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I laid my hand on his shoulder. “Nah, man. She’s good with me. You take care of your dad and Felicity. I’ve got my girl.”
Zadie huffed and twisted her hand, but I held it tight. Oh, she was mad, mad. But I didn’t really give a shit. Keeping what was going on a secret was only going to endanger her.
Felicity’s mouth was strained. “Thank you, Amir. I don’t think I can explain what it was like for Zadie and our family during the height of the stalking. Drew used to show up in restaurants, at shops, when Zadie was out with friends at movies. She became so afraid of running into him, she wouldn’t leave the house, and when he began leaving her presents at our front door, her room was her only safe space.” She touched her fingertips to her mouth. “That’s how I know you’re protecting my girl. She must feel it, because two years ago, she would have been in her bed, scared of the world.”
It was a good thing none of them could see what was going on in my mind. If they could, they’d be afraid ofme. I’d witnessed Zadie’s terror in the library, but hearing her mom lay it all out for me only added another layer to the fury I carried for a guy I would hopefully never meet.
“I hear you, Felicity. Zadie is covered. This, I promise.”
After all that was settled, we were about to part ways, so I asked for a few minutes with Zadie to say goodbye. I pulled her with me around the corner into a small group study room that wasn’t in use. I kept walking until her back hit the wall and braced my hands on either side of her head.
“You had no right.” Her words came out shaky with anger.
“I did, Zadie. You’re mine, aren’t you?”
She lifted her chin. “I’m yours at your house. That doesn’t spill over into my life. I didn’t agree to that. My mom...do you understand her husband might be dying? Do you?”
I worked hard not to slam my hand into the wall. “Doyouunderstand if this guy gets to you it would kill her? How’s she supposed to deal with her daughter being hurt, raped, dead, when her husband is dying? Tell me, Zadie. You want to do that to her? What about Eli? You want to hurt the kid who looks at you like you hung the moon?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Shut up, Amir.” Her hands came to my chest, giving me a weak shove. “Just shut up.”
Bringing my hand off the wall, I cupped her jaw. “This is me looking out for my pet. You might not like it, but I don’t give a fuck.” Dipping down, I touched my lips to hers. She gasped against my mouth, and it was all I could do to walk away. “I have to go tend to some business.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Those tears were still in her eyes, even if she wasn’t letting them fall. I couldn’t walk away and leave it like this. Not until I made sure she really understood. “I need you to tell me you get why I did what I did with your mom.”
Her pouty little mouth pressed into a tight line, and she gave me a sharp nod. “I don’t want her to hurt or worry.”
“I think she’d tell you that’s her job.”
Some of the tightness left her mouth, and the corners curled into a slight smile. “She probably would.”
Uninvited warmth spread across my chest. What the fuck was that about? “Come a little early tomorrow.”
“Ten?”
“No.” I brushed my lips over hers again. Couldn’t help it, the sweetness was addictive. “I’m going out tonight. It’ll be late. Make it noon.”
She turned her face away from mine. “Have fun then.”
I grinned. Oh, this girl didn’t like the idea of me going out. Interesting. “I said it’s business, didn’t I? My kind of business goes late.”
“’Kay.”
With a groan, I pulled back, grabbed her hand, and tugged her away from the wall. “Be good, Zadie. Don’t drive me crazy.”
I left her with her family after Felicity hugged the shit out of me and Eli clapped me on the back. The illusion was over, the job was done, so why the hell did I feel like I was leaving something important behind?
