Page 212 of Daddy's Naughty List

“Come on, sweetheart. Let me introduce you and show you around. Start thinking about what you want for dinner. I can’t wait to hear about your day.”

In a few minutes, her brain whirled with so many names. There was no way she could remember all those. It was so obvious the staff and clients at the boxing center thought a lot of Rocky.

The building was well lit and incredibly clean and organized. Pockets of activities were scattered across the large interior. Energy filled the space. Her gaze darted from each different exercise. It definitely wasn’t the dingy, dark atmosphere she’d expected from the movies.

When they were alone, she asked, “How many of these gyms do you have?”

“There are two here in town. They’re on opposite sides. There are others scattered in different cities. I think there are seven now,” Rocky guessed.

“Do you visit all of them?”

“I do. I haven’t left town for a while for a very good reason, but I do try to spend time at all the gyms. They’re important to me.”

“Am I the good reason?”

“You are. I’ll take you with me on my next road trip. The weekends are the busiest times. That works for both our schedules,” he told her with a smile.

He’d thought of everything. Melissa felt the corners of her lips curve up in response. “I’d like that.”

When she’d seen everything, Rocky walked her back to her car. “Where do you want to eat?” he asked.

“There’s a new restaurant a client told me about. It makes like a hundred different types of macaroni and cheese.” She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping he wouldn’t think it was too unhealthy.

“I can’t imagine that many varieties. Sounds like we need to check them out.”

“Yay! I’ll send you the name and address,” she said, typing on her phone.

“Thank you. I’ll be right behind you,” Rocky promised, opening her door for her to slide inside.

Debating all the different cheeses and ingredients she’d seen on the menu, Melissa drove toward the restaurant. She could see Rocky’s vehicle in her mirrors. Her final concoction decided, at least for the moment, Melissa turned into the parking lot.

A knock on her window made her turn and smile. Gosh, he was fast. Her gaze locked with someone much different from Rocky. It washim.

“Come on out. I thought I’d lost you.”

“My… my boyfriend will be here in a second. He’s the big boxer guy you met.”

“Right. Get out of the car,” he demanded, striking her window so hard, she automatically flinched away.

“Hey! Get away from her.” Rocky’s low voice held a menacing tone she’d definitely not heard before. Not even when the two men had squared off in the hallway.

It softened just slightly when he said, “Melissa, get in the passenger seat.”

Without hesitating even a fraction of a second, she maneuvered over the console between the seats and cowered against the far door.

“She’s off limits,” Rocky growled.

“Says who?”

“Do yourself a favor and walk away,” Rocky advised.

The roof of the car blocked Melissa’s view, and she could only see their torsos. She watched her former neighbor’s hand shift in his pocket and knew that wasn’t good. Before she could yell, the jerk lunged forward.

Curling her fingers into her palms, Melissa clamped her mouth close. She didn’t want to distract Rocky. Her heart raced inside her chest. Melissa leaned forward. She needed to see what was happening. A flash of light on a silver object lanced into the car, blinding her for a second.Is that a knife?

She slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from distracting Rocky as she scrambled for her phone. Dialing 911, she tried desperately to see what was going on. All she could hear in the darkness were thuds and masculine grunts of effort. Was that Rocky?

“911. What’s your emergency?” The strong masculine voice steadied her.

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