Out of Love(39)
Parking a hand on my side, I used my other hand to pinch my lower lip for a few seconds as I watched Jericho shift on the grass, resting his head on the ground. “Where were you the week I watched Jericho for you? Where were you the day my dad arrived?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d lose my job if I told you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” My arms crossed over my chest.
“I deliver things.”
“Drugs?”
“No.” He leaned his head back against the tree trunk and closed his eyes.
“Underage girls?”
“No.”
My outrageous question didn’t make him flinch. That fed the toxic lump in the bottom of my stomach. If underage girls didn’t make him flinch, even a little bit, then he wasn’t working part-time for UPS, accommodating the Amazon addictions of the masses.
“Is it legal? Your job?”
Dropping his chin, he opened his eyes and studied me for several seconds. “It’s a gray area.”
Forcing out a long, exasperated breath, I pivoted. “I have class.”
“Are we studying tonight?”
Before I had the chance to turn toward him, he was at my back, his hands sliding around my waist, his face burrowing into my neck.
“Why should I?” I bristled.
His lips ghosted along my ear. “Because it was me.”
Because it was me …
Because it was me …
Because it was me …
It took me a few seconds to blink, swallow, or breathe for that matter. “Wylder …” I interlaced my fingers with his at my waist. “I have a feeling you’re not going to like this … but I’m not going to be able to stop myself from doing it anyway.”
“What’s that?”
“Loving you.”
His grip on me loosened. I let my hands drop from his, giving him space. When I no longer felt any part of him touching me, I forced my feet forward.
Right. Left. Right. Left.
No glances back.
No making my case.
No more words.
I wasn’t asking for permission to love him.
I wasn’t asking him to love me back.
I wasn’t asking for anything.
Chapter Sixteen
Wylder
“I’m not a babysitter.” I slid into the booth at the back of the dark, third-rate cafe, just before the dinner rush. The clattering of plates and blend of conversations provided its own privacy. The stench of overcooked grease hung heavily in the air.
Abe flicked his lighter several times, knowing damn well he wasn’t allowed to smoke in the restaurant. It gave him something to do with his fidgety hands. “Last I checked, you’re whatever I need you to be.”
The waitress brought me ice water. “Ready to order?”
I shook my head. “Not eating.”
“Okay.” She took my menu.
He dunked several fries into ketchup and shoved them into his mouth, licking his sausage fingers. “What’s the most important thing I’ve taught you?”
“Patience,” I answered without emotion, keeping my gaze trained to the patrons coming and going instead of the bitter man opposite me.
“Yes. Patience. I’ve thrown you a few bones.”
“Amateur shit. You didn’t need me to do it.”
“True. I knew you needed it to stay focused.”
“Focused on what?” My attention returned to him.
“The girl.”
“When are you going to tell me about her?”
He wiped his mouth and slurped his soda. “Since when am I required to give you detailed information? We’ve gone over this a million times. The less you know, the better.”
“Better for who?” I tossed the straw out of my water glass and gulped down half of it.
“Everyone involved. Are you keeping her safe?”
I chewed on a piece of ice for several seconds before shrugging one shoulder. “She’s alive.”
“Thanks to you.” He smirked.
I didn’t share his odd amusement. Instead, I blew out an exasperated breath. “Why did you need to see me?”
“Her dad’s in town.”
“I know.”
“Have you met him?”
“No.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way.”
“Why?”
He gave me a look. I hated that fucking look. It wasn’t simply that he kept me in the dark. It was the way he made it seem like doing so was protecting me. I found knowledge to be empowering. Maybe he liked having all the power.
“Things could get uncomfortable if you meet him.”
I bit my tongue for a few seconds, knowing he wasn’t going to answer my question if it was too broad like, “Why?” So I tried to figure it out on my own and present it to him in a way that I could at least read his reaction enough to see if I was at least warm. “Her dad hired you, didn’t he? To watch over her? Is she in danger?”
“Cast away, boy … I’m not going to bite. Just do as you’re told. Keep her safe but keep your distance from her father. We’ll be in touch when the status quo needs to change again.”