Page 16 of Relinquish

“Why exactly are you living on this street? You do realize this neighborhood has one of the highest crime rates in the city, don’t you?”

“Sure, but it was the best I could find on short notice, and I wanted to be close to work.”

“You can’t keep living here. It’s too dangerous.” Cade’s hands flex. “Truman has safe houses throughout the city. Tomorrow, I can get you set up in one.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be fine.” For a man who claims he minds his own business, he needs to practice what he preaches.

As he inches closer to my house, I notice a new Lexus parked in the driveway. Damn. Who is that? Is that one of my brothers? I wrinkle my nose. Whoever it is, they’ve managed to make my place look even more shabby.

“Who’s that? Do you recognize the person? If you don’t, I can run them off.”

I squint. Trenton. What is he doing here? I might not be familiar with the shiny new car, but I’d recognize the impeccably dressed Trenton Thompson III–anywhere. The streetlight shines down on him like he’s an archangel.

He’s wearing a tailor-made three-piece suit with his tie securely fastened at the nape of his neck and his arms crossed as he leans against the trunk of his car. Shit. Now, all my neighbors will think my attorney stopped by to get me out of an arrest.

Hey, that might not be the worst thing that could happen. It might give me a little street cred.

“Yes, I know him. Trenton’s harmless.” Not that I’m happy to see him camped out in my front yard. If he’s here, it won’t be long until my father or one of my brothers will follow in his tracks.

Cade places the pickup into park. “Trenton Thompson?”

“Yes.” I cock an eyebrow. “Do you know him?”

“No.” His jaw flexes as he glares out the windshield.

What’s got his ass in a snit? Never mind. I don’t have time for this. I’ve got to get rid of my guest before he gets comfortable and tries to convince me to go back home. “Thank you for the ride.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need me to pick you up tomorrow?”

“No. I’ll take the bus.” I slide out and slam the door shut. If my father sent him, I’m going to snap.

When I reach Trenton’s side, Cade’s headlights flash over the front of my house as he backs up. “Have you been waiting long?”

Over the years, we’d been forced to interact because of our families’ business dealings, but we’ve grown close over the years. Too bad friendship wasn’t enough for our fathers. They wanted us to make a great love connection. Or, at the very least, they wanted us together whether we were living a happily ever after or not. Our marriage would solidify their financial connections.

“I pulled up a few minutes ago.”

“Good. What exactly are you doing here, and how did you find me?”

“Your father told me you’d moved to live with a friend and that she’d gotten you a job. When I arrived in town, I stopped by Rachel’s place. She said you wouldn’t stay with her.” He scans the neighborhood and cringes.

The boarded-up windows and assorted pieces of furniture and appliances scattered about porches and front yards are likely off-putting to his delicate sensibilities. It’s rustic chic. Ri-i-ight. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. There’s nothing chic about the place.

“Who was that?” Trenton motions to the taillights, fading into the night.

“One of my co-workers. He offered me a ride home. My car is out of commission right now.”

We walk up the steps and stand at my front door. After I locate my keys in my purse, I unlock the door and disengage the security system. The second I got my keys from my landlord, I’d purchased the best security system I could afford.

“That was nice of him.” Trenton arches his eyebrows. The streetlights make the angles of his face look harder than they are. “He’s a good-looking man. Are you two an item?”

As my hand freezes on the light switch, heat floods my face. Leave it off. The light will give everything away. He stumbles over the rug. Shit. I snap the light on. “No. We work together. My vehicle needs an alternator and won’t start tonight. He was the only one left, and the buses had stopped running.”

“You’re lucky he was there.”

“Yes, I was. Have a seat.” I motion to the tattered sofa, and his eyes widen like he expects it to swallow him up if he sits on it. “It’s not going to bite. I promise.” I move to the recliner opposite of him and drop into the well-worn cushions. It’s amazing what deals you can find at yard sales.

He lowers gingerly onto the sofa. “You never answered. Why do you live here and not with Rachel? At least her place was decent. What in the world could’ve been so bad you had to leave your dad’s place and move here of all places? A free place to stay, live-in help, any vehicle you could want to drive, and you gave it up. For what? This? It makes no sense.”

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