Enforce(101)

“But—” Nixon cleared his throat. “Trace?” It was a question.

“Just go to hell.” Her words vibrated against my chest as she tucked her head against me.

I swore. “Nixon, you had to choose. And I think you made it pretty clear to everyone within a fifty-mile radius who you chose.”

“I just don’t know if I want to live with the consequences,” Nixon said, his face getting paler by the minute. Never had I seen him so upset, so… wrecked.

“I guess we’ll see what this family really is made of.” I whispered.

“Chase.” Nixon’s voice was hoarse. “Take care of her, please. Just—”

“Go!” Trace yelled, interrupting us.

I gave Nixon a firm nod.

He pointed to his phone.

Yeah, yeah, bastard. I’d wipe her tears then report to you.

Like I always did.

It was getting old.

This whole scene? Old.

Trace slumped against me. I was forced to pick her up again and carry her to the couch. Once she was settled, I went over to the lights, flicked them off, and lay down next to her.

I sighed, pulling a blanket over us.

“Chase?” She sniffled.

“Hmm?”

“Why are you helping me?”

“Because you’re hot.” I rubbed her arm with my fingertips and let out a laugh at her tensing body. “Trace, I’m kidding. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’m here because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Because I hate to see chicks cry, and although popular opinion states I don’t possess a heart, I actually do. So color me weird, but when I see a friend— And don’t scowl. I can hear it from here. When I see a friend, a good friend, upset, I would freaking bleed myself out before letting her go through shit alone.”

“That was a nice speech. Did you practice it?”

“Very funny.” I pulled her tighter. Damn, but we fit perfectly. I really could have gone without that knowledge.

“Chase?”

“Yeah?”

“Why can you help me, but Nixon can’t?”

Well shit. I licked my lips to give myself a second to think. “Loaded question, Farm Girl.” I moved my hand up and down her arm in slow movements. “He’s the mob boss. I’m the cousin. It’s different. I’m not even next in line. I’ve always done my own thing. I mean, yeah, I work for the family. I guess you could say I’m lower on the totem pole, so I don’t really matter as much. If anything, you’re better off with me than Nixon anyway. At least with me you won’t be a target for murder.”

“How… reassuring.”

I chuckled. “Hey, you asked. Now, please try to get some sleep.”

“Will you be here when I wake up?”

“Always.” I swore in that moment I would never let that girl go to sleep without the knowledge that I would be there for her when she woke up. Nixon or no Nixon, I would never abandon her. Ever.

It must have been enough, because her body relaxed, and soon her breathing was deep and heavy.

I, however, didn’t sleep at all.

Not for lack of trying — hell, I was exhausted. Always exhausted.

But I was too buzzed with emotion to do anything except hold her and wonder what it meant for us in the future. She had no idea I had feelings for her; only the guys did. And I wasn’t so sure I wanted her to know. I wasn’t really keen on girls pointing and laughing at me while I poured out my feelings, but damn, I could feel myself falling for her.

At first it had been so slow I hadn’t realized it.

And now? Now I was halfway down the rabbit hole and propelling my arms so that I could fall faster, land on my feet harder.

Shit.

Nixon wasn’t just asking me to protect her… he was trusting me with her.

And he really shouldn’t.

Finally, I was able to close my eyes and drift off to sleep.





“What the hell, Trace?” I cursed, my swollen eyes opening, trying to make sense of how I’d gone from couch to the floor. “You could have at least told me before you tried to kill me!”

“Kill you?” She arched her eyebrows. ”Right. Because if the one-foot fall wouldn’t have done it, what? Your tiny heart would have burst?”

My eyes narrowed. Hilarious. “Look, I know you’re heartbroken, and you’re upset, blah, blah, blah, but do you have to be mean to the guy who helped you when you were having a nervous breakdown in front of most of the entire student body?”

“Valid point,” she said through clenched teeth.

I grinned. “Knew you’d see it my way. Now, no attacking. I’m going to get off of you, help you to your feet, and attempt not to stare at your ass as you bend over to grab your bag.”