Seven
Thor
Frustration floods my veins when I open the door to let Cut into Clover’s house. Of course, Rock sent him. I hate to admit that he’s a decent guard, but still, my stomach sours at the thought of leaving him here alone with Clover.
He’s never done anything with a client.
My poor attempt to remind myself of this does nothing to ease my nerves. I’m glad Clover’s still asleep. Though, I probably need to prepare her for Cut. I should have done that yesterday, but I was holding out hope Rock would send someone else. Anyone else. Heck, even Bex would be a welcome sight. Even if she is barely five feet tall.
Swinging my eyes to Cut, I take in his bulk and stern expression. He’s an intimidating sight. One of his arms is as thick as my thigh. He has a steely gaze, sharp jawline, and dark hair. All that coupled with his broody personality makes him good at this job and a hit with the ladies. Until they realize he’s a narcissistic jerk.
But he won’t be here long enough for Clover to get to know him, so all I can do is pray that he’ll focus on the job until I’m back tonight. Because if something happens to Clover while she’s on his watch . . . I let the thought trail off.
I give him a quick rundown of the situation and layout of the home.
With each of his grunted responses, my teeth clench harder. I do not feel comfortable having him alone in the house with Clover.
“So, yeah, that’s about it.” I glance around. “You can find somewhere outside to get comfortable until I get back this evening.”
“What?” Clover’s voice coming from behind me causes me to wince. “Why would he be setting up outside?”
Cut slices his gaze to me, a smug grin barely visible at the corner of his mouth. Then, he slowly steps around me toward Clover.
I intervene, placing myself partway in front of her. “Clover, this is Nick. He’s going to replace me for the day.” I glance down to her open mouth and wide eyes as she stares up at Cut.
He dips his head and speaks in a low, seductive voice. “Ms. Mason.”
Clover snaps her mouth shut and I can practically see her withdrawing into herself as she wraps her cardigan tighter around her. I look at Cut. “Give us a minute.”
I don’t wait for his response as I grasp Clover’s arm gently and guide her to her bedroom. I shut the door behind us, scanning her face.
“Are you okay? ”
She blinks. “Huh? What? Yes, of course.” Her eyes dart to the door and back to me. “He’s just so massive,” she says in a hushed whisper.
My jaw clenches, but I plaster a smile on my face and nod. “He is.”
Clover eyes me warily. “You don’t like him.”
Now it’s my turn to blink. “Irrelevant.”
She inhales deeply and straightens her shoulders. I hesitate, wishing I didn’t have to leave. But Gunner has to keep this appointment with his cardiologist. Plus, Rock requires his guys to switch out every forty-eight to seventy-two hours for a refresh, even if it’s only for a few hours at a time.
Stepping closer to her, I rest my hand lightly on her shoulder, hoping she won’t punch me in the face. “Nick doesn’t talk much, but he’s good at his job.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “He’ll keep you safe.” Or I’ll kill him myself.
Something flashes in Clover’s eyes as she squirms away from my touch. “So he isn’t a talker like you?”
I shake my head, and much to the damage of my pride, Clover lets out a deep sigh of what sounds like relief.
“Oh, thank goodness. Maybe I’ll actually be able to get some work done now.”
My mouth drops open. “What do you mean? I’ve been letting you work.”
Crossing her arms, she snorts. “Is that what you call it? How am I supposed to work with you pacing the floors, humming to yourself, and smacking that gum of yours!? ”
“None of that was loud,” I argue, but she simply rolls her eyes. My voice growing serious, I ask, “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Does Daddy need to look into hiring from another security company? Because you don’t seem to have confidence in your co-worker, and that’s concerning.”
I run a hand through my hair, not willing to admit that I’m not worried for her safety. I’m worried she’ll have an anxiety attack and Cut won’t know what to do. And yes, a part of me is worried that tall, dark, broody, and handsome is her type and that Cut will sweep her off her feet before I’ve had the chance. So, I guess, blame my reluctance to leave on plain ol’ jealousy.
“No, of course not. I just want to make sure you are okay before I leave.”
I’m not sure what about my words or tone has her studying me so intently, but her expression softens. “Yes, Thor. I will be fine.”
I draw in a full breath, my gaze roaming her face. “Okay, then. I’ll see you this evening.”
Cut smirks at me as I exit through the garage door, but I completely ignore him and instead focus on praying for Clover to be okay—both physically and emotionally—while I’m gone.
The unease still hasn’t lifted by the time Gunner and I leave the doctor’s office. I hope to head straight home and get a couple hours of sleep. Then, I can go back to Clover’s early. Except, Cut would tell Rock and then Rock would question why I was returning before my scheduled time.
I sigh. Rock is aware that I struggle to sleep because of my time in the Marines. And Rock always says that sleep deprivation leads to mistakes. He’s not wrong.
As soon as we get in the car, Gunner says, “Next stop, the Peach!”
I run a hand down my face. “I thought you were off today.”
“Mrs. W-Woodhouse has cupcakes. For the station.” His small eyes narrow even more. “And you’re taking me, mister.” He snickers as he tugs at his blue beanie. Red hair the same color as mine sticks out the sides.
My brow arches. “Oh, am I? What if I had other plans?”
Gunner crosses his arms, his lips twisting into a pout as he snorts. “Plans more important than your bi-big brother?” He pauses to form his next words. “I don’t th-think so.”
Shaking my head, I chuckle. “I guess I can’t argue with that.”
“Because I’m always right.” He sticks his tongue out at me, then grins.
“I think ‘always’ is a bit of a stretch.” I turn toward the bakery where my brother works part-time.
“W-whatever. You don’t have plans. You can’t even get a girlfriend.” He laughs at his own joke. “Oh, s-sick burn!”
“Whoa. That’s harsh. I can get a girlfriend anytime I want.”
Gunner rolls his eyes dramatically. “You j-just want a girl to kiss and neck. ”
I run a hand down my face and beard to cover my smile. “Been watching old movies with Mom again, haven’t you?”
He snickers. “You need a g-girlfriend, but you can’t have Joy. She’s all mine.” His smile turns dreamy while mine breaks loose as he fiddles with the beads on his fidget bracelets that Joy made for him.
Joy—who also has Down syndrome—met Gunner through their jobs at The Screaming Peach two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. It’s nice seeing my big brother so happy and in love. Honestly, their sweet relationship is the only thing that has kept any hope alive that maybe, someday, I could find something like what they share.
Fire-blazing violet eyes, freckled face, and black curls flash through my mind and I clear my throat. “You and Joy have something most people only dream of having.”
“You can get a nice girl, too.” He turns his amber gaze toward me. “You’re a g-good guy.”
My throat clogs up, and I clap a hand on his shoulder and squeeze. Even with what some may call a disability, Gunner sees more than most people and isn’t afraid to say what’s on his heart.
“Will Cai let me use the sirens today?” he asks, and I’m thankful his thoughts have shifted away from my non-existent love life.
I shrug. “Maybe. Depends on how busy they are when we get there.”
Once we arrive at the station, Gunner grabs the cupcakes from the back of the car, balancing the boxes carefully .
“Here let me help.” I come around the car and take a couple of boxes.
Gunner huffs. “I had them.”
“I know. But I had empty hands, so might as well put me to work,” I say lightly, hoping he’ll let it go. He hates when people treat him differently because he has Down syndrome.
Rolling his eyes, he walks past me, his lips stretching into a wide grin as he catches sight of Cai. “Hey, Hotshot!” he yells way too loudly, causing me to wince.
Heads snap in our direction, and all the guys shout greetings. Some head our way when they see we’ve brought the goods.
“Are those from the Screaming Peach?” one of the guys asks.
“You kn-know it,” Gunner replies, sounding proud of himself. I can’t keep the grin from my face as the firefighters talk to him. They slap him on the shoulder, laugh with him, and don’t complain about the dozens of selfies he asks to take with them. It’s one reason he loves this place. Everyone treats him with respect and kindness, never making him feel as if he’s different from anyone else.
Soon, he’s sitting in one of the trucks, blasting the sirens and throwing his head back laughing.
My thoughts drift to Clover. I wonder what she would think of Gunner. For some reason, I have a feeling she’d treat him much nicer than she treats me.
Cai walks over to me, stuffing his face. “What are you smiling about?” he asks over a mouthful of cupcake .
I didn’t realize I was smiling. Tilting my head toward Gunner, I reply, “He loves it here.” It isn’t a lie, though it isn’t the entire truth either.
Cai nods, noting my fingers tapping on my thighs before he meets my eyes. “How are you? Really?”
I’m not sure what he sees on my face, probably the dark crescent moons under my eyes. Or maybe it’s the way I’m constantly tapping my fingers or bouncing on my feet. I lift a shoulder trying to appear nonchalant. “Same as always.”
“Does this have anything to do with your weird text the other night?”
“What was so weird about it?”
Cai cocks an eyebrow. “Bloody noses and butterflies?”
I shrug as I look around the station. This isn’t the time or place to have a deep conversation with my friend, so I deflect with a wave of my hand. “It was nothing. I just couldn’t sleep.” Only part of that was a lie.
“Thor, if you ever need anything—”
Clapping him on the back, I laugh, though it sounds forced. “What could I ever need? I’m good.”
Cai frowns, but Gunner takes that moment to hop out of the fire engine and come over, distracting Cai from whatever he was about to say. He’s trying to help, and normally, I would talk about anything. But I can’t go down that path. The memories are too strong. I’d rather stuff them down and forget them.
Again, my mind is full of images of Clover. What is she doing right now? I laugh to myself. She’s probably sitting at her computer, ignoring Nick—or at least, I hope she is—her curls bouncing around her shoulders, her lips twisting into a frown as she aggressively types away, muttering under her breath. Or maybe she’s just read a part—probably a kissing scene—and her eyes are glazed over as she audibly sighs—though I don’t think she realizes she does that.
Has she ever been kissed?
I mentally shake myself. I’m not sure what it is about Clover Mason, but she’s already burrowed herself into my heart.
Before Gunner and I leave the station, I turn to Cai. “Want to meet at the tavern later?”
“Sounds good. I’ll see if anyone else is free. See you later, man.”
When we get to the car, I glance at Gunner. It’s crazy. I’ll probably regret it in a week, but . . . “Want to make another stop?”
“Well, duh,” he replies sarcastically, earning a grin from me. I love how he’s always up for anything. No questions asked.
A little over an hour later, we’re finally home. Gunner heads to his room to play video games. I slip my phone out of my pocket and check for any missed calls or messages. My heart sinks a little when there’s nothing.
Of course there’s nothing. Why would she call you?
Besides, it’s good there haven’t been any calls. It means everything is okay. Clover is safe.
Sighing, I loosen my watch so it doesn’t rub the bandage underneath and head to my room, collapsing on my bed before I’ve even removed my shoes.
But my sleep is restless. Filled with images of black curls and violet eyes.