Page 113 of A Taste like Sin
The answer is obvious. Painfully so, even. But one man may have seen it differently.
He may have felt so protective of one little girl, so involved in her trauma, that the mere hope of
putting a monster away might not outweigh the damage of forcing her to stand alone. Forcing her to
relive the same night over and over. Forcing her to face that man without true certainty her words
would matter.
Such a man might grow overly protective of said little girl. Not because she was a pawn to use at his
disposal, but because he loved her more than anything. Even his cherished version of justice.
“I’m sorry, Juliana.” Harrison waves something white beneath my nose. A handkerchief. “I didn’t
mean to upset you.”
“You haven’t,” I insist. But I accept the handkerchief regardless, swiping at my eyes with the delicate
fabric. “It’s been a stressful few days. That’s all.”
“I can imagine,” he agrees. “Your father was awake. It would be rude of me to pry, but I can only
assume that he didn’t mention anything that may help to track down his attacker?”
“No,” I say. “He… He just told me to be careful of who I trust. In this world, who can you really?”
“So cynical,” Harrison scolds. “Your father was always a cautious man. Cautious, pragmatic, but
sometimes to his detriment.”
Something in how he said that phrase resonates in my bones, lingering even as he steps away from
me, heading in the direction of his men.
“I’ll let you rest in peace,” he says. “But I’ll be waiting for a call from you. Oh, and, Juliana?” He
pauses, his head tilted expectantly, demanding a reply.
“Yes?”
“Heyworth and I may have had our differences, but I’m sure there is one point we both would agree
upon: your safety.” Again, he waits, almost as if daring me to question.
“My safety?”
“Yes. I’ve taken the liberty of stationing my men near your suite at the Lariat as well as here at the
hospital. Any visitors will be logged and searched, and any move you make, even if it’s a quick trip
to the bathroom, you will be accompanied by one of my men. I want you to feel protected—”
“That’s not necessary,” I start to say, but he raises his hand, cutting me off.
“Oh, I believe it is entirely necessary. After all, you are Heyworth’s most prized possession. I’d like
him to know, if and when he recovers, that your life was in my hands. Have a good day, Juliana.”
