Page 43 of The Hot New Single Dad Next Door

The back door flies open behind him. I scream, shielding myself as it all happens at once. Mark spins around in surprise, and Scott nails him in the chin with a right hook. Bruno charges out of the back door, flinging himself at Mark and tackling him to the ground by my feet. The knife falls and Scott grabs it before Mark can as the Sheriff runs in our direction.

“Lottie!” Scott rushes to me. “Are you okay? You’re bleeding.”

He pulls me to my feet and turns me to check the wound at my side. I cling to him, watching with wide eyes as Sheriff Spelling locks Mark’s wrists in handcuffs.

“Mr. Myers, you have the right to remain silent...”

“It’s a scratch,” Scott says, relieved. “We should get it cleaned up, though.”

“Liam?” I say, my voice shaking.

“He’s okay,” Scott says, holding me close. “He and Sonya are in the diner with Tish. He’s safe.”

I exhale, relieved, and bury my face in his chest.

“Lottie!” Mika runs down the alley toward us. “Oh, thank god! You’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” I tell her, safe in Scott’s arms. “Thanks for getting my message.”

“I’m just glad I remembered the code!” she says.

“What code?” Scott asks.

“Off the menu,” I say. “Saw it in an old TV show.”

“What does it mean?”

“Help me, help me, help me.”

Scott smiles and kisses my head. “That’s smart.”

Mika nods. “We came up with it months ago,” she says, exhaling hard. “I was just saying the other day that I was kinda bummed I never got to use it. Now I wish I didn’t have to at all.”

“Yeah,” I say as I watch Bruno and the Sheriff pull Mark to his feet. “Me, too.”

Mika shifts to the side to stand with us as Sheriff Spelling walks Mark past us.

“Lot,” Mark says to me, his lip swollen from Scott’s punch. “Lottie, come on!”

I glare at him. “Get a haircut, creep.”

Scott smiles.

“Lottie!” Mark shouts.

“Keep moving!” the Sheriff barks, pushing him down the alley toward his cruiser in the parking lot.

Scott runs his hand down my back. “You okay?” he asks.

I look up into his eyes. “Yeah. Thank you.”

He cups my face. “You don’t have to keep thanking me.”

I kiss him, safe and sound. “Yes, I do,” I say, finding my smile.

13

LOTTIE

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