Page 24 of Virtue & Vengeance

It was sarcasm and anger mixed into something that was attempting to be sweet.

“If you’re so insistent that I need a bodyguard, then I can ask a friend to stay over until my aunt gets home.”

What the fuck?

No.

My eyes narrowed, and my arm tightened like a snake around her. The defiant turn of her chin and the spark in her eyes told me exactly which friend she was talking about.

The bar back.

Luke.

Or whatever the fuck his name was.

“Unless you want to stay behind bars until Kennedy gets home, you’ll do no such fucking thing.”

I let her go suddenly, and she fell back a step, taking a deep breath.

I turned and walked toward the door.

“Oh and angel,” I said, turning with a grin.

“Eden,” she corrected.

I ignored her. “Don’t even think about trying to run. You’ll only find yourself with Officer Johnson again. You fail to remember one very vital thing.”

“And what’s that?” she asked.

“This is my city, and I know everyone. Nothing gets past me.”

She shook her head. “Sir yes, sir.”

Then she did something that shocked even me.

She slammed the door in my face.

I laughed, stepping away from the door and starting toward the elevator. My little angel had a touch of the devil in her veins. The fight in her was hot as fuck, and I couldn’t wait to break her in.

I WENT BACK TO WORK, but my mind stayed on Eden. Things were happening to her, even if she didn’t want to admit it.

One thing was for sure; I wanted to make sure she remained safe. No one was as vigilant as me, but I couldn’t be everywhere, and I wanted to hire extra help to watch over her when I couldn’t.

I made the call, listening while the other line rang.

“Hello,” Rafael finally answered.

He was my go-to when I wanted Intel. He stayed on my payroll so when I called I was priority one.

He didn’t come around much, but he was the largest Spanish man I’d ever met. Most men were afraid of him. Not I, since I knew things about Rafael that others didn’t.

Like the fact that he did almost anything for money. And since I had enough to run all of Vegas, he and I were square.

“Rafael, it’s Zander. I need two of your best guys.”

“What kind of job is this?”

“I need someone watched … a girl. She needs protection.”

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