Tamed for the moment, she murmurs, "Mmm.That feels good."

"Be a good girl for me, Siri," I ask, but we both know it's a command.

She sighs, "Ok."Then her eyes twinkle into mine, "But you better tell me what the fuck happened."

My hand absentmindedly starts to twirl her hair around my finger as I choose my words carefully.

She places her hands on my chest, and my good girl draws little hearts and halos as she listens.

"You did see Ruth come back to the club last night angry.Steve says that girl, Debbie, met her at the bar with your jacket.Gaby realized it must've been yours and confronted them.Gaby and Debbie got in a fight.Ruth snatched the jacket up and ran out with it.Gaby went after her and chased her to her car.She ripped it out of her hands and headed inside with it."

Now for the hard part.I capture her face and run my thumbs down her jawline."Then Ruth tried to run over her."

Her eyes flare with shock."Oh my...Poor Gaby!"

I hold her face steady, controlling her."She fell and hit her head hard.Steve took her to the ER.She needed stitches and has a mild concussion."

Her eyes search mine wildly, "Please say she is alright!"

"Yes, she's alright."

Her eyes are relieved, then furious."Over my stupid jacket?Aurei, you've got to be fucking joking?"

I frown at her anger.Unsure of this side of her personality."I'm serious."

Her eyes shift their focus from anger to suspicion."What are you not telling me?"

My frown deepens, not wanting her to be afraid but knowing I have to be truthful.

Impatient, she cups my face and pecks my lips, "Straight line, Sugar Bare."She commands, bringing a slight smirk to my lips.

I reach up and cover her hands with mine.Then turn to kiss each one as my thumbs stroke her soft skin.

"Aurei, there is nothing we can't handle together.Truly.We will handle Ruth-less."

"I know," I reassure her, realizing I'm kissing her hands to calm myself."Siri, Gaby said Ruth has lost her marbles for sure.She was strung out on something.High as a kite.She has a history of abuse."I clear my throat of the emotion before continuing with the straight line, not curved, brutal hardcore truth."Ruth threatened to kill you, and Gaby thinks she is crazy enough to try."

"Oh, Holy Hades!"She shakes her head."Kill me?"Then she looks away and says, "My gut was right.Stupid stalker bitch!She's a fucking cunt!I'm not fucking afraid of her, Aurei," She turns her defiant face to mine, then stops when she sees the severe expression on mine.

I wrap my arms around her as I agree."A crazy fucking cunt, but crazy people are unpredictable."I lie back on the bed, pulling her down on top of me, cradling her, needing to feel her body sync with mine.She rests her cheek on my chest.

She whispers, "Sweet Zeus!She's trying to fuck up our beautiful thang!"Then she squeezes me with her arms and legs, "I can't lose you!I just found you!"I hear the terror in her voice, and it rocks me to my core.

"Aurei, I have to call Brutus right away.This is what he does.He protects me from crazies.He will handle this for us."

"Fine.You can call Brutus.But we fly out tonight for Italy.Rome is the only place I know you will be safe.It's howIprotect you from crazies."

She pushes up to look at me.I smile to reassure her as I drag her body, so her face is staring into mine."

Her eyes are flashing excitement now, and that's excellent.No fear.No terror.No doubt.But I pretend I don't notice."Don't argue with me on this, My Every Thang.I have made the decision."My hands slide down to her ass, and I squeeze her butt cheeks.

She smiles at me."Rome sounds perfect."She places her luscious lips on mine and soaks in the connection.

I trace my tongue lightly across them, then say against them."We're gonna be ok."

She smashes the kiss, then says against them."Absofuckinglutely!"

She sits on my abs."Rome!OMG!Rome!Tonight!"