Redemption (The Protectors 8)

I watched as Memphis dropped his eyes. I knew he was remembering the moment when he’d learned both his lovers had been abducted by his vengeful ex. Brennan, in particular, had suffered terrible things at the man’s hands.

“He gave that order and I believe he meant it, but I think there’s that part of him that isn’t so certain. That’s the part that called me and told me to find someone else to handle the job.”

Memphis leaned forward and folded his arms on the desk. “So let’s start with you telling me all you know about Levi Deming,” he said. “And then you can tell me why this job is no longer a job for you.”

It didn’t really surprise me that he’d figured out the truth about me. I could deny it, but I found that I didn’t want to. So I told him everything I knew, including the things Levi had told me in confidence about his brother’s sexual assaults as well as what had happened to him in prison. When I was finished, Memphis was frowning. He was quiet for a long time before he said, “So, you don’t know for sure that Levi isn’t colluding with this T guy to try to get to Seth again…besides the gut feeling anyway.”

“No,” I said. “I just need more time. I think Levi’s on the verge of telling me everything. If I can just get him to trust me, I can find out about him and T and their plans. Even if it’s true, T is forcing him into it. I know it. I just don’t know what he has on Levi.”

Memphis nodded. “I’ll buy you time with Ronan…but it will probably only be a day or two. If you can’t get Levi to open up, we’ll need to force the issue.”

As much as I hated the sound of that, I knew he was right. Confronting Levi head on might be the only way to save his life. But that was also assuming his answers were enough to prove to Ronan that if he was in fact targeting Seth, it was because he had no choice. Hopefully, we’d be able to convince Ronan that if we removed T from the equation, Seth would once again be safe.

Fuck, that was a lot of ifs.

My phone rang before I could respond and I felt my insides tighten at the sight of Dante’s name on the caller ID.

“What happened?” I asked as soon as I answered it.

“Relax,” Dante said with a sigh. “I just wanted to let you know the mark is on the move.”

I ground my teeth together to keep from yelling through the phone that his fucking name was Levi. “That’s impossible,” I said. “He’s scheduled to work until five tomorrow morning.”

“Okay, fine, but his doppelganger just left the store and got into a cab. From the direction it’s headed, I’m guessing he’s on his way to your house.”

“Stay with him,” I said as I jumped to my feet.

For Levi to leave work to come see me, it had to be something big.

I hung up the phone. “I have to go,” I said.

“Keep me posted.”

“Yeah,” I muttered, only half-listening as I hurried to the door.

“And Phoenix?”

I turned to face Memphis.

“Make sure he doesn’t go near that house again. Even if you have to tell him who you are. It won’t take much to push Ronan over the edge to where he’ll deal with it himself.”

I nodded in understanding. I wasn’t as confident as Memphis that he could get me a little more time, but I really had no choice. I barely managed to say my goodbyes to Brennan and Tristan as I rushed from the house.

The drive home seemingly took forever, but in truth, traffic was light and with my foot heavy on the gas pedal, I made it in fifteen minutes. I saw Dante’s car sitting by the curb and as soon as I pulled into my driveway, his headlights turned on and he drove away.

Leaving me with Levi.

I didn’t bother to put my car in the garage since I could see Levi sitting on my front stoop. His arms were wrapped around his legs and his forehead was pressed to his knees.

“Levi,” I said softly as I hurried to him. I dropped down in front of him when he didn’t raise his eyes. “Baby, can you look at me, please?”

He shook his head and I heard him choke back a sob. But then he lifted his face. Tears were running down his cheeks.

“Did something happen at work?” I asked. I wondered if maybe T had called and threatened him or something.

Levi dashed at his tears. “No…I called Betty and told her I wasn’t feeling well and that I needed to go home.” More tears fell as he whispered, “I’m falling in love with you.”