“Yes. I assume you got what you came for.”

“I did,” he huskily says, his meaning construed by my impure and imaginary thoughts.

I gaze up at him as I had the first night we met, dazed and powerless. “Thank you, Mr. Daxon.”

“Good night, Miss Redmon,” he says with a slight dip of the head.

“Cassie, please, call me, Cassie.”

His view drops to my mouth, causing me to clench inside with unforsaken need.

“Cassie.” My name coming off his lips further tickles my untouched, flushing skin.

He must think I’m shameless. Or worse, I have white knight syndrome. Maybe I do. Only time will tell. If he takes the job, I’ll get that time.

I smile, making deliberate contact with his dark and mysterious eyes before he walks out, leaving a trail of hotness behind his every step.

Chapter Six

“Fuck, Cole. What happened?”

My brother sits at his desk in the office sporting a shiner and split lip.

“Julia called,” he says, flipping through his mail.

“You know the fucking rules. You’re supposed to tell me when you do an escort.”

“I knew you had that dinner thing tonight. I let Lix know.” He shrugs. “The abuser was a fucker with a stupid mouth. I warned him.” He looks up at me with a raised brow. “More than once.” He grins, revealing his bright white teeth. “I saw it.” He waves two fingers at his eyes.

Cole possesses the art of reading people. He knows when a bar fight will happen well before the rumble. He’s usually spot-on when it comes to guessing someone’s profession or whether they sleep in the buff. He’s meticulously observant.

Lix’s art is mind-fucking. He’ll weasel his way out of trouble with words, but I don’t worry about my youngest brother if that doesn't work. He’s quick with his fists and feet. Most guys don’t know what hit them until their ass is on the ground.

Me. My art is not killing them, and I didn’t get that from Mom.

She’s currently serving twenty-five to life for killing our father.

It’s what drives us to save the Julias of the world. At least, the ones in our district. We couldn’t save Mom. So we try like hell to help women like her in the same situation.

I hate when it’s not me.

Whenever one of my brothers answers Julia’s call, I worry about them. Even if they can take care of themselves. Cole has a black belt in martial arts, and Lix frequents the gym. He’s been in the ring since he got in the system. I was top ranking in the state for wrestling in high school. We’ve all taught each other what we know, but it doesn’t quit the worrying.

They’re my little brothers. I’ll always want to protect them. They’re all I have and care about.

“So.” He tosses the envelope in his hand on the desk. “Did we get the job?”

I lift the contract. “She amended some shit, but it’s ours if we want it.” I drop it on my desk and sit in my chair.

“What are they asking for?”

I set my hands behind my neck and lean back. “I haven’t looked at it yet.” I nudge. “You okay?”

“Yeah, a little bruised, but nothing I can’t handle.”

I blow out. “Luckily, the forecast shows sun all week. You’ll have to sport some shades.”

“Or I can just say I got hit in the face with a beam.” He winks.