Donuts and Handcuffs

I shook my head. “No, I’m telling you, Daniel, because I’m never keeping anything from you again.” Looking up at him, I tried to smile. “Except for where I hide birthday and Christmas presents. That’s just non-negotiable.”

He nodded seriously. “Bailey, this means a lot to me.” Then he finally smiled. “I bet it also means a lot to you. No invasive needles and tests.”

I let out a heavy sigh, as a tremor ran through me. “Yeah, I hadn’t even had a chance to process that part yet. But also, even though I want nothing to do with them, I hope they’re all okay.”

“Of course you do,” he said quietly, that low rumble making me want to hug him for being so calm. “Especially a little kid.” He paused. “Do you think you’ll ever go meet her someday?”

Shaking my head, I said, “No. Our agreement still stands, and it would take something like that for any of them to ever contact me again.”

“Are you positive?”

I took a slow breath, and he squeezed my hand to tell me to take my time. “They think that I have information on certain jobs they ran, but I don’t. My ex might have. I tried so hard to tune them out and not hear anything, but they think I know enough to incriminate them. So they won’t ever mess with me.”

Looking up into those strange eyes, I wanted desperately for him to believe me. “The only job I have any information about, my ex-boyfriend Jenson is already in jail for. I thought he just worked at an auto body shop with some rough guys. I honestly didn’t know that they were stealing cars, stripping and reselling and who knows what else.”

My voice had become a choked whisper. Daniel waited patiently for me to continue.

“Also, I don’t think that I told you… the money I used to open this shop was from selling extravagant gifts, and the money Jenson owed me that was in our joint account. So as far as I know, all of the money I took when I left was clean.”

He nodded, seeming relieved that I was venting openly.

“For the rest of it, I knew my parents and uncle organized robberies, but I don’t know the details. We moved around so much when I was little I don’t even remember the order of the cities we lived in. If I ever think of anything, I’ll tell you.”

Tears welled in my eyes and I looked down to try to hide them, but he tipped my chin up with our clasped hands.

“I wanted to tell you immediately about that tiny bit of contact,” I choked. “I don’t want to hide anything from you. You’re the first decent person I’ve ever been real with, and I need you to know that’s important to me. I just hope that you know I’m not like them.”

Instantly my cheek was being held against his, our bodies pressing together as he held me. “I know, baby. I know. You’re such a good person. Even when you were skulking around in the shadows in that alley, it was to help people. I see that. Shh.”

Hearing him say that was such a rush of relief that I started to shake, sobbing uncontrollably into his shoulder. But he didn’t shush me again, instead murmuring, “Let it out. Take your time, Bailey.”

The way he was so sweet with me made me sob anew, and it was some time before I could control myself. Finally sitting up straight, he handed me a tissue, rubbing my back gently while I composed myself. When I finally risked a look into his eyes, he was concerned, but not annoyed.

“Thank you,” I whispered, trying to breathe slowly.

“Feel better?” he asked softly. I nodded, blowing my nose. He smiled so warmly it nearly set me off again. “Bailey, moving away on your own, being alone for so long, having all of that hanging over your head... I can’t even imagine.” Leaning forward to kiss the top of my head, he said, “That’s too much stress for anyone.”

“It’s funny,” I said, curling into him. “I thought that I could handle everything. I honestly thought I could be a loner forever, and just have a quiet life with no problems.”

“Everyone needs someone,” Daniel said, rubbing my back. “I think you’re inspiring, Bailey. You’ve done so well for yourself, completely on your own. But people do need people. I’m so glad that you let me in.”

He rocked me gently and I was tempted to drag him to the bedroom instead of the ballroom. I felt him shift slightly under me, and I wondered if he was feeling as randy as I was.

“If we don’t leave soon, I’m going to start thinking inappropriate thoughts,” he murmured in my ear. “How about you get ready before I get too distracted?”

Kissing him on the cheek, I darted to my room. I’d found an elegant long-sleeved dress that hid the smaller bandage on my arm. Although I had been to the doctor, who told me the stitches were dissolving perfectly and I was healing well, I couldn’t look. The new bandage was smaller, but I still wanted to hide it for now.

My shoes were selected, my handbag was packed, and I just had to fix my slightly smudged eye makeup. It was easier to add a little more than clean it up, but now the overall effect was a bit sexier than I had intended.

“Is this okay?” I asked, emerging from the bedroom.

Daniel turned to look at me, and his eyes flared. “Holy shit, baby.” He came over to tip my chin up. “Thanks for not wearing lipstick,” he grinned before giving me a soft kiss. Then he ogled me again. “Would I be an asshole of a boyfriend if I strongly suggested you don’t leave your apartment looking like this unless I’m with you?”

/> Once again, I was grateful for how much he made me laugh. “I’ll do my best,” I teased.

He held my hand tightly during the entire cab ride, and as we walked into the large church that had been converted into an elegant event space.

I’d never been anywhere so fancy in my life, and I tried not to stare like some country bumpkin who was overwhelmed. My sweet new boyfriend was holding my hand, and keeping me close. Somehow that made the rattling inside me smooth out a little.