Page 69 of Hart of Vengeance
“Take things slow. When I first saw Maggie again after several years, I wanted to start up a relationship with her, but I couldn’t bring her into my mess. Us Hart brothers have a way of pushing away those we love to protect them.”
“You did that to Maggie?”
“Sadly, I did. But she wasn’t having any of my shit.” Dillon’s brown eyes flashed with love for his girl. “Jade, my brother doesn’t die easily.”
I laughed, albeit weakly. “Are you in my head?”
He smirked. “I see the fear in your eyes. It’s the same look you had as a teenager when you came to the house and Denim wasn’t home.”
That was true. Sometimes I’d worried he was dead from a gang fight. Other times, I had worried he would die at the hand of his alcoholic father.
“Duke has every one of his men out looking for our brother.”
I cringed at Duke’s name. “If Tito is behind the shooting, was he at the club?”
“We didn’t see him. We think it was one of his men. Maybe the same one who shot at you guys on the street.”
“They’re following us,” I said almost to myself.
Dillon checked over his shoulder before regarding me. “I don’t trust the hospital to keep you safe. We need to get you out of here.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “What? This is probably the safest place to be.”
“I don’t agree. Anyone can get ahold of an employee badge, and if they really want to get past security, they will. Anyway, Duke and I think you’re the target, and Tito has had a man following you since before Denim was released from prison.”
“I don’t understand.”
Dillon scraped a hand over his chin. “We believe Tito wants Denim to suffer for killing Hector, and you’re Denim’s weakness. My brother still loves you, Jade. He might not admit that, but he would die if anything happened to you.”
I couldn’t argue with his reasoning. “So why now, though? Why wait until he’s out?”
“Tito actually didn’t. He had a man inside try to kill Denim.”
I’d remembered Denim saying something along those lines when we’d been at the diner that Tito had put a hit out on him.
Mallory glided back in and resumed her spot opposite Dillon. “What did I miss?”
Dillon took his hand away from mine. “As soon as we can get you out of here, you’ll be staying at Duke’s. Until then, I have a man who will be watching you while you’re here. I’ll be here too.”
“No. No. No,” I said. “I’m not staying with Duke.” The heart monitor went nuts.
Mallory rubbed my arm. “I don’t like it either, but Tito can’t get to you in Duke’s penthouse.”
“Traitor.” I wanted to remind her how she despised Duke. Then I turned to Dillon. “Honestly, do you want me to kill your brother?”
Dillon chuckled. “He’s an ogre, but he has a heart.”
I scrunched my face, and that small act hurt like hell. “A black heart. Anyway, I have to work. I can’t be hiding. And I have to bury Savannah.”
“I’m sorry about Savannah,” Dillon said. “I can’t force you. But please consider staying with Duke. He’s got the men, and his penthouse is a fortress.”
I appreciated Dillon’s concern. “I can’t hide away. I have a life.”Albeit a depressing one.“I have a job.” Although Kelton had told me to take time off since I’m entitled to bereavement leave, but I didn’t want to. I had to keep my mind occupied. Otherwise, I would go completely insane.
“Kelton told me he gave you time off for Savannah,” Dillon said. “He agrees you need to be protected as well.”
“I’m not taking time off,” I volleyed back. “Look, I want to help find Denim.”
“You’re in no shape to do anything,” Mallory said. “And if you want to work, then I’ll bring your laptop to Duke’s.”
