Singe (Guardian Protection #1)

“Nuh-uh,” Val laughed as something weird happened in my chest.

I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but it felt as though a single PSI of pressure had been released from inside me. It had been so long since I’d felt even an ounce of relief, and that tiny amount might as well have been a boulder. And all it had taken was an absurd story and a smile to make it happen.

“You can go put your stuff on the couch. I made some cookies. They’re still warm if you want to grab one out of the kitchen,” Rhion told Val.

“Awesome,” Val replied, turning to hug my hips before hurrying away.

Rhion crossed her arms over her chest and rubbed her biceps for warmth. Shyly peering up at me through her long, painted-black lashes, she whispered, “Hey.”

Fuck, shy was cute on her. It was almost better than the flirty and the crazy she’d given me the day before. Almost.

“Hey,” I returned with a smirk.

Taking the hint, I stepped in and closed the door.

Her painted nails toyed with her necklace as though she didn’t know how to act around me. And, truth be told, I wasn’t sure, either. We’d shared something. A lot of somethings, actually. Most of them bad, but in the last week, some of them had been really fucking good. So good that I was willing to risk destroying the only woman I’d ever needed to protect in order to have that good again.

I hooked an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against my chest.

She came willingly, her hand landing on my abs as she molded around me.

I looked over the top of her head to see Valerie watching us, a grin coloring her face as she flashed her gaze down to Rhion and then back to me.

I scowled, but only to keep from grinning back at her.

“I gotta go, babe,” I mumbled to Rhion as I released her. “But we gotta talk about shit before I do.”

She sucked in a deep breath and reluctantly stepped away. “Um…what kind of shit?”

“Well, we actually have a lot of shit to talk about. Predominantly about me being a dick…again. And then again about me not being a dick, and you melting for me the way you seem to do when you aren’t talking a million miles an hour. But, for now, until we can get some time alone later tonight, we need to discuss shit about Valerie.”

Her hand flew to her necklace. “Tonight?”

“Did I forget to mention that, when I get back, we’re gonna talk?”

“Alone? Us?”

I trailed my fingers down the side of her neck and lowered my voice. “I’m hoping that talk is gonna end with your mouth on mine. So, yeah, Rhion. Alone is probably best.”

She gaped at me, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“But, first, I have to go to work, listen to four hours of mind-numbing political speeches, and then ensure a senator’s family makes it to the airport on time. So, right now, we need to talk about Valerie so I can get on the road, do my job, then come back and talk to you.”

She gave me a slow blink and then randomly asked, “Republican or Democrat?”

I twisted my lips. “Does it matter?”

“Not really. I’m just wondering what kind of politics you find mind-numbing.”

I leaned in close and whispered, “All of ’em.”

“Right.” She bit her lip.

“So, back to Val… She doesn’t know the city, and I’d feel better if you both stayed here and watched a movie or whatever.”

She nodded. “Yeah. Of course.”

“Also, I hate to ask you to do this, but as soon as I leave, I’m gonna be on the phone with her mom. And it’s not going to be a good conversation. I’d appreciate it if you could maybe keep her distracted for a few hours. I’m not sure how this talk is gonna go down, but I don’t put it past April to call and unload her bullshit on Val.”

Her head snapped back. “Oh God. Seriously?”

“Yeah. Their relationship is…” I glanced up at Val again.

This time, she really wasn’t paying attention; rather, she was investigating the photos lining the walls of Rhion’s living room.

“Strained,” I finished.

“Well, that sucks. But yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll keep her busy.”

My lips tipped up as I stared down at her. “Thanks.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Be good, Val,” I called out and shot Rhion a wink that made her cheeks pink.

I needed to go. It was getting late, but I was in no rush to leave her.

I was, however, in a rush to get gone…so I could get back.





Val and I were stretched out on either end of my couch. It was nearly seven. Jude would be back soon, but after the day we’d had, I was exhausted and didn’t have the energy to clean up. Plates and cups littered the coffee table while shopping bags covered the floor. Makeup of every shade and color lined the top of my counter, and the cords to professional-grade curling irons dangled over the side.

“Is Jude a neat freak?” I asked Val.

She laughed. “Neat? No. But he’s a weirdo about the refrigerator. It used to drive him crazy when Mom would leave leftovers in there for too long.”

I must have asked Val a million questions about Jude throughout the day. So much so that, eventually, I didn’t even have to ask anymore. She was offering it up. It was obvious Val loved her stepfather; her face would light any time she talked about him. It only served as further truth that my Jude was real. An idea that warmed me immeasurably.

“Can I ask you something?” Val said, swinging her legs around so she was sitting up.

I lifted my head off the padded armrest. “Of course.”

“How’d you really get the scars?”

Uh oh. Jude had given me the macho headshake when she’d asked about them earlier. I had only a few minutes before he got back. No way was I pissing him off before our talk.

I smiled warmly. “Maybe you should talk to Jude when he gets here.”

“They’re burns, aren’t they?”

My shoulders got tight. Damn it, she was smart. This was not going to work in my favor.

Sitting up, I took her hand. “Seriously, he’ll be here any minute.”

“You’re Butterfly,” she whispered. “Aren’t you?”

I sucked in a sharp breath and my stomach knotted.

“You are,” she breathed, scooting over.

“Um…it depends. If I was, would that be a good thing or bad thing?” I asked nervously.

She smiled. “I think, for Jude, it’s a really good thing. Maybe he’ll finally be able to sleep.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, but a knock on the door pulled us both out of the conversation.

Val laughed knowingly as I sprang to my feet and smoothed my little black dress down. Like the rest of my outfit, it was new. In my defense, I couldn’t just talk to Jude in jeans and a T-shirt. If I wanted more of him, it was time to up the ante. And let’s be honest—a backless little black dress with a high neckline, cap sleeves, and a pleated skirt definitely couldn’t hurt.

“Don’t forget your shoes,” Val reminded me.