Chapter 7 #2
“I don’t have to do what he says. I don’t have to do what you say,” Brett argues on a choked voice. “You can fuck off.”
Stud laughs, “We’re gonna take this shit off the lawn, man. You still itchin’ for an ass beatin’ I’ll give it to ya. But it ain’t happening on my brother’s grass.”
I don’t give a fuck what happens to Brett.
My sole focus now is making sure Josie isn’t rattled and Justice didn’t see anything go down with his former stepfather.
Whatever goes on next will be determined by Brett.
If he chooses to engage, Stud will handle it.
If he’s got even half a brain, he will leave.
There isn’t a doubt in mind he will be back.
Whether Josie realizes it or not, kissing me back, she declared war to a man like him.
It’s a battle she will win over and over because I plan to handle everything he brings, but he’s not going to go quietly.
Not until he’s found a new victim, gotten locked up, or is dead. That’s how those types of men work.
At the front door, I twist the knob to find it locked.
Smart girl. I’m thankful her porch is semi-tucked in leaving Brett out of my view and preventing him from seeing this and questioning what he’s just witnessed.
I tap lightly on the door before I hear the click of the locks moving.
She lets me in and instantly, I see the tears streaming down her face.
Only when I get inside the threshold and lock the door back behind me do I reach out and pull her against me.
“Jo,” I whisper as she tries to pull away.
“Gotta get it out, baby. For Justice,” I keep my voice low holding her to me.
“Let it out, Jo.” She is fighting to be strong for herself and her son.
But bottled-up emotions are dangerous. They leave us with a weakness and an opportunity to lose control.
She has to let this out, whether that is crying, screaming, breaking shit, or whatever works, but she can’t hold onto any of it.
“Why won’t he leave us alone?” her words are whispered between sobs.
I hold her close. “Hard to let a good woman go. Some men don’t know how to act and do all the wrong things. I’m sorry you’ve lived that, Jo.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my cut. “This is so embarrassing. You don’t need to come save me.”
I push back to cup her chin tilting her head to look at me, “Jo, nothing for you to ever be sorry about with me. You gotta get this out. You gotta know from this moment on, it all changes.”
She gasps as the tears fall down her face, “what do you mean?”
“Saw that man, those dead eyes. You don’t do this shit alone anymore.
I’m not around, I have a man on you and Justice.
Until Brett moves on to his next victim or gets locked up, you get to live life without fear because I got your back.
” I leave out the part of Brett leaving her alone because he’s dead.
While that is the very best option to ensure her safety, I don’t think any woman wants to think of their only peace coming in someone else’s loss of life.
“You don’t know me,” she whispers as I wipe tears from under her eyes.
“Not yet, but I’m going to. Get comfortable, darlin’.
Had just a taste out there of those lips, of you being soft.
I want more. You been through shit, we’re gonna do this slow.
Your pace. But what isn’t gonna happen is you stayin’ to be afraid he can get to you.
No matter how this shit works, he doesn’t get close ever again. ”
Normally, I don’t care to know a woman outside of a fuck.
Josie, there is something about her smile from the first night I met her that calls to me.
My grandfather always told me when he met my granny, he knew.
That very instant when he said hello, he knew.
It took her a bit more time to come around.
Mostly because they met when crashed into her front porch.
Drove right into the front support beams. Her favorite place to sit and read was demolished by a teenage boy who lost control of his mom’s car on a rainy night.
She was home alone; therefore she came outside to find him climbing from the car shaking his head. He looked at her and instantly smiled.
She was angry.
He was smitten.
The rest is history. They lived a wonderful life with over fifty years together.
No matter what comes of this attraction I have with Josie, I still won’t let Brett hurt her again. Those days are behind her.
“I appreciate your assistance, Dean. I don’t think you understand my situation. I’ll be okay. You need to have your life, not my baggage.”
I smirk, “Jo, everyone has baggage. I don’t think you understand me.
I see something I want, I’m gonna make my play.
This is me making that play. I’m a patient man because I know it down to my fuckin’ soul you’re gonna be worth it.
We take this at your pace. You just need to know I claimed you and meant that shit.
In my world, you’re protected, and Brett is gonna learn what that means.
And you get to breathe a little easier knowing you aren’t alone against him. ”
“I really appreciate your kindness. But I’m a mess and you deserve more than I can give. I don’t even know you much less your world.” She speaks softly and I wonder if she even believes herself.
I cup her chin so she can look in my eyes.
“Jo, you are stunning. Take my breath away beautiful. The way you love your son, it’s fucking everything.
I’m not a boy, I’m a man. As a man, I see something worth effort, I’m going to put in that effort.
And baby, just one kiss and I know you’re worth it all.
Just give us a chance, one day at a time, one minute at a time. ”
She blinks but doesn’t speak right away. “Dean, I appreciate,” I don’t let her speak further as I crash my lips to hers. Only when she softens under me do I pull away.
“No more Dean, I appreciate shit, Jo.”
She smacks my chest, her flesh to my leather cut, but not hard, just a mild chastise.
“You can’t kiss me to shut me up. What I was trying to say.
” I lean down to kiss her again, but she shifts her head at the last second giving me her cheek, “I have been in a not-so-great place with my ex. I have made some poor choices. Choices that have impacted my son. While I find you attractive and yes, you can kiss me like I’ve never been kissed before. I think this is a bad idea.”
I laugh, “Jo, the bad ideas sometimes turn out to the be the best fuckin’ things in the world. Just give me a chance, I’ll show you.”