Page 55 of The Protection Agreement

“Can you not travel again, please? I wasn’t very nice to him. I think I drove him crazy with my constant requests.”

“And he told you his name to keep you quiet?”

“No, he told me his name when I promised to hurt him when he wasn’t looking, or hide somewhere he couldn’t find me.”

“Where did he sleep when I was away?”

“First night, we brought the sofa in your room out and I slept on it while he slept on the living room sofa. He complained all day about being sore, so the next few nights I took my pills, slept in your bed, and he slept in my room,” she explains.

I certainly didn’t think of the sleeping arrangements when I was leaving. Now I do need to think about that next time, if I can manage to leave her again.

Ice and I need to talk about her injury. I’m not sure I’m forgiving that any time soon.

Chapter thirty-four

Bruce

I didn’t let Jola return to work for a week. She was able to work from home after three days. I had Malik come and set up her desk station in the third room; she moved the sofa from my bedroom into her new office space. I’ve had to carry her out of there at least once. I tore Ice a new one for injuring my girl. He apologized profusely. I wanted to punish him, but Jola had made me promise not to touch Ice. I have also told him he can’t train her; James or Smith will have to do the training.

It’s now Memorial Day weekend, and I always spend it with my dad alone. Since I still have residual effects from last time I left her, no thanks to Ice, I’m taking her with me. Dad might as well meet her now and know that she’s my girl. She seems happy to drive with me, but I sense her nervousness about meeting my dad.

Jola and I talk on the drive from Chicago to Kokomo, Indiana. First, we fight about which music we are listening to on the drive. I don’t want any of her playlists. She says Grayson recommended it, which came as a surprise to find out she and Grayson are comparing songs and playlists. My hard rock is too loud for her. Our compromise was every hour, we switch songs. Then we get to questions. The only question she still will not answer is how her mom died. I’ve concluded it was traumatic, which is why she won’t talk about it. She seems happy to talk about her parents, especially when they fought, which she finds amusing because she could get away with lots of stuff.

“Is Ice still behind us?” she asks, looking back.

“Yes, he’s driving all the way to my dad’s house with us.”

“If I wasn’t here, would you guys still take two cars?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Oh, good. I didn’t want to be the reason for two separate cars.” She exhales and relaxes a bit. “Will he be staying for the weekend as well?” She’s nervous but hiding it and needs a wingman. I squeeze her hand, and she squeezes mine back.

“That’s up to him. Sometimes he stays, and sometimes he doesn’t.”

“Okay, I hope your dad won’t mind that you brought your work to his place.”

“I’m quite sure he won’t mind, and you are my girl,” I say.

“And also, your work,” she emphasizes, but I don’t respond. The truth is no one besides Ice knows my dad’s house. My brothers know he resides somewhere in Indiana, though they lack a precise address. Will my dad be shocked to see her? Absolutely, because he knows I never bring anyone home to him, and certainly not a girl that calls herself work and one that has failed to see how much I burn and yearn for her. Could I have left her with Ice for three days and checked in? Yes, but was I going to do that? Nope. Where I go, she goes, unless it’s dangerous.

We pull to the gate, and I punch in the code. The gate opens, and we drive down the long driveway.

“Are you sure there’s a house here?” she questions. Words barely out of her lips and we see the midsize house. I turn to her and smile; she smirks at me. I love it when she’s funny, it’s like her eyes dance and her whole being vibrates with excitement.

I pull to the front of the house, and my dad comes out with a big smile on his face. “He’s happy to see you. I will try to stay out of you guys’ way so you can enjoy your time together,” she says, smiling.

“Will see.” I snicker

No way I’m not spending time with her in this quiet place. I get out of the car and Ice pulls up behind us. He’s out so fast and gives my dad a bro hug. Jola is dusting invisible lint off her dress before she opens the door and steps out.

Once she does, my dad stands and stares at her intensely. She instinctively moves closer to me, lacing her hand with mine. I feel the tension in her grip.

“Dad,” I say. He doesn’t respond and keeps looking at her. It’s like he is transfixed. “Dad.” My voice is a bit louder and deeper, and nope, he’s still staring at her. “Dad!” I shout louder and he blinks. I feel Jola tremble next to me, she’s squeezing my hand. “Are you okay, dad?” I squeeze her hand back, confirming to her that she’s safe.

“Yes, it’s like…” He looks at her again. “Come on in,” he says, turning towards the front door. “Like what, dad?” My tone is sharp and deep. What the fuck is wrong with him?

“Come inside, I’ll explain,” he snaps at me. I scowl. Is he for real? He’s the one giving my girl bad vibes.