Chapter Nine

S miling, I hum as I cook. I'm so excited for a real meal that it's not even funny. My mouth waters as I sauté the vegetables before switching back to the meat. I loved getting out, even if it was a quick trip. It was like a shot of serotonin that I desperately needed.

While I cook, Kado lingers. I can feel him watching me and ready to do whatever I ask at a moment's notice even though we both know I won't. It should bother me that he's watching, but it doesn't. For some reason, I like it when his eyes are on me.

Stockholm syndrome much, Lucy?

The thought runs through my head, but it doesn't feel right. I had other choices. I chose him. I don't think I was ready to accept that at first, but I am now. I need to make the best of this new life. I don't think I will ever get my old one back.

Finally, dinner is done, and I shut off the burners. I go to grab some plates but stop when I see Kado already pulling them out of the cabinet. I didn't even hear him get up from the chair, let alone walk up behind me.

"Thank you," I tell him as I take the plates from his hands. "Go sit. I'll bring your plate over to you."

Kado doesn't do what I asked, but instead turns and starts to get us each something to drink. Surely something so simple shouldn't bring a smile to my face, right?

I shake my head and plate up our dinner. With a plate in each hand, I walk over to the table and slide his plate in front of him.

"Thank you for grabbing silverware," I say as I sit.

Kado nods and sits, unmoving. I wait for him to take a bite, desperately wanting his reaction, only he doesn't.

"Do you not like what I made?" I ask, trying to hide the hurt in my voice.

His eyes widen, and he points to my plate and then at me.

"Do you want me to take a bite first? Do you not trust me? Do you think I poisoned it or something?"

Kado shakes his head and pulls out his phone. Quickly, he types on the screen before handing it over to me to read the message.

"You should take the first bite since you cooked it," I read out loud.

Relief fills me. It has nothing to do with what I made and him not liking it and everything to do with him trying to be polite.

I hand him back his phone and pick up my fork. My mouth waters as I gather the food on my fork and bring it to my mouth. I can't help but moan and shut my eyes as the flavors hit my tongue. Fuck yes. This. This is what I've been missing since I moved in with him.

I open my eyes and find that Kado has already picked up his fork. He brings the fork to his mouth, and I watch as his eyes widen as he takes a bite. Neither of us tries to communicate while we eat. When I hear the sound of metal on a plate, I look up and see that he's already finished.

"Did you like it?"

He nods.

"Good, I'm glad."

He waits for me to finish eating before taking our plates into the kitchen. Together, side by side, we clean up the kitchen. Once that's done, an awkwardness settles in. I don't want to hide in the bedroom, but I really don't want to keep sitting at the table.

His phone rings, and he pulls it out of his pocket. Faintly, I hear another woman's voice on the other end. Something about another woman calling him rubs me the wrong way.

Does he have a girlfriend that I don't know about? Is that where he goes when he isn't here with me? Just the thought alone bothers me, and I don't know why. It's not like I have a claim on him or that he's made me any sort of promises romantically.

Frowning, I silently excuse myself from the room and head toward the bedroom to try and gather my thoughts.

Why do I feel this way? Yes, he's kept me fed and has made sure I have a roof over my head, but that's the basic necessities. That's no reason to feel like he's mine and mine alone.

I hear a knock, pulling me out of my thoughts. I look over my shoulder and see him standing next to the door with my shoes in hand. He steps forward, holding them out to me.

"Are we going somewhere?" I ask as I take them from him.

He nods with a smile.

"Where are we going?" I wait for a minute, but he stays silent. "You aren't going to tell me, are you?"

He points to my shoes and looks down at my feet.

Sighing, I sit on the edge of the bed and put them on. Standing, I follow him out of the apartment and down to his car.

While he drives, my mind wanders.

Where are we going? Who was on the phone? What are we doing?

Thankfully, the drive is short, and before I know it, we're pulling up outside of a casino and hotel.

The Currency.

I've never been inside, but I've heard about this place and how it's owned by Kado's boss.

What could we possibly be doing here?

Kado gets out of the car, and I follow. He waits for me at the back of the car, and we walk inside together. As soon as we step inside, I'm blown away. The place is gorgeous and classy. Instantly, I feel out of place as I stare at the beautifully dressed women.

I should have pushed to buy clothes when we were grocery shopping. I fiddle with the hem of his shirt, feeling more than a little self-conscious.

Kado weaves through the hotel while I stay close to his side. A woman smiles when she spots him and starts walking toward us. My stomach sours when they pull each other into an embrace.

Who is she? Is she the one who called earlier? The one who he meets when he leaves me at night?

She turns toward me and smiles. "Hi, I'm Miya. I've been dying to meet you."

"Nice to meet you," I say, with zero sincerity.

I don't know what Kado is up to, but I don't like it.

Lucy does not like Miya. At least that's the vibe I'm getting when she says nice to meet you. I've never paid much attention to how people say things or their body language in a social setting before, but after being in tune with her all day, I can tell.

Her body is stiff, and her tone is all wrong. Miya must pick up on it too, because she falters slightly but holds her smile.

"Kado works with my man, Kenji, and me," Miya tells her.

I watch as Lucy's shoulders relax. "Oh? So that means you work for…"

"Yeah, we're all pretty good friends." Miya smiles.

"I'm glad Kado has friends," Lucy says softly.

"I'm sorry to have called earlier, I'm sure you two were busy, but Kado is needed for work," Miya tells her.

"Oh, it was fine. We had just finished dinner, so you didn't interrupt anything," Lucy tells her.

Good. Whatever vibe from before dissipates as a new one takes over. I'm not necessarily sure it's a good thing that they seem to be getting along. I hoped they would, but then again, the little girl gang Miya is part of with Cleo, Autumn, and Nikita is a little scary. Adding Lucy to the mix seems like it may be a powder keg just begging to blow.

I'm glad they are getting along, though. If they didn't, that would make things more difficult. Sometimes women don't like other women for no reason. I have never understood it. Then again, I guess men are the same way, only they voice what it is about the other guy they dislike.

Like Miya, for example. She didn't like Nikita when she first met her. She was an unknown Russian taken hostage in a deal by Kai. Then she was handed over to the Westies and fell in love with her guard, Declan. Well, only after Kai made them get married. Miya and her in a room together was like the Cold War all over again back then. Now they get along great. Or maybe they really don't and she just pretends when they do their girls' nights. Who even knows anymore.

Miya called me earlier and asked me to handle a little problem she was having. It's not necessarily my job to handle things at The Currency anymore, but she is someone I care for, so of course I wanted to go. When my phone rang, I watched as Lucy's face fell. She knew I was going to be leaving her, and she didn't like it. I think she hated the thought of me leaving her almost as much as I did.

So for the first time in my life, I was impulsive, and I brought her with me.

For a split second, I worried that she would try and sneak off while I worked, but she didn't try at the grocery store, so why would she now? She would have a harder time here. Especially with Miya glued to her side.

I think she's starting to warm up to me anyway. She has been acting differently today.

No, she wouldn't leave me. Not now.

Then my mind shifted to what if someone tried to take her from me. After all, we are in the middle of a war with a sex trafficking ring. They could try to take her to get to us. To me. Do I really trust the other guards to watch her when I can't?

Quickly, I push away those thoughts.

Besides our home, there is nowhere safer for her than The Currency. This place has the best security in the city. No one gets in or out without us knowing.

Besides, I know she misses socializing, and that's something Miya is good at.

Miya looks over at me, raising a brow, silently asking why I'm still here. Right, I need to get to work.

Reaching over, I touch Lucy's arm, getting her attention.

"What's up?" she asks.

I pull my card out of my pocket, making her frown as I try to hand it to her.

"What's this for?" she asks, not taking it from me.

I try to push it into her hand and point to her clothes.

A little line forms between her eyebrows. "You want me to go shopping?"

I smile and nod as relief fills me. Every time she understands my meaning, it makes my heart lighter.

My smile drops when she shakes her head.

"I don't want to spend your money, Kado. I have or had perfectly good clothes at my apartment," she protests as she crosses her arms over her chest.

I point between her and Miya, then toward one of the shops.

Just go shopping , I silently plead as I push the card toward her. I want her to go buy whatever makes her little heart happy.

Isn't that something all girls like? I know the women in our family do. Hell, I've been with them while they've bought out stores before without blinking, but maybe she doesn't like shopping, or maybe she doesn't think she does. I know she wasn't paid much for cleaning, so maybe it was a financial thing? Especially after earlier. It has to be. She doesn't have to worry about that anymore, though, because she has me to take care of her. I look at Miya, begging her to help.

Miya laughs and holds up her hands. "This is all you, big guy. If she wants to rack up your credit card, I'll join her, but I won't make her do it just because that's what you want."

My eyes shift back to Lucy. "Please," I mouth to her.

Indecision wars on her face before she sighs. "Fine. I'll go spend some of your money, but I'm only going to buy the bare necessities."

I step forward and touch her chin, making her look at me. I shake my head no. I want her to get more than the basics. I want her to get whatever she wants, no matter the price. I've saved enough money over the years that no matter what she spends, it won't make a dent in my bank account.

Lucy huffs. "I don't like being in your debt, Kado. I'm used to earning my own money and being the only person I can count on. I don't like taking advantage of you. I want to earn my own money again so I don't have to depend on you."

Her not wanting to depend on me stings when that's all I want her to do. I want to make her life easier and take care of her. She's mine, and I take care of what's mine.

I point at her chest and then touch mine as I nod.

You're mine, and I'm yours, I silently tell her.

She rolls her eyes. "I won't be a kept woman, but I will take your card and go buy some things. Happy now?"

No, I'm not. I know she's just trying to appease me, but that's not what I want. I just want her to be happy. Doesn't she know that? How do I explain it to her? Why isn't this as easy as Kai and Kenji make it look? Reaching forward, I shove my card into her pocket.

Frustration rolls through me at my inability to communicate with her. I thought we were getting somewhere, and yet here we are, taking three steps back. Glaring, I turn and start walking away.

I don't understand why she doesn't want my help. Maybe Miya will do me a favor without me asking her to and explain to her how this works since I can't. That's all I can hope for as I head to where I'm needed.

Hopefully a little blood and violence will take my mind off my girl putting up a fight for a little while.