Page 19 of Redeeming Rabbit

“Pack a bag. You’re coming to stay at the station until this mess blows over.”

Confident I’d misheard him, I blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

“It’s not safe for you here. He’s stalking you.”

“He approached me in a public place. That’s hardly stalking.”

“You ever seen him there before?”

“No. But it doesn’t matter. I’m not staying at your clubhouse.”

“That dipshit has a history of violent behavior. Link said it was more than your sister. He also beat the shit out of a hooker who looks like her.”

“I know, but I refuse to let him chase me out of my home. Everything I own is here, and relocating—even temporarily—would be inconvenient and unnecessary. Besides, if Tina finds out I went into hiding, she’d react. I don’t want her approaching that dipshit because she’s worried about me.”

He frowned. “Would she do that?”

“Without a doubt. The big-sister protective gene is strong with her.” And if she found out he was blackmailing me to get to her… I didn’t even want to think about what she’d do. But it was more than concern for how my sister would react that made me dig in my heels. I liked my quiet, drama-free existence. Now that Tina and Dylan were gone, I looked forward to returning to my regularly scheduled monotony. “Tina can’t know Matt approached.”

He nodded. “I understand. But you can’t stay here alone.”

I’d never appreciated being told what I could and couldn’t do, and today was no exception. “You guys are monitoring my door.” I patted my coat pocket. “I’m armed, and I won’t hesitate to file a restraining order if Matt continues to harass me.”

“What if he files assault charges against you?”

“He was likely only bluffing, but I’ll deal with that if it happens. I’m sure you mean well, Roger, but I’m not afraid of my sister’s ex. I refuse to let him—or anyone else—bully me out of my apartment. Thank you for stopping by to inform me of his presence, but I’ll be fine.” Standing, I straightened my coat and slid my purse strap back over my shoulder. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a shower.”

Rabbit followed. “I’m not leaving you alone, Poe.”

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you then because I’m not going into hiding.”

He followed me up the stairs and down the hall to my unit. I unlocked the door and went inside, expecting him to follow, but he stayed in the hallway.

Confused, I held open the door. “Are you… coming in?”

“Nah, I’ll just keep an eye on shit out here.”

It took a moment for me to realize he was being serious. Did he plan to sleep outside my door? “Tap installed a camera to do that. This building has a strict no-loitering policy. You can’t camp out in my hallway. If you plan to stay and protect me—which, for the record, I still don’t think is necessary—you’ll need to come inside. Otherwise, someone will report you, and security will show up to escort you off the premises.”

“You want me to stay in there?” He glanced past me and shook his head. “With you?” His hesitancy was unexpectedly charming.

“Do you plan to rape, rob, or kill me?”

Outrage screwed up his face. “Hell no, but—”

“Then please recognize that I am a capable, intelligent adult, perfectly capable of protecting myself. I don’t need a savior.”

“Good, because I ain’t no fuckin’ savior.”

“Noted. I bet you could be a good time, though.”

As soon as the words spilled from my lips, I wanted to take them back. But I didn’t. Rabbit was an attractive adult who’d made it clear he was interested in me. Letting him know I wouldn’t mind exploring the possibility was only natural.

Confusion furrowed his brow, and it took all my restraint not to get offended by the reaction. I was admittedly a bit rusty—okay, I had never been adept at flirting, and the man rattled my nerves to boot—but seriously, what did I have to do? Should I have winked suggestively?

I’d never winked at anyone in my life. Besides, maybe that wasn’t the best tactic for interesting someone like Rabbit. Changing course, I asked, “Do you know the best way to tamper with someone’s brakes?”

His eyes widened at my seemingly random question, but he didn’t miss a beat. “Yeah. Of course, I do.”

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