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I sigh and run my hand through my hair.
I don’t like the idea of taking her out where her father could get to her. I don’t want to lose her this soon. Not when so much is on the line.
If I have Zoe, her father isn’t going to let the authorities come after my cartel. He’ll be too worried about what I will do if he does.
On the other hand, I don’t want her to be miserable here. She is just the pawn in the middle of a dangerous game, and she doesn’t deserve to be kept from her passions.
I watched her entire set last night. Zoe comes alive when she is on stage, and it’s clear that being in the music world turns her into the person she is deep inside.
The shell of a woman sitting in front of me right now, docile and looking down at her plate like she’s already given up, is just the façade she presents for her parents and the media.
I want to bring out that fire that’s burning in her. The anger that I can see simmering just below the surface.
If she gets nothing else out of this, I want her to be able to stand up to shitbags like her father.
“Zoe, I know that the chances of you liking it here are low, and that’s fine with me. You can hate me and the rest of the people here. It won’t matter to me one bit.”
Confusion shines in her eyes. “It won’t?”
“No.”
She is in the middle of my problems with her father, but that doesn’t mean she needs to like me. It might be easier if she does, but I’m not holding my breath.
If I’m being honest, I don’t want us to like each other. It complicates things.
Everything about my life would be easier if we act like we are just two people who live in the same house. Roommates. Although, trying to think of her as only a roommate is hard when I know what her soft curves feel like beneath my hands.
Zoe nods. “Well, that’s good, then. I happen to think you’re a heartless bastard.”
I laugh and shrug. “Think what you want. I’ll take care of you while you’re here, and that means allowing you to continue to pursue your career.”
Her mouth drops open, and her fork clatters to the plate. “Really?”
“I have a stipulation, though. For my peace of mind. It’s one that I will not budge on, so do not try to negotiate with me.”
Her eyes narrow like she is waiting for me to deliver the worst news of her life. “What is it?”
“You need to take a protection detail with you. If I’m there, then you won’t need to, but on nights I can’t go with you, I expect other people to be with you.”
Zoe purses her lips and nods. “Okay.”
“Good. Now that we have that settled, eat your dinner. We have a show to go to tonight.”
I finish off my food and leave the room before I can do something stupid. Though I don’t know what that stupid thing may be.
When it comes to Zoe and those big green eyes, I don’t know if there’s anything I wouldn’t do.
Having her here is a risk I probably shouldn’t have taken.
6
ZOE
I smooth down the ripped denim skirt, looking at myself in the mirror.
Tonight, the eyeliner is darker than ever, and my lips are painted a deep shade of burgundy. The makeup is an armor against the rest of the world.
I can’t cry if I have to worry about my makeup rolling down my cheeks.
