Page 45 of Keeping Katie
We stare at each other for a beat before he brings his weathered hand up to his beard to scratch his chin. “Her father. He asked me to keep an eye on his girls before he died. I promised I would.”
Narrowing my gaze, I cock my head. “Forgive me for being skeptical, but why would he ask you to do that? How did you know each other?”
Tom smiles softly. “When Katie’s parents opened the shop, her mom was trying pastry different recipes. She saw me passingand asked me to try one. I think she just felt bad for me and used it as an excuse to feed me. The pastries were terrible. Surprised I didn’t die of intestinal bleeding after eating them.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “She got better over time once she figured out how to tell flour and sugar apart. One night, she was at the shop baking alone. When she was going out to her car, someone attacked her and tried to rob her.”
“Tried?” I ask slowly.
“I was there. I knew she was alone in the shop, so I stayed close. I liked her husband. He was a good man. Good to his wife and daughter. So it felt right to keep an eye out. That night, once I got her calmed down and we called her husband, the three of us became friends. He offered me coffee and pastries for life because I saved her.”
My chest squeezes as I stare at this man. He keeps an eye on my girl to keep her safe.
“Marine?” I ask on a hunch.
“Retired.”
I nod, flexing my jaw several times. “I have the best intentions for Katie. I’m in love with her.”
The words feel right as I say them, but I blink several times as the realization hits.
I love her.
He narrows his gaze. “Seems kind of quick to be declaring your love. You’ve known her for what, a week?”
A single chuckle rolls up from my chest. “Yeah. I know it seems fast, but I knew the second I saw her.”
Tom runs his fingers through his beard. “You can keep her safe with the life you lead?”
I don’t know how he knows I’m in the mafia, but he does. I respect him even more now. He might be homeless, but he’s smart and resourceful.
“Yes, sir. I can.”
My phone buzzes, and I ignore yet another message from Sharleen. I’m going to have to send her a blunt reply telling her to leave me the fuck alone since she doesn’t seem to understand the nicer ones I’ve sent telling her I’m not interested.
When I look back at Tom, he sighs and starts pushing his cart toward the shop again. “You hurt her, and I’ll kill you. The only other people I’ve ever considered family are gone, and she’s all I have left. I have no one else to live for.”
Warmth spreads throughout me, and a slow smile stretches my lips. He’s clearly dismissing me as he walks away.
“Yes, sir,” I say, loud enough for him to hear.
I wasn’t expecting things to go this way, but suddenly, I’m a huge fan of Tom.
“I’d like you to stop calling and texting me.”
She scoffs dramatically through the phone. “You don’t mean that. Listen, let’s go out again. I’ll make it so good for you. We could have so much fun together, Grady.”
Bile rises in my throat. The mere thought of being with another woman besides Katie sickens me. I will never allow another woman to touch me in that way.
“I’m going to pass on that, Sharleen. I’m with someone else.”
If she gasps any louder, I’m going to put a bullet in my head. Apparently, being rejected is completely shocking to her.
“You’re with someone else? We just went out two weeks ago. How is that going to look when I tell my friends? They’ve been so excited to meet you.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, I’ve met someone since. Anyway, I need to go. Good luck.”
Before she can make another noise, I end the call and shake my head. “Jesus,” I murmur.
Ronan chuckles from the doorway. “Who knew you were such a popular guy with the ladies?”