Unfounded: Invictus Securities Book 1

Angela Rush
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 UNFOUNDED
INVICTUS SECURITIES
BOOK ONE

ANGELA RUSH
 Copyright © 2024 by Angela Rush
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems,
without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual persons, events, or places is coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form, except for brief quotes
for book review or advertising.

Unfounded: Invictus Securities Book 1

Written by: Angela Rush
Published by: Weird Nannie Publishing
Edited by: Tracy Roelle
Proofreader: Jo West at Turn the pages proofreading
Cover Model: Tony Brettman
Photo by: Golden Czermak @ Furious Fotog
Cover design by: Regina Wamba
Copyright © 2024 by Angela Rush

Created with Vellum

 For my Family

Johnny, Elizabeth, Erin, John Curtis, John Tyler, and Isabella.

Thank you for understanding my need to get the chaos out of my head. I know it’s not easy putting up with me, especially
when I’m in the zone.
Just remember you can’t handle my undivided attention!
Love you all!
"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams." —Dr. Seuss
 CONTENTS
Introduction
Prologue
1. Luke
2. Marley
3. Luke
4. Marley
5. Luke
6. Marley
7. Luke
8. Marley
9. Luke
10. Marley
11. Luke
12. Marley
13. Luke
14. Marley
15. Luke
16. Marley
17. Luke
18. Marley
19. Luke
20. Marley
21. Luke
22. Marley
23. Luke
24. Marley
25. Marley
26. Luke
27. Luke
28. Marley
29. Luke
30. Marley
31. Luke
32. Marley
33. Luke
34. Marley
35. Luke
36. Luke
37. Marley
38. Luke
39. Marley
40. Luke
41. Kristen
42. Marley
43. Luke
44. Marley
45. Luke
46. Marley
47. Luke
48. Luke
49. Marley
50. Marley
51. Luke
52. Marley
Afterward
Preview of Unlocked
Preview Continued
Acknowledgments
Also by Angela Rush
About the Author
 INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the world of Invictus Securities!

I hope you will enjoy diving in with Luke Robertson and all the guys at Invictus Security and Protection Agency. These men
are strong alpha males who learn to lose their hard edges when the perfect woman for them lands in their life.
The women learn how to be strong with the man who completes them at their side. The ride isn’t always easy, but I
guarantee a HEA for all the couples.
Trigger Warnings:
Reader beware this work contains scenes of physical abuse, kidnapping, and confinement in dark spaces.
This book is intended for those 18+ and contains sex scenes, foul language, and violence.
 PROLOGUE

LUKE

I ’m worried about my sister, Daisy. I told her not to go to the party at the lake, but she wouldn’t listen. She’s always
been so independent. I should have known better than trying to talk her out of it. Maybe if I’d used reverse psychology
and told her she had to go she wouldn’t have gone. At least John my best friend agreed to go and keep an eye on her. I
couldn’t go because I had to work at the video store. I had a bad feeling about this party from the moment Daisy told me Amy
had invited her.
Amy is John’s sister, and she is trouble with a capital T. She’s the captain of the cheerleading squad and is used to getting
her way. She’s been all over me for the last couple of weeks ever since she broke up with Dylan Riker. The two have been on
again, off again since our freshman year. Whenever they break up, she goes after another guy to make Dylan jealous. She’s been
with almost every member of the football and basketball teams with the exception of myself and John.
John has been in more than one fight over the years due to guys talking shit about Amy. What an easy lay she is and all the
things she’s done with them. I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole. First and foremost because she’s my best friend’s sister,
but also because she’s way to free with herself. I’m not interested in a girl who’ll lay down with anyone. Don’t get me wrong,
I’m like any teenage boy. I have sex on my mind most of the time, but I have standards.
Amy is a pretty girl, but her personality is a huge turn off. She’s vain and entitled, which makes her very high maintenance.
Her parents are loaded and give her whatever she wants. She expects everyone else to do the same, but not me. I’ve done my
best to not give her the time of day, which is why I think she’s been trying so hard to get me to go out with her. She doesn’t like
being told no. When Daisy told me Amy had invited her to the party, I worried Amy was up to no good. She’s either going to try
to use Daisy to get to me, or she’s going to get back at me by doing something to Daisy.
The store phone ringing pulls me out of my worries. I grab the cordless phone. “Movies and More, this is Luke how may I
help you?” I answer while restocking movies on the shelf. I’m met with sobbing, and I immediately know it’s Daisy. Fuck!
Something has happened at the damn party no doubt. She’s trying to speak, but I can’t understand a word she’s saying through
all the crying. “I’ll be right there, just wait for me.”
Hanging up the phone, I pray the owner won’t be to upset with me for closing the store ten minutes early. There hasn’t been
anyone in the store for the last twenty minutes, but at the moment, I don’t care if he is upset. Daisy is in trouble, and she is more
important. I can’t afford to lose my job, but I’ll worry about it later. My sister needs me. Everyone in the family depends on me
to keep the lights on and food in the house. Mom is gone again chasing after a man. It wouldn’t matter if she were here. She can
never keep a job more than a few weeks at a time, anyway. I’m only seventeen, but I’ve been the adult in our family for the last
seven years, ever since my dad left for work and never came home.
I quickly begin shutting off the lights. I flip the sign on the door to closed as I lock the front door. Then I hurry to the back
door, making sure it’s locked up tight, before making my way to my old multi-colored sedan. It’s a Chevy Celebrity that I’d
gotten for a steal. It had been wrecked a couple of times and was beat all to hell, but I’ve managed to find parts at the local
junk yard and piece her back together. She might look like shit, but she runs like a dream and has room for all us kids. That’s
the most important thing. I wanted a pickup truck like most of the other guys my age drive, but there isn’t enough room in the
cab of a pickup for all my siblings so I had to get a car. This was the first one I came across in my meager price range. I climb
behind the wheel and head toward the lake where the bonfire party was supposed to take place.

AS I DRIVE, I’m worrying about what has happened at the party. John promised me he would look after Daisy. Why is she there
all alone? Why didn’t he stay and protect her? Better yet why didn’t he drive her home? The road to the lake is curvy as hell,
so I can’t go as fast as I would like. I want to get there in one piece. I won’t do Daisy any good by wrapping my car around a
tree in my haste.
My mind drifts to the worries I’ve been having over the last few weeks. I’ve decided to enlist in the Marines when high
school is over, but I’m worried about Daisy and my younger brothers. How will they survive while I’m gone? Daisy is old
enough to get a job now, and I’ll be getting paid as soon as boot camp starts, so I’ll still be able to keep the bills paid. My
biggest worry is the boys staying focused on school and not giving Daisy too much shit. She’ll be in charge when I leave, and I
know just how hard it is to keep everyone in line and on task.
I shouldn’t feel guilty about leaving, but I do. I know it’s the best decision. I’ll make a good salary and be doing something
that I believe I’ll love. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a Marine. My grandpa on Mom’s side was a Marine. I
used to sit and listen to him and his buddies tell stories about being in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Some of the stories were
horrible, but the bonds he had with his fellow Marines is what drew me. I want that life, to know my brothers have my back no
matter what. I want to make a difference in the world and protect my country.
The night is dark and fog is rolling in. I slow my car down as I get closer to the lake. Deer are known to dart across the
road on nights like this. I’m rounding a curve when I see the headlights of another car approaching. I slow considerably not
wanting to take a chance on crossing the center line and hitting the other car by not making the curve on my side. I should be
worried about the other car, however, it’s on my side and running at a high rate of speed. There’s no way to avoid the crash.
My last thought is Daisy. She’s all alone and crying. I’ll never make it to her. What will happen to her?

AWARENESS COMES SLOWLY. Something is beeping rhythmically, and it’s irritating as hell. It’s getting faster, and that is only
annoying me even more. Damn, my head hurts. I wish someone would shut off that beeping. I try to open my eyes, but they’re so
heavy. I don’t know why I’m so tired. What day is it? Do I have school or work today? Fuck! I need to get up and see what the
hell is beeping like that. It doesn’t sound my alarm clock. I finally force my eyes to open, but the room is entirely too bright.
“Luke! Oh my God!” Daisy’s voice comes to me from my left. “You’re awake!” I turn my head to look at her, but my head
feels heavy. What the hell is wrong with me? “Oh Luke!” Daisy is sobbing uncontrollably. I reach out to comfort her, but I can
barely move my arm. I blink my eyes, trying to get them to focus. I look up and realize I’m not at home. I lift my head slightly,
taking in my surroundings. I’m in a hospital room.
“Wh-wh-” My voice cracks. My throat is so dry I can’t speak. I finally manage to get my hand up enough to place it on
Daisy’s head, which is resting on my chest as she cries. My head falls back and I close my eyes to the brightness of the room. I
try to remember how I got here, but my head is pounding, and my thoughts are fuzzy. My face pinches as I concentrate in an
attempt to remember. I hear a door opening. I open my eyes again to see a nurse walking toward us.
“Hey there Mr. Robertson.” The woman is smiling down at me. “My name is Sherry. I’ll be your nurse for the rest of the
night. I’m glad to see you’re awake. I’ll let your doctor know.” I attempt to speak again, but all that comes out is a squeak. The
nurse steps away, before coming back to my side. My head begins to slowly elevate as I hear the hum of the bed as it rises.
“Here, take a sip.” The nurse holds a straw to my mouth. I take a sip of the cool water, and it soothes my parched throat. I
gulp down another big sip. “Whoa, slow down. You don’t want to make yourself sick.”
“What happened?” I ask. Daisy raises her head. Her eyes are red with tears streaming down her face. Her nose is swollen
and dripping snot. The nurse hands her a tissue. I keep looking between the nurse and Daisy, waiting for answers. It seems
neither one is willing to give me an answer to my question. “Daisy, tell me how I ended up here,” I demand. She swallows
suddenly looking nervous. Her eyes flit to the nurse.
“You were in a car accident,” the nurse replies. I frown, trying desperately to remember. I focus on the last thing I can
remember. I was arguing with Daisy about going to the lake. She’d been sassing me that she was sixteen years old, and I wasn’t
the boss of her. I look at her again. She’s refusing to meet my gaze.
“Daisy?” I know something happened, but she is less than willing to be forthcoming. I’m about to demand she tell me what
she’s hiding when the door to my room opens. An older man enters the room in scrubs and white lab coat.
“Good to see you awake, Mr. Robertson,” the man says as he nears my bed. He flashes a bright light into my eyes while
holding my lids open, which only causes my headache to worsen. He asks me to squeeze his hands, stick out my tongue, and
several other things that make no sense to me. He moves down to my legs. “Wiggle your toes for me.” I do as he says, but the
man frowns. He does something at the foot of my bed, but I can’t see what he’s doing. “Tell me when you feel me touch you.” I
frown as I wait, but I don’t feel a thing. I glance at Daisy. She’s pale. I notice sweat beaded on her forehead, fear on her face. I
look back at the doctor. I can see him touching each of my legs near my knees, but I don’t feel a damn thing. I attempt to lift my
left leg. It feels like I’m making it move, but nothing happens.
“Doc, what’s wrong with my legs?” Even I can hear the panic in my voice. The doctor meets my gaze. I can tell he’s about
to destroy my world.
“Your back was fractured in the accident,” the doctor explains. “You have a spinal cord injury. We won’t know for a while
how much function you’ll get back, but it’s likely you will be wheelchair bound for the rest of your life.” As his words sink in,
I realize my life is essentially over. Every dream I had is gone in the blink of an eye.
 LUKE

T wenty years later…

Sitting in my office, I take a look around at the mess spread out on my desk. Normally I’m a very neat, ordered
person, but my company has taken on several new clients in the last few weeks. I’m trying to make sure they are all
getting what they need and that we are getting paid what we are due so I can pay my staff. The ringing of my cell phone draws
my attention away from the disarray before me. I snatch it off my desk and answer gruffly.
“Robertson,” I bark into the phone, annoyed at the interruption of my train of thought. I didn’t even bother to see who was
calling.
“Well, hello to you too brother,” Bo, the oldest of my younger brothers greets. “We’re about to break for lunch. You want to
go with?” I look at my desk, once again, and consider not going, but my stomach takes that moment to add its two cents to the
conversation with a loud complaint. I suppose I should take time for lunch.
“Sure, where are you going?” I ask, hoping they’ll chose my favorite restaurant of late. There’s a waitress, Marley
Morrison, who has captured my attention like no woman ever has. One of these days, I’m going to ask for her number, but I
keep putting it off. I’m not sure what’s been holding me back. It’s not that I’m in a wheelchair. She doesn’t seem to mind. Of
course, she’s noticed, but she doesn’t look at me with pity or disdain as I’ve gotten from some people. She treats me the same
as she does any of her other customers. She’s very thoughtful, kind, intelligent, and funny. I’ve begun eating there more often
since meeting her about six months or so ago. She’s always happy and friendly. We’ve gotten to be on a first name basis and
have some interesting discussions when I’m eating alone.
“It doesn’t matter,” Bo replies, pulling me out of my thoughts, “What are you in the mood for? We’ve been arguing for
twenty minutes, so we’ll go wherever you want.” I smile into the phone. My brothers are grown men but act like children. Most
of the time, it annoys the hell out of me, but in this case, I’m happy to step up and tell them where to eat.
“Meet me at The Bistro on south main in fifteen,” I answer, moving quickly to organize the mess in front of me before
leaving. The phone line muffles as I hear him relate my instructions to our other brothers and colleagues.
“Good deal, bro.” Bo returns to the line. “We’ll see you soon.” When my desk looks semi-decent, I grab my keys and phone
before rolling back from my desk. I make my way out of my office and into the reception area to let my secretary Kristen Jones
know I’m heading out for lunch. She looks up as I approach, her face lighting up.
“Hi Luke,” she says in a breathy voice. “What can I do for you?” I’ve noticed she’s been overly eager to please me ever
since she began working here a couple of months ago, when my previous secretary took a six-month sabbatical to welcome a
new grandbaby into the family. I really miss Connie. She was an efficient secretary and like the mother I never had. I’ll
definitely hire her again if she chooses to come back, but I’m concerned she’ll decide she wants to retire altogether to be the
babysitter. I can’t blame her. Who knows? I might want to be a stay home dad if I had a kid of my own. I can’t imagine not
doing the work I do, but I might feel differently when I hold my child for the first time.
Kristen rises to her feet, pushing her office chair back. She comes around the desk to stand beside me. She’s a pretty little
thing with long blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and willowy frame, but I’ve never felt any attraction to her. It’s part of the reason
I hired her. The last thing I needed was a distraction at work, being attracted to your secretary would definitely not be good for
business.
“I’m heading out for lunch,” I inform her. “Please forward any important calls to my cell phone.” I begin making my way to
the side door that leads to the parking lot. Kristen hurries to press the automatic door opener.
“Bye Luke, I’ll see you when you get back?” Kristen’s statement ends as a question. I just give her a nod as I sigh in
annoyance. I’ve told her multiple times I don’t need her to get the door for me. I’m fully capable to doing it on my own, but she
ignores me. She treats me like I’m disabled, not the highly capable, successful businessman that I am.
Today, I decide I’m not going to waste my breath. I’m interested in getting to the Bistro to see if my favorite waitress,
Marley, is working today. I’m becoming obsessed with the woman. It’s not healthy. I need to do something about it soon. Either
ask her out or put her out of my mind. I’ve held back asking her mainly because I can tell she’s different. She isn’t a one-night
stand kind of woman. She’s the kind who gives a man ideas. Life changing, dangerous to the heart ideas.
 I huff out a laugh as I wheel across the lot to my specially equipped SUV. I’m not being honest with myself. The real reason
I haven’t asked her out is because I’m afraid she’ll turn me down. I’ve never been a coward before and never taken it hard
when a woman turned me down, but I don’t think that’ll be the case with Marley Morrison. I know I’d be hurt if she said no,
and not knowing is better than finding out what her answer will be. I just want to enjoy her company a little longer, before I
take a leap of faith that could end the easy friendship we have established.
Pressing the button on my key fob, the SUV’s lights blink with a beep to alert I’ve unlocked the doors. I press another button
to trigger the driver’s door to open and lift to descend. I make my way over and position my chair on the lift. Hitting the button
again, the lift raises my chair into the vehicle where I can roll into the locking mechanism. This ride cost a small fortune, but
it’s worth it to me. It gives me a lot more independence. I don’t need someone to load and unload my wheelchair. With this
specially outfitted vehicle, my wheelchair is my driver’s seat. Everything is secured, seatbelts and all. It has a secondary
driving system on the passenger side, as well, just in case something happens that I can’t drive, and I need one of my brothers
to drive for me. Once I’m secured, I start the engine and pull out of the lot in the direction of the Bistro. Hope blooming that
Marley will be on duty today.
I arrive just as Bo and Rosco are pulling into the Bistro’s parking lot. The rest of the gang is nowhere to be seen, yet. By
the time I’m out of my vehicle, Bo and Rosco are waiting patiently for me. We head toward the door of the restaurant. The
delicious smells making my stomach growl again. It’s been far too long since breakfast.
“Damn bro.” Bo chuckles. “You got an alien in there?” He pulls the door open, holding it while I wheel myself inside. It
takes a minute for my eyes to adjust to the change in lighting. When it does, I see an angel headed our way with a big smile on
her beautiful face. The woman isn’t very tall around five-two by my estimate. She’s curvy with full hips and thighs. Her large
tits bounce as she walks toward us. Her long, wavy, brown hair is secured on top of her head in a messy bun. Damn the sight of
her, takes my breath. It’s my lucky day. Marley is working. I greet her as she approaches.
“Hello, Marley.” I say, noticing her smile widen and her cheeks flush when I say her name. I’m sure my smile is matching
hers.
“Hi Luke,” she returns sweetly. “How many in your party today?”
“Six,” I answer. “The others will be along shortly.” She just keeps smiling so sweetly, as she looks over the board on the
hostess stand before leading us to a table. She efficiently takes our drink order and hurries off to the kitchen to fill them,
checking on other customers along the way. She’s an excellent waitress, efficient and friendly.
I really should just bite the bullet and ask her out before someone else snatches her up. She’s entirely too perfect to stay
single long. How do I know she’s single? Because I casually asked a couple days ago when I came in by myself to grab dinner
before heading home. Marley was at the end of her shift but placed me at one of her tables and stayed over until I was finished.
I’d asked if she didn’t have someone waiting on her at home, but she laughed and said no. “I’m not married… or seeing
anyone,” she’d added. I wondered at the time if she was perhaps hinting for me to make my move, but I lost my nerve at the
last minute.
I watch for her to return with our drinks, ignoring my brothers as they rattle on about nonsense. She emerges from the door
she disappeared behind to get our drinks. I see it about to happen, but there’s no way to stop the impending collision. One of
the other waitresses is walking with her head down looking at her cell phone, headed right for Marley who’s carrying the tray
with our drinks on it. Miraculously Marley spins to the right at the last second avoiding a potential disaster. She gives the
young girl a hard look, but the teen keeps on going not even noticing what almost just happened. Marley shakes her head as she
watches the girl continue on her way with her head down. Enos, my youngest brother, along with Dalton and Kelvin have
arrived in the meantime. When Marley arrives at our table, they order their drinks, and we place our food order. Then we get
down to business.
“I went over the scenario again,” Enos states. “I don’t see how a shooter was able to get the jump on us. We had scoped out
the area thoroughly, looked into every possible angle. It feels like someone in the know used that knowledge to get at this guy. I
know it wasn’t any of us, so that only leaves Wilson and his buddy, but why would Wilson have someone shoot at him? Unless
he’s trying to get us to take him more seriously?” His statement ends questioningly.
“Yeah,” I agree. “It doesn’t make sense to me either. Something has been off with this guy from the beginning. I haven’t
quite figured it out. I mean, he seems legitimately afraid of something, but I feel like he’s lying to us all the same. His
motivation for the information he’s seeking doesn’t sit right. We need to proceed with caution on this one.”
“For sure,” Bo chimes in. “I don’t relish us getting caught up in a federal case. That’s some shit you can’t easily get out of.”
Bo is correct. We could get wrapped up in something we might not be able to get out of easily. I don’t want to spend my next
thirty years in a federal penitentiary.
I look around the Bistro in search of the beautiful Marley. I see her clearing off a table, placing dirty dishes and silverware
into a large square tub. She’s so beautiful and sexy even in her uniform with the large apron covering the front of her body. Her
head jerks up to look at the men sitting at the next table when they raise their voices. She puts down the cloth she’s been wiping
the table with and dries her hands on her apron. I try not to stare, but her head had come up so abruptly as if one of the men had
spoken sharply to her.
 I try to focus back on what Bo and Enos are discussing, but I find myself looking for her again. This time she’s speaking to
the men who’d gotten her attention. Her face is pinched with concern. The customers seem to be upset about something, and she
seems to be trying desperately to appease them, but they aren’t having it. I’m wondering if she needs some back up as they are
beginning to get rather loud. The men are foreign, Arabic in appearance. Their voices raise in ire, rattling on in Arabic and
broken English. Marley looks afraid. I ease back from my table to head over to her. Bo follows my gaze and stands as well,
following me toward the now escalating altercation.
One of the men at the table looks up to see our approach. He grabs his buddy’s attention. After some unspoken
communication, they jump up from their table. Fear shoots through me that they are about to physically hurt Marley. They leave
the restaurant in a hurry, pushing her out of their way as they go. She stumbles sideways but manages to remain on her feet. Her
eyes follow after them, looking scared but relieved as well.
“Everything all right Marley?” I ask when we reach her. She jumps in response to my words. Spinning around to face us.
Her hand going to her chest in fright.
“Oh my!” she exclaims, “you scared me!” She laughs nervously as she gets herself calmed down. “Yeah, everything is all
right. I don’t know what those guys’ problem is. They seemed upset I was near their table. I couldn’t understand much of what
they were saying, but the one guy who spoke some English kept saying, you don’t listen to our speaking”–she glances back at
the door nervously–“or you’ll be sorry.” She shivers. Instinctively I reach out to take her hand in mine.
“You’re okay,” I assure her. “I’d never let them hurt you.” She looks at me, nodding, she takes a shuddering breath.
Exhaling, her sweet smile returns.
“Let me get you guys some dessert.” She squeezes my hand briefly, before hurrying into the kitchen. I let out the breath I’d
been holding. She’s too damn sweet for the likes of my sorry ass.
 M A R LE Y

A few months later…

The hair on the back of my neck prickles, standing on end, as a hard shiver racks my body. Something isn’t right. I
feel as if someone is watching me. Looking around the dim parking lot, every shadowy corner seems to look like a
person. My eyes strain to make out what’s reality and what’s my over active imagination. After several minutes of close
observation, I can’t make out a person anywhere. I take a deep breath to calm myself down. I’m beginning to think I’m losing
my ever-loving mind. I carry the heavy bags of trash out of the back of the Bistro and toss them into the dumpster, before
hurrying back inside.
For weeks now, I’ve had the sensation of being watched and followed, but so far, I’ve not seen anyone suspicious. Maybe
it’s just all the stress I’ve been under lately. My bank account was mysteriously emptied, leaving me in financial distress. On
top of that, I’ve been getting calls and emails about accounts I didn’t open demanding payment. I have no idea what’s happening
to me.
The only bright spot in my world lately has been the gorgeous man who comes to my work place nearly every day for
lunch. He seems to make it a point to look for me when he arrives. I’ve been making sure to seat him at one of my tables, which
seems to please him. He is the kindest person I’ve ever met. So polite and well mannered. I wonder how he came to be in the
wheelchair, but I’d never ask. He doesn’t seem to let his disability keep him from doing anything he wants to do.
I’ve never asked about his work, but I’ve heard him on his phone discussing jobs and clients. Sometimes he meets people
to have a working lunch or dinner. He always tips well, and lately he’s bragged to the owner and some of his dinner guests
about my excellent service as a waitress. It felt nice hearing him praise my work, but I don’t plan to be a waitress forever. I
have big dreams for a girl who grew up without anything the way I did.
I’m in culinary arts school. My dream is to become a pastry chef and maybe, just maybe, someday own my own restaurant. I
know that’ll be years down the road, but a girl can dream. I’ve just turned thirty, and while some people would say I’m at mid-
life, I feel as if I’m just getting started. I haven’t had an easy life, but I’m not complaining. I’ve learned to be self-sufficient.
However, if things keep going the way they have been over the last few weeks, I’m not so sure I’ll be able to continue to take
care of myself.
I worry that with everything that’s been happening lately my dreams may never come to fruition. Someone is out to destroy
me, and I have no idea why. I live a quiet life, keep to myself, and mind my own business. I don’t know why someone wants to
hurt me, but I know everything that’s been happening isn’t just some fluke or coincidence. It’s a concerted effort to ruin my life.
The not knowing who or why is driving me crazy. It’s all I can think about.
With my work day over, I hurry to my car and climb inside, locking the door behind me. I hate working the late shift now.
I’m always convinced someone is hiding in the shadows ready to haul me off when I’m leaving this late at night, but due to my
financial crisis, a girl has to do what a girl has to do. I drive the short distance to my rental duplex. It’s not in the best of areas,
but it’s all I can afford. Honestly if things don’t improve, I may have to consider moving back in with my mom for a while.
I enter the foyer, and instantly goosebumps erupt over my skin. I have the uncanny sensation someone has been in here
recently. I begin flipping lights on rapidly, checking the entire place, but I don’t find the faceless intruder I’ve envisioned. I let
out a shaky laugh at myself.
“Calm down, crazy,” I say to the empty house. “There’s no one here, but you.” I open the refrigerator door and take out the
bottle of wine I splurged on a few weeks ago, before my life when to shit. If anything called for a drink, this is it. I really need
some hard stuff, but I’m a light weight when it comes to alcohol, I refuse to pay the price for a bottle of liquor that will take me
years to consume, not that I’ll drink the wine up in no time either. This will be in my fridge for months.
At least no one can accuse me of being a wino like my sperm donor. He couldn’t bother to stick around and help mom raise
me. He was too busy drowning in the next bottle of booze and looking for the next Mrs. Wrong. He never bothered to marry any
of the revolving door of women who came and went in his life. I suppose he was the tiniest bit smart on that account.
Taking a glass from the cabinet, I pour a liberal amount of the ruby-red, relaxation-in-a-glass, delicious liquid into my wine
glass, replace the bottle to its spot in the door, and head for the living room to unwind. I need to watch myself. I do not want to
become what my poor father had become before his death: a drunk with no one at his side when his time came. I just need a
little something to help me calm down so I can sleep. I have another long day ahead of me tomorrow.
It occurs to me, perhaps, that’s how it started for dad, too. Just needing to relax, one shot, one beer won’t hurt, right? Then
the next thing you know, a fifth of Jim Bean isn’t enough. I take another sip of my wine but head to the kitchen to pour the rest of
it out. I’m not about to ruin what’s left of my life with alcohol. I head to bed so I can go out and do it all again tomorrow.
The next afternoon, the jingle of the bells on the door of the Bistro draws my attention. I’m serving as hostess and waitress
today as Sally Sawyer called off work this morning. Her daughter had her baby during the night, and Sally is taking a few
weeks off to help with the new grandbaby, which means we’ll be working short for the foreseeable future. I’ll be pulling longer
shifts and extra days, but that’s okay. I need the extra money the tips and longer hours will bring in. I’ve been struggling to pay
my rent and utilities since the bank account fiasco. The bank is looking into it, but I’m afraid they’re never going to figure out
what happened and get my money back. I’ve changed my account number, but it’s not going to be easy to replace the money that
was taken. Now I’ll be trying to attend school and work long hours. I’ll be getting very little if any sleep, but it’s only two
weeks. Surely I can survive the long days.
My heart flutters in my chest when I see who’s entering the bistro. It’s Luke Robertson. The handsome man in the
wheelchair who’s on my mind more often than I’d like to admit. He’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him. His jet-black hair,
with a matching full beard and mustache, is right up my alley in what I like in a man. I can tell he’s really strong, too. His
biceps are huge, stretching the fabric of his dress shirt to the brink. He has his sleeves rolled up to his elbows today, and I can’t
keep my eyes from watching the way the muscles in his forearms move as he rolls his chair. The man must work out regularly,
although I suppose wheeling himself around helps in that department as well. I hurry over to greet him and his three
companions when they enter.
“Hello Luke, welcome to the Bistro,” I greet them. “How many today?”
“Hello, Marley,” Luke returns. “We’ll have the usual six. The rest are on their way. They should be here soon.” I nod as I
look over the restaurant map. It feels like déjà vu. So many times, I’ve gotten a table for him and his posse of men. I see that I
have a table open that’s large enough to accommodate the group, so naturally I’ll put him in my section.
“Right this way,” I say as I lead him and the other men toward one of my larger tables. I could have seated them at Laura’s
table, but I rationalize that I’m better able to handle the larger group. Laura’s still training, and she is easily flustered even
though she’s been here for months. She isn’t catching on, and I don’t believe she ever will. She has no motivation to learn or
get better. I have more tables at the moment than she does, and some other waitresses would complain that I’m trying to get all
the tips, but Laura couldn’t care less. She is very young and spoiled. She’s only working because her parents are making her in
an attempt to instill the value of a dollar in her, but I don’t think it’s going to take. She doesn’t have a very good work ethic.
She’d rather be on Tik Toc than waiting on her customers.
Luke is a very good customer. I don’t want him getting subpar service. At least that’s what I tell myself as we cross the
restaurant. If I was honest, I’d admit I like being his waitress. He’s not only generous with tips and compliments but with
smiles too. They light up his handsome face making him almost irresistible. I couldn’t help but notice he isn’t wearing a
wedding band. I’m surprised he isn’t married, but surely he must have a girlfriend. Although I’ve never seen him with a
woman.
I shouldn’t be daydreaming about the handsome man. He’s a successful business man, and I’m just a waitress with big
dreams that will likely never come true. Besides, with all the trouble I’ve had lately, no one would want to get involved with
me. And honestly, I couldn’t blame them. My life is becoming increasingly more difficult. It’s like someone is systematically
destroying my meager pathetic life one step at a time, and I have no idea why. I’m a nobody from the wrong side of the tracks.
I’ve never had much and most likely never will. I’m fine with it. I’d made my peace with the direction of my life until all this
began happening.
We reach the table, and I remove a chair to make room for Luke’s wheelchair. He smiles at me as I carry the other chair
away. My already pounding heart speeds up when our eyes meet. I can feel the attraction flaring between us. My nipples harden
of their own volition as my mind imagines him smiling at me in another, more intimate, setting. More and more often, my mind
drifts in that direction whenever Luke is around. It’s been way too long since I’ve taken care of myself. I really need to do
something about it.
Luke rolls into the empty spot I’ve made for him at the table. I will my racing heart and over active libido to calm
themselves down. I don’t need to be drooling all over my customer like a hungry wolf over a rabbit. “Focus, girl get it
together!” I chastise myself.
“May I get you something to drink while you wait for the others?” I ask when I have placed to extra chair out of the way.
Luke looks at the other men at the table with him. They all nod and begin telling me their drink orders. Once I have them written
down, I hurry off to the kitchen to get them, stopping along the way to get refill orders from a couple of other tables. My heart is
still racing from just seeing the handsome man as I fill glasses with ice. I really need to get out more. Getting all torn up over a
customer isn’t me. I’ve always been polite to my customers, but never really looked at any of them as anything other than a
customer. That is until Luke Robertson came into the Bistro about a year ago.
 Since the first day I saw him, my attraction to him as been strong and has only gotten stronger over time. He only came in
every once in a while, at first, but over the last six months, he’s begun coming in more often. I suppose he doesn’t like to cook,
or maybe he really likes the food here. I’m not sure which is the case, but I catch myself hoping to see him every day. It’s
bordering on an obsession. I really need to get him off my mind.
Even if he were interested, I don’t have time to date. Between work and school, I’m burning the candle at both ends. Now
with the looming financial crisis, I have to be more focused than ever. I can’t afford to let one of the balls I’m juggling drop.
Perhaps I should purchase a vibrator and actually use it so I don’t keep having these inappropriate thoughts. I shrug my
shoulders to myself as I place the last drink on my tray.
I carry the tray laden with drinks back out into the restaurant, meeting Laura as I go. The girl has her head down looking at
her cell phone, again. I can’t remember how many times I’ve talked to her about this and the near misses we’ve had. I try to
alert her to the impending collision, but she’s moving too fast. I can’t get out of the way in time with my heavy tray.
A shriek leaves my lips as Laura plows into me. I wobble in a desperate effort to keep my balance, but as hard as I try, I
can’t hang onto the tray. The impact is too much, and it tips to one side. The drinks slide to the edge and catch briefly on the lip
of the tray, but all the weight is on one side, and the tray flips right out of my hand crashing to the floor. Glass, liquids, and ice
scattering across the tile floor. All eyes in the restaurant turn toward us at the loud commotion we’ve made.
“Oh shit!” Laura exclaims loudly. Her eyes widen as she views the wet mess on the floor. She looks up at me after a
second. Her face flaming red in embarrassment. I can feel my face is flushed as well not only from embarrassment for making a
mess in front of customers but with irritation and frustration, too. Laura has been told several times not to be on her phone
when she’s working. This wouldn’t have happened if she’d been paying attention.
“I…I’m really sorry, Marley,” Laura whispers. “I didn’t see you coming.” I sigh. I’m angry but yelling at her in front of
everyone is only going to make matters worse. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes briefly as I pray for patience and
understanding, trying very hard to remember what it’s like to be a teenager without responsibilities.
“I know you didn’t see me, Laura,” I reply, keeping my voice even and calm. “You were looking at your phone…again.
This is just one of the reason’s I’ve told you not to be on your phone when you’re working.” The girl at least has the decency to
look like she feels bad for causing the accident. “Stand here so no one falls on the wet floor while I go get stuff to clean this
up.”
Laura nods her face deepening to a magenta shade of red. I turn and hurry to get the broom, dustpan, a mop, and the wet
floor sign. The last thing we need is for someone to slip and fall on the tile floor. The owner would likely fire both of us if they
got sued over a mess we made.
As soon as the mess is cleaned up, I fix another tray of drinks. Dropping off refills as I go, I hurry to Luke’s table. So much
for giving him excellent service, I think as I near the men sitting around the large wooden table. It seems his other guests have
joined the group during the interruption. I’ll need to get their drinks, too.
“I’m so sorry for the delay,” I say as I begin setting their drinks down in front of them. “I had a little accident on the way
over.” I give each of them my best customer service smile as I place their drinks in front of them.
“Don’t worry about it,” Luke says kindly. “I saw what happened. The girl needs to pay more attention to her job and less to
her phone.” I just grin at him in answer. It wouldn’t do for me to bash Laura to a customer even though I agree with his every
word. I quickly get the other guests’ drink orders and take down their choice of appetizers. Luke orders for the group. I notice
several of the men look so much like him. They have to be brothers, I think. They sure tease each other the way my childhood’s
best friend’s brothers picked at her when we were growing up.
Once the order is in and I’ve brought out the other drinks, I check on my other customers. I give Luke’s newcomers time to
look over the menu before I go back to take their meal order. I hurry back to the kitchen as soon as I have their order so the
cooks can begin preparing their meals. While I’m there, I pick up the appetizers Luke ordered and drop them off. The men jump
on the food as soon as I set it down on the table like they’ve been without food for days.
An hour later, the men are just finishing their meal. I begin to clear away their dishes, ask about refills on their drinks, and
if they want dessert. The men are in deep discussion over security footage. I’m not trying to eavesdrop, but I can’t help
overhearing their conversation when I’m clearing the table. I wonder once more what kind of business Luke runs. The men are
all so serious in their conversation. One of the men mentions something about the angle the trajectory traveled and how they
could use that information to determine where it came from. This increases my curiosity even more because his statement
makes me think of the television series, C.S.I. The show is about a team solving crimes by using the same techniques these men
are discussing.
Is Luke with law enforcement? I’ve never seen him in uniform or with a badge, so I don’t think he is, but perhaps he’s
something else, like a private investigator or something. They pause when I’m gathering the plates but resume as soon as I
begin to move away from the table. It all sounds very technical as they discuss judging the quality and validity of video
footage. It’s all way over my head, so I don’t pay a lot of attention. I carry the dirty dishes to the sink in the back. I’m just about
to head back out of the kitchen when the owner calls me to his office.
“Marley,” Mr. Conner calls out. “I need to see you in my office.”
 “Yes, Sir,” I reply, changing direction. I’ve never been called into his office before, but maybe he’s just wanting to discuss
how we’re going to cover Sally’s shifts over the next two weeks. As soon as I’m in his office, Mr. Conner closes the door
behind us.
“Marley, I’ve gotten some complaints lately,” Mr. Conner begins, causing me to pause mid-way to my seat. Shock at what
I’m feeling is an understatement. I’ve never gotten a complaint about my service in all the years I’ve worked here. Oh no! I
think. Not here, too. First the bank, then the credit cards, and now my job. What’s it going to be next?
“What kind of complaints?” I ask as I take my seat, but I’m sure I already know the answer. I also know what he must be
about to do, and I just can’t fathom the thoughts of being fired. I’ve worked here for five years. My co-workers are like my
family.
“I’ve had several customers call and complain about your service, attitude, and even cleanliness,” Mr. Conner gives me a
stern look. “Marley you’ve worked here a number of years now, and you’ve always been a good employee. When I got the first
complaint, I dismissed it as someone wanting to get a free meal, but there have been over ten in the last two weeks. I can’t just
ignore them. Now what’s going on? Is something troubling you?” Mr. Conner has always been a kind employer, but I can tell
he’s beginning to believe the lies.
“Someone is out to get me,” I answer, deciding honesty is the best policy. “There have been a lot of crazy things going on in
my life lately. Mostly financial issues for which I have no explanation of why they happened, things being moved in my house,
and the sensation of being watched and followed. I’ve always given my customers the best service I possibly can, Mr. Conner.
I promise you I haven’t slacked off or changed my attitude with customers. Someone is trying to cause me to lose my job.” Mr.
Conner nods as he listens to what I have to say. “Please believe me!”
“I’ve never seen you be rude, lazy, or unclean,” Mr. Conner says after a minute of contemplative thought. “However, I can’t
ignore the complaints any longer. If it were the same person calling each time, I could believe it’s just someone with a vendetta
against you, but the voice and name has been different each time I’ve gotten a call.” He sighs heavily. “I don’t want to let you
go, Marley, but I’m beginning to feel like I don’t have a choice. The complaints are stacking up. I can’t afford to allow the
restaurant to get a bad reputation. You know how things like this spread on social media like wild fire. It could ruin my
business.”
My heart is beating wildly in my chest. This can’t be happening. Why is this happening? I try to think of something to save
myself, but there’s nothing I can say or do to change Mr. Conner’s mind. He’s already decided what he must do. I sit in stunned
silence as he says the words that put the final nail in my proverbial coffin.
“I’m sorry, Marley, but I have to let you go.” Mr. Conner’s voice is strained. I glance up at him, my vision blurry through
the tears that I can’t manage to keep from falling. “Please get your things. I’ll have your final paycheck ready in a couple of
days.”
I nod my understanding as I rise woodenly to my feet. My head swims as I turn to leave his office. Gripping the doorframe
tightly, I’m able to keep my feet. Taking a breath, I grit my teeth to keep from sobbing. I walk to the back of the kitchen and get
my purse. On auto-pilot, I walk out to my car and sit down in the driver’s seat. The tears keep falling as I sit there in complete
shock. What on earth am I going to do? The ringing of my cell phone draws me out of my woes temporarily.
“H-hello?” I answer the phone attempting to hide my tearful state, but I know I’m not being successful. Even I can hear the
anxiety and fear in my voice.
“Marley Morrison?” the voice on the other end of the line is unfamiliar. “This is Mrs. Cartwright” –the office manager of
my duplex– “I’m calling about your rent. My computer is showing you haven’t paid in three months. I looked back over your
rent history, and I know this isn’t like you so I wanted to see what is going on and see if we can get this cleared up?”
“I have paid!” I cry into the phone. This is just too much. I always make sure to pay my rent on time. “I have my receipts at
home. The receipts you gave me when I paid you. I’ll get them and bring them to you in the morning.”
“If you say so, Marley,” Mrs. Cartwright replies, but her tone indicates she doesn’t really believe me. “I keep meticulous
records. If you have paid, it would be in my system.” My heart nearly stops. I paid her directly, if she doesn’t remember me
paying, even if I bring in the receipts, she could still say they’re fakes. What am I going to do?
“I’ll be at your office first thing in the morning,” I declare pulling my determination to the forefront. I may be a blubbering
mess at the moment, but I’m not going to take this lying down. I’m going to fight for my reputation and find out the who, what,
and why all of this is happening to me. The line goes dead, and I stare at my phone for several long minutes. I can’t stop the
tears falling from my eyes. Despite my determination to keep my life from falling apart, it’s just too much. I need a minute to
wallow in my misery. Then I’ll get myself together.
I cover my face with my hands in an attempt to block out all the bad that’s happening to me. I rest my head on the steering
wheel as I sob harder than I ever have in my life. I’m not sure how long I stay with my head down resting on the steering wheel,
but it seems like an eternity. I just can’t pull myself together enough to drive home. A knock on the window of my car frightens
me, and I scream. Has my tormentor finally decided to come in person? I’m afraid to look, but I can’t stop myself.
 LUKE

M y chair hangs on the threshold of the door as I attempt to wheel myself out of the restaurant. Putting a little more
force into pushing on the wheels of my chair, I roll out the door. I don’t want to admit it, but my mind isn’t on the
meeting I just had with my brothers and the other two members of our security company. I’m pissed off and worried,
but I don’t know what I’m going to do about it.
I need to be focused on the client and on a way to figure out who tried to eliminate them a couple of days ago, but instead
my mind is on the beautiful waitress, Marley. She disappeared after clearing our table. The other waitress who caused Marley
to drop her tray loaded with drinks brought us the check and looked as if she expected to collect Marley’s tip.

“I’ D LIKE to speak to Marley, please,” I inform the girl. I’m not about to give this lazy kid the tip that Marley deserves for the
great service she gave us. I always make sure to choose Marley’s table when I eat at the Bistro. I tell myself it’s because she’s
worked there a long time, is a good waitress, and goes above and beyond to make sure her customers have a good experience.
All of those things are true, but my reasons are deeper than just wanting to have a competent waitress. I like Marley. I’m
attracted to her. She’s beautiful, kind, and very intelligent.
We’ve had a few conversations about random things when I’ve been eating alone or waiting impatiently for my brothers or
clients who are running late. I’ve been trying to get up the nerve to ask her out, but I’m not sure she would want to date a man in
a wheelchair. It’s kind of a relationship killer. Most women look at me with pity. They view me as less than. Someone they
would have to take care of like an infant, which is completely untrue. I take care of myself. I cook, clean my home, drive
anywhere I want to go, and run my own business. I don’t need someone to take care of me.
A couple of women I dated saw me as a project. They wanted to ‘help’ me to be able to walk again, like I chose to be in a
wheelchair and haven’t tried everything possible to get back on my feet again. One woman kept sending me research studies on
nerve regeneration even after I made it clear I was no longer interested in dating her. I’ve exhausted all the possibilities as far
as being able to walk again goes. I’ve gained a lot of function back from when I first woke after the accident, but I’ll never
walk again, and I’m okay with it now.
Marley, however, has never made me feel uncomfortable about being in a wheelchair. She doesn’t make me feel like I’m
less of man. I’ve seen her looking at me with desire in her eyes. I was shocked the first time I saw it on her face. I thought she
was looking at one of my brothers, because they are handsome men. They never have to look hard to find a woman for the night.
Marley doesn’t seem to notice my brothers, other than waiting on them, but it’s different with me. The more I’ve gotten to know
her and spend time around her I know, it’s me she desires. We just seem to have some mystic connection. I felt it the first time I
saw her. My heart skipped a few beats in my chest when our eyes met. The feeling intensifies every time I see her. I find myself
missing her when I don’t see her for a day or two. She’s like a drug. I need a fix every single day.
“She’s not here,” the girl replies, reaching into the pocket of her apron to pull out her phone and look at it, typing quickly
then pocketing it once more. I want to roll my eyes at her behavior, but I restrain myself.
“What do you mean she’s not here?” I demand angrily. “She was literally just here five minutes ago.”
“I don’t know what to tell you, ” the girl replies with a shrug of her shoulders. “The boss said she’s gone.”
“Then get me the boss,” I reply a little more gruffly than I probably should, but this kid is getting on my nerves. No respect,
blatantly rude, and doesn’t hide the fact she’d rather be anywhere other than here. The girl stares at me in shock for a moment,
but then shrugs her shoulders again before turning to head into the back.
“What’s put a bee in your bonnet?” Bo asks. “You’re being awfully rude to that girl. She’s just trying to make a living.” I
glare at Bo, wondering if he’s lost his mind. Did he not see what I just saw? You don’t answer texts when waiting on
customers.
“I’m not being rude,” I inform him, my tone letting him know what an idiot he’s being. “She isn’t our waitress. I’m not
giving her the tip when all I’ve seen her do is text on her phone. Didn’t you see the accident she caused earlier because she
was looking at her phone instead of where she was going? She caused Marley to drop the tray with our drinks and then stood
by and watched while Marley cleaned up the mess!”
Bo stares at me for a moment before his face breaks into a huge shit-eating grin. I roll my eyes, sighing heavily as I wait for
whatever inane comment he’s about to make.
“You’ve got the hots for this Marley,” Bo declares. He turns to Rosco, another of our brothers, and punches him on the
shoulder. “Dude, Luke’s in love!” Bo proceeds to sing a kid’s song about kissing and sitting in a tree. The man is thirty-four
years old but acts like he’s ten. Rosco and Enos are no better. They both chime in singing their stupid hearts out. The things I
put up with in this family. Dalton and Kelvin, our longtime friends and employees sit back grinning, enjoying the show but,
thankfully, don’t join in with the trio.
I wish Daisy were here. She’s our only sister, and besides me, she’s the only one in the family with any sense. I suppose I
sheltered the younger ones too much when we were raising ourselves while our mother was out looking for her prince
charming. I took responsibility for the family, getting a job even before I was legally old enough to work, taking money under
the table to keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. I don’t regret a moment of the it, either. I might not have had a
typical teenage life growing up, but I’m proud of my siblings and how they’ve turned out. Even if my brothers are still acting
like children, they are all successful and independent adults.
Daisy is a doctor in the Navy, and I rarely see her any more. I worry about her more than the others, not just because I’m
around my brothers almost daily and not because she’s a female. It’s because she has a death wish. She volunteers to go into
combat zones to help the injured. I admire her bravery and her desire to save our service members, but I’m not happy at the
risks she takes. She has no regard for her own safety. Many times, I’ve sat at her bedside while she’s recovered from one injury
or another. I’ve complained to her superiors, but it hasn’t done any good. Daisy has made good arguments to support her
choices to put herself at risk. Getting care to service members during the ‘golden hour.’ The first hour after an injury in trauma
cases can make the difference between life, death, and disability. She’d passionately argued her point, and her superiors had
agreed with her. I expect to hear from the Navy any day that she’s been killed in action.
I know why she’s taking such risks, and it frustrates me to no end. She feels guilty over my accident and resulting paralysis.
I’ve tried to get her to understand what happened wasn’t her fault. Those kids who’d made a bad choice to drive drunk had
been at fault, but I can’t convince Daisy. She feels like it’s her fault for going to a party I’d tried to talk her out of and then
calling me to come get her when the girls at the party had treated her badly. I don’t blame Daisy, not anymore. I had been angry
with her, for a little while, when I’d first learned I’d never walk again, although I’ve never told her. She had been beating
herself up enough over it. I hadn’t wanted her to feel guilty and blame herself. It’s just how my life is meant to be. It took me a
little while to come to that conclusion, but I know in my heart it’s true.
Once I came to accept my fate, I let all my anger go. Even the anger I’d felt at the kids in the car that hit me. Most of them
died on scene, not having a chance to regret their poor decisions. I’d realized while my life was not going to be what I’d hoped
for, I’m alive. For me, at the end of the day, being alive to keep looking after my siblings had been more important than being
able to walk, to join the Marines, or to get married and have children of my own. I won’t lie and say there aren’t times when I
feel the loss of all those things, but I’ve chosen not to dwell on the loss but to embrace the life I have and make the best of it. I
can honestly say I’m happy with how my life has turned out, so far. I have a successful business, a college degree, a nice beach
house, and money in the bank. I have everything I want and need…at least mostly.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to discover, I do hope to find love someday, to find a woman who won’t mind me being in
the chair. A woman who’ll love me as I am. A woman like Marley, but I’m beginning to lose hope that’ll ever happen. I’m
thirty-seven years old. I know many people consider me to be in the prime of my life, and I suppose I am, but I feel the years
creeping up on me. It won’t be long before I’m forty and will likely have already lived half my life or more. I suppose I’m
greedy, because I want as many years with my life partner as I can get. Which means the longer it takes to find her, the less time
I’ll have with her. The arrival of the manager brings me out of my musings.
“Hello, I’m James Conner, the owner of this establishment,” an older man with graying hair and kind eyes says when he
approaches our table. “May I help you?”
“Yes,” I answer. “Where’s Marley, our waitress?” The man looks shocked at first and glances toward the parking lot.
“She’s no longer employed here,” James replies. His face flushing, whether from embarrassment or anger I’m not sure, but
his words have left me reeling. She was just here clearing our table. Why is she no longer employed?
“What do you mean?” I demand. “No longer employed? She was just here. Why did she quit?” I’m struggling to put all the
pieces together. She seemed fine just a few minutes ago. I’m sure she’d been frustrated with the other waitress who makes her
job harder, but she hadn’t seemed aggravated enough to quit her job.
“She didn’t quit,” James answers. I know my face is covered with shock. I feel my eyes widen and my eyebrows shoot up.
He fired her? Is the man insane? She’s an excellent waitress, and while I know I don’t really know her, I feel like I do. I can’t
fathom she would do anything to warrant being fired. “I won’t discuss my firing of an employee with a customer, sir. I’m sorry
if her service wasn’t up to par, but I’ve taken the necessary action to prevent any future issues. Now is there anything else I can
help you with?”
My anger flares red hot. I can’t believe this man would let Marley go. Despite my attraction to her, she seems to be a
genuinely good person. She works hard, and I won’t just sit here and not say or do something to defend her.
“Her service was more than above par. She’s an excellent waitress,” I convey. My voice hard as steel in my anger. “Unlike
the other young lady you have working today. You are a fool to let Marley go. I have eaten here almost daily for the last year or
so. A big reason for that is Marley. I bring clients here because the food is good and the service has been excellent, but no
more. I won’t be back, and I’ll make sure to let all my friends, family, and clients know this isn’t the sort of restaurant they
would want to patronize.”
Mr. Conner looks like he’s about to say something, but I hold up my hand cutting him off. “You fire a kind, competent
waitress while keeping a lazy, face-stuck-in-her-phone child? You should re-evaluate your business plan. Unless going out of
business is your plan.” I turn to my brothers as I throw cash down on the table for our meal. “Let’s get out of here.” I roll my
chair back and begin making my way to the door, leaving the owner gawking after us. Thankfully my brothers follow me
without making comments on my outburst, other than to agree with me that none of us will be back.
Once I’m in the parking lot, I begin making my way over to my SUV. The driver’s door opens, the lift descending. I back
onto it getting ready to leave this place behind when Bo appears at my side.
“We’ll meet you back at the office in an hour,” Bo informs me. “Enos has gotten a lead on the Henderson case we’re
working on. We are going to check it out, but we shouldn’t be long.” I nod my understanding although I’m only half listening.
My mind still on Marley. I can’t help but worry about what will happen to her. I’m sure she can easily get another job, but the
realization that I may never see her again hits me like a punch to the gut.
As I turn to tell Bo to be careful checking out the lead, my eyes catch a glimpse of a car near the back of the lot. A woman,
no, not any woman, Marley, is sitting in the driver’s seat. I lean forward trying to get a better look. She’s crying. I can see the
wetness gleaming on her cheeks. Her hands come up to cover her face, and she leans her head on the steering wheel. My heart
is aching at the sight. I can’t let her sit there all alone. I need to comfort her, to help her somehow.
“Out of my way,” I growl at Bo, who looks shocked at first, but then turns to see what’s caught my attention. When he sees
the car, I’m staring at, his face frowns, but he steps back as I begin pressing buttons to reverse the lift to get me out of my
vehicle. It’s at times like this, I feel frustration over my situation. It takes entirely too long for my liking to get my chair back on
the ground so I can get to Marley. I keep glancing her way, fearful she will drive away before I can get to her. Bo surprises me
when he speaks.
“You want me to go back in and kick the owner’s ass?” Bo is gritting his teeth in his anger. “Or better yet, I can just drag
him out here and let you kick his ass. Whichever way you want to play it.” If not for being so angry, I’d laugh. Neither of us
would attack a virtual stranger without just cause, and firing someone isn’t just cause to beat his ass, but the fact he’s made
Marley cry is just cause in my book. I’m stunned Bo is thinking along the same lines. Enos, Rosco, Kelvin, and Dalton come
over to see what’s going on. Enos is anxious to go check out his lead, but as has always been the case with us, family comes
first. Marley isn’t technically family, but because she means something to me, she means something to all of us.
“What’s wrong?” Rosco asks when they arrive at my side. “I thought you were going to the office, and we were going to
run down the lead.” I don’t take time to reply. Bo fills them in as I make my way over to Marley’s car. Reaching her driver’s
door, she still has her head resting on the steering wheel. I knock on the window to get her attention. Her head jerks up, a shriek
leaving her lips, fear evident in her eyes as she turns to look at me. The unadulterated fear on her face unleashes something in
me that I’ve never felt before. A consuming need to shelter and protect Marley so she never has to feel fear again. I reach for
her door handle, determined to erase her fears and replace them with something better. Safety, security, and whatever else
she’ll allow me to give her, but in this moment, I want to give her the world.
 M A R LE Y

R elief floods me. The person knocking on my window is Luke Robertson, the handsome customer I’d just been waiting
on before I was fired. He is sitting outside my door. We stare at one another for a moment, then he’s reaching for my
door handle. I hit the unlock button. He opens the door, and when it’s open enough, he rolls closer to me.
“Are you all right, Marley?” Luke asks. His face full of concern and another emotion that looks a lot like anger. I frown as I
consider this handsome man is angry on my behalf, but that’s ridiculous. He doesn’t even know I’ve been fired, or at least I
wouldn’t expect him to know. I can’t tell this handsome man all my troubles even though it’s what my heart and my head are
telling me to do. I swipe at my tear-stained face in an effort to get myself under control. I breathe deeply before blowing it out.
“Yes, I’m all right,” I lie, trying to sound confident, but my voice cracks as my frayed emotions attempt to overwhelm me
once more. Luke frowns at me, likely not believing my lie for a second. He seems concerned for me. Maybe he isn’t asking to
just be polite. He seems to really wants to know if I’m okay. I can see it on his face, which only serves to bring my emotions
even closer to the surface. Seeing him look at me this way causes me to cry even harder. Try as I might to hold them back, tears
stream down my face again. I swipe at them angrily, willing them to stop, but it’s to no avail.
I’m frustrated and overwhelmed. The kind look on Luke’s face is my undoing. I want so much to crawl onto his lap, have
him hold me, and tell me everything is going to be okay, that this is all just a bad dream, but I know it’s not. This is my new
reality, and I have to figure out a way to deal with it all on my own. I don’t have anyone else to lean on, and I need to remember
it.
“Marley, come here,” Luke commands, gently, holding out his hand. A sob escapes me as Luke reaches for me, urging me
out of my seat. He pulls me onto his lap, just as I’ve fantasized so many times in my head. His arms wrap around me, cocooning
me in his embrace. I rest my head on his shoulder, sobbing like a baby. He runs his hand over my hair and whispers soothing
words of comfort.
“Shhh now, don’t cry.” Luke’s voice vibrates through me. “Everything will be okay.” I want to believe him. I’m sure he
believes his words, but he doesn’t know what’s been happening to me. I’m not sure I should share it all with him, but I’m so
alone. I just need someone to talk to, to lean on. I don’t have any family close by. My parents divorced when I was a baby. Dad
died a few years ago, and mom can barely pay her own bills. There’s no way I can tell her about my troubles. I’ve been so
busy working and attending classes I haven’t made time for a lot of friends. The few I have I don’t want to burden with my
troubles. “Marley, tell me what happened. I want to help you.” Luke is so sincere, and I’m so tired of trying to handle all of this
on my own. I blurt out all my problems before I have a chance to think it through.
“I don’t know what’s happening other than someone is trying to ruin me,” I manage to say, despite my tears. He stiffens,
tightening his arms around me before pulling back to look down at me.
“What are you saying?” Luke demands. “Someone has been trying to hurt you?” I hesitate. I don’t want him to think I’m
crazy, and what I have to say sounds crazy. Why would anyone go the lengths they have to destroy my life? I’m no one
important. I don’t have money or fame.
“Marley!” Luke’s sharp command startles me. I’ve never heard him raise his voice. I look into his eyes and see his concern
for me. “Please, tell me what’s wrong. I only want to help you, but I can’t do that if I don’t know what’s happened to you.” I
swallow hard. I have to trust this man who’s only ever been kind to me. While I don’t know him intimately, I feel as though I
know him as much as we’ve interacted over the last year or so since I first noticed him. With a sigh, I begin telling him the
strange events that have been happening over the last few weeks.
“Please don’t think I’m crazy,” I begin. Luke frowns at me like I’m being crazy for thinking he would think I was crazy.
“See? That look right there. Please don’t look at me like that when I tell you.” His face relaxes, so I carry on. I have nothing to
lose at this point. “Strange things have been happening to me, and I don’t know why anyone would go to the trouble they have
to ruin my life, but someone is definitely doing a great job at it.”
“What do you mean by that?” Luke asks, his voice laced with curiosity. Feeling a presence nearby, I look up to see the men
he’d had lunch with have come to stand by him. God! This is hard enough telling him, but these men too! “Go on, Marley. We
are all friends here. No one is going to think you’re crazy,” Luke assures me. I scoff because they will definitely think I’m
crazy. Hell, I think I’m crazy. Why should I concern myself with them thinking it too?
“And even if you were crazy,” Bo chimes in, “You’d fit right in. Our whole family is a little coocoo, but who cares. Crazy
is the new normal.” Bo smiles down at me sitting in Luke’s lap. I’m suddenly acutely aware of Luke’s body under me. I can feel
my heart begin to race at his nearness. I start to get up, but Luke tightens his hold on me. We look at one another, and I see the
determination in his eyes. He isn’t going to let me up without a fight. I’ll just be making a scene if I try to force him to let me
stand. I relax once more in his arms. I might as well get this over with, so I carry on with my story.
“I’ve felt like someone is watching me, following my every move,” I tell him. “I haven’t seen anyone who looks sketchy or
out of place, but the feeling won’t go away. It’s the sensation of being watched, you know?” The men all nod as if they
understand what I mean. “A couple of months ago, my bank account was emptied, but the bank couldn’t tell me where my
money went. All my deposits were wiped off the system, but I made those deposits. I still had my paper receipts.” I look at
Luke expecting him to look at me with suspicion, but all I see is concern on his handsome face. He nods, encouraging me to
continue. “That was the first time it happened. My bank accounts have been emptied twice since then, including my savings
account. The bank finally agreed to change my account numbers after the second time, but it happened a third time, just a couple
of days ago. Other things have happened, too. Bills I know I’ve paid, have come back as late with no record of them being
paid, even though I have my invoice showing I paid. The companies can’t explain why the entries were removed from their
computer system or how. The latest issue is Mr. Conner, the owner of the Bistro, got multiple complaints on my service over
the last few weeks, each one by a different person. I’ve never been rude to customers even when they’ve been rude to me. I try
to do my best, and until now, I’ve never gotten a complaint before. I just don’t understand what’s happening. Now to put the
icing on the cake, my landlord just called to say I’m behind three months on my rent. The woman is new to my complex, so she
doesn’t know me very well, but I know I’ve paid the rent every month, to her, in person. I have the receipts at my apartment.
I’m going to her office with them in the morning. I just don’t understand how or why all of this is happening.” The tears begin to
fall once more. It seems once I’ve let the waterworks start, I can’t stop them. Luke pulls me against him, holding me tightly. It
feels good to be in his arms, but I worry that I’m hurting him. I’m not a small woman, at least weight wise. I’m not very tall at
only five foot two and a half, but I’m over weight. I shift my weight, trying not to rub the wrong places. I’m not sure if
paraplegic men can get erections, and at the moment, I don’t want to find out. Not when his brothers are standing right here.
“I’m going with you,” Luke declares, suddenly. I raise up to look at him questioningly. “I run a security company along with
my brothers. What you are experiencing is the kind of thing we do on a daily basis. We’ll figure out the who, what, and why all
of these things are happening to you and make sure you get all your money and credit score back.” I shake my head. I can’t seem
understand what he’s saying. Why is he wanting to help me? He doesn’t really know me. I mean, we talk whenever he’s here,
and I feel like I know him, but outside the restaurant, we haven’t ever spoken or seen one another. I’m just his waitress most
days of the week.
“What? Why?” I blurt out. He frowns back at me like he doesn’t understand the question. “Why would you help me? I’m no
one to you. I’m just your waitress.” I can see the understanding dawn on his face. The frown is replaced with a tender look,
which is almost too painful to look at. All of that concern and compassion for me is overwhelming. I’ve never had anyone look
at me this way before, which triggers another flood of tears.
“Marley,” Luke says, his voice full of tenderness. He cups the right side of my face as he stares into my eyes. “I want to
help you for several reasons. One, I can. I have the knowledge and resources to help you. Two, I’ve been eating here for a long
while now. You’ve been my waitress nearly every time. I feel like we have gotten to know one another pretty well. We are at
the very least friends, and friends help each other. Third, you’re a good, kind person. You go above and beyond to help other
people. I’ve noticed your kindness as you interact with people at the restaurant. You don’t deserve this. I’m not the kind of man
to sit back and allow someone to be mistreated, especially when I can do something about it. Four, I…I care about what
happens to you. Let me help you. Keep you safe.”
My heart is pounding so hard. I can’t process everything he’s just said. He wants to help me. I’ve daydreamed that someday
he would ask me out. I know that’s not what’s happening now, but it seems maybe he feels the same connection I feel whenever
he’s nearby. It’s like an invisible rope between us that pulls me toward him. I don’t want to fight the connection anymore, and I
likely don’t have any other options.
“Okay, Luke,” I say at last. “Thank you for helping me.”
“You don’t ever need to thank me,” Luke replies his voice deep with emotion. “I’ll do my best to look after you, Marley.”
My chest fills with warmth at his words. I’ve not had anyone look after me in so long. Not since I was a child. Once I became a
teenager, mom pretty much left me to fend for myself. She had her hands full trying to keep the bills paid. Being an only child, I
don’t have siblings to lean on in hard times. Knowing that Luke is in my corner lifts some of the weight from my shoulders.
“Now let’s get you home and find those receipts.”
Before I can make a move, Luke is wiping the tears from my face. He continues to look deep into my eyes as if he’s looking
at my soul. I can feel the connection between us growing. I want so much for him to kiss me. It’s absurd I know, but the feeling,
the need is so strong. Surely, he can feel it, too. Just when I think I’m imagining the connection between us, he closes the
distance between us. His warm lips brush mine, and I lean in closer to him, urging him to deepen the kiss. I want more.
 When our lips touch again, I open my mouth to him. His tongue sweeps in, and I can’t stifle the moan that escapes me. We
explore one another in a sweet dance of tongues and teeth. I’m so lost in the moment I’ve completely forgotten his brothers are
standing beside him or even that we are in a public parking lot. How long we kiss; I’m not sure, but the loud clearing of a
throat brings us both out of the spell we are under.
“You can kiss her later, brother.” Bo grins down at us. “We have work to do. We should get going. We still have that lead to
run down, and you need to get Marley secured. We’ll meet you later at the office.” With that, Luke’s brothers turn away walking
back across the parking lot toward several large black SUVs.
Luke rests his forehead against mine as his brothers walk away. I’m a mess of emotions and confusion. While I’ve dreamed
of kissing Luke, having him hold me, it’s overwhelming to have it actually happen. It’s immensely better than I’d fantasized.
Almost more than I can handle. It’s not that I’m inexperienced. I’ve dated and had a couple of more serious boyfriends, but
none of them ever made me feel like Luke has with just a kiss. My heart is pounding. My nipples are aching for him to touch
them, suck them, bite them. My panties are damp. My core is throbbing, aching for him to take things further.
“We should get you home,” Luke says, his voice husky. I can feel the magic spell we’ve been caught up in burst.
Disappointment fills me, but I know now isn’t the time or the place for us to be taking things further. I take a deep breath and
pull back to look at him. I can see desire swirling in his eyes and maybe a little disappointment, too. It makes me feel better to
know that he wants more as much as I do. I give him a smile. He smiles back, lighting up his handsome face. His eyes are
bright and beautiful. He leans forward and places a quick kiss on my lips. “Wait for me and I’ll follow you.”
Biting my lower lip as I look into his eyes, my heart and head warring with one another. I feel like I need to tell him how
much I appreciate his help, but more than him helping me, I want to tell him how long and how badly I’ve wanted him to kiss
me. In the end, I’m a coward, and I just nod and slip off his lap. Once I’m seated in my car, with my seatbelt on, he’s still
outside my door. I lower my window as I can tell he has more to say.
“Give me your phone, Marley,” Luke commands, his tone kind, but authoritative. I pull my phone from my purse, unlock it,
and hand it over. I don’t even question why he would want it. He pulls up my contacts and begins typing quickly entering his
contact information and then sending himself a text so he will have my number, too. His phone pings as it receives his text.
“Send me your address, okay? Just in case we get separated in traffic.” He hands me my phone. I take the phone and quickly
enter my address and hit send. His phone pings, again. “Stay safe, Marley. I’ll meet you at your place.”
“Okay, Luke. I’ll be careful driving,” I answer him. “You be careful, too.” He grins and nods at me before turning to wheel
himself back toward his large black SUV. I sit patiently and watch as he gets himself into the driver’s seat, which is totally
amazing by the way. I never thought about how he drove or if he even did.
Once he’s started the engine and backed out of his space. He pulls near my car waiting for me to drive away so he can
follow me. I put my car in gear and pull out of the parking lot and into traffic. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future,
but at the moment, I feel the better than I’ve felt in weeks. I know without a doubt Luke will do his best to help me, and that
gives me great comfort.
 LUKE

I watch Marley pull out of the restaurant parking lot and into traffic. My emotions are all over the place, at the moment,
but I have to get control. Marley needs me and my skills. I can’t let my feelings for her get in the way of keeping her
safe. I follow her car through traffic, keeping a watch out for anyone who might be following her. Even though she
hasn’t seen anyone, the fact she’s felt the unnerving sensation of being watched is enough to have my hackles on edge. I can’t
wait to get to the office and begin doing a deep dive into the electronic side of her recent problems. I’ll figure out who’s been
taking her money, and I’ll get every penny back for her.
I’ve programed her address into the GPS on my vehicle. I know the area where she lives. It’s not the best of neighborhoods,
but it’s not the worst either. We when get there, I’ll make a full assessment and determine what security upgrades she’ll need.
I’m sure working as a waitress she can’t afford a security monitoring system, but I’ll take care of it. I won’t leave her another
day without protection.
I check my mirrors, once again, and notice a black sedan. It’s a couple of car lengths behind me. When Marley signals to
make a left turn, the sedan also signals a left turn. The light is red as I roll to a stop behind Marley’s car with sedan right
behind me. The sedan’s windows are tinted, so I can’t see who’s in the car. I don’t want to over react, but the hair is standing
on the back of my neck. I just know whoever’s in that car is following Marley, and they don’t have anything good in mind for
her. I need to bide my time, however, and be certain. I don’t want to tip them off and let them get away. Using the Bluetooth
feature in my vehicle, I call Bo. It rings twice before he picks up.
“Yo, bro, what’s up?” Bo answers. I roll my eyes at his greeting. I don’t think he’ll ever grow up.
“I’m following Marley to her place,” I begin. “We have a tail. Black Ford sedan, tinted windows. I haven’t seen plates, yet.
I’m not sure I’m comfortable letting them get between me and Marley. I don’t know if they are just tailing her or if they intend
to hurt her. I’m going to need back up. Sending you her address now.”
“We got your six, Luke,” Bo replies. “Rosco and I are on our way. I’ll send Dalton and Kelvin with Enos to check his lead.
Hang tight. We’ll be there soon.” Bo ends the connection. I know they’ll do everything they can to help me keep Marley safe. I
just hope they get here in time. We don’t have much further to go before we reach Marley’s place. I debate whether or not to
call her and warn her, but I don’t want her to be afraid. I keep an eye on the sedan as we near her place. The car keeps pace
with us, but doesn’t make a move to overtake us or intercept. I watch in fear as Marley turns onto her street. She pulls into the
driveway of a small duplex. I slow my vehicle. I debate what to do. Should I pull in behind her or drive on by. I don’t want to
alert the other car to my presence unless necessary, but, at the same time, if I let them know I’m with Marley, they might not try
anything, not wanting witnesses.
I flip my signal on indicating I’m turning into Marley’s drive. The car pulls out from behind me speeding past. Pulling into
the drive behind Marley, I turn off my engine and take a survey of the neighborhood before I make a move to disembark from
my vehicle. I note there’s another Ford sedan parked across the street. It’s a dark blue with Virginia plates, though from this
distance I can’t make out the numbers. I look back in the direction from which we just came and see my brother’s SUV coming
down the street. Relief floods me. They’re here to help. I begin the process of getting out of my vehicle. Marley and my
brothers are waiting for me when I’m on the ground.
“Let’s get you inside,” I urge Marley toward the front door of her home. Despite the heavily tinted windows, I know there’s
someone in that car across the street, watching us. I don’t want to give them time to decide to rush us before we can get Marley
out of sight. She unlocks the door, and we enter a narrow foyer. A waist-high table sits just inside on the right. Marley drops
her purse onto the table and hangs her keys on a hook just above it. There’s an archway to our left, but the room on the other
side is shrouded in darkness. Once we are all inside, I pull Rosco aside.
“Did you notice the dark blue sedan across the street?” I ask him. He nods. “Go see what you can find out.”
“Will do, brother,” Rosco answers as he turns to Marley. “Where’s your back door?” She looks puzzled for a moment, but
then gives him instructions to a combination kitchen-dining area where there is a sliding glass back door. Rosco makes his way
through the house and outside to the backyard of the neighboring house. Marley turns to look at me in confusion.
“Someone was following us,” I tell her. My gut clenches when I see the color drain from her beautiful face. I want to shield
her from all of this, but I know I can’t. I need to be honest with her. Knowledge is power. If she knows who to be watching for,
she can better protect herself. “They drove on by when you pulled in your driveway, but there’s another car sitting across the
street. Rosco is going to investigate and see what he can learn from whomever is in there.”
Marley just stares at me a moment, fear evident in her eyes. “Isn’t that dangerous? I don’t want him getting hurt because of
me.” Her voice cracking in her fear.
“He’s well trained,” I assure her. “He is a former Navy SEAL. He’ll be fine.” She continues to look at me in fear, but
eventually she nods, biting her lower lip. A heavy sigh leaving her as she walks toward the kitchen. She stops suddenly. A
sharp intake of her breath lets me know she’s seen something shocking. I wheel my chair around to follow her. As I reach her
side, I see what’s alarmed her. Several drawers have been pulled open, and their contents scattered over the floor and counters
in the kitchen.
“Oh my God!” Marley exclaims as she turns to look at me. “Someone’s been in here.” Bo stiffens beside me, thinking the
same thing I’m thinking. I move toward Marley intent on getting her out of here. Whoever ransacked her home, could still be in
here. Bo reaches inside his jacket and pulls his 9mm from his shoulder holster as I do the same pulling my Sig from its hidden
holster in my chair. He heads down the hall to check the rest of the home while I urge Marley back toward the front door. The
terror in her eyes is nearly my undoing. I want to keep her as far away from all of this as possible, but I can’t. At least, not right
now.
“Go Marley!” I whisper sharply. “Hurry! Out the front door!” Marley follows my commands. We exit her front door with
less finesse than I’d like. Bo and Rosco had helped me enter her home without a ramp, but going out on my own is a bit of
challenge. Marley looks back and sees me struggling to maneuver my chair over the threshold. She comes back and, with
surprising strength, pulls the front wheels of my chair over the hump, helping to steady me as I wheel the back wheels on out
the door. Once we are off the stoop and on to the sidewalk, I urge her to get in my SUV. “Get in the passenger seat. Lock the
doors and wait for me.” I hand her my keys. She stares at me a moment. I can see she wants to argue with me but finally
decides to obey. She surprises me by kissing me fiercely. “Be safe,” she whispers before running to climb inside and lock the
doors.
Keeping my head on a swivel, I scan the street. The sedan is still parked across the street. I don’t see any movement from
the car, but I notice Rosco as he approaches the car from behind. He’s crouched down inching up on the driver’s side door.
Keeping my Sig in hand, I wheel back down the sidewalk, keeping watch over the front of the house. Thankfully I’ve had plenty
of practice wheeling myself around with my gun in hand. It’s something I’ve worked at to be as effective in the field as
possible, not a liability. I don’t go out often because I know my brothers will be somewhat distracted by my presence. They
know I’m at a disadvantage if shit goes sideways, and they will put themselves at unnecessary risk to protect me. We’ve run
drills on worse case scenarios, but anything can happen in real life. While we’ve trained and hope to be as prepared as
possible, I know you can’t really plan for every possibility.
Bo exits the front door as Rosco makes contact with the car. The revving of an engine draws my attention as the sedan
suddenly speeds away from the curb. Thankfully Rosco manages to get clear of the car and not mowed down by it. He jogs
across the street to meet up with us. I turn to Bo, curious to see what he found when he searched Marley’s house.
“What did you find?” I ask as he reaches my side. I hear a door shutting and look around to see Marley coming to join us. I
don’t like her being out in the open. Her stalkers could come back for a drive-by or anything.
“House is clear,” Bo replies. “But someone has ransacked the whole house.” Marley gasps. I look to see fresh tears in her
eyes. It guts me to see her upset. I move toward her and take her hand.
“Let’s get inside,” I suggest. “It’s not safe out here. I know you’re scared, but I’ll take care of you, Marley. I will find out
who did this and put a stop to it. I promise.” She nods her head and leads us all back inside. The hallway where we entered the
home appears untouched, but the rest of the house has been destroyed. Marley flips the light on for the living room. A startled
cry leaves her lips. The room is strewn with stuffing from the cushions of her furniture. The sofa and chair have been shredded.
The coffee table laying on its side, magazines scattered across the floor have had the pages ripped from them. A potted plant
has been slammed to the floor. The pot shattered. Dirt and leaves from the plant scattered around. Marley starts toward the
room, but I catch her hand. She whips her head around to look at me.
“Don’t touch anything,” I tell her. “The police will need to collect evidence. You’ll contaminate the crime scene.” More
tears fall at my words, and I mentally kick myself. I could have broken it to her more gently than I have or at the very least
worded it better. I tug on her hand encouraging her to come to me. I pull her down onto my lap. She buries her face into my
neck and cries. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. I can feel her trembling in my arms, and it makes me even angrier
at whomever did this to her. Bo moves up beside us placing a hand on my shoulder.
“I’ve called the police,” Bo says. “Det. Mark Atwood is on his way. Rosco and I will make sure the perimeter is secure.
Enos, Dalton, and Kelvin will be here in about twenty minutes.” I nod and watch as my brothers split up, Rosco heading for the
front and Bo taking the back of the residence.
“Marley, sweetheart, I need you to get some clothes together,” I say softly. She raises her head confusion and concern on
her face. “You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.” I see the realization dawn on her face. Her eyes widen as fear fills them.
 “I don’t have anywhere else to go,” Marley says on a whisper. “I don’t have money for a motel room. My credit has been
destroyed. I no longer have a job. Oh God! What am I going to do?” Marley is staring off into her demolished kitchen. She’s not
really asking me. She’s worrying out loud. I take her face in my hands and turn her face toward me.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I assure her. “Let’s go see if there’s anything you can salvage. You’re going to stay with
me until I know this threat has been eliminated.” Marley looks shocked I would suggest she stay with me, but there’s no other
place I want her to stay. No other place where I’ll feel like she’s secure. I have made sure I have top of the line security in and
around my home. No one will ever get to her if she’s in my home.
“You want me to stay with you?” Marley’s voice is full of wonder.
“Yes,” I answer honestly. “I have plenty of room, and I know I can keep you safe there. I have enhanced security. No one
will get to you if you’re in my home.”
 M A R LE Y

I can’t believe this is happening to me. My life is completely falling apart, and at the same time, my greatest fantasy is
coming true. I should be having a mental break down over my house being destroyed, someone following me home,
watching my house, and doing a damn good job at ruining me, but in this moment, all I can think about is Luke wants me
to stay with him, in his home. How many times over the last year have I daydreamed he would ask me out? Too many times to
count. This isn’t him asking me out, but he did kiss me.
In my daydreams, we would have a romantic dinner, spend the evening talking, laughing, and enjoying one another’s
company. Eventually things would lead to me spending the night with him. I know it’s a foolish fantasy. He’s a smart,
handsome, successful business man, and I’m a broke, virtually homeless waitress. I never thought I’d have a chance with Luke
Robertson, but here he is basically telling me I’m going to move in with him for the foreseeable future. Not only that, but he’s
kissed me senseless and held me while I’ve cried my eyes out. How can the worst day of my life also be my best day ever?
This can’t be real. I need clarification.
“You really want me to stay with you?” I ask. Luke nods. “In your house?” Luke chuckles at my foolish questions.
“Yes, Marley.” Luke’s voice rings with truth. “I want you to stay in my house…with me.” I bite my lower lip in
contemplation. This is real. It’s really happening. I can’t even enjoy it, because my life is a complete disaster. Someone is
really trying to hurt me. Before today I’d thought someone was out to ruin me, but in the back of my mind, I told myself there
was another explanation. Today it’s been thrown in my face. This is real, not just my imagination. Reality comes crashing
down. I can’t breathe. My chest tightens as I fight to get my breath. My hands begin to tingle, as a crushing weight presses on
me. I’m dying. Try as I might, I can’t breathe. I can hear my rapid, harsh breathing. I need to get control, but today has just been
too much. I’ve lost my job, my home has been violated, someone was really following me, and I’m penniless.
“Marley.” Luke’s voice breaks through my fears. “Slow your breathing. You’re having a panic attack. Focus on me.” I blink
my eyes. Luke is right here in front of me. He’s holding my face in his hands. I’m sitting in his lap, in my ruined kitchen. I take a
deep breath and slowly exhale. I’ve had panic attacks a few times before, but I’ve never had anyone to help me talk myself
down from the edge. Slowly I manage to get some control of my emotions. Tears still leak from my eyes, but my hands are no
longer tingling, and the weight is lifting from my chest. I’m not sure I can speak without my voice cracking. I take a couple
more calming breaths and lick my dry lips.
“I’m sorry, Luke,” I finally say, my face flushed not only from my panic attack, but from my shame at having one in front of
him. I look away. I can’t stand to look at him right now while I’m so embarrassed and broken. “I…I’m just overwhelmed with
all that’s happened. I’ve been on my own since I was old enough to get my own job. I’m not going to say I’ve never had hard
times before, but this is a bit more than I can handle.” I let out a shaky breath.
“You’re not alone anymore, baby girl,” Luke replies, surprising me with the endearment. “I’m here, and I’m going to take
care of you, if you’ll let me.” I lift my eyes to look at him. I still can’t understand why he’s suddenly so interested in me. As if
he can read my mind, he continues, “I’d been wanting to ask you out on a date for a while, but I hadn’t gotten up the nerve to
ask yet. Now isn’t really the time for us to get into this discussion, though. Let’s get your things and we’ll talk more at my
place, all right?”
“Oh okay,” I answer. I’m still sitting in his lap, and I’m suddenly very aware of the closeness of our bodies. I want so much
for him to kiss me again, but as he said, now isn’t the time or place. My home no longer provides me the safe haven it once did.
Strangers have been in here going through my things, although I don’t know what they could have been looking for. I don’t have
anything valuable. I move to get up, but before I can stand Luke pulls me to him, kissing my lips briefly.
I stand and lead him down the hallway to my bedroom. I cover my mouth with the back of my hand to stifle another cry
when I see my room. Everything is in shambles. My clothes have been shredded and scattered over the floor, the bed, on the
lamp. My mattress has been gutted just like the couch and chair in the living room. Slowly I enter the room. Luke is right behind
me. I don’t see one piece of clothing that hasn’t been ripped and torn. I don’t have a lot, but what I have I’ve worked hard to
get. I’m no longer panicking. Now I’m angry, so angry. How dare someone come into my home and damage my things? My
things! I spin around just as Luke speaks.
 “Marley, I don’t think there’s anything here that hasn’t been damaged,” Luke says. I can hear the regret in his voice.
“Besides, the police will need to process this room, too. Can you tell if anything is missing?” I look around at the mess. It’s
hard to tell. Things that pop into my mind, such as the framed picture of me and mom, which I didn’t see at first, I find broken
on the floor. A sob escapes me before I can contain it.
“Come on, baby, let’s get you out of here.” I turn away from the mess and follow Luke back to the front door. My car is the
only thing I have that hasn’t been messed with, so far, but how long will that last?
As if I’ve conjured it, I hear a loud beeping sound like a garbage truck is backing up and raised voices outside the door.
Luke and I go out to see what’s happening. A tow truck has backed up to my car. A man is laying on the ground attaching
something to the bumper. Rosco is arguing with the man, but I know it’s no use. Whoever is after me has made it appear I’ve
not paid my car payments. All my receipts were in my kitchen in the bill drawer. From what I saw, the intruder either stole the
receipts or destroyed them. I’ll have no way to prove I made the payments, especially the electronic payments. This asshole
has just clicked a few buttons on a computer and ruined my life.
Flashing lights draw my attention from the tow truck driver to the unmarked police car rolling to a stop behind Luke’s SUV.
Rosco continues to yell at the man preparing to drag my car away. I don’t want him to damage my car. If, by some miracle,
Luke can fix this mess, I don’t want to have to pay to repair damage done by a repo man. I run back into the foyer and get my
keys off the hook. I remove my house and mailbox keys as I walk toward the tow truck driver.
“Here.” I hold out the keys. The man looks up at me, shock on his face. “Don’t tear something up on my car. I’ve worked
hard to pay for it. I know the bank says I didn’t make my payments, but I did. When I get this all straightened out, I don’t want to
have to sue you for damages to my bumper.” The man gets up off the ground, taking the keys from my hand.
“Thank you,” he says. “I appreciate you not cussing me out for just doing my job. I…I hope you can get this worked out,
ma’am.” He motions to the man in the driver’s seat of the tow truck as he unlocks my car and slides into the driver’s seat. I
blink to beat back the tears that are wanting to fall once again. God this has been a shit day! Please, Lord let this be the last
bad thing that happens to me today.
Bo, Luke, and Rosco are speaking with the policeman who has arrived to investigate my break-in. I make my way over to
the group of men deep in conversation. Luke reaches out to take my hand. I stand close to him. I’m still raw and have to keep
fighting my anxiety.
“Det. Atwood, this is Marley Morrison,” Luke introduces me to the policeman. The man is about 5’ 11” with salt and
pepper hair. His face is clean shaven with the beginnings of a five o’clock shadow. He has kind light blue eyes. He gives a firm
handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Morrison,” Det. Atwood says in greeting. “I’m sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“Thank you, detective,” I reply. I’m not sure what else there is to say.
“Luke gave me a rundown of what’s happened,” Det. Atwood starts, looking at me seriously. “Do you have any idea who
might have broken in or been following you?” I shake my head. “Ex-husband or boyfriends?”
“No,” I tell him. “I’ve never been married, and I haven’t dated anyone in the last year. My last relationship ended on good
terms. We both were busy and didn’t really have time for one another.”
“I’d like to get Marley out of here, Mark,” Luke interjects, almost sounding annoyed. “I’m not comfortable having her out in
the open. She’ll be at my place when you’ve finished your investigation here. You’re welcome at the house, or I can bring her
to the station, which ever you prefer.” Det. Atwood gives Luke a hard look, but then relents. It’s obvious these men know one
another well.
“Sure thing, Luke,” the detective says. “I’ll be by in a few hours. I’ll call you when I’m on my way.” Luke shakes the man’s
hand before reaching for mine, once again. I notice other officers arriving, and yellow crime scene tape is being draped around
the stoop to my front door.
“Let’s go, Marley,” Luke says to me. I let him lead me to his SUV. Bo follows us and opens my door, helping me inside
while Luke is getting himself situated into the driver’s side. I buckle my belt and relax back into the seat. I’m suddenly
exhausted. My body trembling as the adrenaline of the last few minutes fades. It’s been such a long day. I close my eyes just
wanting to block out every bad thing that’s happened today. I can hear Bo and Luke speaking quietly, but I can’t focus on what
they’re saying. My brain has reached its limit for the day. I must have dozed off, because the passenger door opening startles
me awake.
“Sorry, Marley,” Rosco apologizes when he sees me jerk. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just noticed you’d forgotten your
purse, and I thought you’d want it.” He places my worn purse on my lap. I manage to give him a smile, despite the awful day
I’ve had. It’s such a small gesture, but it means so much to me, his kindness. I’ll never take someone’s kind actions for granted
ever again. So many of us go about our day and never notice the little things. Someone holding open a door, picking up
something we’ve dropped, or even just giving a smile to brighten our day. The little things matter. Right here, when I’ve lost
everything I own, I’ve never been more aware of the little things than I am now, sitting here in Luke’s vehicle with nothing but
my purse. Everything I’ve worked for all these years is gone, poof! Destroyed in a matter of minutes, taken by a stranger with a
vendetta for which I don’t even know the reason.
 “Yes, thank you, Rosco,” I reply. He pinches his lips tightly together. I can tell he feels badly for me but isn’t sure what to
say to comfort me. I’m not sure there’s anything anyone can say, but knowing Luke and his brothers care about what happens to
me is enough to give me hope. Hope all of this will eventually be resolved, and I will be able to resume my life once more.
Rosco closes my door with a lift of his chin to Luke.
“Ready to go?” Luke asks, as he starts the engine. I look over at him. He’s so handsome and kind. I’m really very lucky. I
could be dealing with all of this on my own. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to look for help. I’m so thankful Luke came
over to my car and wanted to help me.
“Yes, Luke,” I answer him. “I’m ready.” He pulls away from the curb and takes me away from the mess of my life.
 LUKE

T he drive to my home takes about thirty minutes. Marley is asleep within a couple of minutes of leaving her street. I’m
sure she’s mentally and physically exhausted after everything that’s happened today. I can’t imagine how she must be
feeling. I know how I’m feeling. I’m pissed as hell someone would want to hurt her, but at the same time, I feel like I
should be grateful too. I might never have gotten up the nerve to ask her out. Now for better or worse, we’ve been thrown
together, and I can’t help feeling happy about it. Does that make me an asshole? Most likely, but I’m not going to feel bad
about it.
I’d never want her to be hurt or frightened, but the fact she’s allowing me to help her, that she trusts me to take care of her
means so much to me. She looked to me when she was scared, not Bo or Rosco, but me. She let me hold her, comfort her, and
the kisses we shared are by far the best I’ve ever had, bar none. She’s such a conundrum, soft and sweet, yet passionate and
wild. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I knew before, from the time we’ve spent talking, I was attracted to her, but now that
I’ve tasted her lips, I know for certain she’s the woman I want in my life for the long run. I just hope in time she’ll come to feel
the same way.
I keep glancing over at her as I drive us through traffic toward my home at the beach. It’s a secure place with plenty of
security cameras, motion sensors, and two safe rooms where in a worst-case scenario we can barricade ourselves until help
arrives. I won’t be able to relax until I have Marley there and away from whomever wants to hurt her. I check my mirrors
frequently as well. Keeping an eye out for the Ford sedan, it doesn’t make an appearance. Thankfully we make the drive
without incident. Marley wakes as I’m pulling into the garage. She sits up and wipes at her chin. I can’t keep from smiling.
She’s so cute, and I love that she is able to relax enough in my presence to sleep.
“Well, here we are,” I say when she looks over at me. “Come on and I’ll show you around.” Marley nods. She gets out and
waits as I exit and lead her toward the door that opens to my laundry room. I look around at my home trying to see it through
Marley’s eyes. I feel it’s a nice home. Open and spacious, yet homey and inviting. It’s done in warm natural colors, browns and
greens with some light blues here and there. We are on the coast, after all, so you have to include an oceanic feel to the place.
Everything is built with me being chair bound in mind. Although I can stand for short periods of time with leg braces, my legs
are too weak to support my weight for very long, and I don’t have enough nerve conduction for walking to occur.
We come out of the laundry room to enter the kitchen. All of the counters and cabinets are at a lower-than-normal level. I
really enjoy cooking. I have modifications to everything so I can cook without too much difficulty. I honestly haven’t thought
about what it might be like for a ‘normal’ person to move around my kitchen. My brothers visit of course, but they don’t count
in the normal department for many reasons. Mostly because they’re family. They don’t mind the modifications, which make my
life easier, but I’m worried about what Marley will think about them.
“You have a lovely home, Luke,” Marley says as we enter the living room. I have a large brown sectional couch with
matching recliners, chairs, and a loveseat. My house is quite large for it to just be me. It’s over five thousand square feet of
living space. I built it in hopes of having my family over often. We don’t get together as much as I’d like, but when we do,
there’s plenty of room for all of us.
“Thanks,” I tell her as I lead her over to the lift that will take us to the bedrooms on the second floor. “There are several
bedrooms upstairs. You can pick whichever one you’d like. I built this house with my siblings in mind, but they all have their
own place and hardly ever stay here.” I try to keep the disappointment out of my voice, but I know some of it bleeds through.
“I thought you and your brothers are really close?” Marley turns to me. “You all work together, right?”
“We do, and we are close,” I sigh. “We have a sister, too. She hardly ever comes home, though. She’s a doctor in the
Navy.” I want to say more, but I’m not going to dump my family’s dysfunction on Marley after the day she’s had. She’s here for
protection, to feel safe, not listen to me whine about my sister’s death wish. We enter the lift, and I put it in motion. “There’s a
staircase as well as this lift. I’ll show it to you once we are upstairs.” Marley nods as we rise up to the next floor.
We exit the lift at the end one end of a long hallway. Up ahead on the left is the staircase that also leads up to the second
floor. There are bedroom doors along right side of the hall and at either end. Six in total. I have my room and five guest rooms
which is one for each of my siblings and mom. I let her look at each one as we make our way along the second floor hallway.
They each have a balcony that overlooks the ocean below. My bedroom is at the far end of the hall.
“Wow,” Marley says her voice full of wonder when she sees my bedroom. The room is large with a huge floor to ceiling
windows next to a set of French doors that lead out onto a large balcony overlooking the ocean. She walks toward the balcony
her eyes fixed on the scene before us. The sun is beginning to set, and although it’s behind us setting in the west and we are
facing the east, the sunlight glimmers off the waves as they make their way toward shore. It’s a beautiful sight. One I’ve
enjoyed many times, myself. Second only to a sunrise over the ocean.
I watch Marley as she takes in the stellar view. I move forward, opening the doors, and rolling out onto the balcony. A
gentle breeze is coming off the water, bringing the salty smell of the ocean to my nose. I breathe deeply. Nothing helps to relax
and calm me after a long day, like sitting out here on the balcony, watching the ocean. Marley lays her hand on my shoulder as
she comes to stand next to me. “I could get used to this,” she says on a breathy whisper. I glance over at her and think to myself,
‘so could I’.
Marley takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. I watch her in awe as she soaks in the ocean air. Her body relaxes. Her
face becomes serene. She is by far the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I want her more than I ever thought I could want a
woman. I look down at my legs as I wonder: will it matter to her that I’ll never be able to walk? Looking back up at Marley,
the answer that comes to mind is no; it won’t matter to her. She’s never treated me any differently than she has any other
customer at the Bistro, except I have noticed she talks to me longer, looks at me with appreciation from time to time, which
makes me a happy man. I’ve enjoyed our conversations over the last year or so. Marley is an intelligent woman with a zest for
life. We have discussed everything from books, movies, and music to politics, religion, and sports. We haven’t always agreed
on everything, but we’ve found we have a lot of things in common.
Most of our conversations have been brief, but last week, I went by the Bistro in the late afternoon. I’d gotten lost in
reviewing security footage on a case. It was after two in the afternoon before I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch. When I got to the
diner, it was mostly empty. Marley was sitting at a table eating her lunch. She had gotten up the moment she saw me entering the
door, hurrying over to seat me at a table. I hadn’t wanted to interrupt her meal. I knew she must be tired and needed to rest.
“Hi, Luke,” Marley greets me as I enter the restaurant. “Let me get you a table.” She begins to look over the restaurant
map at the hostess stand.
“The place is nearly empty,” I comment. She glances up at me and nods her agreement before looking back down at the
map. “I hate to eat alone. Would you mind if I sit with you?” I propose. Her eyes widen, shock evident on her face that I
would suggest such a thing. “That is if it’s okay with you and with management, of course. I don’t want to get you in trouble
with your boss.” She’s immediately shaking her head as her face reddens.
“Oh, no, I don’t mind at all.” Marley’s statement comes out in a rush. “And the owner won’t mind. Sally needed to make
a phone call to check on her daughter, so I told her I’d take care of things until she finishes her call.” I smile at her. She is
such a kind, thoughtful woman. I follow her to the table where she’d been sitting. She moves one of the chairs away from
the table making room for me in my chair. “What would you like to drink?” Marley asks.
“I don’t want you to have to wait on me. I wasn’t trying to intrude on your lunch break,” I tell her. She smiles warmly at
me.
“Actually”—her smile widens— “today is my day off. I just came by after class. I was starving, because I was running
late this morning and didn’t eat any breakfast. So, I’m not tired from work. Let me get your food and drink for you.” I relent
and give her my order. I can’t keep from watching the way her hips sway as she hurries into the kitchen to place my order
with the cook. I know I shouldn’t be looking at her ass, but she has a mighty fine one. It’s full and lush. I’m itching to
squeeze those rounded cheeks. My mouth waters as I imagine her naked body in my bed. I’d grip her buttocks as she kneels
over my face while I devour her sweet nectar. I shake my head to clear the highly inappropriate thoughts from my brain.
Where did that image come from? I’ve felt attraction to her before, but I’ve never had such an explicit thought about her
before. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been with a woman or even taken care of myself. Perhaps that’s what’s brought
on these images.
Marley returns minutes later with a large bowl of chili and a grilled cheese sandwich along with a glass of sweet tea.
She places the food and drink on the table in front of me. “Did I forget anything?”
“No, everything looks great.” I smile up at her. “Please sit and finish your lunch.” She smiles sweetly taking her seat. I
lower my gaze to my food as flashes of our naked bodies writhing together enter my mind, once more. I will my brain to
stop picturing her without any clothes. I haven’t even asked her out on a date. Yet I’m picturing us giving one another mind
blowing pleasure. I need to get my head on straight. Slow things down and do this right. I like Marley. I’ve known it for a
while, but I haven’t tried to see if she feels the same about me.
Oh, I’ve seen her give me an appreciative look from time to time. Her eyes on my biceps as I wheel myself around. I
might be in a wheel chair, but I still work out, mostly my upper body and abs. I have to keep my arms and core strong so I
can remain independent. I live completely on my own and have since about a year after my car accident. I’ve had plenty of
women tell me how handsome I am, not that I agree with them, but I know I’m not a troll.
Focusing on my food, I scramble to find a topic of discussion to keep the conversation going with Marley. Something
she said, strikes me. She said after class. I wonder what kind of classes she’s taking so I decide to ask.
“You said you came by after class?” I end my statement as a question. She looks up to nod at me. “What kind of classes
are you taking?”
“I’m in culinary arts classes.” Marley beams. “I love to cook, so what better career to have than to become a chef?” I
smile at her enthusiasm. “I’m just getting started, but I’m really loving it so far. I don’t ever expect to be head chef at a
five-star restaurant, but I’m enjoying learning all about the craft.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” I tell her. “You could be a head chef someday. I can tell you have the intelligence and
determination to become whatever you want.” Her whole face lights up at my words, closely followed by a bright red hue.
“I don’t know about that,” Marley replies modestly. “But thank you for saying so. I haven’t always made the best
decisions. I started college right out of high school, but dropped out after two semesters. I just couldn’t do it at the time.”
She pauses, blushing. I can tell there’s more to the story than she’s telling, but I don’t push her to reveal her secrets. She’ll
tell me in time. She continues after a few minutes.
“I really would like to have my own restaurant one day or maybe a bakery. I absolutely love to bake. I guess you can
tell by looking at me.” She flushes again. I frown not exactly taking her meaning. When she notices my confusion, she
clarifies her statement. “I’m not exactly a skinny Minnie, Luke. I like to bake, and as I live alone, I eat what I bake.
Therefore I’m a little fluffier than I’d like to be.” I realize she’s worried about her weight. I roll my eyes before I think
about what I’m doing.
“Marley, you look beautiful,” I tell her honestly. “You have a very attractive body and a great personality to go with it.
Don’t be thinking you need to change yourself into what society finds acceptable. Be happy in who you are, because I think
you’re amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Another lovely shade of red blooms over her face and neck at my words, which
only fuels my inappropriate thoughts from earlier. Thoughts about other things that could make her flush. She swallows
hard, looking back down at her sandwich before she speaks.
“Thank you, Luke.” Marley’s voice is husky. She clears her throat before continuing, “I think you’re the first man to say
I’m beautiful.” Her eyes flit up to meet mine. I smile at her, hoping she will see the sincerity of my words.
“I’m happy to be the first,” I tell her. “But you should have heard those words long before now. How is it you don’t have
a husband or a boyfriend?” Marley looks at me for a long moment, and I begin to think I’ve read her wrong. Maybe she
does have a boyfriend. “I’m sorry, Marley. I shouldn’t have assumed you weren’t involved with someone.”
“It’s okay, Luke.” Marley’s lips pinches together. “I don’t have either one. I’ve dated over the years, but I’ve never
really met anyone I was willing to change myself for long enough to keep a long-term relationship going.” She shrugs her
shoulders before looking back down at her food.
“Why would you have to change yourself?” I ask her, genuinely curious about her statement. Her head jerks back up to
meet my gaze. Her face frowns as she considers her response.
“Well, I suppose, because I’ve been told I talk too much,” Marley says, “I’m too needy, opinionated, or too
independent. Oh, and the best one is I’m too sensitive. I tried a few times to change myself, to hold back my thoughts about
how I felt or was being treated, but I decided life’s too short to walk around on eggshells or to feel hurt all the time. I’d
rather be alone than to be made to feel like I’m wrong at every turn, that I’m not good enough.” Anger floods me as she
speaks. I can’t believe any man lucky enough for Marley to give him the time of day would think she needed to change who
she is for them.
“Don’t change yourself for anyone,” I say with more anger in my voice than I intend for her to hear. “Any man lucky
enough for you to pay him some attention should be thanking his lucky stars, not trying to change you.” I shake my head at
the audacity of some people. Always thinking they are better than others when in reality they are on the ones who need to
do the changing.
Marley’s hand squeezing my shoulder draws me from my memories. Looking up into her lovely face, I see the evidence of
her worry and fear. I hate seeing it. I want to wipe it all away, but I can’t, at least not yet anyway, but soon. I’ll keep her safe
until I can remove the threat against her.
 M A R LE Y

L uke’s home is gorgeous. I knew he was a successful businessman, but I never dreamed he’d live in such a swanky place.
He has a freaking beach house for heaven’s sakes. I grew up barely getting by. I’m a little embarrassed he’s seen what’s
left of my home. He didn’t look appalled to have been in there. Still he’s used to this…I look out at the fabulous ocean
view from a large balcony. The salty, sea air with the waves crashing on shore is so relaxing.
What is happening to my life? Everything seems to be crashing down at the same time. I no longer believe this is
accidental, mistakes, or coincidences. Someone wants to hurt me, but why? Luke turns his head toward me, and I realize I’m
squeezing his shoulder in my trepidation and fear.
“Sorry,” I apologize. “Just worrying over all of this. I just don’t understand why anyone would go to such lengths to hurt
me.”
“I don’t know, either, but we will find out and put a stop to it.” Luke looks so determined. “I promise.” My eyes fill with
tears, once more. It’s been a very long time since I’ve had someone to lean on. Perhaps I shouldn’t be leaning on Luke, now.
We don’t know one another all that much, but I know I can trust him. Call in intuition or call me crazy, but I feel it in my soul he
is trustworthy. He really is just trying to help me because he’s a good man, nothing more to it than that. I need to remember it.
Yes, he kissed me like I’ve never been kissed before, but it was in the heat of the moment. He can’t want anything real with a
poor girl like me. Can he?
“Are you hungry? Luke asks, drawing me from my thoughts.
“Yeah, I could eat,” I smile down at him. He’s very thoughtful and kind. I wonder why he doesn’t have a wife or girlfriend?
He owns a successful business, has a gorgeous home, and he’s a very attractive man. Luke turns his chair around to head back
out of his bedroom and leads me back to the lift. We head downstairs and into the kitchen.
“Grilled chicken tenders all right with you?” he asks me when we reach the kitchen that is honestly the fanciest thing I’ve
ever seen. It’s like something from Chopped. I can’t keep from looking at the large stove, huge French door refrigerator, and
freezer. “I’ve had them marinating all day.”
“Yes, sounds good,” I reply. Luke begins to gather things from the refrigerator, cabinet, and a large pantry that I’d give my
right arm to have, if I had the money to fill it up. I watch in amazement at how easily he moves around his kitchen, placing items
on the island in the center and pans on the stove. “May I help you with something?”
“Sure,” Luke answers. “I have some fresh broccoli and cauliflower in the bottom left drawer in the fridge. Would you mind
getting them ready to steam?” I move to get the vegetables he’s asked for. We work side by side preparing a delicious meal of
chicken tenders, steamed vegetables, and fluffy yeast rolls. Luke’s phone rings shortly after we begin prepping the food. He
pulls the phone out and swipes it, putting it on speaker. I’m not sure if I should leave the room or what to do. I don’t want to
eavesdrop on his phone call.
“Robertson,” Luke answers his phone. I roll my eyes. Only men answer their phones like a brute. I mean what’s wrong with
saying hello? A deep male voice comes over the line.
“Hey bro!” the caller says cheerfully “You get everything secured?” Luke glances over at me before he replies.
“Yes, I have you on speaker.” Luke’s tone is laced with warning. Is he afraid the caller will say something he doesn’t want
me to know? “Marley is safe here with me. We’re preparing dinner.”
“Sweet!” the caller replies. “Whatcha making?”
“Chicken tenders in sundried tomato marinade, steamed vegetables, and yeast rolls,” Luke rattles off the menu, seeming to
be bored with the conversation.
“Mmm, that sounds good,” the male comments. “You making enough for your poor, starving, brothers?” Luke rolls his eyes
at the phone, which I find to be hilarious. This big, grown man is rolling his eyes.
“I suppose,” Luke huffs like he’s annoyed, but a smile is ghosting his lips. “Who all is coming?”
“All of us,” the caller replies with the hint of “duh” in his tone.
“I’m assuming that includes, Kelvin and Dalton, too?” Luke inquires. Another male is heard in the background.
“Yes! Please!” the male voice says, “Come on man, we’re starving!” Luke is grinning at his phone.
 “You guys are always starving,” Luke complains. “I mean you can literally eat a huge meal, then be ready to eat again in
thirty minutes, but I guess I can scrounge up enough to feed you all,” Luke declares. “But I’m not supplying the beer. So,
BYOB.”
“WooHoo!” and “Hell yeah!” can be heard over the line. Luke shakes his head as he ends the call, turning toward me.
“Sorry about that.” He cringes before continuing, “My brothers and friends are coming over.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me, Luke,” I say. “This is your home. I’m just a guest here.” His face falls as I say this, and
I don’t understand his reaction. He quickly schools his face before turning back to the chicken tenders he is tenderizing.
“I’m apologizing before they get here,” Luke informs me, as he pounds the strips of chicken. “They might be grown men, but
they act like children. You should be prepared for their outrageous behavior. I’ll try to keep them from being too bad, but I’ve
been trying all their lives and I haven’t been very successful.” He has a huge smile on his face as he complains about them.
“It’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’ve met them all at the Bistro.” My voice catches as I remember I no longer work there.
“They aren’t that bad.” Luke looks over at me, quirking a brow. He shakes his head.
“They are actually on their best behavior when we are out like that.” Luke chuckles. “Not that their best behavior is that
great.” I have to grin with him. His brothers can be boisterous and a little crude at times. We continue to prepare the food. Luke
grabs more chicken tenders from the fridge fixing enough to feed a small army. Come to think of it with all six men here, it will
be exactly that. He decides we need to expand the menu to feed them all. He gets a head of cabbage and a bag of carrots out to
make Cole slaw, and he adds macaroni and cheese to the list. We work together shredding the cabbage and carrots before
mixing mayo, celery seeds, sugar, and a little vinegar for the slaw dressing. He directs me to the pantry for macaroni which we
put on the stove to boil.
The chicken he’s been tenderizing smells delicious. He has had it soaking in sundried tomato and basil salad dressing.
While he’s been doing that, I have gotten the broccoli and cauliflower washed and cut into smaller pieces to be streamed. I
place them in the steaming basket, setting them next to the stove, where when it’s time, I’ll place it over a pot of boiling water.
Luke places the chicken, which is in a large tray, on his lap and begins to roll out the of the kitchen.
“Where are you going?” I ask as I trail along behind him out of the kitchen into the living room.
“Patio,” Luke throws over his shoulder. “I need to fire up the grill.” I should have known. No simply baking the chicken in
the oven, not for a big burly man like him. We exit through the living room out onto a gorgeous cobblestone patio, with an
enormous barbeque grill, a pizza oven, a smoker, and a gas griddle. There’s an outdoor sink, cabinets, and mini-fridge.
“Oh my god!” I exclaim as I take in the extravagant set up. “It’s like Guy Fieri’s wet dream out here!” Luke’s booming laugh
makes me laugh too. He rolls over to the grill, turning on the propane before he begins turning the six knobs to ignite the flames
under the grill. He has an extension to the handle for the lid that allows him to raise and lower the huge hood for the massive
grill. He places the pan of chicken on the side table while waiting for the grill to heat. The pounding of the waves just a few
hundred feet away is so soothing.
“Have a seat.” Luke points to the many loungers he has scattered around the space. I stroll over to take a seat on a
surprisingly comfortable wicker lounger with fluffy cushions. Leaning back on them, I close my eyes and just let the ocean
waves lull me to a sense of peace after the shit day I’ve had. I still can’t believe the downward spiral my life has taken. As
reality, once again, slaps me in the face, a sob leaks out before I can stifle it. I clamp my hand over my mouth, hoping against
hope, Luke didn’t hear me. I’m not to be so lucky, nonetheless.
“Marley?” Luke’s concerned voice forces me to open my eyes as a heavy sigh leaves my body. I focus on him through the
tears that are blurring my vision. I’m trying desperately to keep them from falling, but I’m not successful. I can feel them
leaking from my eyes. I hate that all I can seem to do when I’m around him is cry like a child. “Hey, you are going to be okay.
Trust me to take care of this for you.” Luke has rolled over to be right next to me, taking my delicate hand in his much larger
one.
“I do trust you,” I tell him honestly. “It’s just…overwhelmingly insane this is happening.” He nods sympathetically. “I’m
sorry for blubbering. I’ll try to get it together before your brothers arrive.”
“Stop apologizing,” Luke counsels. “Your reaction is completely understandable. If you need to cry, don’t hold it back.
None of us will judge you for it. Hell, it’s comforting to know you trust me enough to be that vulnerable in front of me.” I stare
at him in awe. No man has ever been okay with my waterworks. I’ve always been a sensitive soul as my mother says about me.
I can cry over a Hallmark card commercial. It seems there’s a deeper meaning to Luke’s assessment of my tears. He doesn’t
seem eager to elaborate, though. A horn honking, car doors slamming, and the crunch of gravel signal the arrival of his brothers
and friends. I wipe my face quickly, thankful I’ve foregone makeup today. Otherwise, I’d have some serious racoon eyes or
horror movie chick face going on.
“You can start the party now!” a male voice yells as a group of men come around the corner of the house. I look over
Luke’s shoulder. My mouth falls open as I watch the men make their way toward us. The men are all buff, and that word doesn’t
really do them justice, but it’s the only word that comes to mind, in this moment. I recognize all of them from the Bistro, but I
only know Bo’s and Rosco’s names.
Bo is tall, like well over six feet by at least four or five inches, dark, and handsome. So much like his brother. At my height,
I have to tilt my head way back to look at him when he’s standing next to me. Rosco isn’t nearly as tall. Maybe around six feet.
I still have to look up, but not as much as with Bo. He is dark-headed as well with a well-trimmed, mustache and beard. He’s
just as gorgeous as his other two brothers. The men burst onto the patio, carrying a huge cooler between the two of them. The
three other men are trailing behind them. The one on the left is tall with black hair, broad shoulders, and a chiseled handsome
face much like Luke, Bo, and Rosco. I assume this must be his brother Enos. The man on the right of the group appears to be
about six feet as well with brown hair and a smile that lights up his blue eyes.
The guy in the middle is a little frightening. He’s bald with piercings and tats. He isn’t as tall as the others. Don’t get me
wrong I like a man with tattoos, but this guy is tatted everywhere. Even his bald head. Well, I don’t know about everywhere,
but at least what’s visible. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is tatted literally everywhere, but that’s not something I even want to
think about. I can’t stop staring at the group as they approach. I try to drag my eyes away as Luke turns his chair around so he
can greet the group.
“Hey, Marley,” Bo greets me as he and Rosco set the cooler down to one side of the patio near the mini-fridge. “How are
you holding up?” His concern for me is sweet. I can tell he’s genuinely concerned not just making small talk.
“I’m fine,” I reply with my go to answer when anyone asks how I am. Luke whips around to give me a stern look. “What?” I
ask at the look on his face.
“Sweetheart, you are not fine.” Luke is still holding my hand. He gives it a gentle squeeze before he continues, “It’s okay to
admit that you aren’t.” My eyes are damp again. I don’t want to cry in front of these men. Why does Luke have to call me out on
my little white lie? I try to swallow the emotions down, blinking rapidly to prevent the tears from falling, but I can’t. I jump to
my feet and run for the sliding doors that lead inside. I need a few minutes alone, get myself back in control.
 LUKE

“W ay to go, bro,” Bo says as he smacks the back of my head, hard while I watch bewilderedly as Marley runs toward
the house. “You’re an idiot.” I turn my head to glare at him.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, but not really wanting to hear his answer. I’m more concerned about Marley
running off. I begin to make my way toward the house.
“You hurt Marley’s feelings,” Bo growls at me. “She didn’t want all of us to see her hurting and vulnerable. You outed her.”
I stop as I consider his words. Is that what I did? It wasn’t my intention. Fuck! I’ve messed this up, and she hasn’t been here
two hours yet. I need to fix this if at all possible.
“Can you guys get the chicken started?” I ask, continuing toward the house.
“We got this!” Rosco calls as he heads toward the grill. I enter the house, rolling at a fast clip. I never meant to hurt her
feelings. Bo’s right I’m such an idiot, but I can’t focus on that right now. I check the living room, kitchen, and den, but she’s
nowhere to be found. I head over to the lift and make my way up to the second floor. I exit the lift, checking bedrooms as I go,
but I don’t find her until I enter my room. I see her on the balcony. She is standing at the railing with her back to me. Her arms
are spread wide with her hands pressed into the wood as she leans heavily on them. Her head bowed. Despite the wind coming
off the water, I hear her sob and it guts me. I did this to her. I want to go to her, but I hesitate. I have no idea what to do or say to
make this better. I watch her for several minutes before I make my way closer to her as I scramble to find the right words to fix
my fuckup.
“Marley?” I ask softly, hoping she’ll turn around and forgive me without another word, but I realize I’m being foolish even
thinking this. She doesn’t reply or turn around. She remains standing with her head down. Her body shaking slightly. I curse
myself for upsetting her so. I ease up next to her, placing my hand on her lower back. “I’m truly sorry, Marley. I’m an
insensitive ass.” I blow out a breath as I look toward the waves crashing onto the shore below.
“You’re not an ass,” Marley counters so softly I wonder if I heard her correctly. She turns toward me. Her eyes, red
rimmed from her tears, looking at me are like to punch to the chest. So much emotion in those dark brown eyes. “I just needed a
minute alone to calm down after the day I’ve had.” She turns back to the ocean. My hand rubbing soothing circles on her back
as if it has a mind of its own. I don’t try to say anything else. Honestly, I should give her the privacy as she mentioned, but I’m
compelled to stay at her side, just in case she needs me. We remain this way for a while, just watching the ocean waves as the
tide comes in. Eventually she turns to me. Her face now dry and her eyes no longer reddened from tears.
“I didn’t mean to ruin your evening,” she says as she gives me a half-hearted smile. “You’re right; I’m not fine. No one in
my situation would be fine, but it’s my go-to-answer. I haven’t had someone to be concerned about me in many years.” She
looks back out at the water once more before continuing, “I know my mom loves me, but she has so many problems of her own,
that we don’t really share the hard stuff. I’ve been taking care of myself as long as I can remember. I got my own place at
seventeen as soon as I finished high school. I haven’t asked mom for money or even advice since I left home. It’s just how it is.
I’m used to customers who recognize me asking, “how are you?” I always say fine, no matter how bad the day has been
already. It’s just how I am. I’m not used to having anyone concerned about me.” I nod as I can understand where she’s coming
from on some level. I do the same with my brothers and sister. I’m always the strong one, not wanting to burden them when I’m
having a bad day.
“I shouldn’t have disputed you in front of my brothers and friends,” I offer. My hand still circling her back. “It’s just I knew
you weren’t fine. I don’t know why I felt the need to expose you like that. I just wasn’t thinking.” I have no explanation for my
behavior. In my defense, I haven’t been in any kind of relationship in a very long time, not that Marley and I are in a
relationship. Still I don’t want her hiding her feelings from me. I want to be the one to ease her pain, her fears. I don’t want to
lose the connection I felt we had developed earlier. “Can you forgive me?”
She turns to me, a smile ghosting her lips. “There’s nothing to forgive, Luke.” I hold out my hand as she places hers in mine.
I bring her palm to my lips and kiss it, savoring the feel of her skin on my lips. Glancing up at her, I see her face flushing at my
touch.
“Do you feel up to going down for dinner?” I ask her, not sure if she’ll accept after everything that happened. She smiles at
me and nods. Relief floods me as she leans down and places a kiss on my cheek. It sears me to the core, her touch. We make
our way back downstairs. Marley stops off in the kitchen to begin steaming the vegetables and put the rolls in the oven. I head
out to the patio where the guys are already throwing beers back. It’s going to be a long night. Rosco has the chicken on the grill.
Enos is hovering around adding his two cents of advice to Rosco.
“Are you out of the dog house?” Bo asks when I roll out onto the cobblestone patio. My right hand raises in a friendly
gesture that draws laughter from the men on the patio. I go over to check the progress on the chicken. Bo still trailing behind
me. “I guess that’s a no then. You want me to go talk to her?” Now I’m pissed.
“No, I don’t want you to talk to her,” I sneer at my brother. “She’s in the kitchen, preparing the vegetables and rolls.
Everything is fine.” Bo snorts as if he doesn’t believe me. Marley takes that moment to poke her head out the sliding glass door.
“Luke?” Marley’s face is flushed as if she’s embarrassed speaking to me in front of my brothers. “Um, I can’t find the salt.”
Before I can answer or make a move, Enos is on the move.
“I got you,” Enos says, heading toward Marley. “Luke is OCD. Everything has to be in its place.” Marley watches him
approach her looking a little concerned, but she steps back into the house and follows my brother to the kitchen. I blow out a
breath, not understanding why seeing my brother going into the house with my woman has me on edge. Wait! My woman? Why
did I think that? Marley isn’t mine. But do I want her to be? I ponder on that for several minutes, and the conclusion I come to
is, yes. I want Marley, more than any woman I’ve ever met. It’s more than just attraction. She is more. Can I make her mine?
Would she want me? I turn these questions over and over in my mind until laughter draws my attention back to the house.
Marley and Enos exit the sliding doors. Enos with a smirk on his face and Marley with a grin on hers. He put that smile on
her beautiful face. Yet I made her cry, and that pisses me off. Am I a fool for wanting her? Could she ever find it in herself to
want me too? I’m so caught up in my own head I don’t see her approaching. Her hand on my shoulder draws me out of my
worries. Startled I look up to see her looking down at me expectantly.
“Hey.” She bites her lower lip nervously. “I’ve got the vegetables and macaroni cooking. Is there anything else I can do?” I
place my hand over hers on my shoulder as I begin to shake my head.
“No, thank you,” I tell her. “You’ve done more than enough. You should relax.” Her lips pinch as she glances around at the
guys, who are acting like idiots as usual. I realize she doesn’t know us that well and is likely feeling overwhelmed being the
only female. I don’t know what to do to help her relax. I decide introducing her to the guys might help a least a little.
“Let me introduce you to everyone,” I begin as she gazes down at me. “I know you’ve waited on us at the Bistro, but you
probably don’t know everyone’s name.” She nods her agreement. So I point to my brothers one by one then our two closest
friends. “You met Bo and Rosco earlier today.” She gives them both a smile and dip of her head. “That’s Enos, he’s the finder
of the salt.” He winks at Marley before giving me a smirk. I can’t help rolling my eyes at him. Marley’s smile widens as she
watches the interaction between the two of us.
“Next we have Kelvin, and Dalton is the scary looking motherfucker.” There’s just no other way to describe him. The man
is tatted and pierced everywhere, including his bald head. He looks like an inmate who escaped a maximum-security prison,
but in reality, he’s one of the best men I’ve ever known. He’d give you the shirt off his back and has literally stepped in front of
bullets to protect us. “Guys, Marley.” I gesture toward her.
“Hello,” Marley says. “It’s nice to meet you all…officially.” She giggles, and I can’t keep the smile off my face. I motion
for her to sit on the lounger where she’d been resting before. Removing her hand from my shoulder, she walks around me to
take her seat. My hand wants to reach out and take hers again, but I resist, not sure if she’s ready for PDAs or not.
“So…” Enos comes over to me. “I think we need to dig deeper into this Wilson case. Something just isn’t adding up. I went
over to the stash house this afternoon.” He stops talking. I look at him expectantly, waiting for him to disclose what he found
when he went, but he just looks down at me.
“And?” I prompt. He continues to look at me expectantly as if I’m the one who’s supposed to fill him in on the information.
“Dammit, Enos, fucking spit it out man!” Bo is obviously as frustrated with Enos as I am. I look over at him, wishing I
could give him a high-five, but then I’d be the one acting like a child, so I reign in my reaction and look back at Enos, who has
the nerve to look over at Bo like he’s being an ass.
“Something ain’t adding up,” Enos says, finally, again without elaboration.
“Could you be more specific?” I ask as calmly as I can muster. “You keep saying it, but you aren’t giving me reasons as to
what isn’t adding up.”
“So, this guy gets pot shots taken at him in broad daylight,” Enos reminds us all of the case. “Yet, we haven’t found any
evidence that would link him to the gang, he claims is out to get him. The ‘Stash house’”—Enos makes air quotes as he says the
words—“which he claims to have seen all the drugs in was an abandoned building that nothing but rats and roaches have set
foot in for years. There’s zero evidence that place has been used recently.” I begin to run the possible reasons for this through
my head. Did Wilson get the address wrong, or is he intentionally leading us in the wrong direction?
“I’ve been running the CCTV footage in all the surrounding areas from the day of and a few days before the incident.”
Kelvin jumps in to the conversation. “The only thing strange I found is Wilson and his buddy, Dexter, were casing the area for
two days prior to the shooting. They made multiple trips to the area in a vehicle and on foot. On the day of the incident, I didn’t
see anyone suspicious lurking about the area where we deduced the shooter was located. However I did see Dexter on camera
leaving the area about two blocks from the incident, going in the opposite direction. He circled around and came to the scene
from the other end as if he hadn’t been in the area the whole time. I can’t prove it, but I think Dexter is our shooter. The
question is why?”
We all sit in silence as we comb over this new evidence. Movement to my right catches my attention. Marley is getting to
her feet. Have we scared her with our work discussion? Fuck! We shouldn’t be talking about things like this in front her. She’s
scared enough already without us talking about someone being shot at. I shake my head at our cluelessness.
“Marley?” I question her as she starts to walk around the end of the lounger. Her gaze lands on me, and I can see the fear on
her face, but she tries to hide it with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“I’ll just go check on the vegetables and macaroni,” she says softly. “I’ll be right back.” I nod and watch her make her way
to the sliding glass doors. Once she’s inside, I turn back to my brothers and friends who are watching me like I’m growing
wings or something.
“What?” I demand. The group all chuckles. “Seriously? What’s wrong with you all?” More laughter.
“Just never seen you so enthralled with a woman.” Bo shrugs his shoulders casually. The rest of them nodding their heads
in agreement.
“Enthralled?” I ask incredulously. “When the fuck did you start using such big words oh brother of mine?”
“Hey!” Bo exclaims. “I read…sometimes.” This causes more chuckles and laughter from the group.
“Listen all joking aside,” I say as I glance toward the doors to see if Marley is on her way back out. “We need to watch
what we’re saying in front of Marley. I think we freaked her out with talk of the shooting. She’s had a really bad day, and I
know the way her house was tossed she’s afraid of what could have happened if she’d been home when that shit went down.”
“I’m sorry, Luke.” Enos joins the conversation. “I wasn’t thinking when I brought it up. How bad was it?” I can see he’s
truly remorseful that he played a part in upsetting Marley, but this is on me. I invited her here. It’s my duty to keep her safe.
“It wasn’t the worst I’d seen,” I begin. “But bad enough. They tossed the place and ruined everything. The only shit they
didn’t destroy was the walls and flooring. She literally has nothing. That reminds me, can one of you get her some basic
clothing and essentials until I can take her shopping?”
“Dude!” Rosco moans, “You know none of us know the first damn thing about buying women’s clothing. What the hell are
you thinking?” I glare at him. Marley is going to need some essentials.
“I’ll go, boss,” Dalton speaks up shocking all of us. He’s always been a team player, but anything touchy feely is off limits
with him. “Text me a list of what you want.”
“Thanks, man,” I reply. “I owe you big time.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and quickly type out a list of things I think
she’ll need tonight. I send it off to Dalton. He looks over the list quickly, then heads off the patio toward the driveway. I will
take Marley shopping as soon as possible. I look toward the house, concern over how long Marley’s been gone. I should go
check on her. I begin making my way to the house as I see Rosco and Enos taking up the chicken from the grill.
 M A R LE Y

T he men are speaking so causally about someone being shot at. I can’t imagine such a thing. It dawns on me; had I been
home when whoever broke into my home, I could have been shot, or worse. A shiver runs through me as the possible
outcomes flash in my mind. I need to get away from them discussing this. I can feel the panic rising in me. I need to
distract myself from all of this. I’m a simple person who leads a quiet life. In this moment, I can’t handle the turn my life has
taken.
Rising to my feet, I force myself to move and try to take a calming breath. Luke notices me getting up. He looks over at me
with concern and calls to me. I scramble to give him something. I don’t want to admit I’m freaking the hell out. The vegetables
and noodles. I need to check on them anyway. I use that as my excuse for walking away. I quickly make my way to the safety of
the kitchen far away from the men and their talk of shootings and stash houses.
I manage to make it to the kitchen before I break down into a blubbering mess again. Through my tears, I stir the vegetables,
cutting into them, testing their doneness. I drain and rinse the pasta, then begin to make the cheese sauce from milk, butter, and
three kinds of cheese I find in his fridge: cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby. While the cheese is melting, I put the enormous
tray of rolls into the oven. I had protested at the number of rolls Luke wanted to cook, but he knows better how much food he
and his men will eat. I let my tears fall while I’m preparing the food, until I feel cried out again. Once the food is done and I
have the everything in serving dishes, I go in search of the downstair bathroom Luke had shown me on the tour of his home.
I enter the half-bathroom and splash some cool water on my face, hoping to hide the evidence of my tearful outburst. I’m
still trembling as I can’t turn off the repeat scenario running through my head of someone hurting me in my home. Some faceless
stranger raping, beating, or shooting me all for what? I don’t have anything valuable. What have I done to deserve what’s
happening to me? Taking a deep breath, I stare at my red face in the mirror. A soft knock jars me, causing me to spin toward the
door in fear, my heart pounding.
“Marley?” Luke’s voice asks. I exhale the breath I’ve been holding. I quickly unlock the door and open it. Luke is waiting
in the hall. His handsome face colored with apprehension. “Hey,” he says, holding his arms out to me. “Come here,” he
commands. I allow him to pull me onto his lap again. He pulls me to his chest, and I lay my head on his shoulder. I shake all
over as my fears overwhelm me again. His kindness my undoing. His hands rub soothing circles on my back as he murmurs
comforting words to me. I relax into him, letting his warmth and strong arms hold my uncertainties at bay for the time being.
When my trembling body finally relaxes, he lifts his head from where it’s been resting on top of mine. “I’m sorry,” Luke’s
voice rumbles in my ear where it’s resting against his broad chest. “We shouldn’t have been discussing a client’s situation in
front of you. We didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s fine.” I sigh not bothering to raise my head and look at him. “I’m just overwhelmed with everything. I’m sorry you are
constantly having to comfort me, but I really do appreciate your kindness and concern for me.” His arms tighten around my
body.
“You don’t have to thank me,” Luke rumbles. “I’m happy to be here for you.” His hand runs through my hair, smoothing it
out of my eyes. I glance up to see him peering down at me. “I’m just sorry you’re having to go through this.” His lips descend to
press against my forehead. My eyes drift closed as I soak in the comfort he’s providing me. “Thank you for trusting me to care
for you.”
I do trust Luke. I know we don’t really know each other that well, but having seen and spoken with him nearly every day the
last year or more, I feel like he’s at the least my friend. After the couple of heated kisses we’ve shared, a part of me hopes we
can be more than friends, but deep down, I know I could never be enough for a man like him. He deserves someone who has
their shit together. Some faceless successful business woman who is model gorgeous. I swallow hard as I realize just how far
from all those things I am.
“The food’s ready!” Bo calls from the patio door, sparing me from having to face my inadequacies for the time being. Luke
makes no effort to move, however. I allow him to hold me a minute longer before I pull myself together for the hundredth time
in the last few hours. Man, my life is really sucking right now, but at the same time, I have this handsome, kind, caring man
looking out for me. It would be easy to get used to this, but I can’t allow myself to get too comfortable. It’ll all be over soon,
and I can’t afford to let my heart get broken. Luke is the kind of man you don’t get over. I’d never be able to pick up the pieces
of my heart and put it back together if he broke it. I raise up, forcing my face into a smile, before sliding off his lap.
“Let’s get you some food, yeah?” he asks me, holding out his hand, asking to hold mine. I know I shouldn’t, but I place my
hand in his, wanting to savor this intimacy a little longer. He brings my hand to his lips, kissing it gently as his dark eyes hold
me captive. I shiver–not only from his touch but the intensity in his eyes as he looks at me. Like he is seeing into my soul, and
he’s going to take it as his own. He releases my hand to wheel himself toward the kitchen. We gather the food, plates,
silverware, and glasses, taking everything out to the patio where the men are gathered. I busy myself setting the table. Rosco
opens the cooler they brought with them, pulling beers from it and passing them around to the men.
“You want a beer, Marley?” Rosco asks, peering up at me from his stooped position. I shake my head with a scowl. I’ve
never cared for the taste of it. His brow furrows as he considers my answer. “Wine cooler?” I smile at him with a nod.
“Yeah,” I answer. “That would be great.” He digs around before he pulls a Seagram’s Jamaican Me Happy out of the
cooler. He twists the top, loosening it for me before passing it to me. I want to roll my eyes at him for being a caveman, but it’s
a sweet gesture all the same. “Thank you,” I say as I place my drink on the large table, grabbing a plate, spooning some of the
steamed vegetables onto my plate. I get one of the fluffy rolls and a couple of the chicken tenders. My stomach is in knots, and
I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat much, but I know I need to do so because it’s been hours and hours since I ate breakfast this
morning. After everything that’s happened today, I’m running on empty. I make my way around the table to take a seat next to
Luke. There are other empty spaces, but Luke makes me feel safe, less afraid. I shouldn’t be depending on him for my comfort,
but after the day I’ve had, I need this. Just for tonight.
The patio descends into a comfortable quiet. The only sounds are the ocean waves and the clinking of silverware on the
plates as everyone digs into their food. The men have piled their plates full. Kelvin has brought out bags of chips. I notice
Dalton is missing. I wonder where he has gone off to, but I’m not going to ask. I pick at my food even though everything is
delicious. The uncertainty surrounding me making it difficult for me to relax. A hand on my thigh draws me out of my head. I
look over to see Luke watching me.
“What’s wrong, Marley?” Luke frowns at my plate. “Is the food not good? I can fix you something else.” The man is so
thoughtful.
“The food is great,” I answer honestly. “I’m just anxious, and that is making it difficult for me to eat. I hope I’m not ruining
your party.” His face softens as he gazes at me.
“Not at all. I was just concerned.” Luke grins at me. “I was beginning to doubt my cooking skills, when you weren’t
eating.” I giggle at the overly worried look he shoots me.
“Why would you think that?” I’m genuinely confused. “Everyone else is inhaling their food.” I glance around at men who
are like human garbage disposals. Luke laughs before replying.
“They don’t count.” Luke gestures at the men around the table. “They don’t taste their food. They just swallow it whole and
chew their cud later.” He looks deadly serious, which causes me to laugh, like really laugh. Luke chuckles along with me. The
others around the table look at us in confusion, but the laughter is infectious. Everyone at the table is crying with laughter when
Dalton comes around the corner of the house down the path leading to the patio. He’s carrying several shopping bags. He’s
grinning but has look of confusion on his face.
“What’s so funny?” Dalton asks, walking over to Luke and me, setting his bags down on the table next me.
“We have no fucking clue.” Bo chuckles. “These two started cracking up and it was contagious. We have no idea what
we’re laughing about.” The men are all shaking their heads, but still chuckling.
“Were you able to get everything?” Luke asks Dalton, changing the subject. Dalton turns his attention to Luke to answer.
“Yeah,” he answers, then turns toward me. “I hope you’ll like what I got, Marley.” My eyes widen in surprise. What on
earth is he talking about? “I didn’t know what you liked, so I guessed.”
“What?” I look up at Dalton who’s standing behind Luke and I. “What are you talking about?”
“Um, clothes and girly shit.” Dalton shrugs as he pushes the bags toward me. “I tried to choose the colors and scents I
thought you’d like.” I’m staring at him in complete and utter shock. What is he saying? He went and got me clothes? And girly
shit? What does that even mean?
“Why?” I’m staring up at the scary man totally confused. “Why would you get me stuff?” I just can’t wrap my brain around
why a man who has only seen me a handful of times would go buy me clothes. What kind of clothes? Curiosity gets the better of
me, and I reach into the bag closest to me to pull out whatever is inside.
“Boss asked me to get you some things,” Dalton informs me as I pull out the contents of the bag, which is several lacy bras
and matching panties. “Guess he didn’t want you walking round here naked in front of the rest of us.” My face flushes at his
words, and seeing what I have in my hands. I quickly shove them back into the bag. I raise my eyes to see Luke watching me. It
registers what Dalton has said. Luke asked him to go shopping for me since I have nothing but the clothes on my back. Warmth
floods my chest. He is looking out for me.
“Why…I don’t…you didn’t have to do that,” I stutter as I try to comprehend all that Luke has done for me. I look around at
the men at the table. I don’t see pity or condemnation in their eyes, only concern for me and a little curiosity as if they’re
wondering if Dalton got the right things. I have a feeling if he did get things I’d like, their respect for him will grow tenfold.
“Marley.” Luke takes my hand. “I’m just trying to make you comfortable. There wasn’t anything we could salvage from
your home, so I had Dalton get you a few things. It’s not much. We will have to go shopping so you can get whatever else you
need, but this will get you through the night.” My throat tightens as his words sink in. I have nothing, and he is wanting to get me
what I need. I squeeze his hand, but I can’t say anything else, or I’ll cry any for the tenth time today. So I just nod. He gives me
a tight smile. The men go back to eating and teasing one another. Dalton grabs himself a plate, piling up food until it’s mounded
up high. I’m a little shocked when he comes back to sit on the other side of me.
“Look at that stuff.” Dalton gestures toward the bags, before he checks his watch. “The stores will be open a few more
hours, if there’s anything you don’t like, I can go swap it out, or pick up anything I might have missed.” I don’t know what to
think, much less what to say, so I push my plate away. Scooting back from the table, I take the bags in hand to head inside. Luke
seems reluctant to let my hand go when he realizes my intent.
“I’ll be right back,” I assure him, even as I think I’m reading too much into his actions. He’s just being thoughtful and
considerate. That doesn’t mean anything more than he’s a protector and it’s in his nature to help people in need. Luke nods and
releases my hand. I take the bags and head inside his home to the staircase. Once I reach the top, it hits me I haven’t chosen a
room. He’d said I could stay in any of them. My first instinct is to choose the one closest to his, but I need to remember I’m his
guest, someone he’s helping out, not his girlfriend or anyone special to him. I pick the one furthest from his. This way we’ll
both have our privacy.
Entering, I look around at the spacious, comfortable room. There’s a large window on the far wall that overlooks the patio
and beach. Night has fallen. I can’t see much. I set the bags on the foot of the large king-sized bed as I walk closer to the
window. Looking down, I can see the men still gathered around the table. The patio is lit up with tiki torches and fairy lights
Luke has strung around the space. I watch him with his brothers and friends. He laughs at something one of them has said, and I
can’t take my eyes off him. His head thrown back as he laughs. He’s truly a handsome man. His dark hair, beard, and mustache
are trimmed, but not super short. He definitely has enough hair to run your fingers through or to tug on in certain situations. I
shake my head, shutting down that line of thinking.
I turn back to the bed, which is covered in a light-colored bedspread with huge blue flowers. It gives the room a tropical
feel. Nautical themed decorations don the walls. A large chest of drawers is on the wall near the door. I take the bags and dump
their contents on the bed. Picking up the items one by one, I’m amazed at Dalton’s shopping skills. He did a damn fine job of
guessing my sizes. He’s gotten me two lacy bras with matching thong panties that I’d dragged from a bag when I’d been down
stairs. One set is black, the other red. Not colors I’m used to wearing, nor is the lace. I’m a simple cotton, plain white or tan
kind of girl, and I’ve never worn a thong in my life. I’m boring, remember? Plain old granny panties for me. I look at the sizes
and see they should actually fit. I bite my lip in indecision. They aren’t really my style, but a part of me wants to see what I’d
look like with them on. Would they make me feel sexy or awkwardly stupid? I’m leaning toward awkwardly stupid. Women my
size should not be wearing thongs. Only one way to find out, but before I begin to change, I look to see what else he’s gotten.
A cute pajama set is the next item I find in the pile of clothing. It consists of a white tank with a sloth on the front with All
about the naps written in an arch around the sloth. The shorts are blue with little sloths dotting them. I shake my head as I
imagine Dalton in the women’s section, picking out my pajamas. I’m sure he must have caused a few heads to turn for sure.
Laughing to myself, I pick up a pair of jeans, a plain pink t-shirt, a grey long-sleeved t-shirt, a package of socks, and shockingly
a beautiful sundress. It comes up high to wrap around the neck, leaving the shoulders completely bare. It has a slit up one side
to about mid-thigh. The fabric is an airy, flowy soft cotton. A pair of matching sandals are on the bed as well.
I find shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, razors, a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, a hairbrush, a comb,
barrettes, bobby pins, hair ties, and a couple of headbands. A small bottle of perfume, some basic cosmetics, and hair products
are there, too. Embarrassingly he’s included a multi-variety pack of tampons and pads, too. The man has thought of everything,
spending a small fortune in the process. I need to keep up with all this so I can repay Luke’s kindness. I decide not to dwell on
it right now, though, because there is zero I can do about it. I decide I’ll shower and put on the pajamas.
The ensuite bathroom is just as opulent as the rest of the house. A large tub with claw feet is near the window. A separate
shower stall is closer to the door. A sink with a nice large counter is to the left when you enter the room. A toilet closet is to the
right. I strip off my uniform from the Bistro, sadness hitting me again that the job I’ve had for years is no longer mine. I turn the
nozzles and pull the handle to get the water to rain down from the shower head. I allow it to warm before stepping under the
hot spray. Closing my eyes, I stand under the water with my head tilted back, waiting for the heat to relax all my fears and
anxieties away, but after several minutes, I come to understand not even a hot shower is going to make this better.
I allow myself to break down again, not that the other ten times have been effective at calming me, but it helps, a little at
least, for a short amount of time. I wash my hair, condition it, and wash the rest of my body quickly. Not wanting to be rude and
use all the hot water. For all I know, Luke will need to shower before bed. When I feel marginally better, I shut the water off
and wrap a huge bath sheet around my body after toweling my hair dry. Swiping the steam off the mirror, I inspect my reflection
again. Dark circles are under my dull hazel eyes. Even I can see the strain on my face, but there’s not a damn thing I can do to
take it away. Until I can figure out how to get my life back on track, this is going to be my normal.
 LUKE

I watch Marley carrying her packages into the house. I let out the breath I’ve been holding. I wasn’t sure how she’d react
to Dalton getting her clothes and essential items. I hope she finds everything satisfactory. I’ve never worried about a
client like this before. It’s because Marley is more than a client. She’s mine. Why that thought is on repeat in my head, I
don’t know, but it feels right. This, taking care of Marley, feels right, like this is how it’s supposed to be. Fate has taken over,
and I’m just along for the ride.
“Dalton, I can’t believe you volunteered for shopping detail,” Enos comments. “How did you even know what kind of shit
to get?” All eyes turn on Dalton, who’s shoveling food in faster than should be humanly possible. He pauses to chew, before
grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth before answering.
“You forget,” Dalton comments, taking a sip of his beer. “I have three younger sisters. I had to look after them while mom
was working.” He shrugs his shoulders. “It wasn’t that difficult.”
“How did you know what size stuff to get her?” Bo asks. “I mean it’s not like I pay attention to what size clothes the women
I take out wear. I can tell differences in size by how their bodies feel in my hands and under me, but I don’t check out their tags
to know this one is a small and this one is a large.” Bo looks so utterly consumed with knowing Dalton’s secrets. Dalton laughs
at Bo as he spouts out all his stupid shit. I, too, am curious how he knew. I wouldn’t have the first clue where to begin.
“I went by her house and looked at what was left.” He shrugs his shoulders, turning back to his food as if it was a no-
brainer.
“You went to her house?” I demand, a million questions coming to mind. “Were the cops still there?”
“Yeah, Det. Atwood said he’ll call you later,” Dalton answers before taking another bite. I watch him chew and swallow,
waiting for more details. “Those fucks really did a number on her stuff.” He glances at me, and I nod my agreement. I can still
see all her things shredded and strewn around her home. I know it hurt her not only losing her things, but the violation of
someone being in her home, touching her personal things. “I did the best I could to take note of the types of clothes she had and
colors. Although I got a few things that might be out of her comfort zone.” He chuckles and blushes slightly.
“What the fuck did you do?” I ask not sure if I really want to know the answer. My eyes bore into him. He looks over at me
with a smirk.
“Man you should have seen her undergarments.” He leans back taking another long drink of his beer. Anger flares in me that
he looked at or touched her underwear.
“The fuck!” I exclaim. Bo, Enos, Rosco, and Kelvin are laughing and punching each other on the shoulder. “Tell me you
didn’t touch her underwear!” I demand. Dalton’s face pales a little as he can tell I’m seriously pissed.
“I had to man,” Dalton explains. “How else was I going to know what size she wears? I wasn’t being a perv.” He huffs in
frustration. “But, dude, she wears granny panties and bras. A woman as young and hot as she is shouldn’t be wearing shit like
that, so I got her something better.” I can’t believe I’m hearing him say this shit. It’s true Marley is gorgeous. I honestly hadn’t
given thought to what she’s wearing under her clothes. I’ve been more focused on getting her out of them all together. However,
I don’t like the thought he’s been imagining her in what he bought.
“Don’t be thinking about her like that,” I growl angrily. “She deserves better than to drooled over like a piece of meat.” All
eyes turn on me with accusation.
“Luke, you’re being a little possessive there, brother,” Rosco scolds me. “Last I checked, we’re all red-blooded American
men, picturing a beautiful woman naked is just what we do. It’s like second nature.”
“Not her!” I know I’m acting out of character for me. I’ve never been this way about a woman before. I’ve never been
possessive of a woman, but Marley is mine, not temporarily, but forever. How do I know this? I don’t know, but I feel it in my
heart and in my head. She is meant to be mine, my woman, and I don’t want any of these fuckers to think about her the way I’ve
been thinking about her.
“Sorry, man.” Dalton reenters the conversation. “I swear I wasn’t thinking of her like that, not for myself. It’s just she
shouldn’t be wearing shit like that. I swear I don’t want her in my bed. It’s not like that at all with her.” I feel minimally better.
It still chaps my ass to think of any man thinking of Marley naked, doing all the dirty things I want to do to her.
 “Sorry.” I relent. “It’s just…Marley is kind and thoughtful. We can’t be treating her like that.” The mood shifts at the table.
All eyes are on me, once again. I need to explain myself, but I’m not ready. Hell, I don’t even know what this is myself. I want
her, but does she want me? She’s in a difficult time in her life, right now. I can’t take advantage of her when she isn’t thinking
clearly.
“We get it,” Enos says. I turn to look at him with a frown. I’m glad he gets it, because I sure as hell don’t. “You like her,
maybe even more than like her. She’s off limits. We’ll all respect that and we’ll take care of her like she’s family.” The other
men nod their agreement. It feels good knowing these men, my brothers by birth and my brothers by choice, are willing to
watch over her for me.
“Thanks, guys.” I blow out a breath before continuing, “I honestly don’t know what it is about Marley that’s making me act
like a crazy man, but I care for her. I feel like there’s the potential for it to be something, but I have no clue where her mind is
at, and now isn’t the time to be trying to begin a relationship with her. She’s going through a lot, and I don’t need to add to it.”
The men seem to agree with me. My phone ringing draws us out of the heavy conversation. I pull the phone from my pocket.
“Robertson, you’re on speaker,” I answer as I wait the reply.
“Hey Luke, Atwood here,” Mark Atwood replies. “I realize it’s getting late, but I was hoping I could come by to interview
the victim?” I frown as I look at the time. I don’t want her to have to relive all of it tonight. She’s had a bad enough day as it is
without having to repeat everything to Atwood.
“You’re right, Atwood.” My reply a little gruffer than it should be. “It is late. She’s had a rough day and has already turned
in for the night. Can’t this wait until morning?” The man doesn’t answer right away.
“Yeah,” he relents. “I suppose it can wait. Bring her to the station at nine in the morning.”
“Sure thing.” I concede. “Did you find out anything?” I know he likely won’t tell me anything, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
“You know I can’t discuss an ongoing investigation,” Atwood argues. “You’ll just have to wait for my official report.” He
thinks he can keep me in the dark, but he relies on my company for information gathering, and I’m not about to let him forget it.
“So,” I begin, knowing he’s cursing me already. “I guess that’ll be my reply next time you need some dark web information
that your by-the-books tech geeks can’t get you.” A few colorfully strung together curse words come over the line, causing my
brothers to chuckle.
“We lifted some prints, but I honestly don’t expect them to be helpful,” Atwood answers. “I’m figuring whoever it was
wore gloves. The back door lock had fresh scratch marks on it, maybe from being picked. I don’t know for sure. I don’t believe
this was some random burglar, Luke. Whoever did this didn’t take anything but made sure to destroy anything of value. It was
personal. It has the vibe of a professional job, but I’ve run the girl. I didn’t find anything at all suspicious. Who is this girl,
Luke? How well do you know her?”
“She’s a nobody,” I return. “I don’t mean that badly, but literally, she’s a waitress at The Bistro…well she was until that
prick of an owner fired her today. Look I don’t know what exactly is going on, but someone is out to hurt this woman. There
have been a lot of other incidents leading up to what happened today. I’m going to be digging into it, but I haven’t had time to
get into it, yet. Give me a few days and I’ll bring you up to speed.”
“I know better than to demand anything more.” Atwood chuckles as he prepares to end our call. “I’ll see you at nine.” He
ends the call, and I pocket my phone. I look up to see the guys all giving me a weird look.
“What?” I ask, already knowing I’m not going to like their response.
“Dude, you are head over heels and don’t even know it yet,” Bo laughs. The others nodding their agreement.
“I am not,” I deny but realize they know me better than that. “I don’t know about head over heels…I do care about her, as I
said before. I’d actually been working up to asking her out before all this shit happened. Now I can’t go there with her. At
least, not until we find out who is out to hurt her and get her life back on track. She isn’t in a good place. I won’t take advantage
of her. She deserves so much better than that.” The guys nod their agreement. I realize she’s been gone for quite a while. Did
she turn in? I decide I’m going to check on her, make sure she’s okay. “Are any of you staying?” I ask the table at large.
“Yeah.” Bo is the first to respond. “I might. I for one have had one too many to be driving.” He turns up his bottle of beer to
drain the last of it. I look at the table and see all the empty bottles sitting around and have the feeling none of them will be
leaving here tonight unless they call an Uber.
“Marley is staying in one of the guest rooms, but I don’t know which one yet,” I tell them. “So, watch yourselves when you
go up, don’t bust in on her.” I give them all a stern look before I turn to head inside to check on her. I check the downstairs, but
not finding her anywhere, I head to the lift. When I reach the second floor, I wonder which room she chose. I’m hoping it’s the
room next to mine, but that might not be a good idea. Too tempting only having one wall between us. Huffing at the turn my
thoughts are once again taking, I head down the hall toward my room, checking all the bedrooms as I go. I don’t find her in any
of them. I turn around and head the other direction.
Passing the three rooms I’ve already checked, I pass the lift to check the other rooms. When I arrive at the bedroom farthest
from mine, I find the door closed. I reach out to knock, but I hesitate. Am I being too pushy? What if she’s wanting to be alone?
How will she react to me coming to find her a second time? I’m about to turn around and go to my room when her door swings
open. Marley stumbles when she sees me sitting outside her door, and I’m utterly speechless when I see what she’s wearing, or
more like what she’s not wearing. She has on a tank top and shorts that are revealing more of her skin than I’ve ever seen
before. I drink her in from head to toe and back again. Her full breasts are hanging heavy in the tank top, and I’m fairly certain
she isn’t wearing a bra. Her nipples are peaked and begging to be touched. Her waist dips in slightly before her hips flare out
so seductively. The bare flesh of her thick thighs draws me like a moth to a flame. My hand is itching to reach out and touch her.
I ball my hands into fists to prevent me from doing just that.
“Luke?” she asks, confusion in her voice. “What are you doing out here?” I grin at her sheepishly.
“I was coming to check on you,” I tell her honestly. “Then I thought maybe you needed some time to yourself and I didn’t
want to be obnoxious. I’d already came after you once when you wanted to be alone.” She smiles so beautifully at me, her face
flushing a pretty shade of pink.
“I did need a few minutes alone,” she confesses. “But I’m glad you’re here.” The smile on her face makes my heart pound. I
can’t get over how gorgeous she is, standing here in my home. I’ve always thought Marley to be attractive, but seeing her
smiling in her pajamas…it’s a sight to behold.
 M A R LE Y

“I wanted to thank you again for everything. Letting me stay here, getting the clothes.” I gesture to my attire. “You’ve been
so generous. I’ll never be able to repay you.” Luke moves closer to me.
“As I’ve said before, Marley, you don’t need to thank me.” He reaches for my hand and I give it to him. “Or to
repay me. I’m glad I can be here when you need me. I’m sorry all this has happened to you, but I will get this straightened out
for you.” I can’t help but smile at the sweet man. “Det. Atwood called. He’d like to see you in the morning around nine.” My
smile faulters. I had forgotten I had to talk to the detective. I’ve gotten lost in spending time with Luke. I’ve lost focus on the
reason I’m here. My home has been violated by some unknown person. I’m in financial ruin and I have no job.
“Okay, I’ll make sure to be there,” I tell him. I look around for my phone so I can enter the information in it. “Um…can you
give me the address to the station?” I ask. Luke frowns at me.
“I’m not sure of the address,” Luke says hesitantly. “I know where it is.” He’s still frowning, looking at me with concern.
“Why are you wanting to know the address?”
“I’ll need it to get there.” I sigh heavily as all the possible scenarios run through my head on how I’m going to get there.
“You know, to give the Uber driver.”
“You’re not taking an Uber, Marley,” Luke says grumpily. “I’ll be taking you to the station.”
“Oh Luke!” I exclaim, my heart beat kicking up. “You’ve done so much already. You have a business to run. I don’t want to
keep you from doing what you need to be doing. I can manage.” His face forms a scowl. He looks almost like he’s angry at
what I’ve said.
“Marley”–his voice deadly calm in comparison to the look on his handsome face– “I’m only going to say this one more
time.” He pauses to stare deep into my eyes. My breath catches from the intensity of his gaze. “You are not alone. Not anymore.
I will be taking you to the station. I’ll go with you to your landlord to straighten out your rent issue. Next, we will see the bank
about your car payments and your emptied accounts. I might not be able to fix it all in one day, but I’m not leaving you to fend
for yourself.”
“Luke,” I croak, unable to speak clearly from all the emotion running through me.
“Like it or not,” Luke growls. “You’re stuck with me for the foreseeable future.” My vision blurs, and I blink to keep the
tears at bay. This man is going out of his way to take care of me. Something no one has done for many years. And I like it. I like
it a lot.
“I like it,” I blurt out. My hand flies to my mouth because I can’t believe I’ve just said it out loud. Luke chuckles as he tugs
on the hand he’s still holding. I let him pull me onto his lap again. It seems I end up here every hour or so. Not that I’m
complaining, because he’s a very comfortable seat. One that I could definitely get used to.
“Good,” Luke says. His voice husky as he leans closer. He pauses millimeters from my lips. His eyes find mine, asking if
it’s okay to kiss me. I close the distance as my answer. His lips are warm, soft, and full. His kiss is gentle at first. His lips
moving tenderly over mine. His hand lands on the nape of my neck. The sensation so stimulating and arousing I gasp, which
gives him the opportunity to thrust his tongue into my mouth. I moan at the intimate contact. Our tongues slide over, under, and
around each other. He tilts my head as he deepens the kiss. My arms go around his neck. My hands sliding into his hair. He
feels so good holding me, kissing me. I could get used to this. That thought has me pulling away. Luke isn’t mine. This is all too
good to be true, and I need to remember things like this don’t happen to me. As my eyes open, Luke is looking at me concerned.
“Marley?”
“It’s late,” I say as I slide off his lap. His arms reluctantly fall away. “I’ll see you in the morning.” I don’t wait for his
reply. I slip into my room and close the door. Leaning against the closed door, I try to calm myself as best I can. My heart is
pounding in my chest and my breaths are rapid. I attempt to recover from his scorching kiss. I didn’t want to stop kissing him.
He didn’t seem to want to stop kissing me either, but I have to protect my heart. I can’t let myself get carried away. Luke is so
far out of my league I can’t even see his floor. He will see that eventually, but it would be too late to prevent my heart getting
broken. After several minutes, I hear his chair begin to move away. I push off from the door and head over to the bed. Crawling
under the covers, I close my eyes in an attempt to force myself to sleep, but I can tell sleep won’t come easily, tonight.
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