“That’s kind of you, but you don’t have to do anything. We have a team on all this. I appreciate your offer.”
That backfired. New approach.
“Okay, then I’ll mill around and take you home after. Is that still the plan?”
She smiles shyly at me and says, “Yes, it is.”
I wonder if she’s thinking about what’s going to happen later as much as I am. Not lingering on that thought too long, I casually walk over to the front door, walk out, and survey the surroundings. There’s no sign of the fucker anywhere. What he doesn’t realize is that I know the chief of police in town, judges, prosecutors—he’ll be put away for a very long time.
Finding her back in the salon. “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do while I’m here?”
“Do you mind going to the storage closet and grabbing a couple cases of bottled water? We can put them under the table.”
The grand opening went off without a hitch. Kendall has a massive smile on her face, and it makes me want to hold her, but she’s still cleaning up. It’s a little more effort tonight because we’re breaking down tables and moving things back to where they belong.
There was no sign of Jake all day, so it puts me on high alert as we clean up and get ready to leave. He might be lingering around, waiting for her to walk out back by herself. Yeah, not fucking happening.
I take a minute after helping to move tables and chairs, and I find a quiet corner to call my buddy, who owns a private security company.
“Joel, hey, it’s Dane. How are you?”
“Haven’t heard from you in a while. Doing well. What can I do for you?”
“Straight to the point. I have a woman who needs private security. Starting Monday morning. I don’t want her out of anyone’s sight.”
“Give me some more details.”
I sigh and say, “She has an ex that crawled out of the woodwork and is hanging around again. You know the deal; she has a restraining order in place. I’d like at least four people to start, and then you guys can evaluate the situation. Joel, whatever it takes, just let me know. This guy, Jake Cross, seems like a dipshit, but he’s not; he left her a note on her car last night. I just want to make sure no one gets through. Security at every entrance of her business and home.”
He has me give him a list of her home and business addresses, the make and model of her car, and a few other places she frequents. Although I don’t have addresses for her friends, I know he’ll take care of that. Once I confirm all the details, I hang up and put my phone in my pocket.
I casually walk back to where everyone is. Everything is cleaned up, and it’s time to head out. The thought of pampering Kendall tonight has me itching to leave. We’re taking her car with us tonight. What she doesn’t know is that I've already talked with two of the massage therapists, and they are meeting us at Kendall’s house for a couples massage. We both could use it. Then I’m having dinner delivered so we don’t have to leave the house after spending a couple of hours relaxing. The entire night is planned to perfection—exactly what she asked for and a little extra.
Walking up to Kendall, I drag my hand down her arm. I feel her shiver under my touch. “Ready to go? I’ll follow you home.”
“Yup, just need to lock up,” she says, hesitating to leave my touch, but finally tears herself away. She’s at the door locking up. I watch her, unable to look away.
She is staring out the door and calls over her shoulder, “Dane, can you come here?”
With the tone of her voice, I run to her, immediately looking for any signs of that asshole. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Over by the bench, across the street.” My eyes track across the street and, sure as shit, there’s that motherfucker.
I keep my cool and say, “Let’s head out the back door.”
Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her through the salon as she shuts off the lights and sets the alarm at the back door. We walk out, and she locks up the back door.
I’m unsettled about her driving herself, but I know if I make her get into my car now, after already saying I’d follow her, she’ll know I’m being extra cautious.
So, I decide the best way to take care of this is head-on. “Do you want to ride with me again?”
With one eyebrow raised, I see the wheels turning and a hint of hesitation. “I’ll be okay. I don’t want to leave my car here again tonight, knowing he’s lingering around here.”
She’s right. I’m going to be tailing her the entire way, and I’ll be on the lookout for anyone following us. “I’ll follow you. Call me if there’s anything unusual about your car as you drive home or when you pull into your driveway. Okay?” My tone is serious. I try to temper it down a few notches.
I don’t need Kendall on edge like this. Tonight is supposed to be our night to relax, and with this asshole around, he’s interrupting our perfect night.
“I can do that. Thank you, Dane.” She steps closer to me and presses a kiss to my lips while taking her fingertips along my beard. Her touch is welcome and wanted.
