Page 25 of Idaho

"No!"

The door slammed open, making me jump as Idaho stalked into the room. "What the fuck is going on?"

"I told you, it's none of your concern," I told Idaho, though my words had lost all heat in the face of my despair. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"What does that mean?" he asked, looking between the two of us. When neither of us answered he sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Look. I have permission from my president for you to stay here."

"President?" I asked.

"Not happening," Thomas said at the same time.

"She's not leaving here," Idaho growled, taking a step toward Thomas.

Idaho was a big man, but Thomas was built like a tank. Which was why it took multiple men to take him down last night, and the reason my father had hired him. I didn't want to see them fighting, because it would be a bloodbath. "Stop it," I told them. Sighing, I considered my options. "I can't stay with you. If those men targeted me last night, it would put everyone here in jeopardy."

There had been women in the main area of the building last night. And I'd sworn I'd heard children's laughter out in the hall when I'd been waking up. If there were families here, I couldn't let Idaho, or anyone else, help me. It was too dangerous.

"You're staying," he told me. He looked over at Thomas. "And you're leaving."

Thomas took a step forward, his hands fisted at his sides as he glared at Idaho. "Who the fuck are you to tell me what to do?"

"I'm the man who saved her ass last night," he snarled back. "You're lucky we found her before those assholes took her. I'm not letting her out of my sight until I find out what's going on."

"Why?" I asked, stepping forward and putting a hand on Thomas's shoulder. That's all it took for him to halt his aggressive movements. "Why would you want to help me?"

"Well, last night we were helping Jo. But..." He glared over at Thomas. "I promised to protect you."

"Can you give us a minute?" I asked Thomas.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I don't like him," Thomas said, staring straight at Idaho.

"Feeling's mutual, asshole," Idaho shot back.

My head began throbbing faster as they postured and barked at one another. "Thomas, please?"

He looked down at me, then gave a curt nod in answer. He moved toward the door.

"And please, don't call Father."

He shot me a look over his shoulder. "I'm going to have to sooner or later."

"I'd prefer later," I told him with a weak smile.

He shook his head and left me alone with Idaho.

"That's it, Duchess. I need you to tell me what's going on."

I looked over at the gorgeous, angry man staring me down.

"I don't understand why you'd want to help me. Did my father send you?"

He scoffed at that. "I don't have any fucking idea who your father is. Who you are."

"Then why are you so adamant about this?" Our eyes locked and I saw some emotion I couldn't place flicker there.

"I don't like assholes who try to hurt women."

"Fair enough, but that's still not an answer as to why-"