Page 24 of Her Guardian
Boyd looks up at me. His rage softens slightly. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s looking at me or because of what Bill said.
“I believe him,” Boyd says. “What about you?”
“Y-yeah,” I stammer.
Boyd wraps one hand around Bill’s throat, then squeezes until his eyes are bulging.
“Don’t ever try something like that again,” Boyd says angrily. “This is your one pass. Sayyes, sirif you understand.”
“Y-yes… sir…” Bill chokes past Boyd’s enormous hand.
“Good boy,” Boyd hisses, then he releases the kid and stands up.
Boyd walks to the door and I get out of his way. I take one last look at the gasping Bill and hurry after the one who almost choked the life out of him.
That was impressive. I think I’m more impressed with his restraint than the rest of it. Especially after he told me what happened to his sister. I can’t even imagine.
We get to the vehicle, and Boyd is back on the strip in no time, driving carefully, like nothing happened at all.
It feels like my heart is back in my chest, but it’s still thundering. I take a few nervous puffs of my vape.
And I thought getting a spanking was going to be the craziest part of my day.
“Think that’s good enough for a podcast?” Boyd asks, glancing over at me.
“Yeah,” I whisper, still unsure if I will actually talk about this.
“Good, then I need a fucking drink,” he mutters.
I don’t point out the fact it’s not even noon yet, because I feel like I need one too. I feel like I’ve been on an emotional and physical roller coaster ride since I woke up to find Boyd standing at the foot of my bed.
That’snota fun way to wake up.
What am I doing here? In Las Vegas. With my life. I talk about the Mafia on my podcast. I don’t ride around Las Vegas withBig Mafia Boyd.
But here I am. Coming down from the high of adrenaline laced with fear. Nibbling my bottom lip. Stealing glances at the guy who just tore apart multiple doors because some guy dropped a roofie in my drink. Put the fear of God, Cthulhu, and all the other deities who don’t answer my prayers into three young men who won’t forget the day they came face-to-face with… Boyd.
And it was rather exciting, even if it scared me. Maybe more exciting than I’d like to admit.
Boyd turns into a parking lot and I perk up, interested to see where he is taking me.
“Is this place even open?” I question, looking at a tattered sign that has a picture of some kind of flower.
“This is the Broken Lily,” Boyd answers. “They never close.”
Another part of Las Vegas I’ve never seen before. This looks like the side of town where tourists go to get stabbed. There is an old, rundown strip club across the street and working girls on the sidewalk. I guess you don’t have to go inside to get a show.
“Where are we, exactly?” I ask, looking around nervously while Boyd parks the SUV. “Looks like a rough part of town.”
“Most people call it The Gutter,” Boyd says. “I grew up here. Probably would have never left if Massimo hadn’t found me.”
Boyd opens my door and helps me out of the SUV. I follow him into a dimly lit bar and look around.
The Broken Lily is completely empty, except for the guy standing behind the counter. He’s got shaggy brown hair poking out from under a newsboy cap. He looks to be in his late fifties or early sixties. His weathered face lights up when he sees us.
“Boyd, lad! Been a while,” he says in a thick Scottish accent.
“It has,” Boyd admits. “Sarah, this is Freddy. Rowan’s dad. Freddy, meet Sarah. Boss lady’s best friend.”
