Page 61 of Heartbreak Hero

They all settled down with Carla going to the other bed to curl up.

Sara lay wide awake for a long time thinking about what had happened. Thinking about Levi and her new feelings for him. Thinking about her future.

She placed her palm on her stomach.

Whatever future she had, she would make darned sure her baby was loved.

Even if its father wanted nothing to do with him or her.

Sara remained cold toward him.

Into the next day at the hotel, during the drive in the car to work, and now at the Velvet Lounge.

He opened the door, but she caught it from his hand and marched inside.

It almost hit him in the face, but he planted his hand to keep the door open and stepped inside after her.

Following her through the place, she went down a hallway and entered a code to a door. He had to hurry to make it inside the room before the door closed.

It was a large break room with a vending and coffee machine, a table, and lockers against one wall.

He shrugged out of his leather jacket and hung it on a peg on the wall.

Sara shoved her things into a locker and turned to march toward the door.

Taking a deep breath, Levi caught her arm in a gentle grip.

“Can you tell me why you’re mad at me?”

She glared at him and jerked her arm free.

Maybe he needed to start with something intimate, so he racked his brain. Their time together might do the trick. Although it might send her temper flaring if he mentioned their day at the beach or maybe hitting an outdoor festival, but he had to try.

“How about on your next day off, we hit the beach again?”

“No thanks,” she said frostily and yanked open the door.

He followed her out of the door and back into the hallway. She punched in the code to a door across from the break room and stepped inside. The room wasn’t as big as the break room, but it was still a good size, and he realized it was an office.

Sara lifted the ledgers from the edge of the desk and walked past him out of the room. She moved back into the lounge, and he was right on her heels. With an irritated look, she slid into one of the back booths.

Levi stood at the booth, but when she ignored him, he turned and walked to the bar.

The older man behind the bar gave him a shrewd look, gazing at the shoulder holster and weapon. The guy’s name tag said Jim.

“Hi, Jim, any chance I can get some of that coffee?”

“Sure can.” Jim poured a white chunky cup full and slid it on the counter. “What brings you here?” The man’s eyes slanted in Sara’s direction.

“I’m the bodyguard her parents hired.” Levi lifted the mug and took a grateful sip.

“They hear about the attack?” Jim said, and Levi nodded.

“Yeah.”

“I wasn’t here that night.” Regret colored the man’s voice. “It’s a sad world.”

“It is when that happens,” Levi agreed and carried his coffee over to the booth. He slid in and sat across from Sara, but she didn’t look up.

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