Chapter Seven
Jenna opened her eyes and blinked a few times. Her gaze roamed around the room as she tried to figure out where she was. When she caught sight of the IV, she knew where she was and why. Billy had somehow gotten into the apartment and beat her up.
God damn him. That fucker was going to pay. Her heart jerked in her chest when her gaze landed on the huge man sleeping beside her bed. She’d seen him before with Travis. She remembered how hot she thought he was but then ducked her head because she was afraid one of the men would learn about the secret and how it pertained to her by the slight bruising on her cheek.
She looked around, trying to figure out how she could escape.
“That’s not going to happen, pet.”
Her head swung toward him to see he was still relaxed with his hands on his stomach, but his piercing dark-brown gaze was on her.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He grunted, sat up, and stretched.
She was surprised to feel saliva pool in her mouth and her body heat with arousal. Even though she felt achy all over from the fight, she still had enough energy to lust after the guy.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
He stood and sat on the side of the bed next to her hip. “I’m here to protect you until we can catch Billy.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard. He’s a little punk.”
“A little punk who beat the shit out of you.”
“He got a jump on me. It won’t happen again.”
“No, it won’t because I won’t let it if you let me help you.”
Her hands gripped the blanket in tight fists. As much as she wanted to let him help, she couldn’t stand to depend on anyone besides Kyla. Because it always ended badly for her. “I don’t have room at my place for you, and I’m a busy person.”
He snorted. “First of all, I’d like you to quit the theatre and move in with me until we find a safe place for you.”
Her eyes widened. “What the hell?” She tried to sit up and gasped as pain shot through her midsection, reminding her that Billy had kicked her in the side a few times.
He pressed her back down. “Easy. You have bruised ribs and a lot of contusions, pet. You’ll need to take it easy for a few days.”
“Listen, buddy. I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”
“Oh.” He smiled. “I think you, more than anyone, need someone like me to take care of you.”
As much as the thought of him doing that made her heartbeat increase and a kernel of hope start to grow, she pushed it back. “That’s bullshit.”
Trey set his hand on the other side of her hips, so he was leaning down a bit. “Listen carefully, pet. I don’t like potty mouths.”
“I don’t fucking care.” She tried to push him away, but it was like trying to push a boulder.
He growled. “Just remember, I’m keeping track of every time you curse or disobey, and you will be punished.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have the right.”
“Oh, I’m hoping you’ll give me that right eventually.”
Her thoughts scrambled in her head as she thought of the ways he could make her do that and couldn’t come up with anything. “Listen, buddy…”
“You will call me Trey, or sir. Nothing else. Maybe, eventually, if things work out for us, you’d like to call me daddy.”
She stared at him at the same time she bit her tongue, preventing her from saying it. Daddy. The one thing she had dreamed of since she’d met the littles and their daddies. To know she had one of her very own who would never leave her was overwhelming, but she reminded herself the people staying in her life were next to none.