She sat heavily on the edge of the bed, and I had a feeling that had it not been directly behind her, she would have collapsed to the floor.
I kneeled in front of her. “You wanna tell me what’s going on?” I demanded.
“Honestly? I don’t know. I thought I was losing it, but I have been feeling a little creeped out lately. Like someone’s watching me,” she admitted.
“That night at the grocery store,” I surmised.
She nodded. “Yeah. But I have no idea why or who would want to break in.” She bit her lower lip.
I forced myself not to zero in on her luscious mouth and remained on task. “Any ex-boyfriends? Family that could want something from you?”
Her beautiful green eyes filled with sadness as she pondered my question.
“I really don’t think so. My older brother, Charlie, he’s been in and out of trouble, but he’d never do anything to hurt me. He wasn’t able to be a father, but I know he loves Riley,” she insisted quietly. Her defense of her brother who’d obviously done nothing but disappoint her and Riley only proved further the size of her heart.
“What kind of trouble?” I pressed.
“He’s addicted to gambling,” she began, her voice trembling. “He hadn’t been in a good place in years when he got a woman pregnant. Riley’s mother had addiction issues as well. Pills, I think. I was never quite sure. Thank God she didn’t use while she was pregnant,” she added with a relief I shared. “But neither of them could take care of a baby. They weren’t fit. I was the next of kin and I loved Riley from the moment I met her.” Her eyes were shining with tears as she looked at me. “It was the best thing I ever did, becoming her mother, but she didn’t come from me.”
She wanted to make sure I knew that, just as I needed her to know how I felt about it. “She’s still yours,” I confirmed vehemently.
She nodded. “She is. We’re a family. She’s my only family. And I’ll do anything to protect her.” The fire in her eyes made me respect her all the more. The woman was a lioness, and despite her earlier vulnerability, I had no doubt she was strong as hell.
“You are safe here,” I ground out. “I’ll make sure of it. You know I do security for the club?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Well, I do. I’ll set you up tomorrow with a system. For now, I’ll stay.”
Her gorgeous eyes popped wide. “Stay over? Here, you mean?”
“Yep. On the couch. Unless you want me to stay with you?” I lifted a brow, my head cocked toward her bed. I wanted nothing more but knew she wouldn’t take me up on it, not yet.
“Uh, no. The couch is good. And ordinarily I’d say we’re fine, but—”
I pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head. “I’m staying.”
She sighed, clearly relieved. “Okay, thank you.”
“It’s no problem. Maybe you’ll even make me breakfast in the morning.” I grinned.
She scoffed. “I’m not much of a cook but I can pour you a bowl of cereal.”
I chuckled. “Sounds good to me. I’ll let you get some sleep.”
She handed me a pillow and a blanket from her bed. “Thank you, Cash, really. I know we don’t know each other well but I feel much better that you’re here.”
“Not a thing, baby,” I rumbled, taking what she handed me. “Sleep well.”
She watched me go, looking gorgeous but tired perched on the edge of her bed. “You too.”
It was one of the harder things I’d done, leaving her there when all I wanted to do was hold her, but I knew it wasn’t the time to push for more. Instead, I made my way downstairs, settling on the couch, preparing for a restless night.
Guarding my girls was far more important than sleep.
Chapter 9
LAYLA