Page 217 of Daddy's Naughty List

“Just my arm. Turns out one of us trains with a badass boxer and the other one enjoys picking on those he thinks are weak,” Melissa reported.

“Look, man. I’ll just get out of here. I’ll back off. Leave her alone,” the man said, scooting backward to get away.

In a lightning-fast move, Rocky leaned over and wrapped his hand around the attacker’s ankle. With a yank, Rocky returned the jerk to his back. “Stay there. She gets to make that decision. She has the power here.”

Rocky didn’t even glance at Melissa, just kept his eyes on the prone man. “What do you think? Let him disappear or let the police put him in jail?”

“Jail,” popped out of her mouth. This guy would go on to find someone else to pick on. She had the feeling he’d never change. At least he’d be off the streets for a while.

Sirens and flashing lights appeared. There was a benefit to having this altercation close to the police station Rocky had sent her toward.

In a few minutes, Melissa stood with her arms wrapped around herself, giving an officer a report of what happened. When she finished, the officer told her, “I’ve seen the previous reports. Sounds like you can handle yourself. He chose the wrong person to mess with.”

“I need to get my car fixed. Before you take him away, could you get his insurance information?”

“Definitely.”

Rocky’s arm wrapped around her waist as she watched the officer walk forward to speak to the handcuffed man. His response didn’t seem to answer the request.

They watched the officer open the passenger door and check the glove box. He froze for a minute before setting a roll of duct tape on the roof of the car. The next few things Melissa couldn’t identify from that distance. From the reactions of the officers watching, those items weren’t good.

Finally, the cop walked back to Melissa. “Take a picture of this card. You can tell your insurance company that he will face a number of charges and was taken to jail.”

Quickly, she searched for her phone and realized she didn’t have it. Rocky pulled out his and closed the call between them before snapping an image. When they were alone again, Melissa asked, “You still had me on the phone?”

“I wasn’t closing the connection until you were safe. Let’s go check out your car and get your phone.”

Melissa’s heart sank as they walked around the car. The bumper was pushed in and one wheel was dangerously low. “I think if I put some air in the tire, it will be okay.”

“It’s not safe, sweetheart. I can tell the alignment is off. They’ll tow your car to a mechanic I know. Let’s go home, little girl.”

“I can’t just let them take my car. I have to work tomorrow! Tami is counting on me.”

“Then we get anything you need from the car before they take it and put it in my trunk,” Rocky said without hesitation.

“Why?”

“You can drive my car until yours is safe.” He reached out to loop a lock of hair that had fallen over her cheek back behind her ear.

He always takes care of me.“What will you do?”

“I’ll work from home, take my bike, or take a rideshare if something urgent comes up. It’s not a problem, sweetheart. Come on. Let’s grab everything. Get your phone and pop the trunk open.”

In a few minutes, they had everything loaded into Rocky’s car. He’d already given the keys and directions on where to take the car to the tow-truck driver, so everything was handled.

As they walked away hand in hand, Rocky repeated his earlier statement, “Let’s go home, little girl.”

“Home sounds fantastic. Can I plan in the nursery?”

“It’s your nursery, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see what you think. I put our Christmas tree up in there today.”

“I love Christmas,” she breathed. Her body vibrated with excitement next to him.

That enthusiasm was infectious. Rocky couldn’t wait to show her the special lion ornaments he’d added to the traditional balls he usually hung on the tree. Melissa made everything more enjoyable.Thank you, PLAYTIME.

Rocky leaned over and scooped her up into his arms. Keeping her steady against him, he took big steps to reach the car. Quickly, he tucked her into the passenger seat and buckled her belt. Rocky kissed her lightly before stepping back to close the door. He knew any date would feel like a holiday with Melissa in his life.

Chapter Thirteen

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