It’s like my heart has started beating again for the first time in months. That’s exactly how it feels when Hayden’s fingers wrap around mine and she falls into my body. Life where there once was death. I don’t know what I expected when I saw her again, but the fact that she’s in my arms is all I care about. I hate that she’s crying. I hate that the pain coming off of her in waves has only one reason—me. Yet, even with all of that all I can feel is relief. I don’t deserve this. I know I don’t. There is so much pain in her eyes. It seems wrong that her pain brings the first moment of peace I’ve had in a long time. Hayden is back in my arms. I can breathe again.

“What’s going on in here?” Clive growls, but I don’t let it stop me. I continue pulling Hayden as close to me as I can, drinking her in. Everything. Her touch, her feel, her scent and her breath, they all belong to me in this moment and it’s like a needle in the vein to an addict going through detox.

“Took you awhile to get here, Stroker.” I answer. I don’t let go of Hayden, even when she tries to pull away. I do allow her to turn—in my arms. I purposely use his last name, because he hates it. Can’t say I blame him. I just wish that his first name made it a little more interesting. Dick. His parents should have named him Dick.

“I wrongly thought you and your buddy were watching Hayden. You okay, sweetheart?” he asks, and I could cheerfully punch him in his face right now. Sweetheart? Fuck no.

“I’m…wait…you knew Michael was in town?” Hayden asks and I find myself grinning. Clive gives me a fuck-off look, which makes my smile broaden.

“Hayden, Victor allowed it, there wasn’t much I could do—.”

“You should have told me, Clive. You shouldn’t have kept this from me. You’ve been lying to me,” she responds. “What is it with me? Why do I keep attracting men I can’t trust?” she whispers, and that wipes the smile from my face.

“Hayden,” I start, and Clive does at the same time. We both look at each other at the same time and if hate were a physical thing, you’d definitely felt its presence right now.

“I don’t want to hear it. From either of you,” she warns, and she pulls from my hold again. I let her go, but I instantly miss her hand in mine.

“D.D.!” she yells out, rubbing her forehead above her eye.

“Hayden—” Clive begins, but she holds her hand out—shutting him down.

“Not now. Maybe not ever. Isn’t this supposed to be your time off? You can go. As you can see I have one too many bodyguards now,” she huffs motioning to me, and just like that the grin comes back.

“We need to talk,” Clive answers.

“We can talk tonight at home. I can’t deal with it right now, Clive. I honestly can’t.”

“I’ll make tacos for dinner,” he tells her and just like that the grin is gone again. I need this fucker gone. Victor’s going to have to call him off, or I’ll kill him. The choices are clear.

“Fine. I won’t need you to pick me up here though. I’ll have D.D. drop me off,” she sighs.

“No,” we both say at the same time. I snarl at Clive. There’s only so much a fucking man can take. “I’ll drop you off,” I growl. I don’t add that I’m going in, and I’m not leaving. I hate that she used the word home with Clive. I want to kill him.

“Whatever,” she sighs. “D.D.!” she growls out and to be completely honest her growl might be better than mine. Clive leaves quietly, making sure to shoot me yet another look of dislike. The feeling is more than mutual and I will be talking to Victor about it. Hayden and I are stuck looking at each other, both of us with a lot to say, but neither one of us wanting to approach it.

D.D. comes out of the back room, fixing her hair and adjusting her shirt. Her lipstick is smeared. Behind her Devil and Jenn come out and Jenn is in much the same shape. Devil is grinning like the fucking asshole he always is.

“Um. What’s up?” D.D. asks, still trying to fix her hair.

“Oh my God. You didn’t. Both of you?” Hayden cries. Devil leans back against the counter, looking extremely happy with himself. Fuck. Or maybe that’s just the look when you get your dick somewhere you really want it. I look over at Hayden. It’s been so long I can’t remember.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” D.D. mutters, blushing.

“Don’t be so shocked Hayden, it’s just three people enjoying themselves. I’d be game to show you exactly how fun sinning can be,” he winks. “But I’d rather not piss Sunshine off. I’m partial to my dick,” Devil jokes and I grunt, wondering how long it’d take to suffocate him with my hands around his neck.

“D.D. I need you to run me down to the police station to file a report.”

“No you don’t. I’m taking you.”

“What? Of course you aren’t. D.D. will take me,” Hayden argues.

“You need to reopen the store for business. So she needs to be here. I’ll take you. Besides we need to talk.”

“I think we’ve said entirely too much to each other.”

“Probably, but there’s still things to say. Are you ready to leave now?”

“Fine, but you take me downtown and then home and that’s it. We part ways and we never have to see each other again.”

“Let’s go Beauty,” I answer, ignoring what she said. I put my hand on her back and begin directing her toward the door.

“I asked you not to call me that,” she whispers. I grunt in reply.

“Hey Sunshine, I’ll just stick around here and keep an eye on the ladies,” Devil says, and I close the door on him.

I really have no idea why I like the bastard.