Page 66 of Unleashed

Now…

I move toward his bed, trying to muster up some sort of anger or irritation to cut through the sympathy and sadness. Unfortunately, I can’t make it happen.

“But I can’t really imagine you living here.”

“That’s because I don’t.”

I spin to face him, confused. “Then what⁠—”

“I live at the office, Maren. It’s my whole life. Always has been. There’s no room for anything else.” Trevor’s eyes drag around the place he’s supposed to feel most relaxed. “Even here.”

I swallow hard. My job is important to me, but only because it’s a means to an end. It’s how I take care of myself. How I take care of my sister. How I ensure we both get everything we need to be healthy and happy. It’s not my whole life. Not even close.

But Trevor has more than McKinley Security Systems. I know that for a fact. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. “What about your brothers? Your family?”

“They are why my job is my whole life. My brothers depend on me being my best. If I drop a ball, everyone suffers.” He takes a step toward me. “But not only do they need me to stay focused, you need me to be my best. Your life and your security are in my hands.”

Holy shit.

I was starting to get the idea Trevor might have some obsessive tendencies. Might have even liked it a little when I was the focus. But this is starting to sound unhealthy. No one should carry the weight of an entire company on their shoulders. It’s impossible.

Even shoulders as broad and strong as Trevor Bradshaw’s.

“I get what you’re saying.” I try to keep my tone from sounding snarky, and do a surprisingly good job. “But the rise and possible fall of McKinley Security Systems isn’t dependent on your willingness to work yourself to death.” I step closer, noticing the shadows under his eyes for the first time. “You are important, but you aren’t important enough to be the entire key to the success of your company.”

That might have sounded mean, but honestly, it’s the truth. Trevor is great. He’s awesome at what he does. He clearly cares deeply for everyone who works at McKinley, and has decided the burden of their lives is his to bear.

Which is kind of dumb.

I probably won’t tell him that. Not today. Maybe tomorrow, though. Because I think he might need to hear it.

“But everyone there relies on me.” He rakes a hand through his hair, looking a little distraught. “Security needed my help last night, and I wasn’t there.”

“So?” I shrug, confused about what that has to do with anything. “Were you the only person who could help them?”

Trevor stares at me for a second before scoffing, the hand dropping from his hair to his side. “No, but they had to bother Titus about it.”

“Again, so?” I’m still not seeing the issue here. “Sometimes they bother Titus. Sometimes they bother you. Sometimes they probably bother Toby, and other times they bother Tucker. I bet they even annoy Walker from time to time. As long as it gets handled, why does it matter who does it?”

“Because it’s my responsibility.” Trevor sounds a little desperate. Like he’s trying to make me understand.

I don’t see that happening, because what he’s saying doesn’t make any sense. Not to me.

It clearly does to him, though, and I don’t think that’s something we’re going to figure out today.

“Not everything is your responsibility, Trevor.”

“It is. I’m the one who wanted to expand the business. I convinced everyone else it was possible. I’m the reason things are the way they are.” He’s almost pleading with me now, and it makes me sad all over again.

I can’t believe this jerk has made me feel so freaking bad for him. That somehow he’s making me think I might almost respect him.

Maybe even like him. A little.

And that little bit of like is probably responsible for the way I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his body against mine in a hug.

I don’t normally like to hug people. It makes me uncomfortable. They usually squeeze too tight or hang on too long, and after a few seconds I’m stuck trying to figure out how in the hell to get out of it.

But hugging Trevor isn’t uncomfortable. He’s warm and firm, and even though I know he hasn’t showered since yesterday, he smells really good. Good enough, I accidentally close my eyes and press my face into the crook of his neck, breathing deep against his skin.