Page 126 of Tempting Little Thief

“Bastian!” she shouts.

“What?” My head tugs back, a low chuckle leaving me.

“Of for fuck’s sake, get in the car. I need to get home and fast.”

Huffing, I toss the damn hose and slide into the front seat. “Will your little gang tell him where you’re at?”

“They don’t know where I’m at,” she says, typing away. “But no.”

“You sure?”

“I trust them, Bastian. All of them.”

Her words bring a bitter taste to my mouth, but I get it. She’s had them in her corner most of her life. Of course, there’s trust there.

But would they take a bullet for her?

A knife to the chest?

Would they kill for her?

Bet not …

“Shit, okay, take me to The Enterprise. Sai will pick me up there.”

“Who the fuck is Sai and what makes you think your dad doesn’t already have people there looking or isn’t already on his way himself? Not that I care.”

“Don’t start,” she cuts me off, the conversation a repetitive one. “And I’m sure he does, but Sai is keeping watch and he’sparked outside the gates waiting. He’s my driver and guard and has been since I was little. I think I told you about him.”

“You didn’t. Why was your dad looking for you? Why go searching instead of calling?”

When she says nothing, my eyes slice her way expectantly.

I slam the brakes, her hands shooting out to keep herself from eating the plastic of the dash.

“What the fuck?!” she shouts.

“Tell me.”

“Drive.”

I pull the keys out, roll the window down and wind my arm back.

Her hand locks around my wrist, halting me. “Wait, stop! Shit.”

Sitting back, I give her a blank expression. “Why you still keeping shit from me? If something is wrong, I need to know.”

“The less you know, the safer you are.”

I grip the back of her neck, yanking her face to mine, my brows snapping low in the center. “Never try to protect me. Do you understand me? That is my job. Whether you’re aware of it or not, I am your first line of defense.”

She frowns, questioning me silently, but I give her a squeeze, and finally, she nods.

Sticking the keys back in the ignition, I put the car back in drive and start moving.

“My sister—”

“Is supposed to marry someone and bailed?”

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