AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My mother and sister,” he explained. Cali’s eyes shot up to his before she nodded and returned the picture.
“What do you do?”
“A few things. I own several businesses, a storage warehouse and a chain of twenty-four hour daycares that my mother and sister manage. I have other real estate and businesses, but those are the major ones.”
Frowning once more, Cali examined War again. “That’s all you do?”
“Yes.” He knew what she was asking, however he was through with that life. Had been since that day. It took a little time to separate but he managed to get it done. “I used to have my hands dirty but haven’t in a while. I have no plans on walking that path again if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not safe with you, War.” She extended the wallet, but he didn’t move an inch. He only stared with those heavy eyes.
“You’re safe with me. Even if I’m not by your side you can go anywhere in this city, say my name, and not one soul will be bold enough to cause you harm. They know better.”
Laughing in a cocky manner with a quick shake of her head, Cali’s eyes swept him again. “I don’t want any parts of that or you. I’ve already traveled that road and lost. He’s in a grave because he had the same reckless mindset.”
Ignoring the truth she exposed, War pushed past her words, changing the subject. “What’s your name?”
“You might not be dangerous but you’re damn sure crazy. It doesn’t matter what my name is. I just said I don’t want any parts of you. Take your wallet, please.”
War heard every word she spoke, but his mind wouldn’t allow the luxury of processing the request. His focus was on her lips which were currently his obsession. Instead he answered his own question.
“Cali…”
She froze immediately, mouth lingering open a few seconds before she managed to find her voice. “How do you…”
Because it’s in my head damn near every day.
Pointing to the four tiny gold letters welded to create her name that rested against the hoodie she wore, War offered up an explanation, even if it wasn’t exactly the truth.
Her fingers found the nameplate, anxiously grazing the letters.
“You can drive your car, I’ll ride shotgun, which is something I don’t do. We can go anywhere you want and do anything you want. All I ask is that you let me try to make today special. You’re carrying something heavy and I can’t fix whatever has your heart so weighted but I can at least give you one day where you don’t have to think about it. You’re safe with me, Cali.”
She wasn’t sure why, but this time when he said it she felt the sincerity and confidence lingering in his words. She felt him.
“Do you have a gun?”
War’s face tightened and his eyes lowered. “Why?”
“Because if I agree, you have to leave it here. If I’m safe with you, then you won’t need it, right?”
He could give her that. Even if there was no gun on his body, there were guns in the city that would fire in pursuit of his safety without hesitation.
“Right.” Unzipping the fleece jacket he wore, War then lifted his shirt and removed the gun secured at the small of his back. Walking over to his truck and leaning inside, he opened the glove compartment, securing the weapon, before hitting the button to lock up the vehicle, confident that it would remain safe regardless of where he left it. When he reached Cali again, War slipped his fob into his pocket, standing with his feet planted shoulder width apart. He extended his arms to his sides right before he motioned with a slight nod of his head. “Search me.”
“No, that’s not necessary.” Cali was already intimidated by him, there was no way she needed to be that close with her hands on his body.
“It is. You don’t trust me and I need you to. That’s the only way this is going to work. Come search me.” War kept a straight face and his position presented as unwavering. Cali thought about it for a minute before she decided to appease his request, regretting it the second her hands moved to his sides, up to his rib cage, down his abs, and around to the small of his back.
Damn!
He was solid with tight corded muscles and his scent was intoxicating. Too damn intoxicating. When he sensed she was about to back away, he caught her wrist and placed it on his right hip, moving it down the side of his leg, across his crotch and down his other leg. Cali let him, stepping back quickly once her hand was free.
“Okay, no gun. You’re a man of your word.”
War laughed under his breath at how anxious and annoyed her voice was. His dick was rock hard and there was no way she’d missed it. It hadn’t been his intention, however, he wasn’t upset that it worked in his favor. He could see it on her face. She enjoyed the little body search.
“Now, where are we going?”
