Page 71 of Prince Charming

She didn’t have a good feeling about this.

Her empathy kicked in for Arson. She didn’t have to like the man to hope he got help soon.

Knowing from experience how addictions stole people, she prayed Arson was strong enough to fight.

* * *

It was like looking at someone Tag didn’t know.

Which was crazy because they’d been through a lot.

Tag knew Arson. The guy was reliable, loyal as fuck. He was a good guy with a dry wit and a love of life.

Looking at him now as Tag went down on his haunches, it was as though Arson couldn’t give a fuck about his own life anymore.

“Hey, bud. What are you doing out here so early?”

“Tag, bro. Where did you come from?” There was no smell of booze on him, but it didn’t mean the guy wasn’t sauced. He’d gotten good at being a high functioning drunk for too long and it was only recently people noticed.

“Waiting for a prospect to pick my ass up.” Arson flashed a grin, tipping off to the side to look around Tag. “You got the Russian girl on the back of your bike.”

Yeah. Arson knew that shit meant something. He wasn’t about to deny it. “Yeah, I have. Gimme a second.” He rose and headed back over to her. She had worried eyes. “I have to stay with him, Marianna, make sure he gets home okay. I’m gonna call a prospect to drive you home, it’s too cold for you to wait around.”

“I am from Russia, Sir.” She half-smiled and he felt it in his gut.

This wasn’t how he planned for their first morning together. He was gonna take her home, make her breakfast, then put her little butt on the counter and eat his fill. His tongue was parched for her.

“And I’m very used to the colder climate, but do not bother one of your helper boys. I can walk from here.”

“Fuck that,” he growled.

“It is not far.” She stopped him from protesting by putting her hand on his chest. “Your friend.” She started, “this isn’t the first time I have seen him inebriated so early. He comes into your gym often to chat to the ladies.”

“Anna, this isn’t who he is, yeah?” She’d like the Arson he was before.

Her blink said she was unconvinced. “My father was the same.” Huh. So was his. Didn’t enjoy knowing they had that in common. “They don’t change, Luke. I don’t want you to get entangled in someone’s addiction when they don’t want to help themselves.”

God, this woman. He dropped his forehead and pressed it gently to hers. Fucking hating that his morning plans were now down the drain. “I like you wanna look out for me, darlin’. Arson will be okay, gonna make sure of it.”

“Get some food into him.” Then added. “Let me say this one thing. It is not my place, but… please learn to know when to walk away.”

Tag frowned.

Whatever shit she’d been through with a drunk father, Arson wasn’t the same.

Hell, Tag’s old man spent enough time on the streets. Booze killed him eventually, so he was adamant nothing would happen to Arson, if he could help it.

She left him with a kiss to his cold cheek, and he hated he was letting her walk the two blocks home, feeling torn down the middle, loyalty to his brother and his woman. He watched her as far as the corner when she turned and disappeared out of sight.

He fished in his pocket and sent her a text.

Tag:Let me know when you get there, Anna.

The text came four minutes later.

Striding back to Arson, who hadn’t moved an inch, he parked his ass on the cold sidewalk, kicking his legs out in front of him.

“Which prospect did you call?”

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