Page 46 of Damaged Protector
She continued, that forced smile still on her lips. “I mean, it’s fine. I haven’t even looked for a job yet, so it’s not like I’ll be letting anyone down.”
Except for yourself, Little Bee.
Without thinking, I blurted out, “Stay here.” Two heads swiveled in my direction, equal looks of shock on their faces. “I have plenty of room, and this way you can be closer to this asshole,” I said, pointing at Cam.
He grinned at the slight, though he flipped me off before turning back to his cousin.
“That’s a good idea. You’ll have your own room and be more comfortable than being crammed in with us. Plus, I think I have a job for you. Journey, our assistant at the office, is expecting a baby with her wife, Lynn. She’ll be going on maternity leave next week, and we need someone to do administrative duties for a couple months.”
“I-I don’t know. I’ve never worked in security.” Mal dragged a finger over her lips. “I did work a couple days a week at the construction office with Dad one summer. Then I had to quit because—” She cut herself off, but when my eyes met Cam’s, I could tell we had the same thought.
Her mother made her quit. Fuck.
“You can do it,” I encouraged. “Journey will be there for another week and can show you the ropes. It’s not hard. And anything you don’t know, just ask one of us.”
I really didn’t want her to leave, which was strange because a few hours ago, I couldn’t wait to get her out of my house. And now she’d be staying here for god knows how long.
But she would be safe, and she wouldn’t be abused in any way. I’d make damn sure of that.
Chapter 13
“Stop chewing on your thumb,” Hawk grunted, glancing away from the road long enough to deliver his edict.
“What if he doesn’t like me?” I fretted.
He draped a wrist over the steering wheel of his black Ford Raptor truck and pursed his lips, nodding sagely. “You’re probably right. He’s gonna hate you. Carry on with your thumb gnawing.”
Panic had my eyes widening until I was afraid they’d pop out and fall onto the floorboard. “What? Seriously?”
He chuckled, and the sound was so deep, I could feel it vibrate my own ribs. “I’m fucking with you, Bee. Shark’s a hardass, but he’ll be nice to you because you’re Cam’s cousin.”
I slapped my palm onto my lap and huffed. “Well I don’t want that either. I want to get the job because I deserve it and he thinks I can do the work.”
Hawk reached over and patted my shoulder. “You’ll be fine, Mallori. You’re very bright and can do anything you put your mind to.”
His praise warmed me with confidence, and I nodded. “Thanks.”
“I mean, you’re a total pain in my ass…” His furry face twitched.
Ah, he thinks he’s funny. Maybe I should teach him a lesson. Forcing my bottom lip to tremble, I pretended to wipe my eyes with the collar of my shirt. “I’m sorry,” I sniffed, and Hawk immediately jerked the truck to the shoulder of the road and stopped.
He blinked at me a few times, his eyes filled with something akin to panic.
“Aw fuck, Mal, I’m sorry. I was just kidding. You’re… you’re a cool chick and everything.” He scrubbed at his mouth with a big hand.
Taking pity on him, I grinned and crowed, “Gotcha!”
Letting out a long exhale, he rolled his eyes upward, as if he was searching for strength on the roof of his big truck. “Why the hell do I put up with you?”
I laughed as he flipped on his blinker and pulled the vehicle back onto the road, my nerves calming a few thousand notches. “Because of my enviable charm?” I offered.
“Nope, definitely not that,” he shot back.
Relaxing back into the soft, black leather, I watched the world go by from the side window. “Thanks for offering to let me stay at your house. I know you’re used to living by yourself.” He gave a curt bob of his head, speeding up to switch lanes in the thick Dallas traffic. “If I get this job, I’ll pay rent.”
“No, you won’t,” he said simply.
“It’s not fair for me to not pay anything. You have a house payment and bills and—”