“Would I win?” I raised a brow.
“No,” he replied, still looking skeptical.
“I assume you have the money?” I asked dryly.
He snorted. “Yeah, baby.”
“Then I’m okay with it. I know it makes you feel good to take care of me. And, as long as you understand that I need my independence, I like it too.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Fucking finally.”
“Hey.” I poked him indignantly. “It didn’t take me that long to come around.”
“Whatever you say.” He raised a dubious brow. “We’ll get you settled in today, and if you want, we can just take it easy. My training schedule is ramping up, and I practice all week,” he explained.
“That’s fine. I was planning on going back to work tomorrow,” I replied.
I felt him stiffen before he forced himself to relax. “Would I have any luck convincing you to stay home?”
“Nope,” I replied before looking up at him, my hand pressed to his chest. “Look, I know this isn’t my dream job. It’s paid the bills. It’s not about that. This is about not letting Brian have control over my life ever again. I’m willing to follow whatever security precautions you think are appropriate, but I’m not going to hide in the house like a meek little mouse.”
“You could never be meek,” he growled. “But I get it. I don’t like it. But I get it. I’ll introduce you to the security team later, and we’ll run through the plan. And babe? I hope someday soon we can talk about those dreams. You’re an amazing artist, and I have plenty of money—more than we could ever spend. I want you to spend your time doing what you love.”
While I wasn’t ready to go down that road yet, I appreciated the gesture more than I could say. “I’ll think about it,” I agreed. “Now,” I purred as I moved him to his back and slid down his muscular torso. “I believe I have some other business to attend to.”
Chapter 14
MASON
“She’s actually managed to make this place feel, well, I wouldn’t use the word ‘cozy,’ but whatever means less like a museum,” Ryan noted as we sat out on the back patio while the girls caught up inside.
It was two weeks later. Two weeks of waking up to Ellie every morning. Of having dinner together every night. Of her asking me to walk Kodi while she was at work because she was beginning to rely on and trust me as a partner in her life who wanted to take care of her. It had been fucking amazing.
“There’s only so much she can do.” I chortled. “We’ll be out of here as soon as we find the right spot.”
“Good, this place never suited you,” he agreed, taking a sip of his beer.
“And you’ve survived the last two weeks with Lily,” I commented, my gaze on the windows as Ellie tipped her head back and laughed at something Lily had said. The two were like sisters, and I appreciated how happy Lily made my woman.
“I fucked up,” Ryan admitted, and not for the first time. “I know that. But I’m working my way in there. Now that I know her better, I feel so fucking stupid for ever thinking she’d betray anyone,” he grumbled.
I clapped him on the shoulder. “After your history, I get it. She will too, eventually.”
He nodded. “I won’t give up. She’s worth it.”
“Yeah,” I agreed, though my thoughts had drifted to Ellie. “She is.”
My phone rang just as we were about to head inside, Gunner’s name flashing on the screen. I held up a finger, indicating for Ryan to wait as I answered. “Gun.”
“Got him,” he replied without preamble, “but you’re not gonna like how.”
“How?” I growled.
“Dropped off something at your girl’s old place. Looks like flowers. I’ve got him on camera. He’s in the wind as of now, but it’s enough to prove he broke the restraining order. Now we just have to catch the bastard.”
“Have you called the cops?”
He scoffed. “When have you ever known me to hit speed dial for the PD? Figured you might want first look.”
