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Roxie shook her head slightly. “You can’t help me.”
“We can get you a restraining order. There are things you can do, and I know you know how to protect yourself.” She worked for Vanguard. Surely they’d assign operatives to protect her if they knew of the situation, wouldn’t they? He’d rather do it himself, but his work schedule was killer on a good week. Lately, with trying to take down a dangerous Russian family, things were even worse. He came home late every night to an empty house. A dog might help, but that would only end in animal neglect.
“That won’t work,” she said.
“I know it’s just a piece of paper, but it protects your right to be safe.” Liam touched her fingers with his, wanting to hold her hand. But if he did that, he might never let go. “I can help you.”
“No one can.” She sniffed. “You don’t think I’ve tried.”
He studied the scar on her forehead. “He hurt you.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped it away before he could.
“I’m not going to walk away knowing it might happen again. Who is he? Tell me, and I’ll make it so you don’t have to be scared anymore.” A protective swell rose in him, far more powerful than anything he’d felt before. He needed to safeguard her.
“You can’t.”
He started to speak, but she cut him off.
“No one can. Because he’s dead.”
TEN
Roxie was drinking coffee the next morning at the breakfast bar when Destiny got up. Didn’t matter how late the girl worked, she always got up before seven.
In time to see the suitcase and the duffel packed and waiting in the hall by the front door.
Destiny strode down the hall and stopped at the door to the kitchen. “Vacation?” The one word contained so much sarcasm it was obvious Destiny offered that option because it was the farthest from the truth.
“I’ll pour you some coffee. We can talk about—”
“Woman, you sit back down.” Destiny headed for the coffee pot herself. “Because you aren’t going anywhere, so you can unpack those bags before you go to work. Or better yet, take the day off, stay here, and watch movies. We can plan a bestie vacation of our own.”
Roxie stalled her mug before she could take a sip. “I don’t think I even know how to take a vacation.” She’d had leave before, but had she ever actually taken a day off on purpose? “And I don’t think I’ve been at Vanguard long enough for that.”
Destiny drank some coffee. She had on shorts and a tank top, displaying all that gorgeous dark skin with no scars whatsoever. Because why would she have any? This woman was smarter than Roxie. Just as strong, but life hadn’t led her to make the poor decisions Roxie had—more than once, in fact.
Not that Destiny had ever had it easy. She’d been working as a server since she turned fourteen and was currently going to school and working. Paying her way with the money she made—which Roxie was happy to ease by contributing to the rent.
“I’m not going to put you in danger.” Roxie wasn’t budging about this. “I won’t let him hurt you.”
“So, you being miserable and alone is the answer?”
“I’ll be safe and so will you.” Roxie set her mug down. This home hadn’t been hers for long, but it was the nicest one she’d ever been in. Only a couple of years since it had been built. Furnished with comfort in mind and a little of Destiny’s bold colors, soft blankets style. “You need a cat.”
“A dog would have fought the snake if it attacked you.”
Roxie slid off the stool. “I’m going to work.” And she was taking her stuff with her, which meant she wouldn’t be back. “I just want to say thank you for everything you’ve—”
“Save it. Because we’re not breaking up.”
“I’ve never had a best friend.” Liam was probably the closest thing she’d ever had to one. “You set the bar high.” Roxie walked down the hall, grabbed her things, and loaded them into the back of her car.
Peter was parked at the curb beside the end of the driveway.
He waved, then gave her a hand signal.
Roxie lifted her chin. Good thing he wasn’t closer, or he’d see how choked up she was right now. All because Vanguard—or just Peter—had decided she needed a protection detail on the drive to the office. She wasn’t alone and didn’t need to be. She had a support system.
