Page 22 of Riot

I shook my head.“I think I’m OK.”

Riot nodded and moved farther away from the bed, close to the bedroom door, but didn’t leave.As I crossed to the bathroom, I found myself oddly grateful he hadn’t left immediately.It was inappropriate at best, dangerous at worst, but Riot fascinated me.He was so protective, but unsure of himself.It felt like he was afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing.So not like any man I’d ever been around.

I snagged a clean shirt and underwear before heading to the bathroom.“Thanks, Riot,” I murmured as I opened the bathroom door.“I didn’t mean to be a bother.”

“You’re not.Go take your shower.I’ll wait until you’re settled.”He sat on a plush chair in the corner next to a matching loveseat.It made a small, intimate area for relaxing.

I should probably have told him I was fine and to leave, but I didn’t want to.I wanted Riot to stay.At least for a little while.So, I simply gave him a small smile.“You don’t have to, but I won’t object if you want to stay.”I swallowed, then added, “You know.For a little while.”Riot nodded but said nothing.

The door was shoved open, and Caleb appeared in the doorway, his hair sticking up in all directions.“Mom?”

“It’s all right, Caleb.I’m fine.”

Caleb looked around the room until his gaze settled on Riot sitting in the corner.I thought I saw Riot wince, but I wasn’t sure.He looked from Riot back to me, then back to Riot.“He hurt you, Mom?Scare you?”

“No, honey,” I said immediately, hurrying to his side.“No.He came when he heard me scream.I’m so sorry I woke you.”

Caleb opened his arms and let me hug him.He wasn’t like typical teenage boys.He never hesitated to show me affection.It never seemed to embarrass him.“I’d rather you wake me up than not, Mom.You sure you’re OK with Riot here?”

“Yes.I’m not scared of Riot.I would never put you at risk.If I wasn’t sure about him, we wouldn’t be here.”

Caleb looked satisfied with my answer, then turned to Riot.Something passed between the two of them I didn’t understand but Caleb seemed satisfied while Riot looked even more uncomfortable than ever.It was kind of cute.Not a word I’d ever have associated with a biker or an ex-con.Together?Worse than laughable, yet there it was.When Caleb shut the door behind him, I gave Riot a small smile, then went to the bathroom and shut the door.

I leaned against the door, then slid down to sit on the floor.I let the coolness of the wood at my back ground me as I took several more deep breaths.Nightmares were nothing new, but tonight was the worst ever.Probably because of the fight at the motel.The details were fuzzy, but I was still feeling the edge of panic as the adrenaline left me.

The adrenaline drop was the worst.Not only was I sweating and sticky, but I was also sick to my stomach and my legs were wobbly.

After a few more minutes, I stumbled to my feet and turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature until it was as hot as I could stand it.As steam filled the bathroom, I stripped off my sweat-dampened clothes, then used a hair band the women had supplied to secure my hair into a bun on top of my head.Then I stepped into the shower and let the water beat against my tense muscles.I tried to focus on the soothing sensation rather than the lingering fear.Doug wasn’t here.I was safe.Riot was just outside in my bedroom.

That thought nearly made my knees give out.Riot.The man was an enigma.A convicted killer who looked at me with such gentleness it made my chest ache.I’d spent so many years flinching at sudden movements, anticipating the next outburst, the next blow.Yet around Riot, despite his size and obvious strength, I didn’t feel that familiar dread.I didn’t feel threatened in any way by Riot.

Not wanting to inconvenience Riot further, I finished up and dried off.I felt more like myself again, but still incredibly fragile.I pulled on clean clothes and ran a brush through my hair before opening the door and exiting the bathroom.

Riot was still there, sitting exactly where I’d left him.His gaze lifted to mine immediately.“Better?”he asked.

I nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed.“Much.”For a while I stared down at my hands, not sure what to say when there were so many things I needed to know.“I appreciate your patience with me and Caleb.”

“No need for patience.I’m glad to help.”

“You and Caleb seem to be getting on well.”This conversation had to happen sometime.Might as well get it over with now.

“We’ve come to an understanding of sorts, I guess.”

“What’s that?”

The corners of his lips lifted in amusement.“We agree that if I don’t scare or hurt you, he won’t cut out my heart with a rusty spork.”

That got a surprised bark of laughter from me.“That’s good to know.”

“Also, he wants me to be your protector.At least, for now.”

That surprised me.“Caleb said that?”

“Yeah.I don’t think it was easy for him to admit he couldn’t do it on his own, but he wants you to be safe.I think that kid would do anything in the fuckin’ world to protect you.”

I had to smile.“Caleb is a great kid.”

“He’s a good man, too,” Riot said.“Better than most I know.I don’t respect many people, but I respect your son.”

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