Page 15 of Rhys

Looks can be deceiving, dickhead. You’d do good to remember that.

That annoying voice of reason in his head was right. How did that old saying go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Never gonna happen.

With his head back on straight, he avoided bumping her injured arm and gave her thigh a gentle nudge.

“Hey, Vanessa. Wake up.”

“Hmm…?” she mumbled softly.

Fuck, he’d forgotten how adorable she was when she was sleeping.

Putting that and any other dangerous thought out of his exhausted mind, Rhys said her name a bit louder. “Vanessa.”

In an unexpected move, her eyes flew open, and she shot straight up in her seat. He didn’t miss the way her right hand automatically slid straight to her hip.

She was reaching for a gun.

“Easy there, killer.” Rhys held up a hand. “We’re here.”

The crazed look in her pretty green eyes dissipated as she processed his words. “Sorry. I must have dozed off.”

“Guess so.” He pushed his door open and climbed out from behind the wheel. Rounding the hood of the car, he moved briskly so he could be there in time to help her to her feet.

“Thanks.” She took his offered hand with a tiny, sleepy smile. Taking in their surroundings, she asked, “Who’s condo is this?”

“Mine.”

Emerald eyes that were much more alert now flew to his. “This is your place? As in…youlivehere?”

“Sure hope so.” Rhys quipped. “Otherwise someone’s going to be pissed that I have keys to their place.”

“I’m serious, Rhys. We can’t stay here.”

“Oh, but I’m pretty sure we can.”

Ignoring her concern—and knowing that the potential for broken glass wasn’t an issue here—he decided to let her walk on her own and headed for the steps leading to his front stoop.

“They could find us here,” Vanessa hissed as she padded up the steps behind him. “Whoever shot me saw us together at the museum. Not to mention, they’ve most likely already ran your plates. It’s only a matter of time before—”

Rhys spun on his heels to face her. “You seem to forget what I do for a living. I have a state-of-the-art security system, and I’m highly trained. That’s why you came to me, right?” When she didn’t respond to the rhetorical question, he added, “You called asking for my help, Vanessa. This is me helping you.”

Regardless of their past, hewouldkeep her under his protection. At least until he figured out what the hell was really going on.

Facing the condo’s entrance once more, he pressed a set of memorized numbers into the electronic pad mounted next to the doorframe. Rhys waited for the green light and telltale beep before turning the knob and opening the door.

“It’s not me I’m worried about.” Vanessa followed him inside. “Kenneth Austin is a very powerful man with more money and connections than God. If he finds out you’re helping me…”

Her voice trailed off as she caught her first glimpse of his home. It wasn’t the biggest nor the most elaborate in the area, but it was his.

“Wow.” She slowed her steps. “This is really nice.”

“Thanks.” Rhys followed her gaze as it took in the exposed brick wall to their right.

He’d hung a few paintings there when he’d first bought the place. They weren’t of anything in particular. Just a mixture of swirling colors that complemented each other, as well as the rest of the living room’s open space.

Vanessa continued looking around. At first glance, she appeared to be making a casual assessment. First of the tan couch and matching recliner facing his oversized flatscreen T.V. mounted high on the wall they faced. The espresso brown coffee table and matching end tables were next, followed by his small but modern table and chairs.

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