Chapter 43

TAYLA

I woke up with a coughing fit, my nose so congested that lying down was no longer an option. Walker had tucked me in, but he was nowhere to be found now. Was he with Hayden?

My mouth felt like a desert, so I left the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. I filled a glass with water from the sink and took a slow sip.

“Feeling any better?”

I shrieked, dropping my glass. It shattered into a million pieces in the sink. I spun around to find Dominic leaning against the kitchen island, arms crossed over his chest.

“You scared the shit out of me!” I yelled, turning back to the sink to clean up the broken glass. A shard sliced into my finger, making me gasp. Blood welled up around the shard still embedded in my skin.

Dominic was suddenly at my side, taking my hand. He held it up, plucked the shard out with his thumb and forefinger, and tossed it in the trash. He grabbed a dish towel and wrapped it around my bleeding finger. His face was close to mine, and I could smell his aftershave.

“Why are you here?” I asked, my brow furrowed.

He glanced at me as he applied pressure to my finger with the towel. “Babysitting,” he replied.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I scoffed.

“I agree, but Walker’s paranoid about this Logan guy. It’d be easier if he just ordered me to off the bastard. Then I wouldn’t have to watch your clumsy ass,” he said.

“Clumsy? You scared me!” I protested.

He shrugged, and I leaned in closer, forcing him to look at me. “I don’t want my cousin killed,” I said.

“Logan’s your cousin?”

I nodded.

“Why does Walker want him away from you? Is he planning a family reunion or something?” he asked.

“He tried to kiss me,” I admitted.

Dominic raised an eyebrow, looking at me with surprise. “He sounds as kinky as you,” he said, a smile playing on his lips.

“There’s kinky, and there’s wrong,” I countered.

“And what do you consider wrong?”

“My cousin hitting on me is definitely wrong,” I said.

“Would this be wrong?”

Dominic tugged on the towel, pulling me toward him. His lips met mine in a sudden kiss. I pulled away, stepping back in shock.

“Are you crazy? They’ll kill you!” I exclaimed.

“I disabled the cameras,” he said.

“Why? So you could try your luck with me?”

“Just curious about what all the fuss was about,” he said, nonchalantly.

I couldn’t believe his audacity. “Are you planning on hurting Hayden or Walker?”

“If I was, why would I tell their precious girl about it?”

“I’ll tell them if you try anything like that again,” I threatened.

Dominic stepped closer, a smile on his face. “And I’ll tell them you threw yourself at me if you do.”

“Just leave me alone and forget this happened,” I said, backing up until I hit the island.

“You’re a very beautiful girl, Tayla,” he said.

“Fuck off!” I snapped.

“I can see why your own cousin would want to fuck you!”

He turned and walked toward the living room, leaving me alone in the kitchen. What the hell was he playing at? I didn’t wait to find out. I marched back to Walker’s room and climbed back into bed. I was going to avoid Dominic from now on. I didn’t trust him, and I hoped he wasn’t planning on hurting Walker or Hayden.

Later, I woke up to the sensation of someone sitting on the bed. I opened my eyes to find Walker watching me.

“Why are you bleeding?” he asked, looking at my bandaged finger.

“I dropped a glass in the sink and cut my finger cleaning it up,” I explained.

He inspected my wound, then let go of my hand and looked at me. “Anything else happen last night?” he asked.

Had Dominic said something to him? I shook my head. “Why?”

Walker continued to stare at me. “Our security system shut down for a while. I wondered if there was a power cut or something,” he said.

Again, I shook my head. Walker frowned, his gaze drifting away from mine.

“Where were you last night?” I asked.

“There was an emergency. We took care of it,” he said, avoiding my gaze.

His cold demeanor was unsettling. “Are you okay?” I asked.

He stood up and sighed. “I’m just tired,” he said, heading for the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on.

I changed into black shorts and a light purple vest top, then went to the kitchen. Hayden was talking to Dominic at the island.

“Morning, beautiful,” Hayden greeted me.

I walked over and kissed him passionately, aware of Dominic watching. “How are you feeling?” Hayden asked as I made myself a coffee.

“Much better, thank you,” I replied.

“Don’t forget you owe me some of your chicken soup,” Dominic said, grinning.

I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him, sipping my coffee and ignoring him.

“So, Walker wants you to make another delivery tonight,” Hayden told Dominic.

A thought occurred to me, and I smiled. “You know, you never did prove yourself to Hayden the other day. I think you’re afraid of him,” I said, feigning sweetness.

Dominic’s eyes met mine, and the corners of his mouth twitched upward. Hayden scoffed and made a face.

“Can’t argue with that,” Dominic admitted, his gaze steady on me.

“I’m scared of him.”

Hayden’s grin stretched wide across his face before he clapped Dominic on the shoulder.

“Gonna catch some shut-eye. Can you stick around a bit longer?” he asked Dominic.

“Sure thing,” Dominic agreed, nodding.

“Mind if I join you?” I asked Hayden.

“I’m beat, baby girl, but we’ll hang out later, promise,” he said, pushing off his stool.

He strolled out of the kitchen, and we heard his bedroom door close behind him.

“Finally alone, baby girl!”

I jabbed a finger in his direction, my glare icy.

“Come near me, and I’ll scream,” I warned.

I grabbed my coffee and stormed out onto the deck, slamming the glass door behind me. I flipped Dominic off before heading over to the railing.

What a jerk!

The door slid open behind me, and I turned to see Dominic stepping out with a cup in his hand.

He sauntered over to the couch and plopped down, stretching out his legs and staring straight at me.

“You don’t have to keep an eye on me,” I said, my voice frosty.

“I’m on the clock too, and I’m waiting for my chicken soup,” he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

I turned my back on him and gazed out at the sea, taking another sip of my coffee.

Down the beach, I spotted a familiar figure approaching the house and a wide grin spread across my face.

I left my cup on the railing, dashed down the steps, and sprinted across the beach towards Jess.

She was clad in jean shorts and a tank top, a small fruit basket in her hand.

I pulled her into a tight hug, and she hugged me back.

“Brought you some vitamin C to go with your double dose of vitamin D,” she teased, lifting the basket.

“Who the hell are you?”

I spun around to find Dominic had followed me and was glaring at Jess.

“She’s my friend, Jess,” I informed him, hands on my hips.

“Jess? As in Logan’s roommate?” he asked.

I nodded, and Jess made a face.

“You look a lot like Walker,” she observed, studying him.

“I get that a lot,” Dominic replied, his gaze flicking to me.

“Let’s head up to the house,” I suggested, linking arms with Jess.

Dominic led the way back to the house.

“Who’s that guy?” Jess asked.

“Just some jerk Walker hired to keep tabs on me,” I replied.

“He’s pretty hot, if you’re into that sort of thing,” she commented.

“He’s a pain in the ass,” I shot back.

“Why do you need someone watching you?” she asked.

“Because of Logan,” I explained.