Page 61 of Never Quiet

Do you feel forced into this? You can spend time with me in New York. One of the girls we took off the streets got her degree without ever leaving the safe house.

I don’t want you to give up on your dreams. I don’t want that for you. Not because of these monsters.

Having such a man invested in what was happening to her brought her to tears. She took a minute to compose herself. She explained it the way she had to her family.

I’m going to take one day at a time. I think it will be okay. Even without a degree, I’ll work with the organization to make positive change. If you’ll still have me.

Within seconds, he responded.

You’re a science prodigy, Amanda. You never required a degree. You’ve trained yourself beyond what most PhDs possess when they leave school. I don’t give a damn about a piece of paper. You’ll always have a place within what I do – for as long as you want it.

Wiping her face, she wrote back.

Thank you, Hayden. I’ll keep you posted and let you know what’s happening. I feel pretty overwhelmed right now but you’ve put my mind at ease. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

By the way, with everything happening, I forgot to thank you for the incredible travel kit you sent. I love it so much. I had several things to send you but I left them in Colorado.

His response made her smile.

I’m currently texting your aunt to make sure they have everything they need to both train and protect you. I hear you’re going to ultimately end up in New York!

When you’re here, we’ll get together and talk about the organization. I’m glad you’ll be close. Right now, just breathe and know it’s going to be okay.

She thanked him and wiped her face. Having a friend like him was something she would never take for granted.

Later that first night, she told her parents, “In a couple of weeks, I need you guys to throw me a huge going away party in Cedarton. Invite everyone. I want it to be an all-day thing and easy to see from the road.” Inhaling carefully, she added, “I need it to be obvious that I’m not in Colorado anymore. No longer anywhere near my family.”

Shawn said, “All of us will be there, Amanda.”

“In a few months, after my crash course intense training is done, I’ll live in New York.” Smiling, she told everyone, “Harrison secured an apartment for me in a building all the Delkins recommend there. They’re putting me in the center with plenty of floors above and below.”

Clearing her throat, she added. “If anyone wants to see me, it should be there. It can’t be here or Colorado.” Lifting her shoulder, she murmured, “I won’t be able to go home for a long time.”

“Amanda.” She looked at Davis standing against the wall with Erick beside him. “I’ll stay as long as you need me.”

“You can’t be my protection. As comforting as that would be, I think we’d be a bigger target together. You’re as pretty as I am and I don’t think these guys are particular about gender.”

He walked across the room and stared down into her face. “You can’t be away from your entire family, from the people you love, Amanda. It will kill you.”

“No. It will keep them from being caught in the crossfire. These people don’t want to kill me, Davis. They want to take me without leaving a mark on their merchandise. They don’t care about my little sister, Pops, my parents, Jan…those people are collateral damage to them. The night they shot at the gallery, Noel and Rick were in conversation with Tara and my grandparents, remember? Noel was facing the window. They would have mowed all of them down to kill her. That’s the people we’re dealing with and for the last four years, everyone has stood in front of me…” Her voice broke.

Davis pulled her into a hard hug. “I’m sorry.” Then she was crying and he held the back of her head as she gripped him like a lifeline. “I know. I know, Amanda. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. We’ll fix it. One way or another, we’re going to fix this.”

Finally, she calmed and he leaned her back to wipe her tears with his thumbs. “Look at you. Even pretty when you’re crying. It’s kind of ridiculous.” She laughed shakily. “You’re one of the three smartest people I’ve ever met. That’s saying something. You know who I work for.”

“Thanks,” she said softly.

“There’s a couple I think would be perfect for you. The smaller one trained me in parkour. Ashok doesn’t call it that, doesn’t talk much at all. The bigger one, Roark, is pretty enough to pass as your boyfriend in public if you needed him to.” He looked at Noel. “What do you think?”

“That might work. Ash can’t be separated from Roark. He’s tiny but unbelievably ferocious. I think he’s faster than Elijah and his reflexes are insane.” Noel considered. “Amanda is a good fit for them as well. Her relationship with Harrison and Morgan, Chaz and Shawn, the way she is, will put them at ease. Roark can be pretty aggressive responding to assholes.”

“Excellent. We’ll beat up the homophobes together.” Amanda gave Davis another hug and let him go. She was exhausted. “I think I’m going to play with my sister and Sterling for a little while. I need some kid time.”

She left the office and headed toward the patio of Dakota and Gunner’s house. Suddenly, she was bodily moved to the side, through a door. It was closed behind her and Erick stared into her eyes. She was in his bedroom. The one place she’d never been in all her visits to Florida.

“You’re silent and fast,” she observed.

“Why didn’t you say anything, Amanda?”

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