Page 41 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

These assholes are going to pay, and I am going to enjoy having a direct hand in that.

“Why don’t we slow to a walk and pick up the pace when you’re ready?” Riley studies her surroundings before switching her gaze back to me. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re too nice to be in this place,” I offer with a frown. “How did you end up here anyway?”

Riley studies my face again. “It’s a long story.”

“I’ve got time.”

She moves next to me. As we begin to walk, our sneakers crunch against the gravel. Now and again, I catch the smell of wildflowers and freshly cut grass before it disappears and is replaced by the smell of dirt and pine. I bring my arms up over my head and peek over my shoulder at Hayes and the other guard who walk side by side, lagging behind us.

Given that I am in their compound, they don’t seem to feel the need to keep a close eye on me, especially when they know I can’t escape without Riley taking me down.

Besides, it isn’t as if any information Riley gives me would be useful anyway, not when they’re listening closely and watching my every move.

Bastards.

“My father has a debt to pay,” Riley begins in a quiet voice, “but he’s too old, so when the time came to pay, I volunteered in his place.”

I swing my gaze back to her, and my stomach tightens. “What do you mean?”

“I’m working off my father’s debt,” Riley murmurs without looking at me. “I know it must seem awful to you, but they were accommodating and reasonable.”

“It doesn’t sound like it.”

“A debt is a debt.” Riley’s hand moves to her gun, and she absentmindedly runs her fingers along the sleek surface. “And it’s better than the alternative.”

“What do they have over you?”

Riley shakes her head. “Not me, my dad.”

I study her profile, how the afternoon sun slants behind her, and the tight way she holds herself. “It’s not your burden to carry.”

“We carry the sins of our parents whether we want to or not.” Riley shrugs, and her expression grows sad. “Besides, once I pay off the debt, that’ll be it. I can get out after that.”

My eyes move over her face. “Are you sure about that? I get the feeling that this isn’t the kind of job you can walk away from.”

Riley looks over at me, and a myriad of emotions dances across her face. “In my case, it’s different. Once I pay off my father’s debt, I can walk away.”

“And in the meantime, you have to do their bidding?”

“I keep my head down and do as I’m told,” Riley agrees in an airy voice. “It’s not so bad. Shane has my back.”

“Shane?” I choke out. “Shane O’Connor?”

Riley nods, her expression twisting into one of amusement. “He’s the one who brokered a deal on my behalf.”

“I knew he was involved.”

“Shane isn’t involved in any of this,” Riley tells me with a shake of her head. “He and Isaiah are business partners but that’s about it.”

I snort. “I knew Shane a little in high school.” My hands move up to my ponytail, and I tug on the end of it. “He was a dipshit back then, and I don’t think he’s changed much. He’s actually gotten more arrogant.”

Riley chuckles. “That doesn’t sound like the Shane I know. Are you sure you aren’t mistaking his confidence for arrogance?”

“Not in his case.”

Riley’s lips lift into a half-smile. “Well, I don’t know what he was like back then, but he’s a good guy, all things considered.”

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