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“No. Not yet.”

Talon and Matrix share a look, and I don’t dare meet their eyes. They’re like me. They see too much, and I’m not ready to tell them anything else. What could I tell them anyway when I don’t know what the hell’s going on with me? I’ve nothing to say because I can’t untangle these crazy jumbled feelings she’s making me have. It’s a mess, and it’s all her fault. I should stay away from her. At least for a while. At least until I can get my head on straight.

As soon as they leave, I shift my focus to cleaning up the place. It’s a total disaster. My heart thumps wildly as I load the dishwasher with everything those pigs tossed on the floor. They broke a few dishes. Now we’ll have to get a new set. I can’t stand mismatched shit. I don’t know how people can live like that, with all different colors and sizes. It’s madness.

Three prospects arrive thirty minutes later.

“How are things at Nina’s?” I ask.

“Good,” one of them responds. “Although …”

“What?”

“I saw a bunch of sheriff’s deputy trucks headed that way.”

“When?”

“A few minutes after we left. If they were going to Nina’s, they’d be there right about—” My phone buzzes. “Now.”

“Yeah?” I answer the call.

“Cops are here,” Matrix says.

“They have a warrant?”

“Not this time. They’re not getting past the gate unless Nina wants to fuck with them.”

“She’d better not risk it. Where are Julia and Max?”

“Inside the house somewhere, I’d imagine. But I don’t have eyes on them.”

“Get in there and make sure they’re safe. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” I end the call. “Fuck!”

“More trouble?” a prospect asks.

“I want this place spotless,” I snap.

I’m on my bike and on the highway before I can think. I strapped my helmet on so fast that it’s not tight enough, and it keeps bouncing against my forehead.

“Fuck!” I yell into the wind.

I might not know how to deal with Julia and what happened between us last night, but I know I need to protect her and Max. She’s already risked her career for the boy. The fact that the sheriff knows she’s with him is a huge problem. She can’t go home now. She’ll have to stay with us until we figure out how to help Max. Until then, I’m not letting her or Max out of my sight.

I don’t usually feel so protective of the people we help. I mean, I definitely care about their safety. But this? This is something else. They’re special. Different. I’m going to make sure the sheriff doesn’t get his hands on them. As long as I’m protecting them, they’ll be safe. And keeping them safe has nothing to do with how much I want Julia in my bed.

Nothing at all.

Chapter 8: Julia

I’m still reeling from the kiss and trying not to show it when Nina strolls into the living room carrying a tray of cookies and a pitcher of pink lemonade. She sets it on the glass coffee table before sitting beside me on the sofa. After pouring Max a glass of fruity sweetness, she offers him a selection of treats. He grabs a cookie in each hand, then returns his attention to the cartoon rabbit on the television.

“It’s probably going to ruin Max’s lunch, but I like spoiling the new kids.” Nina grabs a chocolate chip cookie. She takes a generous bite out of it, then brushes crumbs off her fitted black sweater. She’s wearing jeans, too, but hers are devoid of rhinestones today.

“How many children have you rescued?” I ask, choosing a sugar cookie.

“Too many to count.”

“That’s great that you can help them, but it’s sad that so many kids needed it.” I bite into the sweet yet tangy treat. “Wow, this is great.”