Page 195 of Micah

The words lodge somewhere behind my ribs.

I don't say them.

Coward.

I've got a strict no-lies policy. I promised her that.

Still, I wonder if lying by omission counts.

Because I sure as hell don't tell her I'm already planning how to move the rest of her things into my cabin.

But I sure as fuck am. Because Sloane O’Brien is mine now.

No take backs.

Chapter 25-Micah

An hour later we're sitting in the manager's office at The Watering Hole.

The place looks almost untouched.

My cleanup crew earned every penny.

Sloane has been on the phone for the better part of forty minutes, calling every part-time employee she can think of.

By the time she hangs up the last call, she's rubbing her temples.

“Are you sure about this?”

She must've asked me that half a dozen times already.

“I'm sure.”

She studies me.

“You can't be here alone.”

I hold her gaze.

“Not ever, Princess.”

The word lands heavier than I intended.

But I don't take it back.

I won't compromise on this.

Not after last night.

Not after seeing those men put their hands on her.

“But I don't have the capital to pay for doubling my staff every shift.” She throws both hands in the air. “Micah, payroll alone?—”

“You do.”

She narrows her eyes.

“What does that mean?”