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“Tell me what you’re running from.”
I stand up again, wanting to make my way past him to the door, but something in his eyes makes me pause. At this moment, I know he won’t let me go. I should be terrified of what he might to do me, but I’m not. Even in the short time I’ve spent with Brooks, I know he’s nothing like Hunter.
“Short story? My stepfather wants to sell me to the mob to pay off his debts.”
“What?”
I throw my hands up in the air. “My father was loaded and left all his money to my mom, who left it all to me when she died a few months ago.” I make sure he’s listening before continuing. “I get access to all that money on my eighteenth birthday.”
“Which is today.” He steps forward, wrapping his arms around me. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
He plants a kiss on the top of my head as I bury my nose in his chest.
“I need to leave before he comes looking for me. He made up a story for the cops that I attacked him and stole a bunch of shit from our house. Now, instead of getting my inheritance, I’m on the run from him, the mob, and the cops.”
“I’ll protect you.” He pulls me even closer to him, as if he’s trying to protect me from the outside world.
“You can’t, Brooks. This is the fuckingmobwe’re talking about! If they find me, they’ll kill me and anyone around me. I refuse to be the reason you die.”
“Where are you going to go? You’re obviously homeless and have nothing more to your name than what’s inside that backpack.”
I bite my lip and nod, knowing he’s right.
“You’re staying here with me, Savannah. End of story.”
“No. I’m not.”
“You don’t have a choice,” he growls, grabbing his cellphone off the table and dialing a few numbers before turning it toward me.
My eyes widen in surprise as I notice 911 plugged into his phone.
“You broke into my house, sweetheart. I have every right to call the cops and report it.”
“You can’t do that, Brooks. Please.” Tears stream down my face for the second time today.
I thought I could trust him, that he was here to protect me, but it seems Brooks is just like everyone else.
CHAPTERFIVE
BROOKS
The fear in her eyes as she looks at me tears at my heart, but I can’t let her leave. She’s mine. It’s an undeniable fact that I know with every fiber of my being. I don’t care if she’s wanted by the FBI for crimes against the entire country. I’m not letting her leave this cabin.
The thought of her leaving me broke the tiny thread of control I’ve been gripping tightly to since last night. I should be arrested for the things I want to do to her, but I need her. I know it sounds insane, but I can’t shake the feeling that if she walks out the door, I’ll never see her again, and I can’t bear the thought of that happening.
I’ve spent my entire life trying to protect people like her from the bad guys, following the letter of the law to ensure that everyone remains safe. But right now, I have no problem tying Savannah to my bed and keeping her here for all of eternity. I have a burning need for her that, if I’m not careful, will consume both of us.
“You can’t do this. Please. They’ll find me and kill you.” Savannah’s entire body trembles as she wraps her arms around herself, as if attempting to hold herself together.
“I can do anything I want. I hold all the power in the situation. Remember that,” I growl, stalking toward her. “Or would you rather I call the police?”
I should tell her I have no intention of calling the police. That if she tried to walk out of here, I’d give her everything I own. But then I’d have to let her go, and I don’t think it’s possible. Now that I’ve had a taste of her sweet skin, I’m an addict waiting for his next fix. If she were to walk out that door, I’d follow her. I’d follow her to Hell and back if she asked me to. But then I couldn’t protect her.
“Fuck you, Brooks! You made me think you were here to protect me, but you’re just like them.”
Savannah reaches into her bag and grabs an envelope, slamming it into my chest. “What do you want? Money? This is every cent I have. Take it and leave me the fuck alone.”
“I don’t need your fucking money, sweetheart.” I grip the money and throw it up in the air, sending it scattering around the room. “I wantyou. You can stay here, and I’ll protect you. The only thing I want in return is you.”
