Page 18 of Scarred Souls

A rumbling noise came from deep within his chest, and he gave me an even more forceful don’t test me glare. “Let me make this clear, Gatita. If you keep acting like a brat, I’m going to treat you like one. And if you think I won’t enjoy every moment of disciplining you, you’re wrong.”

I returned his stare with what I hoped was an equally menacing one. “Then let me make this clear to you, Grim. You might be used to people doing whatever you say, but you don’t intimidate me. And if you even think about laying a hand on me, I’ll punch you in the throat.” I pointed down the street. “That way. Drive.”

A muscle in his jaw flexed, and his nostrils flared with the measured breath he exhaled. Eventually, he shifted into gear and pulled onto the street.

An uncomfortable silence accompanied the short journey to the house I shared with Daphne, so I was relieved when Vaughn turned off the main road onto our long dirt driveway.

He parked and hopped out to retrieve my bike. The climb down from the truck was almost as difficult as getting in, and I landed a little awkwardly.

Vaughn passed me the bike and cast his eyes over the house. It was little more than a beach shack with a vegetable patch on one side and a long row of cages on the other. A few of the dogs barked at our arrival. I hoped we didn’t wake Daphne.

“We run a rescue for strays,” I said to explain the noisy welcoming committee. “Daphne patches up their injuries, and I train them.”

“I thought you said you live with a doctor.”

“She used to be. It’s a long story, but she prefers working with animals nowadays.” Keeping one hand on the bike, I adjusted the long strap of my purse across my body. “Where will you go now?” There were few accommodation options available in the village, and none of them would accept guests at this hour.

He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m going to head back to the restaurant and clean up.”

He was going to what?

“It can wait until tomorrow,” I said. “Besides, it’s locked up.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

Why was I not surprised?

“You don’t know where the cleaning equipment is. I’ll go in early and?—”

“Gatita, I can find a mop and bucket. You’ve had a hell of a night. Get some rest, all right?”

I frowned. “It’s confusing when you’re nice to me.”

“I’m never nice. I’m only taking care of the mess now because I don’t want your boss showing up early and finding the restaurant looking like a murder scene. The fewer people who know what went down, the better.”

“I’ll have to tell Dee. I don’t want to lie to her about the danger we’re in.” Movement from inside the house caught my attention. “And she’s looking through the curtains at us right now, so there’re bound to be questions.” I waved toward the shock of curly flame-red hair by the front window to let Daphne know I was okay. It wasn’t every day I got dropped off by a strange man in a truck that looked like a Monster Jam relic.

Vaughn delivered Dee a critical glance and frowned. “Just tell her to keep it between the two of you.”

“She will. She’s good with secrets.” My hands tightened on the bike’s handlebars. Please don’t ask me what those secrets are. “I’d better go,” I said quickly. “Thanks again for tonight.”

Vaughn grunted, climbed back into the truck, and slammed the heavy door, but he didn’t drive away.

Eyeing me through the open window, he lifted his brows and gestured toward the house. “This is the part where you walk to the door and go inside.”

It took me a moment to realize he wouldn’t leave until I was safely in the house. Vaughn’s surprising bout of chivalrousness warmed my chest, even if it was a little over-the-top. Our nearest neighbors were a half mile away. There was no one around apart from Daphne and the dogs.

I tilted my head. “Should I be concerned about the wannabes coming back tonight?”

Surely they were on their way to the nearest ER for treatment.

He leaned forward and rested his brawny forearm on the steering wheel. “You let me worry about them. And Hope?”

“Yeah?”

“Make sure to lock up.”

“I will,” I replied, wondering how my neck didn’t ache from the constant whiplash this man gave me. How could someone be such an ass one moment, then considerate and protective the next? I didn’t know what to make of him. “Okay. Bye, then.”

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