Page 14 of Shades of Loyalty
I don’t know how he’d react. I’d guess he wouldn’t get violent based on the way he’s been treating me, but seriously, I don’t want to rely on pure luck completely.
This morning showed me that the pure luck I’ve been having these past few years hasn’t been nice to me today. I’m not challenging it for a second time.
“I’ll introduce you to my mother,” he continues as we approach a sleek door. “I think you’ll like her. Maybe this will comfort you a little, hm?”
I nod, but I’m not sure about that. I have no idea what type of woman his mother is, after all.
And this building… It doesn’t seem like a cozy place. The parking garage alone feels overwhelming.
The pristine floors, the spotless walls, the endless rows of luxury cars—it all screams wealth and power.
Daniel even has a personal charging dock for his Porsche. Unbelievable.
There were several security guards at the gate to the building, and even the inside of the parking garage has two men stationed. I don’t know what they’re monitoring. The safety of the people? Robbery? Perhaps both?
Wait. Do Mafias target safe houses?
Do they know he lives here? And the biggest question I have—how rich does someone have to be to live like this? It’s mesmerizing.
I stop my thoughts the second they drift tohowhe makes so much money. I don’t think I want to know more about the sketchy businesses he’s into.
Not more than I found out this morning, anyway. I gulp when my mind rudely reminds me of the views I’ve endured this morning.
Blood. The whole floor was drenched with it. The smell of iron was in the air. Even during the car ride, I swear, I could smell it everywhere.
And although I’m a nurse, and I’ve probably seen cases including many more body fluids, I’ve neverlosta patient. It’s what truly made me panic.
It still does.
My gaze drifts to a bike parked next to his Porsche. I don’t bother asking. Vehicles like that don’t really interest me.
Sure, it’s impressive—especially considering the obscene amount of money it must’ve cost him—but still. Not my thing.
Daniel steps forward and lifts his hand toward a small screen beside the door.
“You need a card for that?” I mutter under my breath. He glances back at me with a smirk. “Fuck, no. That’d be a safety hazard.”
Without another word, he locks the door again, then unlocks it just to prove a point and show me how it works.
It makes me wonder why he talks about safety hazards at first but then shows an innocent woman how to open one of the main entrances to his safe house.
Daniel might seem smart, but God, this move? Absolutely stupid. A typical man.
Acting smart but then trusting women within a few minutes. It makes me wonder how fucked this whole group of people would be if their enemy would send a pretty woman to Daniel.
One wrong move and it’s over for them.
His ring finger moves toward the screen, pressing lightly. A faint chime sounds as the lock clicks open, and the door swings wide. My lips part in surprise.
“So… it’s the ring?” He shakes his head, still amused. God, I feel dumb now. And I judged him because of safety hazards. Wonderful.
“It’s my finger. A card or a ring would be too easy to steal. They’d have to cut my finger off to get in.”
He motions for me to go first, but I just stand there, blinking at him.
“Holy fuck. It’s in your finger?”
“Did I stutter?” he says, voice smooth as ever. “Go in. I don’t want the alarm to go off, pretty.” Then he places a hand gently on my lower back and nudges me through the door.
