She pauses. “Has he always known where I am?”
“Your father has, yes. He wanted me to keep tabs on you, so I did. He wanted me to train you, so I did.”
“Fuck,” she snaps. “Why the fuck…!” She kicks the bottom of the dash, taking her frustration out on my car.
“Have you finished?”
“Why wouldn’t you warn me? I could have…” The words die on her lips.
“You never asked. You assumed I was your friend.”
Her hand immediately reaches for her blade that I know she has strapped to her thigh. I’m driving, but I’m not so consumed by the road that I can’t disarm her. I grab her wrist, and twist it. She cries out and bites me. So I do the only thing I can do, I drop her wrist and squeeze around her throat instead, choking her until she passes out.
Then, I drive her home.
Harper Black’s men are waiting when I pull into the gates surrounding V’s home. They try to take her sleeping form from the car, but I stare at them until they back off. Then I park up, gather her in my arms, and make my way inside.
I would know this house, it’s layout, if I was blind folded. I grew up here. We grew up here. It’s strange to be back. But I find her old bedroom easily. I notice that it’s unchanged, as I lay her down onto the bed. I pay attention to make sure her head is comfortable and her clothes aren’t revealing too much skin, then I close the door and walk downstairs to see to the bite wound on my hand.
No one will come and try to take her away again. They know better. I may be bringing her home. But if anyone touches her while she’s still my responsibility, I’ll eviscerate them.
When night falls, I hear her approach. I’m sitting in the kitchen working. She’s wearing her old pyjamas from the bedroom. I’m surprised they still fit her. It shows she hasn’t changed much. Though, they’re slightly too tight if you ask me. I’ll take her shopping tomorrow.
Her eyes flick to the bandage on my hand.
“Does it hurt?”
I shake my head. “No more than usual.”
She glances at my laptop screen. On it are files. I don’t try to hide them. We used to work jobs together so why would I. “A job?” she asks.
“Take a look,” I say, handing her the mouse. She takes it, sitting on the stool next to me. The scent of her freshly showered skin invades my personal space as she clicks on the various files to read.
“His morning run,” she says. “That’s when I’d do it.” She hands the mouse back.
“That’s when I’m going to do it,” I say.
She nods. “So where the fuck is Daddy Dearest, this is getting creepy being here just waiting for him to turn up.”
“He’s away on business.”
“How long,” she asks.
“He flies in next week.”
“Next week? What shall I do until then?”
“I don’t know. Eat, rest, read a book?”
She frowns. “I don’t have time to read.
“You do now,” I scoff.
“And I have nothing to wear.”
I blink at her. “I told you to bring a bag.”
“You know I always do the opposite of what you tell me,” she snaps.