Chapter 8 #2
“Say something.” She hiked her dark brows in challenge when I didn’t respond.
I released a labored sigh, realizing she’d given me the perfect opportunity to keep her safe. “Okay.”
My simple agreement seemed safer than the other thing I wanted to say. That the attraction I’d felt for her since the moment she walked into my mom’s shop had doubled when she chose to stand with me instead of letting Tyler pull her away. It was a small, silly thing, but I’d liked it. A lot.
Sloane’s determined expression pinched. “Really? Just like that? You’ll let me help?”
“Sloane—”
“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted.
“It’s dangerous. I should let the sheriff handle this.
Or maybe I should go back to the mainland with my family and put the run-in behind me.
” She shook her head. “But I won’t do that.
I’m not built that way. I don’t run and I don’t pretend.
The families of those missing women deserve answers.
I would’ve wanted someone to do this for me, if he’d succeeded last night. ”
Something shifted in my chest as she spoke.
I appreciated her confidence, her love for the island, and her connection to my mom.
But this feeling was different. This was admiration, I realized.
Respect for someone who wouldn’t back down when things got hard.
Still, she wasn’t safe to move forward with her plan.
She was still a potential target. The prey.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” she said. “You keep going quiet, and I need you to talk.”
“I’m thinking you aren’t trained for the kind of thing you’re suggesting.
” I dragged my gaze to the water. It was too difficult to concentrate with her eyes on mine.
“If we’re right, and this man is responsible for the missing hikers, then we’re dealing with someone clever enough to evade detection for years.
Someone who is dangerous and escalating.
The last hiker is still making headlines, and he’s already made a grab for you.
” Two, if I counted chasing her through the forest on the night we’d met.
Sloane nodded. “I agree. I don’t have the kind of training necessary to face off with him.”
I looked at her again. She’d said the right things, so why did it feel like a setup?
“I don’t,” she repeated. “But you do. That’s the real reason I came here. I want to hire you to protect me while I look for this guy.”
I frowned. Of all the things I thought she might say next, this wasn’t in my top ten thousand. “You want to hire me?”
“My family is returning to the mainland today. They have business commitments, and I refuse to go. I’ll be alone for the next ten days to two weeks.
And honestly? The thought of being in that house by myself, knowing he’s out there...
” She shuddered. “I’d rather be there with someone I trust to protect me. ”
I rubbed my brow. When she’d suggested we work together, I’d had something completely different in mind. Now, she wanted to hire me? I was a US Marine, not a bodyguard.
“I can pay you,” she said. “I’ll be consuming most of your time, and that’s asking a lot, especially when I know your time is limited, and you’re still deciding if you plan to stay here. So, please, name your rate. Whatever you want, I can afford it.”
Her words came faster as she spoke, as if she thought I might say no before she could convince me otherwise.
“You’d have your own room, obviously, and complete privacy.
I won’t get in your way. I just need to know that someone’s with me until this guy is found.
And it would be nice if you accompanied me on any necessary outings while I look into this. ”
I stared at her, stunned silent, but intrigued. Living in the same house as Sloane Mercer. Being near her every day, and every night. That was definitely not a good idea. I’d be too distracted, and I wouldn’t be at my best.
“If you aren’t interested,” she said, apparently sensing my coming response.
“That’s fine. I understand, but it won’t change my plan.
I’ll hire a personal protection detail from the mainland.
I just want to be clear that saying no to me won’t prevent me from moving forward.
I will do everything in my power to stop this guy from taking someone else. ”
I couldn’t allow her to put herself in danger by choosing me as a distracted protector.
But the thought of someone else in the role tightened my body for a fight. I didn’t want anyone else near her like that, around the clock, in her personal space, earning her trust. Learning everything about her.
Absolutely not.
“I won’t take your money,” I said finally.
Disappointment flickered across her face. “All right.” She looked away, cheeks pink. “Thank you for hearing me out and for your help last night. I owe you everything for that, and I understand you have your hands full already. I’ll make some calls later.”
“I’ll do it.”
“But you just said—”
“I said I don’t want to be added to your payroll,” I corrected. “I want the same things you do. Closure for the families of those missing hikers. Justice for you and the ones who went missing. A lifetime of imprisonment, preferably something worse, for the guy behind it all.”
“So, you’ll stay with me?” Hope crept into her voice, bright and fragile. “At the house?”