Cuffed For Love

It’s not a request. I drop my hand to clasp hers and make for her house. “Throw together a few things.”

“Are you sure this is necessary?” Joy tugs at my grip.

“Rather be safe than sorry.” My instincts have rarely misled me.

“But I can’t stay in your house forever.”

“Why not?”

“Because...” She doesn’t have a good answer. I pull open the door and shove her gently inside.

“Pack.” I close the door and pull out my phone. It’s time to track this loser down and tell him how it’s all going to play out. Specifically, he’s going to leave Joy alone. If he has a problem, he can take it up with me, but involving an innocent like Joy is out of the question.

The warrant for the old broad has her address. The street view shows a small home with some kids’ toys out front. Beer bottles are on the front porch and the railing is half falling off the deck. Easy enough to rip a board off and beat the guy’s face in if that’s the kind of lesson he needs. I might do it even if he doesn’t provoke me so word gets around that Dane Hardy’s woman is off limits.SixteenJoy“You sure you don’t need more stuff?” Dane says over his shoulder as he takes another box filled with my things over to his place. If I need something I’ll be able to pop over and get it, I would think. I guess these MC guys will be watching the place. I’ll still only be right next door. It’s not like they won’t be able to find me there.

I think it would have made more sense if I’d gone with Cece to her brother's place. It was Dane’s tone and the look in his eyes that got Cece to pack up her stuff and head to her brother’s. She stays over there from time to time. They have always been close.

Dane comes back with a now empty box. He keeps dumping my stuff at his place and refilling the same box. “If they are watching my place then they will still see me 'cause you live next door,” I point out. “You don’t think I should have just gone with Cece to her brother’s?”

“No,” he barks out.

“Yeah, you’re right. It’s been awkward since he tried to kiss me.”

Dane stops throwing things into the box. “He what?”

I wave my hand. “No big deal. He was drunk.” It wasn't a big deal but still a touch awkward. I’m not really sure how to act around him now. I don’t know if he even remembers. The look on Dane’s face tells me that he doesn’t share my opinion of it not being a big deal. I’d say by the set of his jaw and the way he’s grasping the box that he thinks it’s a very big deal.

“He just got out of a bad breakup. These things happen.” His grip on one of my glass candles tightens. I got a set of three of them on sale. It’s a thing of mine. I love candles lit at night and fresh flowers.

“These things just don't happen.”

“That candle is new, and it smells wonderful.” He looks down at it in his hand. “Put it in the box gently.” His brows furrow together, but he does as I ask.

“I don’t want to scare you, Joy, I really don’t, but they're not after Cece. It’s you they want. Partly because of me and partly because you grabbed the skip.” I let out a long sigh. He’s right. I’m relieved that they won’t be trying to track Cece down at least.

“Why would they use me to get to you? I mean, I get them being mad about me grabbing her, but why would they need me to get back at you?” I bite my lip. He puts my candle down in the box before coming over toward me.

“I think you know why.” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.

“Are these motorcycle guys like the ones you read about in books?” I ask.

“The ones you read? Probably not.”

“What's with the judgment? I told you we didn't even need to pack all my books!” I look around for my Kindle, but I think he already took it over to his place. He grabs me by the chin. His touch is soft.

“No judgment, sweets. I just want you to know that this is real. These aren’t men that fall hopelessly in love. They are bad men who do bad things. Most don’t have respect for their woman.”

“Do any men fall hopelessly in love?” I try and tease. My heart flutters when his eyes turn more intense. My entire body heats with that simple glance. He has a way of doing that. It both scares and excites me at the same time.