Page 5 of Rattlin' Bones

“Yeah,” I answered. “What’s it been? Three years?”

I knew exactly how long it had been since I last walked inside this building instead of entering through a disguise.

“I believe so. Is Ms. Lacey expecting you?”

No. Well, maybe. “She should be,” I replied, walking to the penthouse elevator and pressing the button.

“I’ll just give her a little ring to be sure.”

Oh, he remembered me. Didn’t like me much either. It probably had a lot to do with the cut on my back, the heavy ink on my skin, and the fact that I didn’t bow to any man, law or not.

Appearance was everything when you moved within the circle of the elite. Rich, beautiful, and powerful people surrounded themselves with the same cookie-cutter types. Didn’t bother me except for the fact that they judged everyone else. Like James, who didn’t have a horse in this race but felt he needed to add his opinion anyhow.

“You do that,” I hollered back, not bothering to hide my irritation as I mashed the button, waiting for the doors to open. Once they did, I entered, leaning against the smudge-free wall of the interior, noting that not even a fingerprint marred its perfect appearance.

How the fuck did people live like this?

Privilege, that’s how—spoiled and pampered from birth.

Like Lacey. Only she was different.

When the doors opened, I stepped onto the black marble floor and noted the luxuriant décor. The opulent hall with crystal chandeliers and gold accents led straight to Lacey’s door. There wasn’t a need to knock. She stood in the doorway.

“Why have you come back?”

Her attitude wasn’t lost on me. She had every reason not to trust me and think the worst. I didn’t give her much choice after what I did.

“For you,” I answered simply.

She lifted her chin. “I don’t think so.”

I wondered what lies her daddy had spun to turn her against me. It didn’t matter. That wasn’t the reason I came.

“Luis Diego is back in Vegas,” I revealed. “You need protection.”

She scoffed. “And you’re offering your services?”

I never stopped. She might have thought so, but I made a point of keeping tabs on her and Diego. There wasn’t a reason to intervene until Diego ignored my warning and returned, placing Lacey in danger.

“I’ll never allow him to harm you again.”

Her expression faltered before she lifted her chin. “That was a long time ago. You don’t owe me anything.”

No, I didn’t. That wasn’t the point. “Gotta be sure he doesn’t try to finish the job he started.”

Lacey sighed. “I don’t need your help, Skel. You made it clear when you left Vegas and said you weren’t coming back.”

I fucked up. Sue me. I wasn’t fucking perfect. “Never planned on it, Sweet Girl. When Luis Diego got out of prison and went back on his promise, I had to intervene.”

“That doesn’t mean you had to comehere,” she pointed out.

“I needed to see you.” I closed the distance between us, caging her against the doorjamb. “Things got fucked up, Baby. I shouldn’t have left the way I did.”

She frowned. “Was it my father? Did he pay you?”

Fuck no. How goddamn insulting. “No,” I growled. “No one pays me off for shit.”

I didn’t expect the sudden tears she blinked back. “Then why did you go?”