Page 109 of One Spicy Summer

"You dare lay a filthy hand on the holder of a tenth-degree black belt in karate?" My heart leaps.

Roman? A black belt?

"I told you, I didn’t see anyone. Leave. Now. Or Iwillkill you."

"Get the fuck off me!" Keifer snarls.

"Get the fuck out of my store, trash.”

I peek around the corner just in time to see Roman hurl Keifer’s body out the door and slam it shut.

He pulls down the metal security gate with a screech.

Still trembling, I step into view.

Roman’s head snaps up, his face softening when he sees me. "Roman, I-I’m sorry," I stammer, tears slipping down my cheeks. "I didn’t know he was following me, "

"Shh." Roman gathers me into his arms, rubbing slow circles on my back. "He can’t hurt you here, Little Bird."

"Roman, he hit you, I, "

"It’s okay." He pulls back, giving me a small smile. "It was only a matter of time before he showed up. Your Rygaard gave me a heads-up." My heart skips.

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah. He and I... We’re a little chummy now. Share a mutual love for you." He winks, making my cheeks flush.

Roman leads me to the back room.

"Let’s have a drink. You need a minute."

We talk for what feels like hours, though it’s only about thirty minutes.

Roman calls in a favor, a buddy on the force sends two cops: one patrols the streets, the other stands guard at the gas station.

Roman personally drives me to Madame’s studio. Standing at the entrance, he pulls me into a fierce hug.

"This is where I leave you. Just know, you’re never alone. I’m only a call away." He presses something into my palm, his number, scrawled on a slip of paper. "Use it. Anytime." Tears threaten again. "You’re stronger than yesterday, Presley. You’ve got this."

And just like that, he’s gone.

I text him quickly, begging him not to tell Rygaard what happened.

If Rygaard finds out Keifer’s still lurking, I’ll be under lock and key forreal.At least I'm still taking self-defense classes.

If Keifer had tried anything, he would’ve found out just how much I’ve learned.

I shake my head, muttering under my breath. Why can't Keifer just leave me the hell alone?

We wereneverfriends. Although, there was a fragment of time when I thought we were… But, he used me.

Abused me.

And worst of all…

I let him.

But I’m done carrying that shame.

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