Page 90 of Witness Protection

“I’m not worried about it, so neither should you be.”

“You still have her?”

“No, I gave her back to her own people. I’m done. I feel like shit, look like shit, and I just want to get the fuck out of here. Can you arrange for my bike and some clothes?”

It must have been the tone of his voice, but Randy didn’t argue. Sounded almost sympathetic. Did he realize Cayden’s heartstrings were ripped to shreds, his sanity only a couple words away from fracturing into insanity?

He gave his friend the address and room number of the hotel. He couldn’t exactly leave in his boxers.

The urge for a smoke took him by storm, especially with his emotions at an all-time high. Why should he bother to quit now? He had no reason to better himself. Not a fucking thing.

He started up the coffeemaker. It was something.

Cayden walked around the room, squinting with each step, but refusing to listen to the pain telling him to sit his ass down. What did he think would happen? That he’d save Sophia and she’d run into his arms like a fairy tale? Tell him she picked him over everyone else in the world? He’d never been anyone’s number one, and that deep seated need to be wanted grew tenfold since he fell in love with the little mafia princess.

He’d have to hit the road, forget about her—this time for good. Maybe he’d move across the country where he had no chance of running into her or Hawk.

Or maybe he’d eat a bullet.

He began packing up his shit, tugging on his holsters as he waited for Randy to show up.

“What are you doing?”

He turned around to find Sophia standing there in an oversized t-shirt that barely reached her thighs. “Getting out of here. We’re both free. No contracts on our heads.”

“You can’t just leave. Where will you go?”

Her concern only angered him at this point.

“Don’t worry about it, little girl.” He winked at her just to piss her off.

“Stop it,” she said. Sophia approached him. “You’re hurt. You have to lie down.”

“I’ve been through worse.”

“I don’t care.”

She reached for him, but he grabbed her arm to keep her back. “I know I don’t come across as much, but believe it or not, I have feelings. Stop screwing with me, Sophia. You and Hawk can have your happy ever after now. Leave me the fuck out of it.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t know what to do.”

“I’ll make it easy for you. Turn around and go back to the bedroom. I’ll be gone next time you come out.”

“No!” She grabbed his harnesses, pulling herself closer. He tried to push her away, but she screamed and latched on with both fists.

“What the hell’s going on?” Hawk came out in his boxers, tugging Sophia off him and spinning her around. “Tell me, Sophia.”

She shook her head and shrugged him off, walking to the windows. Her arms were wrapped around herself, her body shuddering as she silently continued crying.

Hawk looked at him. They both stood in place, no words, nothing but eye contact. He wanted to hate the other man, but he came up short. It was better for him to leave without a fight.

“I’ll be out of your hair in twenty minutes. Just waiting on my ride.”

Hawk nodded once.

“Sure you’re up to it? You’ve been through a lot,” said Hawk.

Cayden scoffed. “And you care?”

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