Singe (Guardian Protection #1)

“I don’t,” I replied unnecessarily. “I finished a new book,” I added even more unnecessarily.

It was none of her business what my bank account read or how I got the money. The only thing she needed to know was that I no longer controlled my father’s fortune. A fact Pete and I had made abundantly clear over the last few years.

“Rhion, honey,” she purred in a condescending tone. “You expect me to believe your silly little hobby paid for those Louis Vuittons?” She took a step toward me, her gaze pointedly flashing down to my heels.

I squared my shoulders and retorted, “I don’t expect you to believe anything, but I do expect you to get the hell out of my apartment.”

Her grin grew pompous. “You still have the money.” It wasn’t a question. Or an accusation. It was breathed in utter elation.

I swear I saw the green of dollar signs flash in her honey-brown eyes.

“I don’t have the money,” I replied immediately, anxiety spiking within me.

“Your father would be rolling in his grave if he knew you were holding out on me and Katie. You manipulative little shit.”

“I’m manipulative?” I asked in disbelief. “You just showed up at my house, sniffing for dollar bills.”

“I wouldn’t have to if you’d give me what’s rightfully mine.”

“Rightfully yours? Are you insane? If Dad had wanted you and Katie to have that money, he would have put it in his will. Newsflash, Margaret. He didn’t. My name was the only one on that piece of paper, and I’m telling you I don’t have it anymore.”

“And what about Apollo?” she asked in a menacing whisper.

My mouth dried as panic flushed my body from head to toe. It only took the mention of his name to skyrocket my pulse.

On shaky legs, I stumbled back a step.

She advanced toward me, her shoulders rolled back in confidence. “Oh yes, dear. Apollo. You can’t possibly believe that you’re the only one who deserved anything.”

I frantically shook my head from side to side. Words were impossible around the lump lodged in my throat.

“I wonder what your brother will say when I tell him that you’ve recently come into some money again.”

All at once, it felt like toxic chemicals had replaced the oxygen in the room.

My skin crawled, and the hairs on the back of my neck prickled.

She was going to tell Apollo that I had the money.

“No,” I choked.

“You didn’t think I’d come all the way to Chicago without seeing my stepson, did you? We’re meeting for dinner as soon as I leave here.”

The blood drained from my face and my head began to spin.

“No,” I repeated, throwing my arm out to the wall beside the door to balance myself—and trigger the alarm.

She closed the distance between us. “Orrr,” she drawled, lifting a finger to toy with my mother’s diamond at the base of my neck. “For the right price, it could be our little secret.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, the metallic taste of blood bursting on my tongue.

He’ll be here in less than a minute.

Johnson would fix this. He always had.

Just. One. Minute.

“Is this new?” she asked, giving my necklace a sharp tug, snapping it off my neck.

The diamond from my mother’s engagement ring had been my prized possession since I was six years old and my father had set it into a necklace for me. I never took it off, not even to shower. Margaret knew that that necklace wasn’t new. She was only trying to hurt me.

But all she’d had to do was mention his name to destroy me.

She was going to tell him I had the money again.

My nose stung as I fought the tears back.

He’d come for it. Again.

Break me. Again.

Light me on fire. Again.

My legs had begun to shake when I heard Valerie exclaim, “Jude!”

“Jude?” Margaret snapped.

“Jude,” I breathed.

He’d come to save me. Again.





As I made it off the elevator, I saw her silhouette in the doorway. I smiled to myself as I slid my gaze over her sexy heels and up her sensational legs. She had to be fucking freezing, but if she was willing to suffer the chill, I was more than happy to appreciate the view.

A short, black dress covered her ass, but as I continued my path up, the fabric opened, revealing the smooth, ink-free skin on her back. My mouth watered as I followed the delicate line of her spine higher. Visions of my tongue trailing down her soft skin, from ass to shoulder blade, flashed in my mind. They weren’t memories, but if I had my way about it, they would be soon enough.

“Jude!” Val yelled as I got closer.

A smile split my mouth. “Hey—” I started only to stop when Rhion spun to face me, her face etched with fear as she dove into my arms.

“What the fuck?” I grunted, wrapping her up.

I instinctively swept the room. An older, well-dressed woman was standing in front of her, her mouth wide open, her gaze jumping between us.

Val was standing next to the couch, visible relief painting her face.

“What the hell is going on?” I barked as I became vaguely aware of footsteps pounding behind me. I turned in time to see Alex storming out of the emergency exit.

My confusion grew, but I stepped to the side with Rhion in my arms to make way for him to get through the door.

“You!” Alex growled, wrapping a rough hand around the older woman’s bicep.

She let out an offended curse and stared at me.

I narrowed my eyes and snarled, “I’ll repeat: What the hell is going on?”

A shrieked, “Jude? Are you kidding me?” from the woman I did not know was all I got in response.

Rhion jerked in my arms as a strangled “No!” hit my chest.

“Shhh,” I soothed. “I’ve got this.”

A sinister grin tipped the woman’s lips. “I bet you do, Jude.”

I didn’t have a chance to react before Rhion erupted, spinning to face her.

“Shut up! Don’t say another goddamn word. You do not get to do this. Showing up to my house. Acting like a bitch. Threatening me with Apollo?”

Who the fuck is Apollo?

Alarm flooded me as Alex went rock solid.

“Rhion,” I said, attempting to calm her, but she fought against me. Securing her with an arm around the middle, I held her back to my chest. She leaned toward the woman as much as I would allow.

“I don’t ever want to see your face again, Margaret,” she spat. “And, before you even think about it, you will never see another penny from me. I don’t care if Katie has to take up a job panhandling to pay for your funeral. We. Are. Done.” She sucked in a deep breath and looked to Alex. “Pat her down and get my key back, and then get her the hell out of my apartment!”

Folding a hand over Margaret’s mouth, he slipped behind her, stating, “Let’s go.”

Muffled curses came from around his hand as he carted her out the door.

He paused as he waited for the elevator. “I’ll take her upstairs and wait for the cops. The alarm probably pinged on Johnson’s end. I’ll call him and get an ETA. You good with Levitt?” he asked Rhion.

“She’s fine,” I confirmed. “You gonna tell me what the fuck is going on here?”