Sinful Protector (Roughshod Rollers MC 2)

It took a while for conversation to start between us but, when it did, it flowed easily until we were teasing each other and laughing like old friends. Then, when we got back to Allison’s apartment, we were all over each other, kissing and touching, desperate for more. There had been no sign, at all, of Allison’s change in feelings that night.

Then there’s the reasons she gave me. It all sounded good. It’s even believable enough that I’m still not sure if it’s the truth or not.

Because why would she break up with me just because Jesse broke into her apartment? That’s the one thing that doesn’t make sense. Did she break up with me to hide it? But that was stupid, there was no point in doing that. There has to be another reason for it.

And if there isn’t…

I swallow the lump in my throat. It means that, in the end, she was telling me the truth and she just didn’t see a relationship between us lasting very long.

I take a sip of my coffee and glance at Jacqui’s apartment building. No sign of movement. There’s a few people going past, but none of them look suspicious. I sigh.

Maybe this is all just in my head. Allison is with Jacqui now, and they’re living in an apartment that has much better security than Allison’s apartment. On top of that, I’ve noticed that Jacqui won’t go anywhere without dragging Allison along. Just last night they went for a five-minute run for ice cream; something Jacqui could have done alone, yet they both went.

Allison doesn’t need me. She told me she didn’t, and I didn’t listen. Now we’ve broken up, and she has Jacqui

to watch her with an eagle eye. In this equation, I’ve become redundant.

Despite this, however, I can’t make myself leave this fucking coffee shop.

Suddenly, the door opens. Jacqui leaves the building but, for once, she isn’t with Allison. I can’t help but smile. It seems like Allison finally managed to convince Jacqui to leave her alone for a little while. Maybe she really has noticed us hanging around, protecting her, so she feels okay about being alone for a little while.

Or maybe she just had enough of Jacqui hanging over her shoulder all the time and wanted some time to herself.

I grin. It could be either. Allison is stupidly independent, and it’s more of a surprise that she’s lasted this long.

I watch Jacqui race to her car. Her phone is pressed to her ear, and I can see the worry on her face from here. I wonder if she’s talking to Allison, reminding her to be careful. I can almost hear Allison’s sarcastic reply.

“I’ll be fine; I don’t need you to hover!”

I sigh and haul myself out of my seat, stretching my arms over my head and snatching my jacket off the back of the chair. I head to the counter and the tiny barista looks up at me with a nervous smile. I attempt to give her a friendly smile back.

“I’ll pay for the coffee,” I say.

“Yes!” the girl says.

She takes the bill and I wave away the change.

“Keep it,” I say, turning around. “It was really good coffee.”

“Thank you!”

I shake my head as I leave. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so tall. No matter who I come across, they’re intimidated by my size, as though they think that just because I look like I can lift someone up with little effort that I will.

Allison wasn’t intimidated by my height, I remember. She’s fairly tall herself, so my height is nothing for her to worry about. In fact, it’s probably great; she can actually wear heels and I’ll still be taller than her, as she told me gleefully at our date.

I look up at the apartment. There’s no one watching it and I don’t know what window Allison would be in. Maybe it’s time to call it a day for now; I doubt Jesse will be stupid enough to try anything after all the times we’ve scared him away. He, too, must have noticed the way Jacqui won’t leave Allison alone. Between my group and Jacqui, Allison is well protected, whether she wants to be or not.

As for me, I think I’ll take a walk to stretch my legs. Sitting in one spot gives me cramps, and it allows thoughts to creep into my mind that I don’t want there.

Thoughts about Allison and why she didn’t want me, in particular.

I shake my head, irritated at myself. My main concern, right now, isn’t about my relationship with Allison. It’s about making sure Jesse stays away from Allison for good. Maybe if we scare him away enough, he’ll stay gone.

That’s probably too much to hope for, though. The photos were a clear indication that Jesse is absolutely obsessed, and that he isn’t going to stop any time soon.

That means I need to stop him.

Somehow.