She opens her mouth, but no words come out.
“Is it money? Are you running from someone? Do you need protection?”
She draws in a shaky breath. “No, not at all.”
“Nah, don’t lie to me, Lexi. That’s gonna be a rule.”
She blinks with wide eyes but doesn’t speak.
“Tell me.”
Tears form in those beautiful blue eyes. “I got evicted today,” she admits, not quite meeting my gaze.
I nod, not surprised. I knew something had to be going on because she’s definitely not your usual bar floozy out to sink her claws into a rich guy. Nor is she just in it for the sex. She seemed surprised by her response to me last night. No, Lexi seems like a smart, normal girl who’s never done anything like this in her life. Which totally adds to her appeal. “Is your stuff still there, at your apartment?”
“Yeah. But I can’t get in and get it.”
I get up and fish my phone out of my trouser pocket. “What’s the address?” I ask, my thumb poised over the keypad.
“Why?”
“Because I’m going to get it back for you.” I raise my eyebrows to prompt her.
“3650 E. Walnut #254.”
“Landlord’s name and number?”
“Darrell Jones. I’ll get his number.” She pulls out her phone and scrolls through her contacts. “What are you going to do to him?”
I laugh. “What do you want me to do to him?”
“Nothing...I mean—”
I chuckle again. “I was just thinking along the lines of paying him enough to open up the place and let me move your stuff out.”
“Oh.” She looks embarrassed. “Sorry. I just...don’t know how all this works.”
“Did you think I was going to break his kneecaps?”
She shakes her head quickly in a way that tells me that’s exactly what she thought.
“I’m just an ordinary guy, Lex.” It’s not exactly true, but it’s the story I maintain. “I work in real estate and new construction. I use Family contacts to make deals, and I’m not above bending the law a bit to avoid paying Uncle Sam more than his fair share, but I’m not a thug.”Unless I need to be.
Her face flushes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Come here.” I pull her face up to mine and kiss her. “I’m not offended. I think you’re cute.”
She ducks her face by looking down at her phone to find the landlord’s contact information, which she reads off to me.
I enter it into my phone, then give it to her. “Put your number in.”
She sends herself a text that says,This is Lexi. “Thank you.” She looks vulnerable. “I really appreciate it.”
I put a knuckle under her chin to lift her pretty face. “I will handle all your problems. I always take care of what’s mine,” I promise.
“You want me to owe you.”
I grin. “Smart girl.”