Page 12 of Shades of Loyalty
Fuck. This woman is a little too attractive for me.
“It’s Chicago, Daniel,” she shoots back with a sassy tone. “I doubt any alley here is considered safe, hm? Or do you?”
I glance at her briefly before focusing back on the road. Fuck, the way she says my name. Her goddamn voice. She’s so perfect.
I hate that we met like this. Why couldn’t she be one of those whores who I could pay to fuck?
Things could’ve been so much easier. Not that I do these types of things regularly. But shit, sometimes I need to get rid of all the anxiety and pressure.
“I know that. I’ve seen lots of shit going down before. But this one? This alley? We’ve been dealing in that one for years. Why the hell did you have to be there today? No sane person would take a walk through them. They’re disgusting and dark. Aren’t you terrified? You’re a fucking woman; something could’ve happened to you!”
I look at her, anger visible in my expression. But it’s not her I’m mad at. I’m mad at all the shit that goes on in my world that I have no control over.
“Do you know which kind of men you could’ve met? You should be grateful I was one to see you first.”
My voice rises slightly, the frustration spilling out despite my best efforts.
She immediately goes quiet, her shoulders sagging.
“I was taking my daughter to preschool,” she murmurs. “I’ve taken that route every morning for two years. Nothing has ever happened before. It just… It saves me time. And I need that time.”
The regret in her voice hits me harder than I expected. I close my eyes briefly, then grip the wheel tighter. “I’m… sorry,” I mutter.
Two words I haven’t said in years. Two words I’d never offer to anyone outside my family, or my only friend, Hayden.
But I mean it. It’s not an empty apology. She deserves a real one. She nods, her voice breaking. “What will happen to Mary?”
“Mary?” I ask, confused for a moment. “My daughter,” she whispers. “I have to pick her up later. I can’t just—”
Within a few seconds, I know a way to solve the problem. “I’ll ask my mother or my sister to pick her up and bring her to you,” I cut in, my voice firm. “Both of you will be fine. I promise it.”
Her body relaxes ever so slightly, though she still seems guarded. And for some reason, that bothers me more than it should.
I want her to feel safe. Hell, I need her to. I understand we’re strangers, but fuck. None of this should’ve happened to her. She didn’t deserve that.
“Both you and your daughter will be safe with us,” I say once again, my tone softening. “I just need to have a little talk with you about… what happened.”
“Where are we going exactly?” she asks, her voice wary.
I sigh, my grip tightening on the wheel. “You’ll see in a while. We’re almost there. It’s a safe place.”
Chapter Six
Jennifer
As Daniel drives onto the mansion grounds, a wave of unease washes over me. The building is breathtaking, practically radiating wealth and power—but being here, trapped with him, makes my stomach twist in knots.
Of course, he took care of me, bought me breakfast, and even calmed me down when I felt like I was spiraling.
But I still don’t know if I can trust him. He claims he didn’t shoot that man, but how can I believe anything he says?
I don’t know him. I don’t know if trusting him will mean I’ll be protected like he said—or if it means I’m as good as dead. I don’t know who he is. I’ve seen his face before, I swear, but… I can’t tell where, exactly.
The news? Maybe he is a serial killer, after all. It wouldn’t exactly surprise me.
“Come on, pretty. It’ll be fine,” he says, glancing over at me. His voice sounds calm but there’s something just beneath it—like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me—before steering the car into a massive underground parking garage.
I nod weakly, trying to convince myself he’s right. But I’ve already decided—I won’t let my guard down until I see my daughter.
