Page 3 of Bound By Them
She looks like an angel, but she has the mouth of one of our dockworkers.
“Dani.” I hold out my hands. “Come on. It’s still early. Why don’t we go out?”
“I’m tired.” She looks uncertainly toward her house, at the lighted windows.
“You have roommates?” I ask.
Her nose scrunches as she faces me. “In a suit like yours, I’m assuming you don’t.”
Her assumption is mostly right.
I nod toward her house. “If you go in there, upset like you are, I bet your roommates will have questions. They’ll want to talk about it. Is that what you want?”
Vulnerability shines in her eyes. She takes the biggest strides possible in those flimsy heels she’s wearing. Each step brings her closer to me. “Get me out of here.”
I hold open my car door.
2
Troy
Dani taps something into her phone. “I’m telling my roommates your name and that I’m going somewhere with you. Safety first.”
“Of course.” Edmund pulls out his wallet. “You’re welcome to take a photo of my license, as well.”
“Sure.” A second later, she gets into the car. She startles when she sees me on the far side of the bench seat. She tucks her hair behind her ears—a nervous gesture. “Oh. Um. Troy, right? I didn’t know you were here, too.”
I don’t know how to make myself smaller. It’s impossible to look less intimidating. So I just nod. “Hey.”
Edmund gets in after her.
She’s sitting between us. By his design, no doubt. We’ve been sharing hook-ups since I followed him to college. It seemed natural. I had to guard him, anyway. He got off on the idea of me watching his hook-ups, then participating occasionally.
But I don’t want to do that with Dani for some reason. At least not tonight. She’s visibly upset. Her eyes and nose are red from crying.
She glances over at Edmund. “Where are we going?”
Edmund says, “We could go back to my place.”
Bad fuckin’ idea. I have my doubts Jon will keep this interlude secret. I flick my gaze toward the rearview.
Edmund notices my caution. “Jon, just drive around. I don’t care where.”
After Jon nods, Edmund raises the privacy screen.
“Fancy.” Dani surveys the roomy interior of the SUV. “You could have a whole party back here.”
“I don’t think you’re in the mood to party, are you?” Edmund gives her a soft smile.
I want to strangle him—he’s coming on too strong.
But Dani just shakes her head. “I don’t want to think about any of that shit. Anything else, seriously. I’m so fucking worried about Leah.”
“She’s in good hands with your brother.” His voice is full of amusement.
Dani squints at him. “Yeah. What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing. Your brother seems to care about her.”
