“Yeah, we’ll have to. Not too sure how the father will take the news when you tell him that though. He’s an arrogant prick who thinks he knows everything yet has no common sense when it comes to behind the scenes. He’s a real class act, I’ll give him that,” I respond.
“No kidding. Sorry I sent you out there, but he was a friend of a friend. She has an apartment, right? We can relocate you there or to another place, but it’s off the grid, and I’d like to hold off if we don’t need to use it or have anyone else know about it.” He’s talking about the safe house we have in the middle of no man’s land, North Dakota. Fuck, I thought it got cold here. I’d really freeze my dick off if we went out that way.
“Yeah, you want me to let Sutton know, or will you?” I offer.
“Na, I’ll call him first thing in the morning and go from there. Stay safe, Leo,” he replies.
“You too.” We hang up. Nothing else left to say. My whole family is back in Virginia, a place that’s been home my whole life. It’s a place I thought would be easy to come and go as I pleased. I’m finding out that’s not the case the older I get.
I throw my phone on the bed, strip down to my boxers before getting ready for bed. My body is functioning on about four hours of sleep in the past forty-eight hours, and I’m about killed from it. I slide beneath the sheets. A hot shower will be in my future once I get a few hours of much-needed sleep. When I left Tinsley’s room, I made sure her door was locked. At least no one would be dumb enough to go in there while she’s asleep. Unless they have a death wish, that is. My eyes droop, my mind shutting off from the bullshit that’s been piling up for the past few weeks. I still can’t fucking believe the way Robert and Cynthia Sutton are handling things. In fact, I think if it weren’t for his investment, he probably wouldn’t have called in a favor to his friend. His image seems to be the only thing he cares about, not that his daughter is smart, beautiful, and has a bright future in front of her. My last thoughts before drifting off are of Tinsley, how she felt pressed up against my body, the way she sank into me, and I don’t care that she’s trouble. She’s worth it.
“Leo,” I hear whispered into the room. My mind must be playing tricks on me. “Leo.” My shoulder is pushed and I’m up in a flash.
“What’s wrong?” I dart up, the covers falling to my hips. This not getting much sleep is kicking my ass.
“I woke up and walked into the sitting area to the mini fridge, you know, because I was thirsty. The door was wide open. I shut and locked it when you left.” I can hear the sincerity in her voice.
“Stay here. I’m going to check it out, and Tinsley?” I state.
“Yes, Leo?” Her teeth are worrying her bottom lip.
“Lock the door. My phone is on the nightstand. If anything happens, call Slade or Drake, okay?” I do something I shouldn’t. I squeeze her hip before kissing her collarbone, feeling her body relax for me. I hate like hell that I’m leaving her, but there’s no way I can’t investigate it. That door was locked when I left, and although I’ve only known Tinsley a few weeks, I know she doesn’t lie.
It takes me no time to stalk down the hallway. I turn the lights on, check everything out, and notice nothing is out of place. I stalk back to the door, look at the handle and lock, and see there are scratches by the deadbolt.
“Motherfucker,” I grunt out. There’s no way she’ll be sleeping in this room tonight, which only leads to one option until Slade calls Robert Sutton. There’s no way I’ll be able to keep my damn hands off Tinsley, not by a mile. I hope she’s prepared for what she’s opened earlier this evening because all bets are off now that she’s given me the all-clear. Client or not, I want Tinsley more than I ever wanted that high of being in the ring, and that’s saying something.
I make my way back to my room. It’s more opulent than I would ever care to have, but it’s what they gave me. The one thing I wouldn’t budge on was being too far away from her in case something popped up. Little did I know it would happen this soon.
“Is everything okay?” Tinsley is sitting on the edge of my bed.
“No one was there or around this wing, but someone definitely jimmied the locks. You’re stuck with me for tonight. There’s no way I can lock your door now that the person destroyed the tumbler inside it.” She stands up, her arms wrapping around my waist, and hugs me while she says, “Thank you, Leo.” That’s all she says, three words with her scent surrounding me, and it has me hard as fucking nails. This is going to be a long-as-fuck night.