Page 522 of Dark Love

“I’d like to learn. Maybe next time—”

“There won’t be a next time, Immie. No one is ever going to hurt you again. No one.”

“You can’t protect me all the time.”

Payne pulls her in closer. “I can and I will.”

And that’s my cue to leave them alone.

My phone alerts me that there’s a message from Dahlia as I walk into the bathroom of the gym.

Dahlia: Sitting by the pool missing you.

She sends me a photo of her by the pool in a dress, grinning at the camera.

Only Dahlia would be fully clothed by the pool. I smile down at her.

Why is there a tattooed arm next to her?

A man’s tattooed arm based on the muscle definition. A woman would need to be a bodybuilder to get those lines.

Taylor better be doing his job!

Me: Status update

Taylor: She’s by the pool with her friends.

Me: Why is there a man harassing her?

Taylor: What? My guys saw no harassment.

But he didn’t say there wasn’t a guy sitting next to her. I’m going to kill someone. Tear them apart with my bare hands. Make them regret even thinking about approaching my woman.

Taylor: Did Dahlia say she was being harassed?

Me: No.

But that doesn’t mean she isn’t being harassed.

Me: Who is sitting next to her? I want him gone.

Taylor: Can’t do that. He’s not bothering your woman. She’s safe.

There’s a man next to her. She isn’t safe.

Me: Get rid of him.

Taylor: Can’t do that. She’s safe.

My hands flex into fists, almost cracking my phone. If Taylor was here, I’d have put my fists into his face.

This is getting me nowhere. Maybe Dahlia will have some answers for me.

Me: Having fun?

Say no.

That’s selfish. I want her to be having fun, even though I want to keep all her laughter and smiles for myself to cherish them like the treasures they are.

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