But it didn’t take long for the life to catch up with me. I was taken, my adoptive family murdered, and then I was thrown directly into Nate’s path. He’d saved me. The moment I’d seen him in that blood-soaked house when I was barely thirteen, I knew he would be my world. Now at eighteen, nothing had changed for me. Even though Nate seemed more world-weary, had collected a few more scars, he was still the man who made me feel safe despite the nightmares dancing around me.
I took the steps to my room and quickly changed into a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a hoodie. No need to show the goods off to anyone but Nate. Pounding back downstairs, I found Hargut standing at the front door talking to the armed guard.
“Hi. Did Opal tell you about the shopping?”
“Yep.” Hargut smiled and held out a beefy hand. “I guess it’s long past time for us to meet.”
I took his bear paw and shook, finally getting a close look at my longtime shadow. Mid-fifties, portly, and with thin, graying hair, he had a quintessential dad bod. But he had a warm smile and kind eyes.
“And this is George.” He gestured to the guard.
“Nice to meet you.” His gaze slid down my body before he met my eyes. Mid-forties, salt-and pepper hair, and with a strong build, he seemed like a good choice for security, even if I didn’t care for the way he looked at me. “So you two are going shopping?”
“Right.” I forced a smile. “I want to redecorate my room.”
George grinned. “Going to stay a while, then?”
“That’s the plan.”
“Good.” He gave me another once-over as silence fell between us.
My skin began to crawl under his scrutiny.
Hargut cleared his throat, pulling my attention away from George. “I watched you grow up from a little girl to this.” He opened the door for me. “Kept an eye on you as if you were my own. Straight A’s, good scholarship, all those extracurriculars. I never missed one of your soccer games.”
The pride in his voice surprised me. I turned and met his eye. “I didn’t realize you were so involved.” Happy to escape George’s intense gawking, I walked out into the morning sun.
Leading me to a black SUV, Hargut continued, “I have a daughter that’s about fifteen years older than you. When she was little, I didn’t get a chance to do all the things with her that I should have. The job, you know?” He walked around to the driver’s side, and we both climbed in. “I know it sounds silly, but with you, it was sort of like I had a second chance at it. To do what I should have done and support you, even if you didn’t know I was there. When the assignment came up, I jumped at the chance. Nate trusted me enough to let me be your protector, and that was that.”
“Wow, that’s so…sweet.” I looked at him with a newfound appreciation. I barely remembered my real father. My adoptive father was kind but distant. And, other than that, I hadn’t had much experience with fatherly types. “I didn’t know you actually paid attention to all that stuff.”
“I did. Watching you grow showed me what I’d missed with my own little girl.” He put the car in gear and eased down the long driveway to the road. “My daughter would say too little, too late. She’s a doctor in New York City now. Barely even calls or comes by to visit—even when I was assigned to you at that school right outside the city.” He sighed, and then forced a smile. “But that’s the past. I hear you’re looking to redecorate your room? Want to bring it up to date?”
“That’s the idea.” I nodded. “And…well, thanks. For watching out for me.”
“You were pretty easy to take care of. No meddling with boys or drugs or any of that. A real straight arrow.” He smiled, that same glimmer of pride in his eyes.
My own began to mist, so I slid my shades on.
He waved at the guards hovering around the front gate. “What are you feeling? Want to try King of Prussia?”
“Sure. I’m down for some mall ratting.” I settled in for the ride. “What did you do for the syndicate before you became my guardian?”
He shot me a sideways glance. “Nothing good.” The butt of the pistol pressing against his suit coat backed up his words.
“How long have you known Nate?” Getting whatever information I could on him seemed like a good idea.
“Oh, let’s see. I knew his old man—may he rest in peace. So I probably met Nate about the time he was ten years old or thereabouts. I may have known him earlier, but he didn’t do anything memorable until he was ten.”