Ray Morrison, after farther investigation, was indeed a sexual predator. It hadn’t been hard getting his sealed indictment opened. Just a few greased palms.

Though his past indiscretion involved no more than inappropriate touching of a minor when he was little more than a minor himself, it showed a pattern of behavior that was sure to have become worst if left unchecked.

What was of more importance to me right now though, was the fact that his maternal aunt was none other than my manager Arlene.

I’d suspected her from the beginning, but seeing that shit in black and white still left me reeling. What the fuck is going on in her head?

It made no sense that she’d go this far. I’ve never shown any interest in her and never would. Not only is she not my type but she’s married. What kind of sick fuck is she that she would go to these lengths?

Did this all really start with a smile, or had this been her intention all along? Had I missed the signs? Or was she that good at hiding what she is?

I can’t worry about that shit now. Right now I have a situation on my hands that could turn ugly if left unattended. Worse, my Annabelle is in the middle of this shit, no way am I sleeping on it. I sat back in my chair and tried to think of my next move.

Tomorrow was Friday, which meant Anna wasn’t going to be here. I had yet to get ahold of her school schedule and I still don’t know what she does with her weekends.

I could ask her outright, but it’s a toss up whether or not she’d be willing to tell me. I could always kiss her into telling me. I grinned at the thought.

It didn’t last long. How had shit escalated so quickly? Had I really given that much away that first night she came through the door?

I wasn’t supposed to be here last night, what if I hadn’t been? What the fuck would’ve happened to her? The thought made me see red and I clenched not only my jaw but my fists.

I don’t like that my hands are tied. If she wasn’t involved I’d have hunted him down and scalped his ass by now, but I didn’t want her catching any blowback.

If something were to happen to him right now, so soon on the back of what happened here, there was no guarantee the cops wouldn’t look in this direction.

I can handle their shit, it’s not my first time at the Rodeo. I didn’t grow up in these streets for nothing. I know how to get away with shit. But she’d be caught in the middle and that wouldn’t be good.

No matter though, I’m on his ass sooner or later because the law sucks when it comes to shit like this. She was right, he’d get no more than a slap on the wrist and a warning I’m sure. I want him to shed blood for putting his hands on her.

“What devious shit are you plotting now? I promised your mom after the last time that I’d keep your ass outta trouble; don’t make me a liar.” He leaned across the desk and gave me his patented big brother look. Asshole is two months older than me, like that counts.

“What’re you talking about now?” Damn, I all but forgot he was here.

“That look on your face. It’s a sure sign you’re up to some shit. Just give me a heads up will you?”

“I’m not going to do anything. You’re right, I need more to go on than their familial connection. They can slip through that knot too easy. I was thinking of Anna and what she has planned for the weekend. Maybe I should take her out of the city.”

It was only a half lie. He looked like he didn’t believe me, but let it go all the same. I know with him on my ass I wouldn’t be able to get away with shit, so that was another reason to wait.

“Good luck getting her to agree.” He laughed like he thought the fact that she was giving me hell was funny. Not even my fierce glare moved him. Asshole!

“Please go back to where you were and what you were doing.” I switched screens again and got back to work. If I was going to take the weekend off I should put a dent in this shit at least.

I couldn’t concentrate worth shit because I kept thinking about her upcoming days off, not to mention I hated the fact that she was going back to that place when she left here tonight.

The first thing I’d done when I started making money, was get my mother out of our old neighborhood. She wasn’t in the house she’s in now, the mansion as she calls it. But it had been a decent sized starter home outside the city.

Years later I’d moved her again into a bigger and better place, though she complains that it’s too much room for just her alone. It didn’t matter to me, I wanted to give her the best there was and that house is the best in the neighborhood she now lives in.

After years of cleaning houses like that, she now had people cleaning for her. That’s one of my promises kept. Everything else that comes after is just a son’s way of saying thanks.

It looks like it’s going to be a while before I stop comparing the two women in my head, but it couldn’t be helped. Just as I’d felt strongly that she shouldn’t be dancing naked on any stage, I feel sure that she doesn’t belong in that neighborhood.

But what can I do? It’s not like I can force her to go home with me, or can I? Hmm! Force is such a strong word; whatever.

I stopped all pretense of working and instead turned my thoughts to how to talk her into coming home with me.

I wasn’t even thinking of taking her to my bed, just getting her out of that place until I could come up with something better, and give myself peace of mind in the bargain.

She was such a prickly little thing, not to mention independent as all hell, that I quickly discarded everything I came up with.

It would help if I knew what she did with her days off, then I could work around whatever that was. She’s so damn secretive I can’t ever get shit out of her. Damn nuisance.

I wanted to call her into my office right then and there and ask her, but thought better of it. I’d already given away more than I intended to with my actions. She’d already been hurt because of me. I clenched my fists at the reminder and turned on the monitor in search of her.

She was yakking it up with some over fed blowhard and his much younger companion while popping a bottle of champagne.

It’s the first time I’d seen her smile and I was struck by the transformation. She was probably thinking about her tips to smile that damn wide.

That’s it. Why hadn’t I thought of it before? She needs money, I have money. So what I’ve already given her a job? She doesn’t need three days off. I’ll just find something for her to do for me for the weekend. That didn’t answer the question of getting her to move, but it was a start.

I felt much better now that I had a plan forming in my head. I just have to figure out how to propose it to her. I walked into the brick wall that is her damn head again in my thoughts and went back to the drawing board.

None of my usual charm is gonna work I’m pretty sure, and I don’t much like the idea of outright lying to her, though a little half truth never hurt anyone.

I had the feeling though that big or small, she wouldn’t appreciate being lied to. Back to mom again. Mom could stand anything but lies or being misled no matter the situation.

I spent the next few hours running through ideas in my head until I came up with one that just might work. Not only would it get her out of that neighborhood, but I’d have her all to myself.

I looked up in time to see her putting on her coat and grabbing her bag downstairs. “Shit!” I shut down the computer and grabbed my phone in a hurry.

“Tony get ready to leave.” I hadn’t realized so much time had passed while I was deep in plot mode. It was just after midnight, end of shift.

I hung up the phone and grabbed my jacket before locking up and heading to the bar to wait for her. I didn’t feel even a little bit tired now. Even though I’d been in that damn chair for hours.

I was looking forward to the sparring match I was sure was coming. I could feel the excitement singing in my blood already. I watched her as she came up the stairs and walked over to the nearest computer to clock out.

My pulse started doing its racing shit and my heart was beating me to death. Of course she had to stop and talk to one of the other girls before heading my way, prolonging my agony.

I knew her game when she saw me and pretended not to, but cut a wide berth around the bar and headed for the door. Like hell!

“Not so fast.” I caught up to her, grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind me out the door. She tugged one way and I tugged the other harder, until she slammed into my back.

“Stop fighting me and open your damn fist.” She’d balled up her little hand in mine ready to fight. She ignored me, so I shook her hand until she unfolded it in mine and our palms met.

I pulled her over to the car and she hissed and spat at me beneath her breath, not wanting to cause a scene I suppose. “Where are you taking me?” She gave her hand one last good tug but I wasn’t about to let go.

“Behave yourself, let’s go.” She gave me hell to get in and instead blocked the door with her body so that I couldn’t open it. “What the hell are you doing? Why did you do that in there?”

“What did I do now?”

“Grab my hand in front of everyone. Do you know people are already talking shit about us?”

“And? What the hell do you care what people say?”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re the boss. I’m just the slut who’s trying to get into your bed for an easy ride. Pun intended.”

For once I didn’t care about making a spectacle of myself. In fact I haven’t really given a damn about that shit since meeting her.

“Let go of the door; let…go.” I pulled her fingers from around the handle and tugged her other hand hard enough that she fell against my chest, before reaching around her to open the door.

Tony the ass whistled his way around to the driver’s side while I wrestled her into the backseat. I didn’t trust her not to run right out the other door, so I pushed her over and slid in next to her. She tried to scratch me.

“Dammit, stop, calm your little ass down.” I had to wrap both arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides while she yelled and threatened me with bodily harm.

“Start the car.” Asshole was watching us through the rearview mirror and grinning like a jackass. She damn near kicked in the back of the driver’s seat.

She ended up sitting crossway on my lap since that was the only way I could find to get her to behave. She fumed and glared, but at least she’d stopped moving.

I put her back in her seat after a stern warning. Once it looked like she was going to behave I let her go but kept a wary eye on her. If I hadn’t been wearing a jacket she’s have torn my poor arms to shreds with her shit.

I took her hand in mine again for no other reason than I wanted to. I opened her fist and placed her hand on my thigh under mine and held it there. She looked from Tony to me and back and thought better of whatever the hell she had going on in her head.

I was so damn winded I almost forgot what I wanted to ask her. Now that I had her here I wasn’t too sure where to start. She wasn’t exactly in the mood to be accommodating.

In the end I decided that there was no sense in beating around the bush with this one, so I got straight to the point. The sooner I lock her in the better. Pain in the ass.

“Tomorrow’s Friday, you have the next three days off, what are your plans?”

“I have school tomorrow.” I looked at her in complete surprise. I couldn’t believe that she actually answered that easily.

“And the weekend?”

“None of your business.” There she is.

“I’m making it my business.” She didn’t say anything just turned her head and looked out the car window.

“Have you been taking lessons from the asshole in chief? Don’t you know it’s against the law to manhandle women?” She whipped her head around to glare at me.

“Don’t even go there.” That shit made me feel sick. Is that what she really thought?

“Why not?”

“I’m pretty sure you know I won’t hurt you.”

“How am I supposed to know that, I don’t know you.”

Shit! She had a point. I have been acting kinda assholish, but the thought never crossed my mind and I had a feeling she knew that. Don’t ask me why I felt that way, I just did.

I’ve been forceful with her yes, but nothing over the top. Hadn’t I left her last night when I didn’t want to? “Are you going to answer me or not?” When she went back to looking out the window I had my answer.

“Tony, change of plans. Take us to the penthouse.”

That got her attention. “What? Stop the car.” I grabbed the hand that she tugged out from under mine and pulled her back across the seat away from the door.

“Are you nuts? Get your hand away from there.” She kept her body as far away from me as possible and refused to look in my direction. “I’m not going to your house.”

“Then tell me what I want to know.” She turned furious eyes my way, and started to say something before she remembered Tony. I’m surprised that stopped her, I didn’t think anything could.

“Tell me.”

“I have errands okay, not that it’s any of your concern. Can I have my hand back?” She tugged again but I ignored her.

“What kind of errands?”

“Oh for fuck sake, who are you my keeper?” Tony

damn near ran into the car in front of us he was laughing so hard. I glared at him in the mirror but that just made him laugh harder. Asshole!

I couldn’t do shit to her because his nosy ass was right there, but first chance I get I’m going to remind her about that mouth of hers.

For now I squeezed her hand hard enough to get her attention and hoped she didn’t damage me. “Answer the question Annabelle, and watch your damn mouth.” She huffed out a breath and tugged at her hand again.

“If you must know, I have study group on Saturdays, and Sundays I just relax and get ready for the following week.”

“What time do you have to study if all your days are taken up like that? One day a week isn’t gonna do it.” Not if she was attending Colombia University.

“I get by just fine!”

Dammit! There goes my plans to get her out of the city. “This study group, do you have to be there? Is it mandatory?”

“No, but it’s not something I like to miss. Why, did you need me to pick up an extra shift?”

She seemed interested. “Would you do it if I asked?” Though that’s not what I had in mind. She mulled it over for a little bit before her hand relaxed under mine.

“I’ll have to move some stuff around, but I guess I could do it just this once.”

“Actually what I had in mind would take both days.”

“And what’s that?”

“I need someone to housesit my mom’s place on Long Island. I’ll pay you.” That was the best I could come up with, but at least it would kill two birds with one stone. I’d get her out of the city and all to myself, and be able to keep an eye on her in the bargain.

It’s true mom’s place was left unattended, but her neighbor was keeping an eye on the place and it was heavily secured, so there were no worries.

“Where’s your mom?” Now she was looking at me suspiciously.

“She’s away for the next few weeks. Are you interested?”

“I might be, but I can’t do it this weekend. I already have plans after study group.” What the hell? What kind of plans did she have that she was passing up easy money?

We were already pulling up to her place and I hadn’t got the answer I wanted. “Come on I’ll walk you up.” I told Tony to stay put while I walked her in and up to her apartment, keeping my eyes peeled for anyone who might be watching.

“What time is this study group? Where is it?”

“We usually meet at this café in midtown.”

“We? Who’s we?” Damn I’m jealous of people I don’t even know.

She didn’t bother to answer, just gave me one of her looks as she unlocked the door and stood in the way sending a clear message that I wasn’t invited in. Like that was gonna work.

I moved her out of the way, pushing her through the door gently and followed her in. I did a walk through to make sure the place was safe and came back to her.

My stomach actually hurt at the thought of leaving her here alone. “Come home with me!” Shit I didn’t mean to say it like that. This one needs a little more tact. Not that it works worth a damn.

It was this place, and what I knew of places like it that had me flustered. How could I leave her here and go home to my safe neighborhood and still call myself a man?

It didn’t matter that we don’t know each other, and this shit might be coming off wrong. I know my intentions even if she doesn’t. This shit’s all kinds of fucked up.

“No, now leave, I have an early day tomorrow and you’re cutting into my bedtime.”

“I’m not asking you to sleep with me, I just don’t like leaving you here. You have to know it’s not safe.”

“I can take care of myself.” She got a look on her face that told me she wasn’t just talking about here and now. Her tiny ass can’t do shit, but fuck if I was going to tell her that shit.

“I don’t doubt that. Look, I don’t know what your story is, but I know this town and this place is no place for someone like you.”

“Do you make it a habit of sticking your nose in where it don’t belong? I said I’m fine.” She unzipped the ugly ass coat and hung it on a hook by the door. I’m gonna burn that shit.

“Annabelle, I know what it means to want your independence, to want to make your own way in the world. I grew up with a mother who wrote the book on that shit. But there’s such a thing as going too damn far. When someone’s trying to help you the thing to do is accept that help…”

“I don’t know you. We just met a few weeks ago. In that time you’ve thrown me over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes, manhandled me more times than I can count and I think you might’ve threatened me a time or two.”

“I don’t know how they do things here in great old New York, but where I come from you don’t just move in with strange men you don’t know just because they ask you to.”

“Didn’t I say this wasn’t about sex?” I just want to take care of you dammit. I didn’t say that shit out loud because I had a feeling that would only make things worst.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m not that kinda girl.”

“Fine, then I’m staying here.” I didn’t know that I was going to make that call until the words left my lips.

Her mouth opened in surprise when I pulled my phone and called downstairs to Tony and told him to leave. He didn’t question me, fucker probably knew what I was going to do before I did.

I took off my jacket and left her standing in the hallway. She got her shit together and followed me, stomping her feet all the way. “You can’t stay here, I only have a pullout bed…”

“I’ll take the floor.” I threw the jacket on her rickety desk and rolled up the sleeves of my dress shirt before kicking off my shoes. She moved around in front of me to do her glaring shit, but I ignored her ass.

“Where, in the bathroom? By the time I pull out the couch there won’t be any room left in here.” She folded her arms and tapped her foot.

“Then I’ll sleep sitting up on the bed.” She opened her mouth to argue father, but I made my way over to the couch and started removing the cushions. “Grab a knife or some shit if you feel the need to protect your virtue, but I’m not leaving you here alone.” No sense in me going back to my place and staying up all night worrying about her ass.

At least here I can be sure that she’s safe even if I don’t get a minute of sleep. I pulled out the couch and wondered how she was able to do that shit on her own. Damn thing nearly snapped off my fingers.

She had some choice words to say, but when it became obvious that I wasn’t leaving she went into the bathroom and slammed the door. I couldn’t help grinning. If she caught me she’d have ten kinds a fits.

She screamed some shit that sounded like ‘asshole’ but I didn’t care. I’d won this round. Heaven knows what she’s going to do to make me pay for it.

I was sitting up with my hands folded behind my head when she came out of the shower, freshly scrubbed and pink all over. And pissed way the fuck off.

I’d only removed my jacket, shoes and socks and opened a few buttons on my shirt. I would’ve stripped down to my boxers, but thought that was a bit too much seeing as how she was already skittish.

I patted the bed next to me to fuck with her. “Didn’t you say you had an early day tomorrow?” She eyed the bed like it was the gateway to hell before looking around the room as if seeking an alternative.

“Come to bed Anna, I promise not to touch you.” I guess it said something when she sat on the edge of the bed two minutes later before lifting the sheet and getting in. Maybe she knew that I wasn’t so bad after all and she could trust me.

She did hug the edge of the bed for dear life, leaving an ample amount of room between us. I had a feeling if she had any extra pillows she would’ve made a barrier between us.