Page 21 of Absolution

Chapter 14

Leo

I’d just falleninto bed when my phone beeped. With a frustrated sigh, I grabbed it and read the incoming text.

Connor: Get to Gina’s. Now

I shot straight up and dove out of bed. Fuck, what was going on? I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before grabbing my car keys and racing out the door. Once I was behind the wheel, I called Connor.

“Is she okay?” I barked the minute he answered.

“She’s fine, but apparently had a late-night visitor. Came home to find your buddy in her house.”

I slammed my palm on the steering wheel. “Fuck.”

“You on your way?”

“Of course I am. ETA is ten minutes.”

“You’ll probably beat me. I also had her call the cops and ask for a friend of mine. Don’t know if he’s on duty tonight, but I also called his cell and left a message. Hopefully he’ll call me back.”

Fucking Gideon. Memories of a young kid flashed through my head. The three of us walking down the sidewalk with me playfully pulling him into a chokehold while I knuckled his hair. A young Gideon following me to Lorenzo’s drug house one night. Memories from a lifetime ago.

“She needs protection.”

“I’m one step ahead of you. I’ve already notified Congresswoman McAllister that you’ve been reassigned, and I’m sending Bates in your place. From here on out, protecting Gina is your number one priority. Where she goes, you go.”

A flash of Gina in her bedroom came to mind, but I shook it off. That wasn’t what Connor meant. There was just one problem. And that problem had a name. I shifted uncomfortably, like a sinner in a confessional.

“We might have a small issue.”

My boss raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and what is that?”

“She and I have a history.”

Slowly, he sat forward and stared me down. “Define history, because I don’t plan on going back to my wife and telling her that Gina isn’t protected because of a scorned lover.”

“Whoa,” I wave my hands at him. “Nothing like that. We were in the same foster home when we were kids. Grew up together. Well, until I left and joined the Army. When I became a member at Eden, I hadn’t seen her since I was eighteen years old. The issue is, she hates me.”

“Well, she doesn’t have to like you for you to protect her. Besides Miles, you’re the only other employee in the lifestyle that I’m aware of. If Gina’s at Eden, you’re at Eden.”

I already knew how well this was going to go over. She had always been stubborn, and even though I didn’t know the woman she’d become, I doubted anything had changed in that regard. Which was why this needed to come from me.

“Fine, but let me be the one to tell her.”

“I don’t care who tells her. All I care about is that she has twenty-four-hour protection.”

“That’s all I care about too,” I replied, affronted that Connor would think differently. I’d spent years trying to keep her protected. Every day I learned how much I’d failed in that task. I couldn’t fail again.

“Webber’s calling. Gotta go.” He was gone.

There were far too many cars out here this late at night. I weaved in and out several in my way before finally turning on Gina’s street. I slowed down and kept my eyes open for anyone hanging around. I slammed the car in park and pounded on her door.

Shadows moved inside and there was a pause before it opened.

“I take it Connor called you.” Gina stepped aside for me to pass.

“Of course he did. Now, tell me what happened.”

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