Page 8 of The Burdens We Share (Satan’s Angels #3)

Selene opens her mouth to argue back, but thinks better of it, pressing her index finger and thumb between her eyes. “I’m not arguing with someone who is clearly not of equal intellect and maturity as I.”

I roll my eyes and Selene continues, “Dallas and I came here today because we have important matters concerning your safety to discuss.”

I avoid Dallas’ eyes and focus on Selene, “I’m not understanding why you got him involved when the police are looking into it.”

Dallas huffs a laugh and I finally glance in his direction with a shocked expression on my face. Did he just laugh? I look between him and Selene and whisper, “Did he just laugh?”

“He did,” Dallas answers my question for Selene about himself. “You’re a fool if you think the police are equipped to deal with something like this.”

I bite my tongue to keep from snapping back at his insult. Did he just call me a fool? Yes, I am intimidated and scared even of Dallas, but nobody insults me.

Selene adds, “The police have dozens of other cases they’re working on. They can’t focus all of their efforts on yours and provide it with the proper attention. They also aren’t equipped technologically.”

I give her a very confused look, “So then what?” I look over at Dallas, “Are you working on finding where the text came from like you did with the burner phone used to record Aria and Sly’s tape?”

Dallas nods once, “I’m actively working on that, yes.”

“Okay,” I nod. That makes sense then.

Dallas and Selene exchange a brief, stern look, before Selene announces, “There’s another reason why Dallas is here.”

I remain silent and let her speak. “Dallas will be in charge of your personal safety until we find the person who’s leaving you the roses.”

I suck in a small breath. “What does that mean?”

Dallas answers this time, an almost victorious note to his voice, “It means that you and I are going to be spending a lot of time together.”

My eyes widen. What? I look at Selene for some kind of explanation, but she just gives me a sympathetic look. She knows Dallas unsettles me, so why did she plan this? “Selene.”

She sighs, “Ivory, the truth is that this person broke into your house. You have a state of the art security system, and this person somehow managed to override it and get inside without appearing on any of your security cameras or setting off any alarms. Clearly, this is someone who’s experienced.

The cops aren’t able to deal with someone like this and I would feel much better with Dallas protecting you than anyone else. ”

I hesitate, “Protecting me?”

Dallas interjects, “I’m acting as your personal bodyguard.”

Oh my God. This must be what Brody felt like when Selene hired Harvey to babysit her. “I am not Brody. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Selene slaps her forehead with her palm, “Ivory, do not argue. He isn’t here to babysit you, he’s here to make sure you’re safe.”

“Why him?” I ask, suspicion in my voice.

Selene glances at Dallas, clearly letting him answer this one on his own. Dallas keeps his expression neutral, “Because Selene asked me to.”

Selene’s eye twitches for a moment before she nods.

Dallas continues, “And I have more security training than anyone who works for me. I was in the armed forces before I switched over to personal security.”

Right. Dallas and Harvey were in the military together.

That’s how they met. Harvey left to be closer to his family, his mom and his little sister Lucy, and Dallas left a couple of years after.

That was when Harvey’s company got too big and he wanted to cash out and spend less time working, and more time focusing on Lucy.

Dallas bought his company and grew it into what it is now, and almost a year ago, Dallas propositioned Harvey with a sweet deal to come back to the company with Harvey as COO and Dallas as CEO.

The proposal allowed Harvey to have an excuse to move to LA to be with Brody, and it also took a lot of the weight off of Dallas’ back.

That’s what Brody told Aria and I at least. I’m sure she might’ve missed a few details.

I take a deep breath. I know they’re right. There isn’t anyone better to protect me than Dallas. He has more than enough training and experience. It’s just the fact that it’s him that makes me so reluctant to be compliant.

“It isn’t forever, Ivory. Just until the sick fuck who broke in here is caught and locked up. Besides, you can still hang out with the girls and do what you would normally do. Dallas is just gonna be with you,” Selene explains.

She’s right. It isn’t a prison sentence to have Dallas around constantly, not really at least. I almost accept it, but then a thought comes to mind. “Will…” I anxiously look at Dallas, “Will you be staying here?”

Dallas’ lip curves faintly as if he’s fighting back a grin. “Yes.”

I almost fall off my chair. “Again, it’s only temporary.” Selene reassures me.

I hesitate. I need to stop being so stubborn.

Dallas is here to keep me safe and I’d much prefer to have him around than the stalker that broke into my house.

What if he broke in when I was home? I could’ve been killed.

The thought sends a shiver up my spine. If Dallas were here when that happened, I would be safe.

I know the right thing to do is to accept Dallas’ presence in my life until this person is caught.

I have to suck it up and agree because having him around isn’t nearly as bad as having a psycho stalker.

I’m just being stubborn because Dallas is a foreign concept to me.

Before I can talk myself out of it, I nod. “Okay.”

Selene exhales and Dallas looks victorious. I swallow as I realize I may have just made a deal with the Devil.