Page 64 of Besties
“Where is he?”
He swallowed, and there was unease evident in his expression. “He’s scared and wants me to protect Jeff. I’ll give my life for both of them. But he’s alone and doesn’t know who he can trust. If Jeff believes in you and you’re telling us the truth, then I’m going to go out on a limb as well. This is already way too big for us to deal with on our own, and I hate to admit it, but we need help.”
Nico rattled off a phone number, which I tried to commit to memory. I knew he was unsure about me, but he was trusting Jeff’s intuition. “Thank you, Nico.”
He grabbed my arm tight, his hand locked in a punishing grip. “Dennis can be gone at a moment’s notice, so if you screw up, you won’t ever find him again.” He squeezed harder, as though trying to impress upon me the point he was making. “Don’t make me regret this. I will kill you if either of them are hurt.”
From the look of fury in his eyes and the way his fingers were digging into my flesh, I believed he’d carry out that threat without hesitation. There was no doubt. Nico was a scary man.
And I was glad Jeff had him as a guardian angel.
Chapter17
“He didwhat?”Richie snarled when I told him about my meeting. He grabbed my arm and turned it over to see if I’d been hurt. “Tell me where he is.”
“Calm down, Richie. He’s protecting the man he loves, and we’re not going to bother either of them, so we don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Not the point,” Richie grumbled under his breath. “He hurt you.”
“No, he didn’t. Could he have? Hell, yes. He could have kicked my ass five ways to Sunday, but he didn’t. Not because he couldn’t have, but I think it’s because he’s actually a decent guy.” Then I realized. “He’d have to be if Dennis trusted him.”
“Okay, I guess.”
“Trust me, seeing Jeff, the pictures he had on his wall, and the fact that he wouldn’t leave the house in case his dad came home? I’m more certain than ever that Dennis needs help.”
A sigh slid out of Richie. “And naturally, you’re the one who wants to help.”
That surprised me. Richie always wanted to be there for everyone. “You don’t want to?”
He jerked his head up. “What? Yes, of course I want to. I just… I don’t want it to be you that helps him. You told me that this Nico could have hurt you. Why would I want you to be in danger? We can hire people and—”
“And if thereissomeone after Dennis, are you prepared to trust anyone else?”
“CrossBow Protection has a sterling reputation.”
“Yes, but they’re expensive as hell.”
Richie’s expression softened. “To keep you safe, I’d give everything, dumbass.”
And I, who could never put into words how it felt, after all these toads, had finally found a prince. Someone who cared for me, not just as a source of money, not just as an easy lay, but balls to bones as a person and a lover.
“Do you trust me?’
“Of course I do!” Richie snapped, his eyes wide. “What kind of dumbass question is that?”
“Then let me do this, okay? You didn’t see Jeff’s face. If Nico wasn’t there, I don’t know what would have happened. Jeff is so lost without his dad, it was scary to see him like this. I mean, I know we’re not friends, but I want to help him. Plus, I misjudged Dennis and I hate that I did so. I feel like I owe it to him to do what I can.”
Richie scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’re gonna be a pain in my ass forever, aren’t you?”
I rubbed Richie’s back. “I’d rather you be a pain in mine,” I teased.
“This isn’t funny,” Richie scolded as he took a step back. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“And you won’t.”
“The smart thing would be to call the police. Let them handle it.”
“And Nico told me Dennis could be gone in minutes and we’d never see him again.”
