Page 39 of Home Game

“No. Sir. Of course not.”

Ryan reappeared in the door and motioned at me with his head. “Get out here.”

I stepped out and the doorman’s face fell when he saw me. “I can explain.”

Ryan was breathing hard. “This is Zoey. She is staying with me indefinitely. If she wants a cab, you call her a cab. If you see her, you greet her with courtesy and respect. And if she walks in front of a door, you do your fucking job and open that fucking door for her like your fucking life depends on it.”

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry, sir.”

Ryan looked down at me. I was doing my best not to shiver. “If she gets sick, I’ll have you removed from your job.”

“Yes, sir.” The guy wrung his hands.

Ryan motioned for me to get back on the elevator. I stood behind him and stared at his huge back while emotions flooded my entire body. I could handle abuse. Ignorance. Pain. But someone coming to my defense was my kryptonite. It brought me to my knees and made me weak. Tears mingled with my wet face while I worked to pull back all that emotion that was coming out of me.

CHAPTER 11

RYAN

I got backon the elevator and felt so pissed, I couldn’t speak. The thought of Zoey being humiliated and shunned by a fucking doorman turned my stomach sour.

I heard a sniffle and glanced over my shoulder at Zoey. Her lips trembled as she struggled with her tears.

Oh shit. “Zoey.”

She shook her head at me, unable to speak.

“He won’t ever disrespect you again. You have my word on that.”

“It's not that.”

I leaned down, so my face was in front of hers. “What is it? Tell me.”

She swallowed, trying in vain to get her emotions in check. “No one’s ever done that before.”

“Done what?” What the fuck had the guy done to her?

“Stood up for me.”

Complete incredulous disbelief. What kind of life had she lived? I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. “You’re killing me.”

She shook her head and looked mortified. “I’m not a crybaby. I never cry.”

If there was anyone that deserved to shed a few tears, it was Zoey. Without thinking, I promised her, “We will get you through this, okay?”

She nodded, as another wave of emotion crossed her face. “Can you stop being so nice?”

I stared at her, my expression serious. “No can do.”

She wiped her nose with her sleeve. “Who are you anyway?”

“Funny. I wanted to ask you the same thing.”

The door opened, and I ushered her into the apartment. “You need to get warm.”

Without saying another word, she disappeared into the bathroom.

My phone rang while I made dinner.

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