“My man, we don’t run in the same business circles. I do not give a fuck what you and your acquaintances think of me. Spread around that you scared me so much I shit my pants. This will not keep me up at night. I will tell you that if you come near me and mine again, I will cut your dick off, shred it in a blender, and pour it down your throat until you choke on your own vomit.” I slide my arm under Eden’s legs and lift her into my arms. “I’ve decided I don’t need to hit anyone. Please feel free to do your worst, Turner, and make sure that Ryan feels like he had a fair turn. I’ve got my woman to take care of.” Revenge can wait.
Chapter Twenty Eden
My hands shake. I’m sitting in Miles' lap in the back of some SUV outside of my father's house. I can feel the anger rolling off of him but his hold on me is gentle. I’ll never forget the relief I felt when I saw him enter the room.
I know my father can be a piece of shit. I just never thought it could go this far. That was the silly little girl inside of me that thought maybe to some degree he loved us. He used us the same as he uses everyone else. He has no regard for our lives or our safety. He will always come first.
I had no doubt Miles would come for me. He is too good of a man not to. Guilt weighs heavily on me that I pulled him into this mess. The uncertainty of what is going to happen from here is eating me alive. I’m in love with him. I never wanted him to see this part of my life.
“I’m sorry.” My words come out barely a whisper. Miles' hand that is rubbing up and down my back stops moving.
“Look at me, Eden.” I slowly raise my eyes to meet his.
“There is nothing for you to be sorry for. This is not your fault. I should have put one of my men on you.” I stare at him. Wait. Is he saying what I think he’s saying?
“You think this is your fault?” That’s crazy. If not for me, none of this would be happening.
“I promise it won’t happen again.” His hold on me tightens, letting me know that he is blaming himself. That only makes it worse.
“Are you more than some super rich guy?” There was no missing the men standing behind Miles when he entered the house. They looked like some badass SWAT team. Miles wasn't scared at all. He even poked at the guy that hit me.
“I know a lot of people.” He shrugs, not saying much more. I don’t know if I want to know more. After all he’s done for me, I know whatever it might be, Miles is on the side of good. I have faith in that. I trust him. He might be the only person I’ve ever thought that about. He’s never let me down from the moment he walked into my life.
“I really am sorry,” I try again. I don’t want this guilt on him. “They said they had Ryan and I couldn't find him.” I ball my hands into fists, trying to get the shaking to stop.
“He was with me.” Miles’ thumb brushes along my cheek. “Can I take you home now?” Tears start to run down my cheeks. The adrenaline is starting to wear off. The events of the day are finally settling in.
“I don’t have a home.” That’s my reality now. At least Ryan is safe.
“Bullshit.” He kisses me softly before he gets out of the car. He puts me into the passenger seat of his vehicle before shutting the door. “Bach, can you take Ryan home for me?” I hear Miles shout as he jogs around to the driver's side.
“Sure can,” the man shouts back.
Miles takes off, heading back toward his place. I stare out the window. There is this sense of freedom that washes over me. I’m not chained to The Daily Drip anymore. I have no option but to make myself move forward to something else.
The silence stretches between us as we drive home. Miles is oddly quiet. Is he pulling away? I’m too shook up for him to tell me this is all too much. He’ll handle me with kid gloves until I get on my feet and then he’ll probably drop that bomb on me. I can’t blame him. The Daily Drip being torn apart sucked, but losing Miles would be devastating.
We pull up the long driveway to his house. My hands finally stop shaking when the gate of his home closes behind us, locking us in and keeping us safe. I’m beginning to understand Violet more and more. This place does give you a sense of security.
“Miles.” I say his name as the car rolls to a stop at the front door. I can tell he’s still worked up about everything. “I’ll understand if you want to break things off with me. I mean—” He opens his car door, slamming it behind him before I can even finish. He yanks my door open a second later. He unclicks my seatbelt quickly, pulling me from the car. “My legs are okay. I can walk.”
“I’m carrying you for my own sanity.”
“Oh.” I see Violet as we enter the house. She gives us a bright smile but says nothing. Miles heads straight for our bedroom. He kicks the door closed, carrying me into the bathroom. He strips me down before leading me into the shower, where he washes every inch of me.
He doesn't say a word as he dries me off and brushes my hair out for me. Then he slips one of his shirts over my head, and it falls almost to my knees. He’s taking care of
