Page 24 of Razor

I say nothing, my fist curling into the grass beside me.

“Well, when his father died, he inherited his army of Satans and decided to take something he always believed was his. Me.”

She sighs and I want to smash this fucking creep into oblivion, but I say nothing, merely rub circles on her arm as I grip her hard.

“I wasn’t interested, and so he targeted my father’s businesses. You know the kind of thing. Protection money, beatings, free food and drink, and intimidation. He told him the only way he would ever be free would be if he was considered family and if I married him, he would leave my father alone.”

“So, you ran.”

Thank fuck for that, and she sighs.

“No. I told him to go fuck himself, and he was pissed. Torched a couple of my father’s waffle houses and told him he’d be inside the next time.”

She shifts a little closer, her bare leg firm against mine, and whispers, “My father told my brothers who are serving in the special forces. The next thing I knew, I was heading here with my bags packed. The trouble is?—”

She turns, and the tears that sparkle in her eyes cut me deep as she whispers, “I left my father behind and I’m so worried about him.”

“Why?” I shrug. “When you passed through those doors, I’m guessing backup was already in place. Ryder King will have made sure your father is protected.”

“I guess, but you don’t know Santiago De Sauro. He will be biding his time, and when that time is right, he will make sure my father is the first in line.”

She falls silent, and I have no words of reassurance. My faith is in Ryder to tie up all the loose ends, but it’s obvious Sunday doesn’t share my belief.

For the first time in my life, I wish I were good with words because more than anything, I want to reassure this womanclinging to me right now that all the time I breathe, she will be safe and that is my solemn vow.

CHAPTER 12

SUNDAY

This is nice. I never appreciated a man’s strength before, and sitting in Razor’s arms by the lake, in the middle of the night is a lot. For the first time, it’s as if I’m protected. Nobody can reach me, and I never want to leave.

I want to bury my face in his muscled chest and those strong arms to wrap around me and keep the world away. There is so much weighing heavily on my mind, but with him I am almost free.

I appreciate his silence. His comforting presence is enough, and I kind of like the way his arm holds me, rubbing circles on my skin, the heat it provides rushing through my body like a lit fuse.

It’s a warm, balmy evening, and the fireflies dance on the moonlit lake, and I wish more than anything I could take a cooling dip.

“Razor.”

My voice is low and he grunts.

“That’s my name.”

I smile. “I’d sure like a dip in the lake. Is it safe to swim in there?”

“Depends on what you mean by safe.”

“As in alligators, snakes, reeds?”

“I can offer no guarantee against that.”

He turns, and his sudden smile catches me on the edge of my heart.

“I can wrestle an alligator if needed and tie a snake in knots. If you’re up for it.”

“I have no doubt that you can do most things.”

He grins.