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As I step out of the car and walk up to them, Claire’s soft laughter rings through my ears. It tugs at my heart, and I’m reminded why I’m doing this. Why I’ve done everything I could to protect her. She is too innocent for this world, a butterfly that should be free to fly and never caged by the harsh rules that this life I live brings.
“I was so worried that something had happened to you,” Claire whispers and wraps her arms around Steven.
He smiles and kisses her on the head. “Nothing could stop me. I’ve got a few bruises but nothing serious.”
Claire pulls away, taking a step back. It’s then that she realizes I’m there, and she returns to her sour-faced expression. The door to the house opens, drawing our attention to it.
“Hey!” Carter walks out with his hands in his pockets. Young, and hopefully, not dumb. He’s only a little older than Claire but will be the perfect live-in bodyguard. His dark green eyes pause on Claire. I half expect desire to pool in his eyes, but all I see is curiosity.
“Who is he?” Claire doesn’t direct her question at me, but instead, Tracy and Steven.
“Lucca thought after what happened that it would be a good idea to have a live-in bodyguard. Someone that could…”
Tracy doesn’t even get to finish her sentence before Claire is turning and shoving her finger into my chest. She’s short, her head coming to about level with my pecs.
“If this is what you meant when you said things would be different, then no. No, he isn’t staying here. It’s one thing to have someone follow me when I leave the house, but this… this is taking it too far.” The anger in her eyes ignites a fire in my belly.
I want to push her, make her understand why it has to be this way, why I am leaving. That this is why I will risk her heart to sever the connection.
“Carter will not hurt you. He will not interfere with your life or bother you in any way. If it’s easier, you can pretend he isn’t here at all.”
Carter snorts, a smirk on his lips that slips off his face when I pin him with a don’t-make-me-kill-you-right-here gaze.
“Ha, yeah. That sounds doable.” Claire shakes her head. “No, you’re taking him with you. End of discussion.” The more she pushes, the more I push back. She thinks she can win this argument, but there is no arguing with me about her protection.
“Sorry, Claire, but he’s staying. It has to be this way.”
My word is final, and she knows it, which is probably why she curls her lips and hisses at me like a kitten.
“I hate you!” She pokes my chest with her finger. “I hate you, and I don’t want your protection. I don’t want you to be a part of my life. In fact, I wish you never saved my life that day.” Each word is a slap across my face, but I stand tall and strong like a lighthouse battered by the salty ocean waves. Claire is just mad. She doesn’t mean anything she’s saying right now. A response sits on the edge of my tongue.
Angrily, Claire turns around and marches into the house, slamming the door closed behind her. Tracy sighs, and her red cheeks tell me she wants to apologize, but she has nothing to apologize for. Claire’s reaction is as expected.
“Carter is here to help with anything you may need. I’ll still be available via cell phone.”
“Do you want to stay for dinner? Maybe she’ll perk up soon.”
“No, that’s okay.” I smile through the pain pulsing in my chest. “I think it’s best I leave.”
I know Tracy is disappointed, but the only thing that will make things better for Claire is for me to disappear. Once I’m gone, she’ll return to a normal routine. I’m sure of it. Especially after what she said about wishing I had never saved her life that night.
“Well, drive safe, and if you need anything, please let us know.” Tracy smiles.
Steven waves goodbye and ushers his wife into the house, leaving Carter and me on the front porch.
“I’ve got this, boss. No worries.”
I grit my teeth. I’m putting Claire’s life in his hands. He better have a good fucking grasp on everything. Otherwise, this is going to end badly for him.
“You better. I want updates every single day, and when I say this…” I stalk toward him and fist the front of his shirt, forcing him to both hear and see me. “If you touch her or hurt her, I will kill you, and I promise it won’t be a simple little bullet to the head. Understand?” I give him a little shake.
Carter keeps it together, only allowing a sliver of terror to slip through.
