Page 13 of Shades of Loyalty
“It’ll be fine, right?” I mumble under my breath. My voice is so quiet, I doubt he even hears me. My trust in him is as thin as glass, ready to shatter at the slightest provocation.
He doesn’t respond this time. Instead, he parks the car, steps out, and walks around to open my door just as he did at the bakery.
The second I look up into his face, unlike last time, my breath catches in my throat. He leans against the car frame while observing every little detail of my face.
God, he looks far too good to be such a terrible human being. His dark curls frame his sharp features perfectly, and those intense eyes…
They track my every move, as if he’s silently reading my thoughts. If circumstances were different, I might even admit I’m attracted to him.
But the memory of this morning keeps my thoughts in check.
“Where exactly are we now? A secret hideout?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leans down slightly, locking his deep brown eyes with mine. The contrast—his dark, mine light—is oddly captivating.
“It’s my home, pretty. We’re near Lincoln Park, just so you’re aware. I’m not here to keep you locked behind bars, I’m here to help you,” he whispers, a soft smile playing on his lips.
His voice is deep, yet sweet. Intimidating, and yet so soft and comforting.
“Before we go inside, I need you to know something. There will be lots of people there who will intimidate you. Dangerous guys, you know. But as I said… You’re safe here. Nobody will touch you except me—and only if I need to. To keep you safe.”
There’s something unsettling about his words, but I nod anyway, trying to convince myself I’ll be fine.
Perhaps it’s the way he didn’t just sayguysbut addeddangerouson top of it. Thanks, I’m guessing that’s very helpful, Daniel.
“Fine,” I say slowly, “but only if you promise me one thing—”
“Your daughter will be here as soon as her preschool ends,” he interrupts smoothly. God. He’s good at reading people.
“I’ll speak to my mother the second we get inside. She’ll take care of her and get her to you safely.”
My lips part, but no words come out.
His confidence in handling the situation leaves me unsure how to respond.
Should I feel anxious? Reassured? Is now the best moment to start panicking?
“I don’t know if I can believe you, Daniel,” I finally manage, my voice trembling slightly. Telling him the truth is the best option I can go for.
I notice a flicker in his eyes when I say his name—a brief sparkle, as if my doubt has sparked something within him.
“I understand,” he says, his tone soft but firm. “But give me a chance to prove myself. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“I simply said I’m doubting you. I didn’t exactly say I wouldn’t go with you, or be a hard case to handle,” I sigh, crossing my arms. “It’s not like I have any other choice, right?”
He nods, his expression is unreadable. “Trust me, I’d love to give you another answer. But you’re right—you don’t. I promise I’ll find a solution soon. Within days, even.”
For a moment, we just stand there in the garage, staring at each other.
The tension between us is palpable, so I force myself to look away before I get sucked into those eyes again. They’re… dangerous.
“Well then,” I mutter. “Show me this massive house of yours which’ll keep me safe. Maybe I’ll trust you.” My voice is filled with sarcasm, but even if he notices, he doesn’t say anything about it.
“It’s not just mine,” he replies, taking my hand gently in his. “It belongs to my family. It’s why the safety of this house is extremely important to me.”
I stiffen at the contact but don’t pull away. I know better than to try running—this man likely has connections everywhere.
Freedom, at this point, is an illusion I can’t afford to chase.
