Page 105 of Dozer

I assumed she was telling me this for a reason.

“Dozer, his office is in the same building. Please, don’t do anything here.”

I curled my fingers around her bicep. “Do you have to see him?”

“No, I think he’s still teaching a class, but none of mine.” Her hand slid inside my cut. “I’m asking you to wait for me. Don’t go looking for him.” Her voice lowered. “Not here. Not on campus.”

“He broke into your house.”

“I could argue that one because someone else I know keeps breaking in.”

“It’s not the same.”

“I know. It makes my skin crawl to know he was in my room. I just want him to go away, Dozer, to leave me alone.” She lifted her face to focus on mine. “Hellers say trouble finds them. This time, I know you’re looking for it.”

“I won’t look for him here on campus as long as he stays away from you. Pip, don’t ask me for something I can’t promise. Don’t ask me to let him walk away from the shit he’s doing to you. That’s not fucking happening.”

She released a slow, steady exhale. “Okay.”

We arrived at the building.

“What are you going to do for an hour?”

“I’ll walk over to the Union Center and get a drink. Probably smoke a couple cigarettes and wait foryou.” I nodded toward the main doors. “I’ll walk you in.”

“You don’t have to. My class is right there. First door on the left. You’ll be able to see me go in.”

I started to reach for her, but she took a step back.

“I’ll be waiting right here,” I said.

She nodded and filed into the building with other students.

Ten minutes later, I walked back over to the Union Center. The crowd had thinned. Levi and Coop must have left. The lady behind the deli counter narrowed her eyes on me and tugged on the apron of her co-worker.

In my cut, ripped jeans, boots, and shaved head I didn’t exactly blend in with the Eminence University Rooks. I grabbed a bag of chips and a can of Coke out of the vending machines and made my way back over to the doors where I’d left Pippa.

I found a spot on the grass beneath a big tree and leaned against the trunk. A light breeze ruffled the leaves. Going to the university wasn’t for me.

As a kid I never thought about going to college. I wasn’t into sports, and I didn’t plan on wearing a suit to some office. For a while, I considered following my dad into the military, but I couldn’t see myself stepping away from him and the MC.

Three cigarettes later, I’d stalked Pippa’s social media on my phone, finished my snack, and sent Romeo a text about getting the hearse to haul Pippa’s mattress away.

A couple of guys came out of the building. I stood and made my way to a garbage can to toss my chip bag and soda can.

Class ended and a couple dozen people funneled out of the doors. Pippa wasn’t one of them. The herd thinned. I stared at the door, waiting for her to emerge. Concern built in my gut, and my pulse kicked up a notch.

I’d give it a minute more. Silence surrounded me. Finally, the door popped open. Before I could relax, two girls emerged. Neither were Pippa. I started up the steps, and they made their way down.

“I supposed that’s one way to get an A,” one of the girl’s stated. Then they both laughed.

I launched up the steps two at a time. My hand shook as I ripped open the door. The room was empty, with the exception of the two people I wanted my hands on. One to hold…the other to hurt.

Pippa had her arms at her side and her back against the wall. Tears from her wide, red-rimmed eyes left her cheeks wet. Her gaze locked with mine, a silent plea for help because her trembling lips weren’t whimpering. She made no sound at all. She was frozen with fear as the guy I’d watched in the window towered over her. His arms caged her, and his lips brushed her ear.

He spun toward the door. “This is a private meeting. You’ll need to make an appointment.”

A fury of rage surged through me. I was wild, reacting on instinct, needing my hands around his neck as I choked the fucking life from him. “Get the fuck away from her.”

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