Page 2 of Gangster Daddy's Girl

They hesitate but follow me into the dimly lit alley that runs alongside the convenience store. I lead them far enough into the alley that we can’t be seen from the lot then turn and drive my fist into Rico’s stomach. He doubles over with a hard grunt as the air is driven from his lungs. Before Dawson can react, I turn and crack him in the face, the force of the blow so hard, it takes his legs out from under him, and he crumples to the ground.

Dawson starts to get to his hands and knees, so I deliver a hard kick to his ribs that puts him down. He curls into the fetal position and clutches his belly, groaning. Turning once more, I drive my knee into Rico’s face, snapping his head backward. He stumbles and falls on top of Dawson, covering his bloody face with his hands.

“W-what did we do?” Rico gasps, his voice muffled.

“The next time you want to put your hands on a woman, you think about this,” I growl.

Reaching down, I snatch Rico’s messenger bag off the ground and look inside. The night’s cash and some products that haven’t been sold yet are inside. A quick calculation tells me everything looks about right. They’re not holding anything back.

“You’re both fired,” I say.

Turning on my heel, I march back to the car. The redhead stands beside Zeus, her green eyes wide, her face etched with fear.

“Get in,” I tell her. “I’ll give you a lift home.”

“W-where are the two men?” she asks, her voice trembling.

I stop and turn to her. “Filing for unemployment.”

2

TABITHA

“What’s your name?” he asks gruffly.

Sitting pressed against the door in the back of his SUV, trying to keep as much distance between us as possible, I swallow hard as I study the man. Six-three, at least, he’s lean and fit. His hair is so blond it’s almost white, and he’s got icy blue eyes that are hard. Cold. A neatly trimmed beard covers a strong jawline, and he’s got high cheekbones. The man dresses well, although he’s wearing black from head to toe, which is a bit monochromatic for my taste.

He’s strikingly handsome; there’s no question about that. But he’s imposing and has a dangerous air about him. I’m terrified of this man. He either beat or killed those men in the alley. But what scares me the most is what he’s planned for me. I don’t get the idea that he’s going to hurt me. He did save me from those two men, after all. But he scares me all the same.

“I asked what your name is,” he repeats.

“Tabby. Tabitha Wallace,” I respond, mostly out of fear of what he’ll do to me if I don’t answer his question.

“I’m Tyson. Tyson Harper.”

I swallow hard. “Listen, I’m grateful you made those men stop harassing me, but I never asked you to hurt them,” I tell him. “I don’t like violence. And I especially don’t like violence carried out in my name.”

“I didn’t do it for you.”

“Then why did you do it?”

He turns his icy blue eyes to me, nearly stopping my heart dead in my chest. My stomach is churning, and it seems ludicrous given the situation, but I feel a powerful heat blossom between my thighs. I bite the inside of my cheek to stifle a squeak as I inexplicably feel myself getting wet. I lower my gaze, breaking eye contact with him as I try to pull myself together.

The effect this man has on me physically is as profound as it is insane. I don’t understand how a man who terrifies me can get me soaking wet. I mean, yes, he’s gorgeous. He’s got that whole bad boy thing going for him. Unfortunately for me, that’s not a façade he’s putting up because he thinks women like it. He really is a bad man. The two men back in that alley, who might be beaten but might be dead for all I know, can attest to that.

“Why did you do it?” I press, surprised at my own boldness.

“Because they were my employees, and I do not tolerate that kind of bullshit.”

“Are they dead?”

He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. And maybe I have. But then he shakes his head and laughs softly as he runs a hand over his face before offering me a smile that looks more like agrimace. “No. They’re not dead. What kind of monster do you think I am?”

“I don’t know you. I don’t know what kind of monster you are.”

A small smile splits his full, bow-shaped lips. “I suppose that’s fair. But no, they’re not dead. They’re still very much alive and will hopefully think twice before harassing a woman.”

“You said they were your employees. What kind of business do you run?”

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