Page 61 of Redeeming Rabbit

His expression turned thoughtful, still eye-fondling my breasts. It made me want to squirm.

“Sir. I like the sound of that honorific on your lips. Forget Cam, Sir is what I want you to call me from now on.”

Dammit!I’d stepped right into that one, having forgotten all about his tendency to roleplay BDSM book characters. Instincts told me this asshole wouldn’t respect a safe word.

“I couldn’t help but notice you’re alone tonight. Did something… happen to your date?” he asked.

It wasn’t his question but his delivery that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. All I heard wascome get this candy in my van, little girl.

No thanks, I’ll pass.

“I’m sure he’s just running behind.”

As if summoned, movement caught my eye. I turned toward the door, hoping to find Rabbit hurrying in. He’d tell me his driver had gotten lost taking surface streets to avoid an accident, and that’s why he was late. But it was only a member of the hotel staff. He gave me a tight smile and hurried into the room.

“You’re a logical woman,” Cameron said. “What do you believe the odds are of him showing up late?”

I didn’t let my smile fall. “I’m sorry. Did you say there was something I can help you with?”

He sighed. “I understand. Having your date no-show for such a crucial dinner for you must be embarrassing. Don’t worry. I have an idea. I’ll send my date home, and we’ll tell everyone there was a mix-up.”

I swallowed down the revulsion attempting to claw its way up my throat. Was he for real? The man wasstillstaring at my chest.

“Thank you for that… generous offer, but I’ll be quite busy with my presentation tonight. I fear I’d make an awful date. Besides, I haven’t given up on Thaddeus yet. He’ll be here.”

“You mean Rabbit?”

I went deathly still as the dread in my stomach turned to peridotite. And with a density of more than three grams per cubic centimeter, that would prove problematic. If I didn’t get my bearings soon, I might topple over. Because I suddenly felt faint.

I had told Rabbit about Cameron and then made ultra-protective biker bodyguard turned boyfriend promise not to lay a hand on the other man. If Rabbit had gone back on his word, we would have a problem.

“Have you… met Rabbit?” Oh, God. Was Cameron cornering me to tell me he’s suing my intensely protective boyfriend and pulling his family’s funding?

“No, but I saw him, and though I admire your altruistic behavior, not even a Stuart Hughes suit could fix up that man. The Armani you dressed him in didn’t have a chance. The hair, the beard, the tattoos….” His lip curled in disgust. “You’re lucky he wasn’t allowed in. My father would be concerned to find out you’re affiliated with a gang.”

Wait.The blood in my veins ran cold. Cameron had seen Rabbit? Tonight? “What do you mean he wasn’t allowed in?”

“His name isn’t on the list.”

“Yes, it is.” I had added it myself. Confused, I excused myself and tromped to the check-in desk. I grilled the security team until they revealedsomeonehad informed them I’d recently split from my boyfriend, who was now stalking me and needed to be removed from the list. I could guess who that helpfulsomeonehad been.

“When we told him he wasn’t on the list, the guy wigged out,” Security Guard Julian said. “He kept twitching and acting crazy. I think he was on something. He shot out of here like the devil was chasing him.”

“Got on his bike and peeled out,” the second guard added.

“He was riding his motorcycle?”

They both nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Interesting. What had happened to the rideshare plan? The guards clearly believed he was using, but I couldn’t believe that. Though I hadn’t known Rabbit all that long, I’d seen no evidence of drug use. The Dead Presidents had a strict anti-drug policy. Rabbit wasn’t foolish. He wouldn’t jeopardize his home and his employment for a quick high. It had to be something else.

As my emotions bubbled like a Mentos in a soda can, I focused on the facts at hand. All the data I’d collected supported Rabbit having over-the-top protective instincts. He’d done something horrible to his sister’s abusive ex and essentially offered to commit homicide for me. He wouldn’t have just left. Not without trying to call me or answering my text.

Something was seriously amiss with Rabbit.

Wasthiswhat Shari had been trying to warn me about?

Had something happened to Rose? Or to somebody at his club?

---