Page 22 of Scarred Heir

“How do you know what kind of life I have?”

“I’ve seen you two times, and from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look good.”Why am I doing this?“I already told you I can’t be your savior.”

“I don’t need saving.”

“Again, from where I’m sitting, it looks like you do.”

I had already paid her rent, looked into her non-existent finances, and uncovered that she and her brother left their home in Brooklyn a few years ago. She moved from job to job, never really finding her place.

This city could be brutal, especially if you were broke. It didn’t surprise me that Chance fell in with the wrong crowd. He wasn’t the first kid to be enticed by my way of life. He needed guidance, and she wasn’t up for the job.

“I have some things to take care of. I want you and brother to have dinner, because it looks like you both haven’t had a proper meal in quite some time.”

“You don’t have to feed us.”

“Food comes with the arrangement.” When I bit the corner of my bottom lip, her gaze dropped to my mouth. “Clothes, money, whatever you need, I’ll provide for you.”

“You’re already paying what Chance owes.” She tappedher fingers against the table in another display of misplaced anxiety. “We don’t need anything else.”

I’ve seen your finances.

“What exactly were you proposing when you burst in here, interrupted my dinner, and then kissed me when you saw Bello looking for your brother?”

“I thought we could work something out in exchange for your protection.”

“We are going to work something out, but I’ll give you until the end of this dinner to back out.” I twisted my fingers in her hair and brought her face close to mine. “If you and Chance decide you don’t want my help, I’ll tell Bello to settle Chance’s debt with him.”

“Bello will kill him.”

“That’s a pretty safe bet.” I brushed my lips along her mouth, knowing that she would share my bed very soon. “I’m a reasonable man. I won’t force you into this arrangement. You can have dinner and my driver will take you home. If he comes back to my house without you and Chance, I’ll know you didn’t want my help after all.” I kissed the corner of her mouth. “Does that seem fair?”

“Yes.” Her lips trembled against mine. “But I don’t need more time to decide. I came here for a reason, and you helped when I asked.”

“As long as you’re loyal to me, I’ll always help when you ask.” I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her softly before releasing her. “That’s the second time we sealed the deal with a kiss. You’re mine now.”

She shivered. “It’s cold in here.”

“Where is your coat?” I stood. “It’s January in New York City.”

“I didn’t have time to grab it when we fled fromBello’s men.”

I removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She shrugged into it, turning her head and inhaling the collar before gazing up at me.

Why did I find that so sexy?

“Thank you,” she said.

“Taking care of you will be a big part of this arrangement.” I cupped the side of her face in my hand. “Something tells me you need that.”

When she nodded, her eyes filled with tears, but she quickly blinked them back. She needed me to be more than I could for her. I gave her the chance to get out of this and she didn’t take it.

I shouldn’t be held accountable for that.

That wasn’t my problem. I would be fair. I would get my ten grand worth out of her, and then I would leave her alone. I didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t make this work for a few weeks.

With my brother and father away, I had gotten lonely. Having her around might ease some of my stress over having to run things while they were handling other situations.

“I’ll see you later.” I traced my thumb along her lips. “Make sure you order the cannoli cheesecake. It’s amazing.”