“Well, yeah. Those guys are weak. And Del’s friggin’ scary.”
They left in Lou’s ’73 Duster, and Axel took a moment. He put his gear away and debated the wisdom of confronting Rena in her shop or of apologizing and confronting her later.
Because if she thought he was okay with her working without protection or leaving alone at night without a plan in place to help her, she was way past wrong.
Ignoring a case of nerves, he walked inside and found the women passing around the old-school video he’d given her.
“Oh boy. Good luck.” Tommie grinned at him. “And Charlie Crown? Man, what are you trying to say, Heller?”
He frowned “What?”
Stella snickered. “I really want to stay.”
“Go,” Rena ordered them while glaring at him.
Shit.
Nicky patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks for cleaning up, Heller. I hate when people can’t spell.”
He nodded.
Then it was just Rena and Axel and angry silence.
She blew out a loud breath. “Well?”
“I’m sorry,” he tried.
“Can you be more specific?”
Great. A blanket apology wasn’t going to work. “For cleaning your wall.”
“No, for cleaning my wall withoutasking meif I wanted you to clean it.”
She wore her hair pulled back, and the severe style put all the focus on her face, the anger in her light-brown eyes and the passionate flush on her cheeks a testament that she wasn’t playing around.
Neither was he. “Rena, I’m sorry you are upset. But it’s not safe for you with Fletcher and his people making trouble.”
“We don’t know that it was Fletcher.” She held up a hand. “But I agree, it’s likely him and his boys. That still doesn’t explain why you’re suddenly making decisions for me.” Cute Rena had been replaced by Warrior Rena.
“Youwantthe graffiti?” He was starting to get mad, feeling defensive and not sure why. He’d helped her out, dropped everything at work to come over and make sure she was okay.
“No.” She took a deep breath and blew it out. Slowly. “I want you to acknowledge you pushed where you shouldn’t have.”
“Fine. I pushed. I’m sorry.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t sound sorry.” Then she shoved the video at him. “And what’s the deal giving me porn for Valentine’s Day?”
Now she had thoroughly confused him. “Was?”
She brought his hand up and placed the video in it. “Go watch the movie and let me know what you think.”
“Would you like to watch it over dinner?” He’d been planning to take her to his place for a nice meal after work.
“Not tonight. I’ve lost my appetite.” Again, she glared at him.
“I didn’t put those words on your wall.” He felt angry, scared for her and at her because she didn’t seem to understand the danger.
Then, realizing that his anger was directed at her, he shut down. He could do happiness, laughter, joy. Around Rena, those made sense. Anger had no place around her. That he’d felt it at all worried him. So, internally, he stepped back, walling off his emotions. Keeping her safe.
