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“I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“You got it. Thanks for taking her,” Jerry said and hung up.
Gavin snorted and hung up before he turned to her. “Someone has to take care of you, and there’s no one better than me at the moment. Let’s get you home, honey. You’ll feel better after you sleep for a while.”
Chapter Four
Gavin turned into the driveway and drove around the house as Jerry had told him. One look at the decrepit apartment above the garage was enough to make him want to howl in fury. It looked like a strong wind would blow the stairs down.
He saw one window with an air conditioner stuck in the bottom half of the window. The top half of the glass looked like it had been shattered and duct-taped back together.
There was no fucking way he’d let her stay in that place another night. He turned off his car and made sure she was comfortable before he got out and locked the doors. As he carefully walked up the steps, the creeks and groans told him his assessment of their safety was right.
At the door, he tried it but found it was locked. He used his shoulder to press on it, and it popped open with minimal effort, which took his anger to a new level.
Anyone, even a toddler, could have easily broken into her place.
The room was fairly large, but it held her living room, kitchen, and bedroom. Her clothes were hung on a wire she’d strung from two nails in one corner. He saw one door and assumed that was the bathroom.
It got worse the more he looked. He was proud she tried to make it a home and kept it clean, but she shouldn’t have been there at all.
Gavin found a few garbage bags under the kitchen sink and folded her clothes into one. Then he put the things in her bathroom—shoes, and anything else he thought she’d want—in the other. He lifted them, closed the door behind him, and carefully made his way down the steps. Back at the car, he stowed the bags in the trunk and got in the driver’s seat.
He checked to make sure she was still sleeping, backed out of the drive, and headed home.
Gavin and Chase lived in the same building but in different condos. Eventually, Gavin would look for a house, but he’d put it off since it was just him. Now, he thought he’d be looking sooner rather than later if she agreed to stay with him.
The building was very tall, nineteen stories high, and made of steel. They liked its security, the newer condos, and the underground parking.
He pulled into his spot and turned off the car before looking at her. She looked so peaceful and innocent right then, and he hoped something would build between the two after he gave her time to get to know him.
Alexa wouldn’t be leaving his condo or working at the bar. He’d find something for her to do, but with him, so he could better keep his eye on her.
He leaned toward her and ran his thumb over her cheek. “Honey, wake up. I want to get us into my place. Then I can make you comfortable.” He waited a moment. “Honey…”
It took another minute to get her to wake up, and he was about ready just to carry her up. He didn’t know if that was normal or if it was all because of the alcohol.
“I’m awake. Where are we?” she asked groggily.
“At my building. I can’t let you live in your place.”
“Why?”
He helped her out of the car, wrapped an arm around her waist, and headed for the elevator. Her bags could wait until he had her settled. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Right now, I want you in bed.”
He pushed in the door’s code and cuddled her against his chest.
“Are you going to pop my cherry?” she murmured against his chest.
Jesus Christ. He’d been achy before just holding her, but now that was enough to set his body on fire. The thought of being the first and only man to have her made every possessive male instinct he had come out in force.
The fact she would have to sleep with him so he could watch over her was going to be pure torture. He cleared his throat. “Not tonight, honey.”
She rubbed her nose against him, which he thought was adorable. “Then when?” she asked.
“We’ll talk about it later.”
He walked them through his condo to his bathroom. “Do you need to pee?”
