Chapter 2
Chapter Two
CALLUM
S he has no idea how long I’ve watched her. Or that I know everything about her.
I first heard the name Tinsley Moore because she had the misfortune of being the daughter of Ruben Moore, one of my targets. I was hired to gather information on his business before killing him, but after my client received the information, they spared his life.
So imagine my surprise when all of a sudden my niece, who doesn’t like anyone, becomes best friends with the one and only Tinsley Moore.
I knew that Ruben relocated his family after the investigation, but now I have a sneaking suspicion that he moved them here for a reason. Could that reason be to target my niece in order to get to me?
The person that hired me to kill Ruben is a high-ranking official in the CIA. When I get a call with a name and instructions, I don’t ask a lot of questions. It’s part of my job as a hired mercenary to do what I’m told and not ask questions. Before my brother and his wife died, I didn’t have to worry about my actions potentially hurting anyone else. Now that I have Charlie, I can’t take anything as a coincidence. If he’s enrolled his daughter in the same private school as my niece, then there must be a reason.
When I saw Charlie and Tinsley together, part of me wanted to interfere and protect my niece. But I realized that making her run away from the only life she knew wasn’t fair. Especially when she was falling in love with the retired NFL player they hired as the interim head coach.
I knew better than anyone that there would be signs before a threat was real, so I decided to gather all the information I could and keep a close eye on Tinsley. She could have been sent to get close to Charlie. Or worse, do something to hurt her.
In the beginning, I only followed her to see what she was up to. After watching her every move, I began to get closer. Eventually I went into the coffee shop with her but still tried to keep my distance.
The longer I watched her, the more my feelings of unease faded. And as the unease faded, obsession took its place.
She’s too young for me. Far, far too young. She’s the same age as my niece and barely legal. I’m close to the same age as her father, and I’m not a good man. I’ve got blood on my hands that will never wash away, and my soul is marred with my dark deeds. She’s bright like a spring afternoon with pretty, soft edges and the voice of an angel. She’s so pure it almost hurts to look at her, but somehow I can’t stop.
Last night I crossed the invisible line I made for myself. I told myself never to engage with her, never make contact, and certainly never touch her. But then I disabled her car and threw all those rules out the window. I wanted her to rely on me and in turn trust me.
I put her car back together and delivered it to her house an hour after I dropped her off. Complete with a tracker under the bumper. After that, I texted her to tell her where the key was, and she thanked me again.
She said she wanted to repay me with coffee, but I know it’s a bad idea. I saw the way she looked at me, and with Ruben Moore as her father, it’s clear she’s got daddy issues. My fingers still tingle from where they touched her, so yeah, it’s a bad idea.
So why am I sitting in this coffee shop waiting for her? Because I want her.
“Black coffee?” the barista asks before I order, and I nod.
When they pass it to me, I take it and then take a seat at the table farthest from the door. I want to watch her arrive and see her expression before she notices I’m here.
I’m rewarded a few moments later when she walks in the door and glances around the coffee shop. She’s frowning until she spots me, and her face lights up.
Fuck me, that smile makes my cock hard.
“You already ordered?” She pouts, and I want to suck on that pretty pink lip.
“Tinsley,” the barista calls out, and her eyes brighten.
I walk over to the bar and grab the hot chocolate before I pass it to her. “Your usual.”
“This was supposed to be my treat. It was a thank you for fixing my car and then bringing it to me. That was so nice of you.”
“I didn’t think you’d like it if I refused you, princess.” My voice lowers, and I don’t intend for it to sound as suggestive as it comes out.
“Well, thank you.” She dips her chin, and I can see the blush of her cheeks. “Can I sit with you?”
“Yes.” My brain is screaming no, no, no even as my eyes travel down her body.
She’s wearing her school uniform with a pink bow tie and cardigan. Her plaid skirt is shorter than Charlie wears hers, and I wonder if she’s rolled it up. Her legs look soft, and I don’t miss how her knees spread a little as she takes her seat.
I sit down quickly and adjust myself under the table. Fuck, I can’t get my hard dick under control.
My mind is swirling as I wonder if she’s wearing panties. How easy would it be for me to check? Would she show me?
She takes the lid off her hot chocolate and licks at the marshmallows. When the white cream lands on her chin, I reach over and use my thumb to wipe it off. I don’t think about it before I put my thumb in my mouth and lick.
“So tell me, Tinsley. Who takes care of you?”