Page 14 of His Virgin Angel

“They can, Brian. Your sister is your legal guardian, but if they think it’s not working, they will remove you from the home.” Jack would never let that happen.

Tears filled Piper’s eyes, and all he wanted to do was protect her.

“I’m sorry,” Brian said. “Did they really say that stuff to you at school?”

“Yeah, they really did.”

She let out a breath and took a seat at the table.

Drake nodded at him, and Jack left the two alone.

“What’s the matter?” Jack asked, entering the kitchen.

“When I went to pick her up she was talking to someone.”

“Okay,” he said, frowning at Drake. “What about it?”

“You told me if at any time I felt something was off I was to come to you. This feels off.”

“Did you get a look at the person?”

“He kept his back to me, and even as she came toward the car, he didn’t look back. Tell me what person doesn’t look back.”

Jack flicked the kettle on, grabbing out some cups. “You think it was on purpose?”

“Yeah, I do. That’s what I’m saying. In my head I believe I’m overanalyzing it, but—”

“You were a bodyguard for a lot longer than you worked for me. I get it. Your instincts are taking over.”

“I know something is not right.”

Drake had once been one of the best bodyguards in the States. When he’d received an injury to his arm and leg, he was sent into early retirement, until he came to Jack for a job. Jack trusted him with his very life, and paid Drake handsomely to keep him alive.

“What else happened?”

“When the car door closed, he made his way straight into the building. I didn’t get a good look at him, and I believe it’s because he wants to stay as silent as possible.”

“Ronald was in the restaurant the other day. He killed Ben.”

“Fuck, he was a good guy,” Drake said.

“I know. His family has been compensated, and they know I won’t stop until I find his body, and bring justice to them.” Jack was a hard ass, a criminal, a drug lord, pimp, and every other kind of label, but he was also loyal to those that were loyal to him. Ben, Drake, Mark, Eric, and several others had his respect. He would do everything he could to protect them, including the two people sitting at his dining room table.

Most of the people he came into contact with wanted something from him. Piper had been the first person not to. In fact, she’d given him something in order to make him feel better. As far as he was concerned, she had his loyalty for life.

“Do you think it could have been him?” Drake asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll keep an eye out, and I want you to pick her up from college from now on. I want to see if you can get a good look at this guy.”

“I have some friends who can watch the apartment where they live.”

“Do it.”

Jack picked up the cups and took them through to the dining room table. The siblings were doing homework now, and he took a moment to watch them.

Piper kept tucking her long hair behind her ear as she pointed to the book that Brian was reading.

They didn’t look up at him, and he didn’t alert them that he was watching either. Neither of them knew who he really was, and when he was in their company, he got the chance to pretend for a little while.