paused with her fork halfway to her mouth. “Does it involve more shopping?”
“Um. Sort of.”
“It’s either shopping or it isn’t.”
“It is, but I think we can do it from home and just have stuff delivered. I thought we could buy a handful of Christmas movies. On Christmas Eve, we could make a bunch of different finger foods to snack on all day and watch back-to-back movies. Then that night we can each open one present, just like you used to do with your family.”
She set her fork down. “Really?”
I nodded. “I don’t want you cooking all morning on Christmas, though. Maybe I could help you put one of those casseroles together the night before so you’d just have to pop it in the oven when we wake up. We can open presents while it warms up, or whenever you’d like.”
She picked up her fork again and studied me. “Why are you being so nice to me? Not just now, but from the very beginning you’ve gone out of your way for me. Even when we were strangers.”
“Because I’ve always known you were mine,” I said. “Even when I didn’t think of you in a sexual way, you were still mine to protect.”
She ate a few more bites before she started pushing her food around her plate. “The two who got away. If no one finds them, do you think they’ll come back here?”
“Are you asking if you’re safe?”
She nodded. “I haven’t been overly cautious today. Didn’t look over my shoulder constantly because you said you’d taken care of all but two.”
“I won’t let them anywhere near you, Little Bit. I told you, they’re states away. There are enough clubs out there who are outraged by what happened to you they’ll be extra vigilant. Those men get anywhere near a member in those clubs and their days will be numbered.”
We finished our meal, and had dessert, but MaryAnne had grown quiet. I worried those two remaining men were going to give her nightmares tonight. Unless something else was bothering her. The fact she wasn’t telling me what was on her mind didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to push, but I wouldn’t let her fret all night either. I’d give her until we reached the house. If she hadn’t opened up by then, I’d find a way to get it out of her. I couldn’t help if she didn’t tell me what was wrong.
I paid for our meal and left Beth a good tip. With the holidays so close, I figured she could use some extra cash like most people. Being on her feet all day wasn’t easy, and I knew people could be assholes and either leave no tip or shitty ones. Getting a decent tip had always made my mom smile. Now I tried to do that for others when I could, but especially close to Christmas.
I took MaryAnne’s hand as we walked outside. She closed her fingers around mine and leaned her head against my arm. This little slip of a woman made me want to be a better man.
I unlocked the Bronco and helped her inside, reaching over to buckle her. I gave her a wink before I shut the door. The second before I turned, I saw the reflection of a man standing behind me and MaryAnne’s eyes went wide. I ducked as he swung an iron bar at my head. It smashed into the glass, making MaryAnne scream as it sprayed across her. Little cuts dotted her fair skin. Seeing her bleed let loose the monster I tried to keep locked down tight.
With a roar, I spun to face the man and slammed my fist into his face. He swung the pipe at me, and I blocked it with my arm, snarling at the pain radiating up into my shoulder. I didn’t think he’d broken it, but it would be bruised by morning. I went after him again, landing a punch to his ribs, one to his nose, then kicked his legs out from under him.
He sprawled on his back on the pavement. Hatred blazed in his eyes as he struggled to his feet. I didn’t give him a chance to come after me again. I landed a right hook to his temple and he went down, knocked out cold. Sirens sounded in the distance and it wasn’t long before red and blue lights came into view.
I opened the Bronco door and reached for MaryAnne. She shook so damn hard I thought I