Page 21 of Zombie

He glared down at me. “Your safety is my top priority, Len. I want to make sure I find whoever did this and give them the justice they deserve.”

A chill ran down my spine at his words. I knew what “give them the justice they deserve” meant, and I didn’t want to think about it too much.

Twenty minutes later, the buzzer rang. I opened my door and was surprised to see Dante, accompanied by a scrawny kid holding a bunch of gear. Dante looked incredible in a white t-shirt and jeans. The shirt clung to him like a second skin, showing the taut muscles underneath. I had to fight an overwhelming need to hug him or touch him.

“Lennie,” he said with a nod of his head.

Something seemed different with him, but I couldn’t place it. I gave him a smile and gestured for the men to come in. I was now dressed in jeans and a hoodie, but something about Dante’s gaze made me feel bare and vulnerable.

I explained what happened, skipping everything sex-related. Both Dante and his assistant listened intently before beginning to gather evidence.

After an hour of waiting, the men were done. Kade paced the living room as they cleaned up their gear.

“How long until you get the results?” Kade demanded.

Toby seemed to scrunch into himself at Kade’s domineering tone. Dante, however, seemed unperturbed.

“A couple of days,” he responded flatly.

Kade gave him a nod of acknowledgment as Dante walked over to me. I couldn’t help but notice how good he smelled and the way he towered over me. He wasn’t as tall as Kade and Evan, but he was definitely close.

Kade turned to me. “The window will be replaced first thing tomorrow, but I think you should stay at my place for the next few days to make sure that nothing else happens.”

Anger bubbled in me. I wasn’t going to have my best friend tell me what to do. “Kade⁠—”

“Before you tell me no, just know I am doing this for your protection,” he cut in.

I rolled my eyes. “Oh yeah? And it has nothing to do with the fact that you and Evelyn are on the outs right now?” Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dante try to look elsewhere as if he weren’t listening.

Kade looked down at the floor and then back up at me. “No.”

I pursed my lips. “Mm-hm. Sure, whatever you say.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Lennie, you shouldn’t be alone. The bastard was able to get through my guys last night. I want to make sure you are safe, that's all.”

“She can stay with me; my place is secure. She can stay with me until the results come back in a couple of days,” Dante said behind us.

We both turned in his direction. He stood in the doorway holding a metal briefcase, looking as surprised as I was, despite having made the offer.

THIRTEEN

ZOMBIE

Did I really say that out loud?

Lennie seemed stunned, and Kade looked at me skeptically. I stood there silently, embarrassed that I had suggested the woman of my dreams stay at my house. Where my playroom was. My cock, however, seemed to love the idea because it was already starting to harden at the thought.

“Are you sure?” Kade finally asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, it would also mean that I can keep an eye on her wounds to make sure everything is healing properly.” I prayed that Kade wouldn’t see past the bullshit I was spewing.

Kade nodded in agreement. “Good point. Len, what do you think?”

She looked at me, analyzing every movement. Finally, after a pause that felt like it went on forever, she nodded her head yes. “I’m fine with that.”

My heart skipped a beat and elation filled my lungs as I thought about having Lennie in my proximity. In the sanctuary of my home. I moved my briefcase in front of my crotch so she couldn’t see just how excited I was.

“Well then, it’s settled. Len, I will talk with you later. I need to check on Evan to make sure he is good,” Kade said as he went to grab his coat.