Page 68 of Selling Innocence
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I prefer things running smoothly, and I have set up my businesses to do so. You and Lorien have managed to throw that off course, however, and I dislike it. I had ignored it at first, hoping you would work it out amongst yourself, but that has not happened. Instead, you have caused me a headache by having fights in the street and going on television for interviews.”
When he put it like that, it didn’t sound good, I had to admit.
“We won, so aren’t you supposed to protect our purchase?”
“I would, if everything had been done properly. I don’t think you truly want us to go into that, do you?” The way he stared made it perfectly clear that he knew about the less-than-honest way in which we’d won.
I pulled my shoulders back, standing tall, ready to face him if he wanted to touch Kenz over this. Bradley wasn’t known for being forgiving or lenient, so the fact we’d gamed his system wouldn’t sit well with him.
“Attacking you here, in such a public place, would be foolish and I am no fool. You can relax. I came to talk—not to turn to violence. There has been enough of a public spectacle already, don’t you think?”
“Then what do you want?”
“You need to sit down with Lorien and work through this. The petty issues between you are of no concern to me, but it is now risking my business, and that I will not allow. We will call a meeting for you and Lorien to discuss the matter and come to some sort of agreement.”
“And if we don’t?”
“It would be unadvisable. I am being exceedingly understanding at the moment given what you have done, and I wouldn’t suggest you push my patience any further. My understanding is that Lorien will call into the meeting to retain his anonymity, which means you can pick the time and location. I will contact you next week.” He paused, then shifted his gaze as if to try to see Kenz.
I set a hand out, keeping her behind me and out of sight.
“So much trouble for such a little girl,” Bradley muttered and shook his head. “Then again, I recall when I had a flat tire one time. It halted my entire day, caused us to remain on the side of the road for hours as we waited for a replacement tire, forced me to cancel numerous meetings. When we finally had it resolved, I discovered the culprit—one tiny nail that had driven through the tire wall. It was funny that something so small could derail an organization as large as mine. It reminded me to never ignore even the smallest of problems, because they can cause a great deal of trouble.”
With that, he nodded and turned his back, strolling away. He met up with bodyguards a ways off, having clearly left them so as not to worry us.
I waited until he disappeared from view, then went to turn. Something stopped me, however, and I realized Kenz had her fingers clutching my suit jacket, her face pressed against my back.
And now that I could focus on her rather than the threat, I realized she trembled.
Poor girl. I reached behind me to untangle her fingers from my jacket, entwining my fingers with hers in exchange. I twisted to face her, but she stared down. It made her hair hang forward, casting her face in shadows.
“You’ll be okay,” I promised her.
“How can you say that?”
“Because I’ll keep you safe. I may not be good at shopping or dealing with women or picnics in the park,” I laughed softly at the long list of my own ineptitude, “But I am very good at protecting people.” I used the hand not holding hers to cup her cheek and bring her gaze up to mine.
Fear played across her delicate features, and I wished I could wipe that away. I wanted her to not know just how dangerous this really was, how much she could lose. I wanted to carry it all for her.
But I knew better than to think that was possible.
I couldn’t take her fear away, but I could promise that I’d do everything I could, that I’d give every drop of blood in my body to keep her safe.
And if it came down to my revenge or her life?
For the first time, I wasn’t sure what I’d pick…
* * * *
Nem
“Tell me to calm down one more time and I’ll shoot you.” I paired the threat with a good glare, the sort that normally sent people running.
“You shouldn’t threaten to shoot people,” Dane said.
“Why not? Do you think I won’t?”