?”
“I think it’s our best idea.”
I wasn’t sure if that was a good answer or not. But the nerves that had been building in my belly eased a little. I wanted to be independent. Hell, I needed to be after what Marcus and Lydia did.
But this wasn’t the moment to start.
Twice? The word leveled me far more than I wanted to show.
How had I not known he’d been in here a second time?
How had he gotten past the cop on the door? And if he could do that...what hope did I have alone?
“How do I know you won’t be any less dangerous than this man?”
A flicker of annoyance flared in Locke’s gaze. Then he nodded. “You don’t know that. But I can ease your mind if you want.”
“How?”
He pulled out his phone and tapped the side thoughtfully before unlocking the screen. He lifted a finger to me then walked toward the window with his phone to his ear.
“I checked into Locke, Miss Barlow.”
I swiveled my neck to look at Stone. “He looks a little...”
“Rough around the edges?”
I took in Locke’s overlong hair and beard that flowed from his angular face. Those broken eyes staring down at me as he calmed me through the panic attack still burned in my memory. His hand, warm and reassuring on my skin.
So unlike the man who continued to keep himself apart from people.
“He doesn’t make sense to me.”
“He was a decorated officer in the Army Rangers until he left to join The Kendrick Group.”
