Hard to Get (Killer of Kings 4)
“I’ve always been scared to rely on another person. Everyone’s always let me down, hurt me, or put me last. I promised myself I’d never give anyone power over my heart … until you came along.”
He kissed her again, their tongues playing, tender and sweet. It wasn’t a prelude to sex, just unadulterated desire and love for one woman. “You’ve tak
en care of yourself for so long, but I’m telling you, you don’t need to. I’ll never let anyone hurt you,” he promised.
Once the gym had been closed down at midnight, Shadow drove Riley to his house. Even though he had her little bungalow wired from top to bottom, it didn’t have the security measures he had in place. There was no way he’d leave her in harm’s way now that she was on a massive shit list.
They’d stayed at the gym until late in the evening, had some takeout, and did a lot of talking. Now it was time to get down to business, but first he wanted Riley safe and settled so she could rest.
“I know you wanted a sleepover at your place tonight, but I didn’t think it would be under these circumstances,” said Riley, as they walked up the path to his front door.
No one had ever been in his home besides Boss. No women. No colleagues.
“It’s the best place to be for now,” he said. “Until I figure things out, I don’t want you alone. Or at your bakery.”
Once inside the foyer, she kicked off her shoes, still a little wobbly, so he held her elbow. “I can’t ignore my bakery. I’ll lose all my customers,” she said absently, busy looking around.
“If you want a replay of today, be my guest, but it may not turn out as well for you next time.”
“I can’t believe this is happening. It’s like the witness protection program, only I’m on my own.”
Shadow tilted her chin up. “You’re not alone. You have me. I won’t let anything happen to you. If they come, and they will, I’ll take care of them.”
“Aren’t you scared?”
He smiled. “I was only afraid when I couldn’t get to you in time, when I thought that asshole had killed you. I felt helpless, and I won’t be so sloppy next time.”
“It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.”
Shadow didn’t want to get Riley upset or to revisit memory lane again, so he thought it best to change the subject. “Do you need to talk more?” The drugs had worn off hours ago, and the food helped stave off the lingering effects.
“I feel like an emotional basket case, but other than that, I’ll live. It was a moment of weakness, but I’m good now.”
“You don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s not healthy,” he said.
“You should take your own advice. How do you deal with your shitty past?”
“I joined the Marine Corps, did my time—it only made things worse. It fucked with my head to the point they wouldn’t let me return after my third tour.”
“But you’re still killing.”
“That’s different. I don’t mind the violence. I appreciate the outlet,” he said. “The gym helps, too.”
He pointed to the living room, inviting her to have a seat.
She shook her head. “I’ve seen this room. I want to see the rest of your house,” she said.
“Right, you’ve peeked in most of my windows, haven’t you?”
Riley shrugged. “You wouldn’t talk to me, so I had no choice. I don’t like mysteries I can’t solve.”
“Okay, go at it.”
She pushed open the door off the main living room, stopping dead in her tracks. “Holy shit!”
Shadow chuckled as he past her, pulling the handgun out of his waistband and dropping it on the counter.
“I thought this would be the kitchen.” She stood in awe as she looked around his vault, the secure room housing his weapons and ammo. He’d been collecting for a long time.