Page 23 of Blake

“I don’t. I love my job.”

“Oh, while I remember I’m going to need a copy of that CCTV footage.”

“Of course, I have it here in my safe.”

“Good.” Roz’s eyes turned wicked then, her grin huge. “Now, bring me up to speed on your sick as fuck father and how that sexy blond playboy is in your house in the middle of the night. And why is he going all alpha protective on you? That’s hot as shit and makes me want to go home and wake K for some hot sex.” Roz and Evelyn bumped fists as they both laughed.

“My father is trialling a new drug illegally and I’m going to stop him with Blake’s help. As for what’s happening with Blake, it’s new but I like him a lot. He isn’t the guy he shows the world. He’s deep and sweet, and he cooks for me and washes my hair, and kisses like the devil.”

“Good for you. Blake is a genuinely nice guy and it’s good to see you opening up.” Evelyn stood as they heard the men come down the stairs.

Blake walked straight over to her standing a few feet away and eyed her closely. “Everything okay?” he asked softly.

“Yes.”

She moved forward a little and leaned her body into his as she settled herself with her arms around his waist, her head on his shoulder. Blake didn’t hesitate in lifting his arm over her shoulder and holding her tight before dropping a kiss to her head.

She was making a statement and he got it. They were going to do this and see where they ended up.

Chapter Ten

“We make a right pair, don’t we?” Pax laughed as she walked towards him with an ice pack and some ibuprofen. Blake was sitting on his couch with his leg on the coffee table trying to get the swelling in his knee down.

Last night they had decided it would be best to go to his place until her bedroom window was fixed properly. Jack had taken the note with the warning on it to get it tested for prints although nobody was hopeful of finding anything.

Pax and Evelyn had packed her a bag while the rest had secured her home. They had crashed here, falling asleep on the couch with Pax tucked into his side. It meant they both woke stiff and achy from the awkward position they had been in especially as they were now both injured. His knee ached like a bitch and had swollen up like a balloon.

Roz had granted Pax some leave to sort her father and the situation out as long as she promised to call if they needed back-up and she would commence her training as soon as she returned. Blake was fucking thrilled that she was going to get some training. Being able to protect herself from assholes would give her more confidence.

He laughed in agreement as he took the ice and applied to his knee. “We certainly do.”

“Will we still make the flight tonight?”

“Yes and no. We’re flying out tonight, but Jack has offered us the use of the company plane. We can sleep on the flight and it won’t be so bad on your ribs.” He took in the fading bruises on her face. “You also won’t have to face as many people.”

“That’s kind of him. I need to make a list of things we’ll need to do when we get there. I think pretending I’m not in the country is futile. My father has spies everywhere and judging by the attack on me, he knows I’m on to him.” She said the words clinically even though her father having had men attack her must still smart—a lot.

“You don’t have to be brave about that, Gracie. I know that hurts you.” Blake laid a hand on her bare thigh just above her knee. Pax looked at him and then down at her leg, idly tracing the veins on his hand.

“I know but if I give in to it, it will only make things harder. He was my hero for so long and finding out he isn’t the man I thought he was, hurts even now. As awful as it sounds, if it had been my mom, I don’t think it would have been so bad. I love her but we aren’t as close. But I was a daddy’s girl growing up.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t important, but Blake knew it was.

“I get that. It’s like the person you loved died and you need to mourn them, but don’t believe it was all a lie. Even bad people can do good things sometimes and I’m sure he loves you in his own way.” Blake surprised himself at the notion of shades of grey. He had always convinced himself that life was black and white but maybe that wasn’t the case.

“Maybe. How’s the knee?” She was changing the subject and he let her, knowing that she would talk about it when she was ready, and he would be there to listen.

“It feels a little better. You want to grab the first shower?” He had to fight the urge to suggest they share even though he wanted nothing more.

“Sure, then I can make some toast while you shower. Toast is my speciality.”

“How can toast be a speciality?”

“You’ll see,” she said as she walked away to shower.

Blake smiled as he leaned his head back against the couch. He needed to check in with Waggs about this knee and he also wanted to know if anything had been found on the CCTV around the time of the attack on Pax’s home. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was aimed at him not her.

Picking up the phone he dialled Waggs.

“What did you do now?”