His eyes are still tinged with red. He looks so broken that I can’t bear to ask. I can’t afford to lose him or to cross some line that would have him turning from me. Not when we only have a week left. The clock ticks with my impending departure. I thought that an end date on this relationship would mean I could feel free to do as I pleased or to say what I wanted, but now, with the way I feel about him, what started out as a selfish affair has turned into so much more. I want him, but he’s so damaged that I don’t know what he’s capable of. Hurting me? Loving me? Which is it?

He opens the car door, and I step inside.

A few minutes into our drive, he asks, “You okay?” His eyes move between me and the road. “You’re quiet.”

“Yeah. Just met this woman today, and it shook me up.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

I shrug. “She came in near hysteria. Her husband is this guy, Lion. He’s the president of a motorcycle club.”

His eyes show nothing, but a small tremor moves through his neck. Are these men connected somehow?

“I don’t want you anywhere near that woman.” His voice is hard and worried.

“Why?” I poke. “That’s the work Eve does. She helps women like her.” I need to know if there’s something between these men. I see their parallels, but what if it’s more than that?

Abruptly, Slade pulls the car over. “I said, stay away from her, do you hear me? I know that guy. He’s fucked in the head. Did he threaten to find her?” His brows lower, breaths shortening.

I nod, staying silent. He’s … anxious for me.

He curses. “I’m going to add some of my guys to do rounds in the area at night and during the day. You call me right away if you ever feel off.”

“You’re worried?” My voice comes out breathy and confused.

“Of course I’m worried. I care about you, Lauren. More than you know. I realize you’re helping these women, and they’ve got bad lives. But I happen to know that Lion is worse than most. Promise me you’ll call if you even feel the air change. Always trust your instincts, okay?”

I stay silent, watching his anxiety ride over my safety. Holding my hand, he gets back on the road. I feel satisfied that the parallels between Lion and Slade start and end with the fact that they’re both veterans. Slade would never harm me the way Lion harms Alicia.

I’m sure of it.

We pull up in front of the Milestone.

With a chaste kiss, he tells me, “I’ll see you later.”

After I get out of the truck, he speeds off.

Getting back to my room, I decide I’m going to stop stressing and take a load off. My mind has been moving so quickly between Slade and work that I feel exhausted.