Chapter 5 #3
“We’ve had this conversation before.” More than once.
She was starting to think she needed to tell her brother about Logan’s pursuit of her.
She’d held off because deep down she was terrified her brother might try to force the issue, to force her to marry him or something equally insane. She would run then.
Screw everything else, she wouldn’t marry someone like Logan.
“Most women would be flattered by my attention.” His tone was petulant.
Did…he think this was sexy? Eww.
“You work with my brother,” she said simply. As if that was the only reason. Not waiting for a response, she opened her front door. “Please drive safely,” she said, gentling her tone because a man like Logan needed to be managed.
She’d learned at a young age that most men in her family’s employ could be managed.
His jaw clenched and she saw a flash of something in his eyes that scared her, but he left. And as soon as he did, she shut and dead-bolted the door. Then set her security alarm.
As she stepped into her kitchen, Cormac was out of the pantry, his expression dark.
“That man is a danger to you.”
“I know.”
He paused, almost deflating, as if he’d expected an argument.
“He’s very dangerous,” she added. “And he’s also not your concern.”
It was clear he wanted to argue, but to her surprise, Cormac finished putting up the food.
“So you’ve had a shitty day,” he finally said as he scooped the rest of the pasta into a glass container.
“Killed someone from the Popov organization this morning and then found your friend, or acquaintance, murdered. I’m surprised your brother doesn’t have you on lockdown. ”
“He doesn’t know about Lebedev— The guy from this morning. And for the record, I’d never met him before this morning either.”
Was it really the same day? Didn’t feel like it. She didn’t mention Greg because she couldn’t say his name. Her grief was directly under the surface and she wasn’t going to have a breakdown in front of her lying ex.
“Why are you here? In my house? Seriously, what do you want?” she demanded.
“To help you. I want to explain and to make things right.” His words were blunt little grenades he tossed into her luxury kitchen.
“You’re here out of guilt?”
“It’s not like that— A little, yes. But when I saw you today… I just want to help, Dani.”
She almost believed him. Almost. “Or more likely you’re still working for some agency and want to help take down my family.” She gave a derisive snort, refusing to be duped by him a second time.
“I don’t work for any government agency. But if you want to escape your family, I’ll help you. If that means taking them down, then I can help with that too.”
She stared at him for a long moment, her brain working overtime. And on fumes.
“I’m going to bed,” she finally said. “Please clean up the rest of the kitchen before you leave.”
“I’m not leaving tonight.”
She opened her mouth but he cut her off.
“You killed someone tonight. From the Popov organization. And you haven’t told your brother about it. I’m not leaving you here alone. Unprotected. So either call someone to stay with you and watch your house, or I’m staying.”
Damn it. She hated that he was actually right. And it was something she should have thought of. Now that the shock of the day was wearing off… If he could actually help her, she might let him.
Even if it annoyed her to no end. She had no fight left in her today. Or this wasn’t a battle she was willing to have. “Guest room is the first door on the left upstairs.” Considering he’d broken in, he probably already knew that.
She questioned her sanity as she simply headed upstairs but it wasn’t like she could call the cops on him. Well, technically she could, but the Hill family did not call the police for anything.
And she couldn’t call her brother.
She rubbed a hand over her face and shot off a text to Julian. Had a situation today, about to crash now. Will tell you everything tomorrow over lunch if you’re free.
She got a thumbs-up in response, which tracked. Her brother was always working. For all she knew, he was already aware of her killing Dima Lebedev today. Though she doubted it. If he’d known, he’d have someone watching her house.
And that was another reason she didn’t mind Cormac staying at her place. Jackass was right. She needed him here.
She might not want it to be true, but he represented security in a way she couldn’t quite define. She felt safe around him—even if he had broken her heart and lied to her. And she’d seen him in a fight before. He could more than handle himself.
Maybe she was the biggest fool, but after the day she’d had, she was glad to have him in her house instead of one of her brother’s people. She would sleep better anyway.
Tomorrow was a new day. In the morning she had to figure out what the hell was going on and what Lebedev and his bosses knew about her involvement with Temple. If anything.
Because she’d been targeted for a reason. She had no reason to believe the threat was over. If anything, it was probably just starting.