“More like a petal as delicate as you are.”
Seemingly offended by my innocuous comment, she squares back her slim shoulders. “I’m tougher than I look.”
Now that’s sexy as fuck, and I have to restrain myself again not to tug her to me. “True, since you’re resilient enough to work for me.”
“May I ask you a question now please?”
I can’t resist with her so damn respectful and mannerly. “Sure, knock yourself out.”
That blush makes me hard all over again. “I’m sorry for causing you to freak out earlier. But I don’t understand why. What made you so upset?”
Emotions I haven’t allowed to surface in years swell for the second time tonight, and I fucking hate feeling like a weak ass pussy. I refuse to take my issues out on her again, although I do have to set her straight. I slide closer and she has nowhere to go, already trapped against the back and arm of the sofa. Normally I enjoy a little fear and uncertainty, but not now. Not with her. I clutch her freezing hand in mine. “First of all, never apologize for something you didn’t do wrong. I fucked up and that’s not your fault. That’s all on me.”
Soft fingers squeeze mine, and I know she forgives me even if she doesn’t understand why I’m such an asshole. With her absolution of my flaws, I share with her something no one else knows except for Wolf. “When I was little my father was at war with the Russians, and he hid my mom in a safe house until the danger had passed. But when he went to get her she wasn’t there. He spent his entire life searching for her but he never could find her or figure out what happened. It finally ended up killing him that she was gone forever.”
Sympathy, that I don’t deserve after how shitty I treated her, saturates her face, and she scooches closer to me. For the first time in a long time—hell probably ever—I feel a connection with a woman other than just sexual.
“I’m so sorry. I’m sure you must miss her terribly.”
“I do and it haunts me that I don’t know if she’s alive, if she’s scared, if she’s still waiting for us to come for her.” Every truth I’ve never admitted, even to myself, pour out. Driving me fucking crazy to think of her suffering all these years and unable to do a fucking thing about it. Damn. “When I heard that song, that only she ever sang to me, for a crazy second I thought you had something to do with her disappearance, that you were mocking me or conning me.”
“I would never do that.”
“I know it.” Suddenly I’m exhausted. My body’s spent more than normal with my mind so heavy. Thick and muddled with thoughts of my family this sweet petal stirs in me. All I want is to rest with Tulip curled next to me. Even I know that’s not happening tonight. “Come on, I’ll take you home.”
If she’s surprised, she doesn’t show her shock. Instead, she stands and keeps her fingers tucked in my grasp as we walk outside. Hopefully feeling as much as I do that her hand belongs in mine and that she belongs with me.
The door flies open before she touches the knob. Even in the dim porch light, dread pinches the face of the man I assume to be her brother on the other side of the screen when he catches sight of me behind her.
“Shit Tulip! What’ve you done?”
“She’s working off your debt asshole.”
His mouth falls open as her little hand waves, attempting to end my words and his anxiety. Neither of which is happening for either of us.
“It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m happy to help him—”
“It’s not okay.”
Juniper and I argue in unexpected unison. Both of us well aware her trapped in my clutches is not okay at all, but neither of us can do a damn thing to change the situation. He can’t stop me and I can’t stop myself because I want her too fucking much.
His gaze moves to her. He must really love his sister from the terror gripping his body. “You don’t have to do this. I told you I’ll figure something out.”
“A gun is not the answer. What if you get hurt or killed…”
Her voice breaks from the fear of the idiot harming himself. Obviously, he doesn’t appreciate her sacrifice and whips his head toward the sky in disbelief.
“You told him?”
Anger spikes his tone, and I shut his shit down. No one talks to her like that. “You’re done motherfucker. You don’t have anyone to blame but yourself so don’t even think about yelling at her or I’ll knock your fucking teeth out. You got me?”
My threat brings him back to his right mind, and he simmers down, slinking backward into the kitchen. Although she doesn’t like me intimidating him. A frown mars her exquisite face as she whispers. “Please no, Mr. Klein. He’s just scared.”
I don’t answer because her plea won’t change my mind. He’ll get his ass beat if he upsets her again.
His retreat gives us room to enter. I follow her inside without invitation because I want to make sure the tiny space above their shop is suitable for her even though only my mansion really suffices. Sparse and simple but clean. With one of my men outside anytime she’s here I know she’s safe as well. “Your parents live here too?”
Her head tips to the side as she purses her lips to blow out a slow breath. “No, they passed away last year in a car accident. We’ve been trying to keep everything going so we both moved up here to save money.”
A good plan that must not be enough if Juniper’s taking out loans he can’t repay. “I’ll have one of my accountants take a look at your books to see how he can help.”
Appreciation glows on her elegant face with a stunning smile to match. Before she can open her mouth Juniper’s lips twist in disgust.
“We don’t need your help.”
Motherfucker. I step closer with my own snarl and his back hits the wall before I even ball my fist. Terrified of me and rightfully so. Punk has no right to cop any kind of attitude. “Yeah, because you got it figured out well enough your sister’s begging me for work at a strip club.”
Shame he deserves for not taking care of her the way he should jolts his body and he flips his gaze from me to her.
“Please Tulip don’t dance.”
“She’s not.” Relief he doesn’t deserve softens his shoulders from my confirmation. “She works directly for me.”
Repulsion blanches his face from his correct assumption that I’ve claimed her but not in the way he thinks. My petal’s not a whore, and I won’t ever treat her like one.
“As his assistant. Helping him with his business. That’s what he means.”
No, that’s not what I mean at all. But I’ll allow both of them to believe that misconception. Soon enough I’ll reveal my true intentions for her.
“But what about the store? I can’t run it alone.”
“You should of thought about that before you fucked up and let her clean up your mess.”
His slow nod acquiesces to my proclamation. All three of us know I’m right. Tired of talking to him, I turn back to her. Loving how she lifts her face to me, always curious about my expectations. “Get some sleep. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eleven.”