Page 48 of Saving You Losing Me

“Of course.”

I watch the scene with curiosity because Lucy is arguing with Emilio and then a man steps out from the diner who takes my breath away.

I can’t tear my gaze away as he pushes in between Lucy and Emilio and the threat is obvious.

The girls spill from the car and as I follow, they start running toward Lucy and I call them back, grasping their hands as I try to contain their exuberance.

As we get closer, I hear the guy say to Emilio in a voice devoid of anything. No fear, no warmth, no shit.

“I’m your worst nightmare, so run back to your keeper and tell him to stay away from Lucy. She’s protected, and if you try to get to her, you’ll have to come through me first.”

Lucy is hiding behind the man and my heart stops beating as I sense Emilio’s trigger finger itching and I interrupt coolly, “Is there a problem here, Emilio?”

The girls shout, “Mommy, look, it’s Lucy.”

I tighten my hold and say coldly, “I said, is there a problem here?”

Emilio answers with resignation. “No, Mrs. Santobello.”

I turn to Lucy and say briskly, “We will walk with you to class, Lucy. I need to discuss the girl’s progress with you.”

She edges past her protector and smiles with relief.

“Of course. What do you want to know?”

As we set off toward the studio, Lucy hesitates and then turns. “Well, are you gonna stand there all day? We have a class to attend.”

I watch with interest as the stranger nods to Emilio coolly and follows us to the studio.

We chat in low voices as the girls skip in front of us, the man following up from behind.

We head toward the dance studio and as soon as we enter the space, Lucy turns and says harshly, “You may as well wait here until Emilio leaves. I wouldn’t want your death on my conscience.”

I stare at her thoughtfully as she offers me an apologetic smile because we both know what she meant by that. I’m under no illusions about what my husband is capable of and something about this stranger lights a spark on my revenge.

Once the girlsare settled and chatting with their friends, I leave them behind and head back the way I came. The man is still here and I nod coolly and say in a hard voice, “You’re not from these parts.”

He nods. “Stating the obvious, darlin’, you’re better than that.”

I lean against the wall and say bluntly, “Word of advice, biker, leave town now while you still can. If my husband doesn’t get you first, the local MC will.”

He smirks. “What if I don’t?”

I smile. “We both know what you’ll be facing; I don’t need to spell it out for you. Do yourself a favor because my husband’s not known for his patience and his temper is something I can do without this week.”

He appears interested. “Brings his temper home, does he?”

I’m not sure why but I relax slightly. “You have no idea, do you?”

He sighs heavily. “Listen, darlin’, I’ve seen all of this a hundred times before. Small town hard man throwing his weight around and making himself king. He doesn’t scare me, and neither does the local MC. You think I’m scared of them? Well, I’m not. What I deal with on a daily basis would scare those idiots shitless. So, perhaps you should run along and warn them against me, because I’m going nowhere until Lucy’s safe from the soulless idiot you call a husband.”

His words spark my interest and I move across and sit beside him on the couch and stare deep into his eyes before saying in a low voice. “I take it all back, biker. Now I’m interested. Perhaps you should stick around and see this out. You may be more useful than I first thought, and I can put some business your way.”

I lean in and whisper, “Strictly between the two of us, of course.”

I speak before I can stop myself. “I need a man like you. A man who knows his stuff and has no fear. A man who takes what he wants and screw the consequences. A man who isn’t afraid to bend the rules to get what he wants and a man who may, just may, enjoy a little female company to sweeten the deal.”

I bat my eyes and say huskily, “So, what do you say, biker? How do you fancy going into an, um, private arrangement with me?”

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