Page 59 of Mile High Baby

She let out a breath. "Of course, for the time being. When this is all over, you'll go back to your life."

You could come with me.No, she couldn't. Jesus fuck, I was going mad. “Why don't you pack up what you need for a few days?”

"I thought you said one or two days.”

"That's what I meant." Except I didn't. This was it for me and her. I should tell her that, but as I looked into her beautiful face, the words escaped me.

“I’ll call your dad and let him know you're coming."

She stared up at me, and I wondered if she could see the lies in my eyes. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did. She knew I could be an asshole.

Unable to help myself, I leaned forward and kissed her. Gentle. Sweet. Filling my chest with a need so strong I nearly gave in.

When I pulled away, I released her and went looking to pack up my own things. “Get packed.”

I heard her leave the room and only then did I look up. I was such an idiot. How had I let this happen? Why did I let it go so far? I felt like a fucking asshole.

I pulled out my phone and called Henry.

"Alex, is everything alright?" Henry's voice was stressed. “We had some trouble—"

"Yes, yes. Victoria is fine."

"Thank God. I guess you know a man was found sneaking around the house."

"Yes. That's why I'm calling. I need to go talk to him, so I'm bringing Victoria back to your place.”

"Oh... well, I'm glad she'll be here. I'll feel better. Will she stay?”

Yes, but she didn't know that yet. "Maybe. Right now, I need a couple of days. I’ve got extra men assigned.”

“I wanted you—”

“I know, but you should have seen by now that all the men on this team are good.” God, for once I needed him to relent.

“I guess it’s just a few days.”

“Yes. And I need to talk to this guy if we’re going to put Pitney away.”

"Where is he?"

I vacillated on what to tell him. Saint Security stopped working with less reputable and unsavory people years ago, but depending on the job, on occasion, our actions still skirted the laws. Instead of sending this guy to the police, we held him, questioning him. We knew Pitney wouldn’t send the cops looking for him or he’d have to explain why his henchman was staking out Henry’s.

We didn't torture, but we could definitely scare people just enough to find out something more substantial than fraud to put him away. If I could get that type of information, then maybe Henry and Victoria could have some breathing room.

They’d still need protection unless we could find a way to cut off Pitney's power. That was something I needed to look into. But first, I’d talk to this guy and learn what I could. If he cooperated not just with us, but with the D.A. too, we could protect him.

Then I could return to London and resume my life.

A pang of sadness clenched my chest at the idea of my old life. I ignored it.

"He's in custody." I answered Henry's question.

It wasn't a lie even if I knew Henry would think police custody.

"I've made a mess of things, haven't I?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was too late for Henry to second-guess himself. "Pitney is a sick fuck, Henry. You're just trying to make the world better. "

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