Page 60 of My Grumpy Billionaire Protector

I am living and breathing proof of what happens when they toe the line, and sooner or later, things are going to come to a head.

I just pray I am safely on the other side when it happens.

Riley clears her throat. “We all have to do things we’re not proud of, especially for the people that we love.”

I expel a harsh breath. “Tell me about it.”

“We should start heading back,” Riley suggests after a quick look around. “It’s going to get colder.”

In silence, we begin the walk back, this time with Hayes and Felix taking the lead. As soon as the house emerges, the two of them disappear around the back.

Wordlessly, Riley leads me back in and toward the kitchen. While there, she opens and closes several cupboards until she finds a pot and a container full of food.

A muffled voice comes from her hip. She picks up the radio and shoots me a brief look. “I’ll be right back.”

As soon as she is gone, I hurry down the hall with my heart in my throat and press my ear to the office door I’ve marked as Isaiah’s. He is as mysterious and reserved as he was on the first day and by far, the hardest person to crack. As far as everyone else is concerned, there is a motive or a tragic turn of events that had led him here. What little bits of information I’ve gathered about Isaiah have cast him in a somewhat softer light.

Not that it changes what he’s done.

Not even close.

Sure, he has a tragic backstory, and his trials have hardened him, but he doesn’t seem affected by them in the slightest. On the contrary, he seems to use these things as kindling to build a bigger fire.

With everyone else momentarily distracted, I crouch there and listen as quietly as I can, hoping to hear something useful. When I can’t make out anything, I wander around the house, discreetly searching for a way out. In the distance, I hear voices coming closer.

My heart misses a beat as I stroll back into the kitchen in time to see Riley round the corner, wisps of red hair plastered to her forehead.

“Is everything okay?”

Riley gives me a curt nod. “Yup.”

“So, what are we doing with the pot?”

“We aren’t doing anything. I’ve got to go. Hayes and Felix are going to be keeping an eye on you for the rest of the day.”

Fuck.

“Isn’t there anyone else?”

Riley shakes her head. “I’ll see you later.”

On her way out, Shane walks in, escorted by Hayes and Felix. He is dressed in a pair of washed-out jeans and a red sweater. The two of them hover in the doorway to the kitchen while Shane approaches me. He stops in front of the counter and leans forward, giving me a strange look.

“A pot and a container full of food. What are you making?”

“This was Riley’s idea.” I set the pot and container down and take a step back. “I honestly have no idea what she was planning on making.”

Shane glances from the counter to my face. “I couldn’t tell you either.”

I clear my throat and shove my hands into the pockets of my sweatpants. “So…”

“So…”

“I have no idea what I’m doing.”

Silence stretches between us.

“Maybe I’ll make myself some hot apple cider. You want some?”

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