Page 141 of Simon Says

“Why, I’m in Ohio.”

“Where in Ohio? How far are you from Harmony, Kentucky?”

There was a pause. “Only a few hours, I guess.”

“Perfect. If you want to meet, you can come to me.”

“But—”

“Take it or leave it. It’s my only offer and it expires quickly.”

“I’d be glad to.” Barnaby sounded like a gleeful child. “When? What’s your address?”

Simon didn’t want him that close to Dakota. “There’s a diner outside of town, right off I-71 South.” Simon gave him the exit number and general directions. “I’ll meet you there tomorrow, six o’clock.”

Barnaby started to say something more, but Simon hung up. He tossed the phone onto a chair and rubbed the back of his neck. By the minute, it seemed things got more complicated, not just the way he felt about Dakota, but everything surrounding her.

He had an awful suspicion that she planned to confront Marvin, and Simon knew that if she did, it’d be his fault. He’d put the thought in her head that Marvin might be responsible for her mother’s accident and death. While Simon applauded her courage, he detested the thought of her getting anywhere near Marvin.

With any luck, Barnaby would be able to provide some answers. If nothing else, maybe he’d tell Simon where he could find Marvin. Picking on a woman was one thing. Facing a man was another.

Simon would help him understand that when he messed with Dakota, he messed with a whole team of SBC professional athletes. If nothing else deterred Marvin, that ought to do it.

DAKOTAkept watch as she left the motel and walked to her truck. With every step, her muscles complained from the long workout. The shower had revived her so she wasn’t quite so tired, but she was cold and hungry and…happy.

She had a knit hat pulled low to cover her ears, and a scarf around her neck. Every day it got colder. Before long, the holidays would arrive.

Would she still be with Simon? Would he expect her to meet his parents?

Thinking it made her nervous, so she blocked it from her mind and instead looked at the road in front of the motel. Traffic raced back and forth in a blur. Off to the side was a shabby convenience store, and behind the motel was a wooded hill. Dakota saw nothing suspicious—but she felt it. Marvin was around, and sooner or later he’d make a play for her.

The last time, she’d panicked.

The next time, she wouldn’t.

No matter what happened, she would never again show him fear. He could rot in hell before she’d ever again show him a weakness.

That decision had liberated her in many ways; the future looked brighter, the past less painful. She felt stronger and more determined. Between her new mindset and the specialized fighting techniques she’d learned, she could face the world with confidence.

By rote, Dakota again looked around the area, and just in case Marvin lurked about, waiting for the right time to get her alone, to try to intimidate her, she put her shoulders back.

She smiled, too.

After pulling off her hat and loosening her scarf, she held out her arms and turned in a circle, presenting herself to Marvin—if he was around.

It felt so good to snub her nose at him that Dakota laughed. A few people looked at her strangely, but she didn’t care. She waved at them and went on to her truck. Just as she reached it, the motel’s outdoor security lights flickered on. This time of year, it got dark earlier.

Because she didn’t trust Marvin, Dakota walked a circle around her truck to make sure she didn’t have any slashed tires or key scratches. It all looked good, so she got inside, kicked on the heater, and drove away.

Marvin waited for her; she knew it deep in her bones.

But Simon waited, too.

All in all, a fair trade.

ANovergrown empty lot separated the convenience store from the motel. Harley leaned against the brick wall outside the store and stared after Dakota Dream’s truck. After meeting her earlier in the day, he felt he had a handle on her personality and her appeal. Seeing her antics just now reaffirmed his assessment: Kooky broad. Lousy dresser. Very sexy.

At Havoc’s gym, he’d watched her work with a few men and though he admired her gumption, when it came down to it, she was still just a woman and therefore no match for a man. At least, not a skilled man.

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