While prostitution was legal there, many of the women who worked in the brothels were doing so against their will, forced to have sex with dozens of men a day to keep their families safe from the evil men who’d blackmailed them. Silverstone wanted to find the man, or men, responsible at the highest level. Not the johns and pimps on the front line. They were small potatoes compared to the heads of the sexual-slavery rings.
He and Taylor had a long discussion about what could be done to help the women, which turned into a conversation about the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution. She brought up some good points that he and his team hadn’t thought of. Eagle had known that Taylor was smart, but being able to have an intellectual conversation with her about a very controversial topic was more satisfying than he would’ve thought.
“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Eagle asked her.
“Same as today. Although I do need to go out for a bit.”
“Where to?”
Eagle was surprised when Taylor didn’t immediately answer him.
“I just . . . something I do every Sunday,” she said.
He wasn’t happy with the vague answer, but he told himself that even though they’d talked every day, there were a lot of things he still didn’t know about her. “Cool. It’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, you’re allowed to keep your life private.”
“It’s not that, it’s just . . . it’s something I started doing about a year ago, and at first I had mixed feelings about it, but now it feels like a calling for me.”
“I hope you’ll tell me about it sometime, but don’t think I’m going to be sitting over here pouting because you won’t.”
She chuckled softly. “I can’t see you pouting about anything. Except maybe not winning at pinball.”
And just like that, she’d satisfactorily changed the subject. Eagle let it go, not wanting her to be uncomfortable in the least while talking to him. “I still think you cheated on that last round.”
“How could I have cheated?” she asked. “Seriously, you’re just a poor loser.”
“Okay, that’s probably true,” Eagle admitted.
She laughed again. “Eagle?”
“Yeah, Tay?”
“I like this.”
He knew exactly what she was talking about. “Me too. You’re easy to talk to.”
“Same.”
“I’m going to let you go. It’s late,” Eagle said, glancing at his watch, surprised at exactly how much time had gone by. He’d never really liked talking on the phone, but with Taylor, he couldn’t seem to get enough.
“Okay. Thanks for introducing me to your friends.”
“Of course. And they’re your friends now too.”
She didn’t comment on that, and Eagle knew she’d need to spend more time around them to really feel comfortable.
“I’ll call tomorrow night?” he asked.
“I’d like that,” she reassured him.
“Be safe tomorrow at whatever it is you’re doing.”
“I will. You too.”
“Always,” Eagle told her. “Sleep well.”
“Talk to you later.”
“Later.” Eagle clicked off the phone and just sat on his couch, smiling and recounting their conversation for at least five minutes. Reluctantly, he admitted he’d rather spend the rest of his life in the friend zone if dating meant the risk of breaking up and losing her forever.
It had taken thirty-six years, but Eagle had finally found a woman whose happiness he’d put above his own. It felt scary, but so right.
Taylor Cardin didn’t know it, but as of this moment, her life was going to get much better. He’d make it his mission to show her how fun life could be. She’d hidden herself away and protected her heart because of the assholes in her past. That was over.
Eagle nodded. He might never have the kind of relationship he wanted with her, but if Taylor lived her life unafraid of what others might think or say about her, Eagle, in turn, could find peace with that. She was an amazing human being, and the world needed more people like her. Hiding in her apartment, afraid to run into others she knew but didn’t recognize, was wrong.
He’d make sure those who did know her changed the way they interacted with her. Make them learn to tell her who they were up front. He’d make everyone see her the way he did.
His decision made, Eagle got ready for bed with a lighter heart. He couldn’t wait to see his Flower blossom.
Chapter Six
More than two weeks later, Taylor was cleaning up after her simple dinner when she realized she hadn’t heard from Eagle all day, which was highly unusual. They’d continued talking or texting daily, and every couple days or so, he’d talked her into getting out of her apartment. He’d taken her to the zoo, they’d gone on a bike ride, she’d hung out with him at Silverstone Towing. He’d even brought her over to Bull’s apartment one night, and she’d hung out with his friends and Skylar.
At first she’d been reluctant, but she’d come to look forward to his spontaneous invitations. He’d also finally agreed to come into her apartment, and she’d made them dinner one night. Nothing fancy—baked chicken and vegetables—but he’d told her that her cooking rivaled Archer’s.
She’d recently gotten to meet the man who made such delicious food at Silverstone. Shawn Archer was a large guy whose laughter seemed to fill the room. It made Taylor happier just hearing it. She’d also met his daughter, a precocious little girl named Sandra.
All in all, not only had Eagle invited her into his world, but all his friends had also welcomed her with open arms. It felt amazing.
But for the first time in a month, she hadn’t talked to Eagle even once today. Which surprised her. She’d texted him and gotten no response. She’d also called and left a message, but he hadn’t returned her call.
Debating with herself, she finally picked up the phone and called Skylar.
“Hey, Taylor. Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I’m good. But I haven’t heard from Eagle all day. I was wondering if you knew if he was okay?”
“Oh, I’m sure he is. They aren’t on a mission, if you’re worried about that.”
Taylor hadn’t even thought of the possibility. “Oh, no, he told me he’d let me know if they were headed out. I just . . . it’s probably nothing. I’ve just gotten used to talking to him. I’m sure I’ll get in touch with him tomorrow.”
“I’ll call Carson,” Skylar said. “He’s still over at the garage. He called earlier and said they were neck deep in research.”
“Oh, okay. I’m sure he’s just busy,” Taylor told her. “Don’t bother them.”
“It’s not a bother,” Skylar said gently. “And it’s not like him to not call. I’ll see what I can find out and either call you back or tell Carson to have Eagle call. Okay?”
Taylor wanted to convince her to let it go, though she really did want to talk to Eagle. She suddenly had a gut feeling that something was wrong . . . but that was silly, wasn’t it? They weren’t dating, and Eagle could do whatever he wanted. He was an adult. He didn’t need her nagging him and bothering him when he was working.