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Nervously, I say, “I told my boss I was putting in my two weeks today. And I deposited the casino winnings.”
Michael pulls back from me. “You did? Your two weeks?”
“Yeah. It kinda just … blurted out of my mouth. I planned to just leave, you know? But we were talking and he asked me to go out for another teaching opportunity and I told him I couldn’t because I was leaving with my boyfriend.”
He makes an appreciative noise in his throat. “I like the sound of you calling me your boyfriend. You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you to say that.”
“How long?”
“About three years.”
Sitting up, I look at him incredulously. “You were serious about that?”
“Well, yeah. I told you I wanted Abel to introduce us and why it didn’t happen. I haven’t been able to think about anyone but you. No one held my attention for longer than a fuck.” My face turns sour and he winces, rubbing my cheek. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think I’d see you again, so I was trying to move on. But I never forgot about you. Being with you at all is more than I could have hoped for.”
I can’t be upset with him for doing what he wanted while he wasn’t with me. Hell, I didn’t know he was alive a few weeks ago, so I have no right to be upset that he slept with other people. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“I know. I don’t mean to be jealous.”
He smirks wickedly. “I like you jealous.” I roll my eyes and he kisses me quickly. “You know, it’s really hard being in here with you when I know three people who abuse you are right outside your door. It’s taking a lot not to go out there and …” He stops talking, but I can guess what he wants to say.
While I don’t like this family, I don’t want Michael to go to prison for killing them either. My stance might have changed on if I want them dead or not. The jury is still out on that one, I think.
“It’s fine. I’m almost out of here and with you forever. They’ll have to find a new maid.” I lie back down, snuggled up to him. “It can’t come soon enough. I heard my stepfather tell my stepbrothers to go handle something last night and he doesn’t want it to blow back on him. I’m not sure what it is, but I don’t want to be around if things hit the fan. Hopefully, whatever it is can wait for two more weeks.”
“Sound suspicious. Are they dealing drugs?”
I think about it. While James is greedy—judging by his years of using me for money and how he has designs on my house and keeping all the money for himself—I don’t think he’d risk his reputation and the possibility of getting elected to the senate for a quick buck. He’s the type to play the long game.
“Doubt it. If he was, I don’t think he’d involve Fallon and Conrad. He actually loves them and wouldn’t want them to be locked up if he could help it.”
“Yeah, we need you out of here. I don’t want them to try to blame you for whatever shit they get into.”
“He has the lawyer coming in two days. How do I stall him so I don’t have to sign those papers? I don’t think I’m ready to stand up to him just yet.”
I feel tremors run through Michael, as if he’s physically holding himself back from charging into James’s room. I place a hand on his chest, trying to bring him back to me. Looking down, he smiles slightly and kisses me. “He can’t coerce you. So just tell the attorney you want your attorney to look over the documents. He’s legally required to have them sent to your legal representation. That should hold him for a few weeks.”
Chuckling, I whisper, “I don’t have an attorney.”
“Doesn’t matter. You can get one. I’ll pay for it. Let me do some research.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know,” he mutters, kissing my hair. “But this comes with me taking care of you, since I can’t take care of them.” His voice is contemptuous and I can see why people would have feared him while he was guarding Savage.
“Okay, baby.”
We lie there for a moment and I’m afraid what we were talking about has put him in a sour mood. Scrambling around for something to talk about, I ask, “What’s your house like in Canada?”
I hear the smile in his voice. “It’s nice. Two floors. Two master suites. Our kitchen is huge. Quin and Red cook, I eat.” I giggle at that. “We have a nice backyard. Quin and I keep Pogo sometimes, and we wanted something large so we could run and play with him. We have cookouts back there too.”
“Sounds nice,” I muse, trying to imagine his home.
“Want to know the best part?” he murmurs, and I nod against his chest. “We’re four doors down from Abel.” I laugh almost silently. That makes me happy. I can go see Abel whenever he’s free and he can walk over to see me when I get there.
“I like the sound of that. Being able to hang out with him will be nice.”
“Yeah, I think—” I never hear what he’s thinking. His phone starts to vibrate, and he lurches off the bed for it. “If Quin or Savage is calling, it’s an emergency. I told them I’m with you and not to contact me if they didn’t have to.”
