Page 1 of Wrong Number

CHAPTER ONE

* Tyler *

I almost didn’t open the text, assuming it was a scam, or a sales message. But the second I read it, my heart lurched and I was on my feet in an instant.

“What is it?” Dale asked, his attention still half on the game. Greg looked over his beer mug at me with a raised eyebrow.

I knew that both of them would have come with me in a flash if I’d asked, but didn’t even know if this message was real. And since I was kind of the size of one and a half men, three would be overkill.

“Sorry guys, I have to go. I’ll call if I’m coming back.”

Throwing some cash on the table to cover my beer, I yanked on my jacket, left my two best friends watching the baseball game, and took off down the street. I knew that little Italian place, it was only a few blocks away, and I could likely get there a lot faster than whoever was supposed to have gotten that message.

I’ve always been the type to want to rescue a damsel in distress, but today’s modern woman didn’t always think too highly of that.

I understand that women want to be independent, and that’s great. But if there is something heavy to carry, let the six foot four muscle-bound guy do it. It’s nothing personal, or gender- based. It’s just a size issue.

And in this case, if some lowlife was making a woman in my neighborhood uncomfortable, you’d better believe I was about to use my size to end it right now.

Mama’s Ristorante was ahead on the left. I’d been there many times, and would never have imagined that it was the sort of place where creeps preyed on innocent women.

Storming into the traditional, old-fashioned restaurant, I quickly surveyed the room. Birthday party in the corner. Several older couples in front of the window. A trio of similar looking women that must have been sisters. And a couple half-hidden in the back corner.

As I came closer, I saw a woman’s back as she cringed away from the streaky blond-haired man pulling his chair closer. “Finish your wine,” he said. “Then we could do some shots. What the hell, it’s Friday night, right?”

I stood directly over her, and she jumped slightly as I blocked the light. Then she tipped her face up to me.

She was an angel. There was music in her soft brown eyes. The most delicate, beautiful, sweet girl on the planet. And she looked absolutely terrified.

“Hey buddy, do you mind? You’re crowding this nice girl.”

Placing my hand on his shoulder and my foot against the side of his chair, I shoved him several feet away. Reaching for her hand, I tried to make my gruff voice softer. “Tana, would you like me to take you home and get you away from this guy?”

She looked positively stunned, but placed her napkin on the table, already nodding as she took my hand, grabbing her purse. “Yes, thank you,” she whispered.

“Hey, I–”

My free hand flashed out and pressed just under the jerk’s throat. “If you speak to her again, if you come anywhere near her, I will end you.”

His pale, slightly sweaty face blanched, as he nodded and stepped back.

Wrapping an arm around Tana protectively, I led her toward the door, where the hostess was watching, looking shocked. “Hey, Betty. If he stiffs you on the bill, give me a call and I’ll cover it, okay?”

“Sure, Tyler. Thanks.”

I walked Tana out the door, down the street, and around the corner to a little park. I knew I was enjoying her curvy, soft body against mine too much, but she was shaking, and I honestly felt that she needed the support.

Sitting us down on a bench, I gave her some space and stayed quiet for a moment so that she could collect herself. Her hands clenched at the skirt of her purple dress, as I stared at her long, wavy brown hair shifting slightly in the night breeze.

“Just take a few deep breaths, Tana. You’re safe now. I’ll take you home, and you’ll never see him again, okay?”

She nodded, her hand sneaking up to wipe away a tear. “I guess that’s what I get for going on a blind date,” she said sadly.

“No.” Tana jumped at the tension in my voice, which I instantly tried to soften. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. Please. You tried something new, and that’s a good thing.”

Her head cocked to the side, staring at me strangely. “Who are you, and how did you just show up to rescue me?”

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