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“Deal. But I ain’t going with those guys. Pussies can’t even drive in a straight line.”
Laughing, I take zero offence. “Good thing I don’t pay them for their driving skills.”
“Too fucking right,” he responds, and I realise there’s a switch in his demeanour. “Now, Natalia…”
“This way,” I say, pointing to my car. He doesn’t move until I do, and we quickly walk in unison— something that won’t last if he accepts a contract with me. “Actually,” I start, slowing my steps until I’m drawing to a halt and he’s a few feet ahead. “Before we take this any further, I want something from you.”
“What?”
He turns, towering over me some with his broad shoulders. His furrowed brow alone would have most men running for the hills.
“How long have you known Natalia?”
“Seven years,” he says quite casually. “I was hired by Nicolas Abernathy to protect her.”
And the fucking plot continues to thicken.
“When I met her, she was a bit of a mess, but I was told to not ask questions and just watch out for her. I got her to a hospital and the rest is history.”
I’d got my anger to a manageable level, still there, never forgotten, but I’m able to keep it curbed. Now, however, my hands tremble as my rage starts to boil.
“When you say she was a bit of a mess…”
“Beaten, bloodied.” He’s sharp with his response, not even second-guessing whether he should be honest with me or not. “Whoever worked her over didn’t hold back.” There’s a tinge of fire in the way he says that, as if he’s yet to forget even a fragment of it. “Never did tell me who did it, but I can tell you know.”
“Yeah. Seems the jury’s in on the culprit.”
“Is that why you’ve got me here? Are they a threat again?”
“Undecided,” I admit, but the unease in my gut tells me I know it’s not. “She requested you.”
“Course she did.” He chuckles sardonically. “When you rounded up her men, I did wonder how long it would take. What did she do this time? What didyoudo this time?”
It’s very telling in the way he speaks about Natalia and how he looks at me that he is much more well-informed in this than Sebastian and I ever thought. There is seven years’ worth of information we still have to open up.
“Ah, so you’re aware we have a past.”
“No one works in the industry we do without knowing about the two of you and The Company.” He cocks a brow, fixing me with a telling look, but also issues a reminder he isn’t here for me. “Someone had to pick up the pieces, even if she didn’t ask.”
My nerves prickle at the idea of someone fixing my darling girl when she thought I’d broken her. My father took that right from me, even though it never should have happened. He took my life in his hands, and he twisted it and moulded me into someone I never wanted to be but assumed Ihadto be. Grief and lies built me, but they also built Natalia, and now we have to relearn the other while making sense of everything else.
“Yeah, well, a lot of shit has come to light over the last few days, but that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is knowing if you’re still willing to protect her.”
“Pledged it with my life. I’ll pledge it again.”
“She definitely left an impression on you.”
Amazed how I don’t get a vibe off him that makes me jealous, I realise Natalia did forge a life with men who were loyal to her.
“Y’know, under that tough exterior of hers is something a lot more dangerous. You just need to find the right one to tame it.”
Happy with this decision, I appreciate he’s right. After all, what Natalia wants, Natalia gets, and with good reason.
“I’m really happy you said that. I can see you’re going to be a great asset, Vinnie.”
* * *
Sebastian’s clearly not comfortable. It’s the first thing I notice the moment I make it to the room. Stepping in, I tap him on the shoulder, and he shoots up slightly in the armchair.
