Warnings and Wildfires

I lift my shoulders. “I still haven’t seen it.”

“Neither have I.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Really? Hot chick in an action movie? Figured a big, buff guy like you would be all over that.”

If I’m not mistaken, he almost seems embarrassed. This man has a thousand reasons to be cocky or arrogant…yet, he isn’t.

“No special girl you wanted to take to the movies?”

He snorts and stabs his spoon into his just-barely softened ice cream. “I don’t have a ton of free time.”

“Oh.”

We settle into the movie and half-way through, no matter how hard I fight it, I end up falling asleep.

I’m not sure how much later I wake up against Sully’s arm to the sound of someone knocking on my door. He glances down with a soft smile. “Hey, sleepyhead. You expecting anyone?”

Embarrassed, I sit up and wipe the drool off my chin. “No.”

I move and he places his hand on my leg. “Stay there. I’ll get the door.”

At some point, he must have pulled a blanket over me and I tuck my feet up under it as I turn my head to watch him.

It’s none of my business, but it bugs me that Aubrey’s alone in the apartment so late at night. Or would be if I hadn’t decided to stick around.

That’s why I answer the door. If anyone thinks she’s easy prey, they’re in for a shock.

It’s a good thing I answer too. With his hood pulled up, I can barely make out the guy’s face. He’s got a few inches on me, but I’m already calculating which spots I’ll strike if he makes a move toward Aubrey.

“Hey.” He scowls at me, attempting to step forward. “Is Aubrey home?”

I block him from stepping across the threshold. “Who are you?”

“Who are you?” he asks, placing his hands on his hips. “Where’s Aubrey?”

“Tyler!” Aubrey calls, struggling to get up off the couch.

“Are you okay, honey?” he asks.

Honey?

Obviously she knows the guy. My urge to tell him to get lost and slam the door in his face almost wins, but I step aside and let him enter.

It occurs to me I’ve never asked if she has a boyfriend. He’s too old for her, but no one’s asked my opinion.

“Sully,” Aubrey says. “This is my neighbor. Gambler’s his dog.”

“You might want to invest in some obedience classes for him,” I say instead of hello. My mama raised me with better manners than that, but as far as I’m concerned, this guy’s responsible for Aubrey getting hurt so I’m not feeling very polite.

“I know,” he says, shaking his head. “Celia called to bitch me out. I wanted to make sure you’re okay. I’m so sorry, hon.”

Maybe he’s not a total douche. Maybe he’s Celia’s boyfriend.

“It’s not your fault,” Aubrey says. “I’ll be okay.” She throws the blanket back and Tyler’s eyes widen.

“Shit, Aubrey. Your leg’s a mess.”

“I’m fine,” she insists. “Sully fixed me up.”

Tyler finally glances at me and with his hood now down I recognize him. “You’re Keegan’s buddy? The dog rescuer?”

“That’s me.” He holds out his hand and I shake it. “Sullivan Wallace, right? You own Strike Back?”

“Yeah.”

Now that we’ve established we have a friend in common, Ty’s posture relaxes. Mine doesn’t. The mild urge to punch him still lingers.

“I’ve only had Gambler for about a week. He’s friendly as hell but strong. I should’ve worked with him more before having Aubrey handle him on her own. I was in a tough spot though.”

“It’s fine, Ty. Really,” Aubrey insists. “I’m just lucky Sully was there to catch him, so he didn’t get hit by a car.”

“Thanks, man,” Ty says. He turns back to Aubrey. “You need me to get anything for you?”

“No. I’m fine.”

He shakes his head and pulls his wallet out of his pocket, flipping it open and grabbing a wad of bills that he hands to Aubrey.

“Ty. That’s way more than we agreed on.”

“I didn’t know you were gonna get hurt,” he says, refusing to take any of the money she pushes at him. Aubrey finally gives up and stuffs it in her back pocket.

“Thanks.”

“If you need anything, let me know. Okay?”

“I will.”

Ty’s gaze slides between Aubrey and me. “You sure everything’s okay?” The, Do you need me to get rid of this jerk expression on his face isn’t lost on me.

Now I really want to tell him to back off, but at the same time, I’m glad Aubrey has someone looking out for her.

Aubrey ducks her head. “I’m fine. Thanks, Ty.”

He gives us one last inspection before saying good night.

I’m burning to ask about their relationship, but don’t know how to phrase the question without giving Aubrey the wrong impression.

Keep telling yourself you’re not interested in her.

She lets out a big yawn and stretches, showing off all the curves I want to memorize with my tongue. “Sorry I fell asleep on you,” she says in a husky voice.

“Glad you were comfortable enough to fall asleep.” I glance at the clock. “I should go. Will your sister be home soon?”

She stands and hobbles over to me. “She probably went out after work. I’ll be okay.”

I’m not sure what possesses me, but I reach out and tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. She ducks her head. “I’m probably a mess.”

“Messy looks good on you.” Makes me think what it would be like to wake up next to her in the morning. All her long, silky, coconut-scented hair spilling over my pillows.

It’s official. I’ve reached the knows-what-her-hair-smells-like level of creepiness.

She tilts her head back.

Her full, cherry-red lips part. So close. So kissable.

My pulse quickens.

She closes her eyes.

Waiting for the kiss this moment demands.

Instead, I squeeze her hand, let myself out, and pretend I don’t notice the disappointment clouding her eyes.

CHAPTER THREE

Dearest Aubrey,

Remember the beautiful conversations we used to have? No one knew you better than me. No one knew me better than you. I miss those days and dream of you often.

You’ve made so many changes in your life. Moving in with your sister. Drifting aimlessly from one menial job to another. You once had so many higher aspirations. What happened?

Is it because I’m not there to guide and support you? For that, I’m so sorry, sweetheart.

I don’t blame you anymore. I need you to know that.

You & me for infinity, Aubrey.

Soon we’ll be together, and I’ll make up for all the time we’ve lost.

All my love,

D.

I saved the letter. It’s been sitting on my desk for three days. Taunting me.

Now I wish I’d thrown it away the second my sister handed it to me.

My hands shake as I fold the letter back into its envelope and tuck i

t away in my desk drawer.

A trickle of fear runs down my spine. I should’ve kept better tabs on him.

Instead of pretending I could start over fresh.

Celia’s already left for the day. Once again I’m alone and it’s starting to weigh on me.

There’s a thump in the hallway outside the apartment and I practically jump out of my skin. It’s not an unusual noise. Things bump and bang all hours of the day and night here.

But it’s enough to snap me out of my fog.

I need to get out of here.

A safe place, preferably with lots of people sounds perfect.

Sully’s studio. Not because of him. Well, because of him, yes. It’s more than that, though. Taking his self-defense classes has given me back some of my confidence. I’m not stupid enough to think a few afternoons learning to punch, kick, and evade a would-be attacker make me invincible. But at least he’s given me a fighting chance against a harsh world.

Strike Back is dead quiet when I open the front door an hour later.

Sully’s behind the front counter talking with a terrifyingly large blond man in heavy black boots, jeans, a T-shirt that shows off thoroughly inked and muscled arms, and a leather vest covered in various patches. The man exudes strength and power, similar to Sully, but darker, almost menacing. He shifts and I glimpse the grinning skull wearing a crown covering the back of his black leather vest.

No ‘almost’ about it. Definite menacing vibes surround this guy.

Did I walk in on something sinister? Is Sully in deep with the local mob? Is he about to have his knee-caps broken? Does that actually happen in real life?

Perhaps I should skip the true crime documentaries next time I’m laid up.

Neither of them notices me right away. They’re speaking in low tones, but I catch the name Jake more than once.

Uncomfortable going unnoticed and eavesdropping for so long, I finally clear my throat.

“Oh, hello there.” The blond giant smiles down at me, suddenly not looking so terrifying. “Am I in your way?” he asks, stepping back.

He’s so polite, and doesn’t so much as drop his gaze below my face, that a guilty flush spreads over my skin for assuming he’s a criminal.

“Hey, Aubrey, what’s up?” Sully asks, throwing a scowl at his friend. “This is Wrath, Jake’s business partner.”