Page 63 of Ruthless Protector

Raul glanced toward the door where Trent had just rushed through, and back to me. “You sure about that?”

“Positive.” He didn’t look convinced, but didn’t push, for now. I nervously glanced back at Tomas, but his eyes were back on Steph, who was on the floor again.

“You want a ride home?” Raul asked.

My brows lifted; he’d never offered to drive me home before.

“I need to talk to Fay,” he said, answering my unspoken question. He was also frowning. “Woman’s been ignoring my damn calls,” he muttered. “I sure that Jen’s been in her damned ear.”

“Oh?”

Raul grumbled. “The woman’s found God again. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against religion, to each their own and all that crap, and Jennifer’s family, always will be. But for an ex-dancer, you’d think she’d be a little more open-minded.” He grumbled again. “These days, she looks at me like I’m the Antichrist.”

I accepted the offer of a ride, and followed Raul out to his sapphire blue Lincoln Continental parked behind the club, and climbed in.

Raul was still frowning when he got in beside me. “I don’t think you have to worry about Fay.”

He glanced at me. “No?”

“If Fay’s not talking to you, it’s because you pissed her off, not because of something someone said. No one tells her what to think.”

Raul chuckled. “Isn’t that the damned truth. Now I just have to work out what the hell I did.”

I had to bite back my laugh.

We’d been driving a few minutes when Raul said, “You wanna tell me what that guy wanted back there? You know him?”

Jesus, the man didn’t seem to miss a thing. “I have everything under control,” I said, hoping he’d drop it there.

Raul glanced at me and shrugged. “Maybe I could help you out? If he’s bothering you, I’d be more than happy to have a word.”

“Honestly, there’s no problem. He’s just an old family friend. I doubt I’ll ever see him again.” Maybe if I said it enough times, put it out into the universe enough, it would eventually come true.

15

Willa

I peeked out the window, looking toward Fay’s house. It was seven; Raul had been there for close to four hours. The lights were on in the living room and when I’d taken out the trash earlier, I’d heard music coming through the open window.

I was still grinning to myself when someone knocked on the door.

Tilly came rushing down the hallway. “I’ll get it!”

“No. Hang on, Tils.” I was pretty sure it wouldn’t be Trent. I’d just given him money that afternoon. There was no reason for him to show up here.

Still, I wasn’t taking any chances and hustled past her, opening the door.

Jude stood there, looking down at me.

My heart gave an aggressive thump against the back of my ribs. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you I’d see you later.”

He had, but I didn’t think he meant it literally; that he’d show up here later, holding a pizza and a six-pack. I just assumed they were throwaway words, something you say when you part ways after a…well, an insanely hot night.

“Pizza!” Tilly cried.

“Does that mean you like pizza?” Jude asked, his lips twitching.