Page 17 of Redemption

“Tell that to the wall, I punched three holes in.”

“Where is she?”

I look away. “You need to get back to school. I’m paying a shit ton of tuition. I expect high marks.”

“Now you’re back to being the tough guy?”

“Sure am, squirt.”

“Where’s Johnny? And all the guys you usually have around the building?”

“I gave them the night off.”

“Ok, what gives. What is going on? You just got shot, look like your skin is tinted a light shade of gray, and you have no nurse or security?”

“I’m invincible, remember?”

“Cut the shit.”

“Go back to school!”

“Argh! You’re so impossible!” She angrily “fluffs” a pillow by punching it.

“Are you going to tell me what happened between you and Romina?” I remember the way I left her naked and chain below us wearing nothing but what I left behind.

“No.”

She punches the pillow again. “Did you…?”

“No. Killing her would be the end of what’s left of me.”

I sigh, not able to stay here. If I do—I’ll just end up back downstairs. Romina’s a dangerous drug. I might end up actually hurting her again because my emotions are so out of control.”

“I need to leave. I have business. You can’t stay here alone.”

“I’m too tired to get back on another plane. I just wanted to check that you were in fact still alive. It would really suck if you weren’t. I’d be back in the system.”

“Never. Dare and Shi agreed to be your legal guardians if that were to happen.”

“Really?”

“I always look after you, squirt. Even if something happened to me.” This time Chloe’s the one choking on a sob as I pull her in for a tight hug. “Go take a shower and catch up on some rest. I’ll call your school and explain that you’ll be back in a few days. I’ll get the jet ready to fly you. Ni more commercial. That’s not good enough for my baby girl.”

“Where are you going?”

I get up. “To find the agent who threatened Red and deal with him. He showed her pictured of me with sex slaves, but he twisted the truth. His informant knew I never touched them. The informant also could’ve done the right thing when my syndicate raided the place. I was there to free them, but he sent texts saying I was there to steal them for my own profits. No matter what I do, someone is always working against me.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

I shrug. “Collateral damage of the life I chose to live is not your worry, squirt. I’ve comeback from worse. This time will be no different. Will you be okay staying here overnight by yourself?”

“Please. You have more security than a sitting president.”

“True. My building is secure and surrounded. I expect your ass back in the classroom by the end of the week, understood?”

“Yes, sir. But I expect you to answer my calls and respond to my texts, no matter what. Ok?”

My lips quirk. “Deal.”

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