Page 43 of Love Under Protection

Liam is a stark contrast to Harley. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a smile that says he’s a player. He’s a little younger and buffer too but I’d never admit that to Harley.

Harley gives him a shove and flips him off. “Keep your hands to yourself, too,” he warns.

“Ohhh, I see how it is. She’s that kind of neighbor.”

“Liam, I will not hesitate to lay you flat on your ass in the middle of this bar. Watch. Your. Mouth.”

Liam takes a step back. “Sorry. Raylynn, I apologize.”

“Good grief.” I look to Harley. “Are you going to pee on my leg next?”

Harley’s jaw drops, and Liam cracks up.

“Ohhh damn. You have met your match.” Liam slaps Harley on the back. “If you’re feeling social, we’ve got a table in the back corner. We can pull up a chair for Raylynn, you can stand,” he says as Lisa slides a beer across the counter to him.

“Up to you. Do you want to meet the rest of the fuckers I work with?” Harley asks.

“Depends, who’s single?”

Liam coughs and shakes his head.

Harley rolls his eyes and wraps an arm around my waist. “Come on. And Liam’s the only one, but the same warning goes for you. Hands off.”

“Ha! You’re not the boss of me,Wags.”

“Damnit,” he grunts. “Don’t fucking call me that.”

Harley guides me through the bar to where his coworkers are and introduces me. The guys all nod and shake my hand while Liam finds an empty barstool somewhere. I start to offer it to Harley, but before I can even open my mouth, he picks me up like I’m nothing and sits my ass on the seat.

Leaning in, he whispers in my ear, “I need to take a piss. Don’t move.”

While he’s gone, that familiar nagging feeling comes back. I scan the room and find nothing out.

It’s all in my head,I try to convince myself.

“Raylynn?” Liam says my name again.

“Oh. Huh?”

“You okay?” he asks.

Four sets of concerned eyes are staring back at me.

“What? Yeah, I’m fine,” I answer before taking a sip of my drink.

“You looked like you saw a ghost, you sure you’re okay?”

“Totally fine.” I shake my head.

“What’s totally fine?” Harley’s voice and his hand on my back startle me.

“Living next to you,” Liam answers quickly.

I send him a silent thank you that they all seem to understand.

I should feel safe here. I’m surrounded by heroes. Harley’s armed and I’m willing to bet that every off-duty cop in here very well could be too. Iamsafe here. I keep telling myself over and over again.

I do my best to relax as the night goes on, thankfully the drinks help. And as the crowd thins out, I feel less anxious.

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