“I love you, Landon. If you see the others, tell them I love them and miss them, but I like my life here. I’m free, and that’s the way I want it to be.”
“Will do.”
He hung up the cell phone.
“Who was that?”
He turned to see Tulip standing outside the hotel room door.
“You shouldn’t be outside.”
“Jade’s cleaning the gun. No offense, but I don’t even think she should have a gun, let alone clean one.”
“She likes to shoot.”
“Yeah, and I like to live. You don’t have to tell me.”
He pocketed his cell phone. “My sister.”
“You have a sister?”
“I have five brothers, one sister, and one half-brother. A big family.”
“Your sister isn’t with your brothers?” she asked.
“No. I put her somewhere safe, where she can have a life without people trying to sell her off for some family deal.”
“You protect her?”
“I do what I can to keep her safe. So far, no one has found her. It’s all I can do for her right now.” He had no doubt the Savonas were still looking. She was gifted to them. On her sixteenth birthday, she was supposed to be theirs, but that day had come and gone. Now he could only hope she stayed hidden from them, or he’d kill them.
With all of his problems right now, he needed a small miracle. He rubbed at his temples.
“Thank you,” she said.
He dropped his hands. “For what?”
“Saving my life. You didn’t have to do anything to help me, but you did. I’m grateful. I don’t want to die and I don’t have a death wish,” she said.
“You’re being nice to me so I will teach you how to shoot.”
“No, I mean, yes, but no. I want to learn how to shoot. That’s a given, but I was just saying thank you for keeping me alive.”
He took hold of her arm and urged her back inside the hotel room. Jade had already finished cleaning her gun and was curled up in bed.
“If you two are going to have sex, I need a different room,” Jade said.
“We’re not going to have sex.”
“I don’t know if I feel sorry for you.”
“Not funny,” Tulip said.
“Have fun.” Jade rolled over. From experience, he knew it wouldn’t be long before she was asleep.
“Lie down,” he said.
“Is this the way you speak to all of the girls?” she asked.