Page 73 of Ride Hard
“It’s true, Slo. You might hate kids, but she likes you, anyway. Kids know their shit and don’t have a problem telling you they hate carrots. Even at three, believe me. My kitchen wall is paying for it with a bright orangestain.”
“What the hell was in thosecarrots?”
“They’re genetically engineered, I’m telling you.” She sighed, the sound echoing down the line. “Will I ever see youagain?”
I glanced at Chaser, who was watching the comings and goings along thestreet.
“Listen, if I ever get out of this, you’ll be the first person Icall.”
“That doesn’t soundgreat.”
“I know, but it’s all I’ve got. I won’t let anyone hurt you, Yvette. You’ve gotta trust me on thatone.”
My grip tightened around the cell as I realized it was pretty much exactly the same thing Chaser had told me time and time again. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me. How was it only now I realized it was a promise I couldn’t keep? In reality, neither could he. Outside influences couldn’t becontrolled.
“I don’t like it, but I’ll take your word for it,Slo.”
“I’ll call you.Ipromise.”
There was a pause before she replied, “Sure.”
Hanging up the call, I glanced at Chaser. Sensing my eyes on him, heturned.
“Finished?” heasked.
Inodded.
Walking back to the bus stop, I was silent. There was nothing to say or discuss. This wasit.
“Did you convince her?” Chaser asked as we spotted the bus in thedistance.
“Yeah.”
He snorted and picked up our bags as the bus turned into the lot. “Contrary to popular belief, I do give a shit about you, Sloane. The only person standing between you and your belief of that isyou.”
Rolling my eyes, I climbed onto the bus behind him, thoroughly annoyed he’d gotten in the last word.Again.
Deep down, I knew Chaser cared about me. I saw it in the way he fucked me, how he made sure I was never hungry, how I’d always gotten the bed and the first shower, how he took a bullet for me, how he trusted me when he gave me my gun back. I didn’t know why he held himself back from giving more than that—maybe it was merely duty that stood in his way—but I knew exactly what kept me from saying the words outloud.
Chaser was one of them, he was Fortitude, and I was afraid he’d turn out to be nothing more than a disciple of violence and brutality like all the rest. So, I didn’t tellhim.
He didn’t want to run away with me, and he didn’t want to help me escape my father. He wanted nothing more than sex… Maybe if I told myself that, then it would be easier when we partedways.
Maybe my heart wouldn’t break when he walkedaway.
Maybe I’d be able to survive the shit storm to come if I wasn’t completelyshattered.
Maybe…
