Page 4 of Dangerous Refuge

“Nah, I’m hungry. I’m going downtown to eat. Keep me posted.” I stand and let myself out. Red and his fascination with old western’s is something I’ve come to rely on seeing when I visit. He’s just like his father, which is a comforting fact. Red’s Pop was right-hand man to mine, and loyal to a fault. It’s exactly what our family needs, especially with the mole pushing in on us.

I drive downtown, parking about a block from the diner. I can see her already; her red hair catches my eye. She stands down the alley next to a car. There’s a blonde woman in the driver’s seat and a young boy standing next to it—nine or ten years old. The redhead bends and kisses the boy on the forehead and he wraps his arms around her. There is a bit of tension in his expression, brow furrowed and eyes forlorn, but he climbs into the car. She says something to the driver and the car pulls away.

I see my opening. She’s standing alone in the alley lighting a cigarette. I can approach her and have a chat, which is exactly what I intend to do. I step out of my car and lock it, securing my weapon inside where it won’t be stolen. Then I head down the alley. Her back is to me, and my eyes are on that round, tight ass in the bright red skirt she wears. It’s probably just a work uniform, but it is hot as fuck on her, making my dick swell the closer I get.

I’m still only halfway down the alley as I see a man step out from behind the dumpster and approach her. He’s wearing a blue t-shirt, not the hoodie he had on the other night, but this is the same man who I had to chase off before. I step to the side, leaning against a light pole for a moment. Instead of rushing up to intervene, I stop and listen. I’m close enough to hear them this time, and I may glean some information from the conversation that will help me understand exactly what this woman is going through. But if he touches her, I’ll gut him.

“What now?” she asks him, puffing on her cigarette. She blows the smoke away, turning her head so it doesn’t go in her face. It’s a polite gesture I wouldn’t afford the man. His lack of respect for her proves he doesn’t deserve it.

“I told you, I want my son.”

“Rico is mine, and I’m keeping him away from you where he’s safe.” She takes a step back as he approaches. It’s not dark out yet, and he’s got balls if he thinks he is going to assault her in broad daylight.

“I have had to track you down nine times, Allie. I just want my kid. I deserve to be a part of his life.” He wipes his mouth with a thumb and a finger and shakes his head at her. “You can’t keep him from me.”

“The hell I can’t. All I have to do is show the court the hospital records. You almost killed me. They’ll never give you custody. You’ll just go to jail. Besides, you can’t stay sober long enough to pass a drug test.” She flicks the cigarette, sending ashes into the slight breeze. “I’m not afraid of you, Paul.”

“Then why do you keep running?” His voice is thick, anger in his tone. “You seem to be all over this city and avoiding me. That’s fear.”

“Yeah, okay, so do you blame me? You beat the living shit out of me, then try to take my son.” Allie drops the cigarette butt on the ground and stops on it, then picks it up and tosses it in the trash bin next to the door. “You need to leave me alone. I’m already searching for a new job and place to stay. You’ll have to start searching again. It’s never happening. You’re never getting him.”

She reaches for the door and pulls it open, and the man runs a hand through his graying hair. So he’s abused her pretty badly, and maybe even her kid, and she’s on the run from him. This jerk really has it coming to him. I would love to be the one to give it to him too. He just has to make one wrong move and I’ll disappear him faster than he can blink.

I stay there, tucked behind the light pole, and he moves my direction. Allie—I like that name—handles herself well. I like that too. She’s not a wilting flower; she stands up for herself. She probably had to develop that quality living with an ass like this guy. The closer he moves to me, the more I want to pound him. When he is just a few paces away, I step out and stand in his path with my shoulders squared.

“Not you again,” he mumbles. “Can’t you just mind your own business? What are you, her bodyguard or something?” His hands clench into fists and my body tenses, prepared to pound him if he throws a punch.

“It seems to me that Allie doesn’t seem to like you visiting her workplace. Maybe you should keep your distance.” I’m tempted to open my jacket and show him the piece holstered there, but I won’t be the one who escalates things. That’s how people get arrested.

“You have a real problem, you know? You better back off before something bad happens to you. Or maybe it will happen to her, ‘cause maybe you’re just a little too interested in her and I need to teach you a lesson.”

God I want to murder this idiot. I peel my jacket back and flash the Ruger at him and he scowls and shakes his head. “If I see you here again, it will be the last time.”

“Good luck, buddy,” he calls as he walks away.

He’s not intimidated by me, which isn’t a problem. I don’t have an ego that works like that. I know who I am and the men who stand behind me to back me up. This jerk has no clue who he’s messing with. Now, I need to find out where he’s staying and how to better protect Allie, because one thing is for sure, I want her. And my property will be protected at all costs.

3

ALLIE

Isee him at the door waiting to be seated before he spots me, or at least I think he hasn’t spotted me. I dash into the kitchen and set my tray down on the table, then watch him through the window where the cook places orders that are ready to be served. He looks around as the host leads him to Dana’s section, not mine. His dark suit makes him stand out, overdressed for the little diner where I work but it fits him perfectly. I don’t see him as the type of guy who would wear dockers or t-shirts. His entire persona screams money and class.

“Staring much?” Dana asks, coming up behind me. I gasp and turn around, feeling my cheeks burn.

“Not staring, just…” I can’t find the words, and I can’t resist turning back to watch him sit and give his drink order to the host.

“Hey,” she says, leaning in beside me to look at him too, “isn’t that the guy from last week? He’s the one who paid that horrible woman’s bill after you spilled the soup on yourself.” She nudges me with her elbow. “He’s hot.”

“I uh…” I stammer, not wanting to reveal who that man actually is to me, the fact that he chased Paul away. In fact, he is the reason I haven’t already packed up and bolted. I want to tell him thank you for helping me.

“Oh girl!” she squeals, grabbing my arm and jumping up and down. “Oh god he’s so good-looking. You should totally give him your number.”

Thinking on my toes, I say, “So you’ll take table eight for me? I can have his table?” I peel my eyes away from his handsome face and turn to her.

“Hell yeah! You go nail that bastard. He’s rich and I don’t see a ring on his finger. You may just get yourself a sugar daddy.” She snickered and reeled around to grab a tray and plate the food on it, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I let her believe I’m attracted to him and that I want to date him, but really I know that’s not going to happen. Not only would a man that wealthy never date someone like me, but I can’t get involved right now. My interest in serving him tonight is just so I can thank him properly for watching out for me. This world needs more gentlemen to stand up for ladies around them.

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