Page 24 of Carte

There was no talking sense to these people.

“If you push on with this ridiculous idea of keeping her safe while thousands of people have access to her, no matter how diminished capacity, it’s still access, I walk.”

Saying those words felt like I took a blade to my own chest and started carving on my flesh. Even if they weren’t true.

I was at a point where I wouldn’t be able to walk away from her, not until she was safe.

You will never be able to walk away from her.

I ignored the words that flitted through my mind, dead set on ignoring what was happening inside me. Not after being with her this past week, and seeing glimpses of her while she lowered her walls. Definitely not after hearing her working in the middle of the night, and then reading the words she wrote in the dark while there was no chance of hiding anything. How she was digging deeper into me day by day.

But they fought hard to get me on board, to take her on. It took Alina to call me, and tore me a new one for me to agree to it.

I was hesitant because she was Alina’s, my future sister in law, friend. I didn’t want to let my family down once again.

And in my line of business, there were no guaranties, no matter what anyone said.

But I had to say those words. I had to make them see I was serious.

I just had to hope like fuck, they wouldn’t call me on my bluff.

“You don’t mean that,” Sloan bristled, and looked sideways as if seeking reinforcement from the suits sitting around the table.

“I mean every word. If you go through with the tour, I’ll walk.” the words felt like acid in my mouth.

“But what about Harley?” Cassie peeped up for the first time from the corner of the room. I could see fear, worry and a hint of betrayal on her face.

I understood all those sentiments.

“I’ll give you a name you should contact and hope to God he’ll take her on,” I said standing up from the table. “But I can’t stay on and watch you put her more in danger instead of doing anything you can to keep her alive.”

I just hoped to God Max would do what he was best at doing. Tell them to fuck off and listen to me in much more colorful words. I needed time to find who the fuck was doing this.

“Mr. Ryan,” I turned and leveled a look at the big man. “We need all your credentials back.”

Fuck me.

***

“Why the fuck did I get a call from some guy named Tim who demanded I showed my ass at the address you’re currently on and take over Harley Thorne’s security?” Max growled in my ear.

Sitting in the lobby of a hotel I looked over the people walking through or milling around.

None looked suspicious. Then again, for this fuck to gain access to Harley’s room, he had to be someone no one would look twice at. He had to blend with everyone.

“What’d you say?” I asked while checking out a couple in their twenties laughing as they strolled to the reception desk.

Newlyweds.

It radiated from them. That ecstatic energy that felt infectious when it crossed your path, but as with everything, it was fleeting.

Nothing ever lasted.

“What do you think?” Max muttered. “I tore them a new one, and hung up. The guy tried calling again, but I don’t have time for fools.”

A woman in her late thirties was going from the elevators and to the door, sending glances my way. She probably misunderstood me looking at her closely for something else altogether.

Giving her a small smile, I shook my head and looked at another person.