Chapter 9
Rogue
Link signals me from the door, wanting me to come inside.
Good news is it looks like Shayna isn’t kicking his ass to the curb.
I dismount my bike and stretch, feeling my bones brittle from the eighteen-hour ride we just did.
We only stopped for gas, food, and to piss.
Link was so wired with nerves he couldn’t calm himself down long enough to get some sleep, so I’m running on fumes.
I’ll see what he needs then I’ll be heading out, crashing at the nearest hotel so I don’t crash out on the highway.
“Hey, Rogue.” Shay greets me with a smile, and I pull her right in for a hug.
“It’s damn good to see you, doll. Though, I don’t like seeing that redness around your eyes.
” My brother flinches in my periphery. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Shay other than fierce, but she’s obviously been crying.
A damn lot by the looks of it. I pull back and tip her chin up.
“Hope you know how much this man loves you. I’ve got a numb ass to prove it,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood.
Her giggle is a welcome treat and so is seeing the smile that’s forming on my brother’s face.
“Come in.” She takes my arm, much to my brother’s growly chagrin. “I want you to meet my friend Izzy.”
As soon as we enter the living room, I swear thunder claps inside my chest. There’s a petite little thing with some juicy curves standing before us.
Dark mahogany long hair. Deep blue eyes.
A perfect nose. Damn near the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.
But those gorgeous eyes are looking terrified as she scans me over.
It’s not exactly a foreign reaction. I’m used to people being intimidated by my size, but this girl has nothing to be afraid of. Any friend of Shayna’s is a friend of mine.
She quickly moves to the table, lifting a plate of cookies. “Do you um… Cookies?” She holds out her offering, and the sweet treats nearly shake off the plate.
“We’re okay, doll,” Link answers. “Need you to tell us what’s going on with this ex of yours.”
I was nearly mesmerized by her face, but his words have me tensing, tugging my attention back into focus. What the hell is going on with her ex?
“He um… He’s been…” When the girl’s nervous voice drops off, Shayna moves to her side and does the talking for her.
“Her ex has been texting her nonstop. She keeps blocking his number, but he keeps getting through. I was telling her right before you all got here that he’s probably using one of those apps that generates phone numbers.
Anyway, she’s told him to leave her alone, but he won’t stop.
He keeps showing up at her work and on campus. And then he just sent these texts.”
Shayna takes her phone from her and shows us what they say.
As soon as I read them, my nerves are strained and there’s a prickling sensation at the back of my neck.
The fucker doesn’t seem to be taking no for an answer.
And now, he’s getting aggressive. Threatening to break into her place and pin her down. The bastard will die if he even tries.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Link states, looking toward me. “Rogue, would you mind stepping outside for a word?”
I’m scanning the parking lot down below as we exit her apartment, looking for anyone who might be heading in this direction. If her ex tries to step foot in her place, he’ll be staring down the barrel of my gun.
“Is it just me, or do you get the sense the fucker’s starting to lose his shit? You think we should hunt his ass down and give him a warning?”
Usually I’d say yes, but we’re not in our element. I don’t trust cops that aren’t on our payroll.
“The cops in these parts don’t know us. If we’re not careful, we could find our asses in jail.”
“Fair point.” He nods. “Then what?”
“We let him come to us. We sit and wait. And when he shows his face, we’ll make sure he knows never to do so again.”
“It’s a solid plan, but if I don’t get my girl alone tonight, I might lose it.”
In other words, he wants to know if I can guard the girl so he can go off and fuck his woman. After the tears I saw in Shay’s eyes, I should punish his ass and make him stay the night, but I’m not going to be cruel to my brother. Or that sweet girl inside.
“You two can go. I’ll stay and keep an eye out. I’m sure I can handle this fucker on my own.”
“Thanks, man. We’ll grab a room at the hotel and be close by in case you need us. Then we can all ride out in the morning.”
We head back inside and thankfully Link does the talking because I’m struck down by this pretty girl again. Damn, she’s a real looker.
“Based on everything you’ve told us, Izz, I think it’d be best if you had someone here tonight to make sure the doctor doesn’t try anything. If you’re comfortable with it, Rogue will keep watch.”
Doctor? Her ex is a doctor. And now my blood is boiling.
It’s always the fucking doctors. They seem to think they’re entitled to whatever the fuck they want.
Toying with women’s hearts. Betraying those they care about.
Just like my damn brother who thought he was entitled to my wife.
Maybe I’m not the one who should be left on guard. I’m liable to kill this fucker.
“Oh…um…okay.” The pretty girl’s voice wobbles, gaining my attention.
“You can sleep in my bed. I mean…um…. Not with me, but you can sleep in it alone. I mean, I’ll sleep on the couch because I don’t think you’ll fit.
Not that you’re overweight or anything. But you’re like a giant.
I mean tall. You’re really tall. But not like abnormally tall.
But like… I’m just going to stop talking now.
” She snaps her mouth shut, looking toward Shayna for help.
Her cheeks are now as red as can be, and I have to bite back a chuckle.
Gotta say, she’s fucking adorable. A little stunner with pretty eyes and a sweet body, who’s as nervous as all get out.
The major trait catching my attention though is how she doesn’t come across with the same arrogance as my ex.
Kara knew she was a looker and acted like it set her above all the rest. Funny how I overlooked that shit back when I was young.
Now, it’s a red flag. But this gorgeous girl seems humble… and shy.
“I’m not taking your bed, doll. The couch is fine.”
“Okay. Um…let me get you sheets and a pillow. And do you need a comforter, or do you get hot? I have a flannel blanket, or a thinner quilt?” She shakes her head, realizing she’s rambling again.
“Let me go bring the options and you can decide.” She scurries off back to her bedroom and my cheeks split into the widest grin.
I think guarding this girl is going to be fun.
“You want to grab your things, and we can head out, babe?” Link turns to Shay. “I need to be alone with you.”
“Do you think it’s okay for me to leave her?” Shay eyes me up.
“I won’t let him near her.” He’ll find himself in the hospital if he even tries. “If he comes by, I’ll call you both. Okay?”
“Okay.”