“Thanks for the ride into town, Red. I really appreciate it.”

“No worries. Give me a second to check in with Wolf and we’ll go in,” he replies.

“Oh, uh, there’s really no place for you to go in. It’s a small spa and—”

“Tor—”

“Red… that building is small. A total of three rooms,” I warn him.

“So?”

“I’d rather not have you sitting in the small waiting room with a grand total of four chairs while I’m in the next room getting a bikini wax and screaming in pain.”

“Wolf wants me to keep an eye on you. He told me you were being harassed by one of those men from that charter close to Sevier County.”

“Red, there’s not even a back door to that building. You can watch me from this SUV. I don’t really want you hearing me cry over my lady parts.”

“There’s no back door? How is that even legal?”

“I don’t know, but it’s true. You want to go in and look?”

“Yeah, I guess if I make sure the building is secure, and can monitor who goes in then Wolf should be satisfied.”

I stop myself from rolling my eyes. I understand why Wolf is being so cautious. The problem is he’s always been overprotective and right now it’s about a million times worse. Agreeing to “date” him has only made him more possessive too. I know this is what my father wanted, but those doubts I had before are nearly screaming at me now. My head is a mess; my emotions are a mess… I’m a mess.

I wait once we get inside the small spa—which is really a small office trailer that has been converted. Murfreesboro doesn’t have a lot of choices. The receptionist knows me well and smiles when I go in, but her gaze immediately goes to Red. He probably scares her to death. He’s a huge man who stands at 6’9” and is built like a linebacker. He’s got long red hair that’s curly and might look good if he took care of it, but he doesn’t. Instead, it’s a massive, huge afro. One of his arms looks like a tree trunk along the biceps.

Red goes through the small area and then starts to open the main room before the receptionist screeches at him.

“Sir! You can’t do that!”

He looks at her and then opens the door—which is followed by more screeching as the woman who is getting a bikini wax doesn’t appreciate his intrusion at all. I hold my head down as he checks out the bathroom and ignores the receptionist again, while checking out her area.

“Fuck. There really isn’t a back door to this place. How in the hell do you guys stay in business?” Red barks to the poor innocent girl who probably wishes she had called in sick this morning.

“I…uh…well…” She trails off, because it’s clear she doesn’t know what to say and how could she?

“Satisfied?” I ask Red when he comes back to stand beside me.

“I’ll be out in the truck and I’ll be watching the entrance. If you need me, you call and I’ll be here in seconds,” he says in his gruff voice. I nod.

“You could go for a bit, you know? This is going to take a while.”

“How long?” he growls.

“I’m an hour early for my appointment, Red. I warned you.”

“So?”

“I don’t think they can work me in early, can you, Sharon?” I direct my question to the receptionist. She knows me well and right now I’m praying she knows what I need from her. She studies me for a minute and I hold my breath when she starts to answer.

“I… well, Torrent, to be honest we are behind schedule today. So it may be an hour and a half before Jamile can even take you back.”

“You’re fucking kidding me,” Red answers and his voice vibrates with so much anger poor Sharon jumps.

“Told you and then I’m getting the works while I’m in there.”

“What does that mean?”

“That once I get back there it could take up to three hours to finish.”

“You’ll do this another day then. I got shit to do.”

“Then go do it. I’m getting my spa day.”

“Torrent—”

“Red, this place is the only spa in the area. I’m not traveling to Nashville to go get everything done.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m not letting strangers look at my hoo-hah.”

“Christ.”

“And besides that, Wolf will be home in two days.”

“Torrent, you’re starting to get on my damn nerves.”

“The feeling is mutual. Besides, I’m pretty sure Sharon can’t work me in if I cancel today.”

“I’m afraid not. We stay booked up,” Sharon pipes up helpfully. I smile at her, silently giving my thanks.

“Then, you’ll reschedule and comeback whenever,” he mutters.

“Red. I am not going to look like…. well, I don’t want to have your hairstyle between my legs when Wolf gets back.”

“Fuck, Torrent, I don’t want to hear that shit.”

“I’m just saying it’s going to be your job to tell Wolfe why our romantic date ends at a handshake.”

“Fine. I’ll get a prospect to come and watch the door, but understand me, Torrent, you better be ready to leave when I get back.”

“In five hours?” I question hopefully.

“Four, tops. You better make that work.”

“I… uh… think we can work with that can’t we, Sharon?” I ask, turning to her so she can see my face silently pleading for her to agree.

“I think so…” she says and I don’t miss the confusion on her face, but thankfully Red does.

I watch as he stomps out without saying anything else. When the door closes, I think that’s the first free breath I take today.

Slowly I turn to Sharon and wait for her questions. I don’t have long to wait.

“Torrent, you don’t have an appointment today and you know it doesn’t take—”

“I need a way out of here, that’s not in the front and I need you to try and cover for me, Sharon.”

She studies me and maybe she sees the sheer panic on my face, but she gives me a grim smile of agreement.

God, I hope I’m doing the right thing.