“Yeah, whatcha got?” His voice was completely emotionless. It was the same tone one would use to ask for more dessert.
Meanwhile, Sadie was still pinned against the wall, panting. Her desire began to fade. Her own regret settling in. An hour ago, the thought of this man had her riddled with fear. She had thought she was going to die. Less than a minute ago, she was prepared to strip down and fuck him.
He paced around the living room on the phone and muttered, “Yeah,” and “Got it.” She watched him from her corner. Sadie knew she should move. But she didn’t. Her head snapped up when she heard him say, “All right, be out in five.” He walked back into the kitchen and leaned on the counter. His stance of crossed arms and scowl confirmed that whatever happened moments ago was over. When he spoke, it was eerily calm.
“You won’t say anything, Sadie. Not one word about what you think you saw tonight. If you go to the police, I’ll know. If you tell a friend, I’ll know. Make no mistake, I will know. Then I’ll come back. I’m giving you a chance, Sadie, and I don’t do second chances. Remember what I said earlier? You do this my way or the wrong way. I don’t want to hurt you. But I will. If it comes down to it, I will hurt you, Sadie.”
She heard his words and they slowly sunk in. Whatever happened before was long over. If he had to, he’d hurt her.
“You understand?” Stone remained calm. He stepped away from the counter but kept about five feet of distance between them.
She nodded and held his gaze. She didn’t see any lust or softness, just his vacant stare and hardness.
He turned and stalked to the door. She held her breath waiting for him to leave. He pushed the door open but stopped. The door rested against his back as he turned around.
“And for fuck’s sake, lock the door!”
Then he was gone.
****
It was a dick move. Stone let the door slam shut behind him. It was a complete dick move, but he had no choice. Sadie was fucking killing him with her body and her need for him. Hers was as strong as his. That was not supposed to happen, none of that was supposed to happen. His intention was to get in her place, scare the hell out of her, and take off. His little kitten wasn’t supposed to show her claws. Her feistiness made his dick hard, and made him want her more.
He stomped down the stairs, frustrated both sexually and mentally. Sadie didn’t fit into his plan. His job would be over and he’d leave. Fucking the diner waitress was not part of that plan. He needed to stay away from her. He had never had a woman affect him the way she did. Staying away was what needed to happen. His frustration and anger grew and he zoned in on his target. He stalked toward the waiting truck. T was driving with Bogs in the passenger seat. They stared at him as he came forward. Bogs smile faltered and changed to confusion as Stone closed in on the truck.
Stone ripped open the door and grabbed Bogs by the shirt and pulled him out of the truck, almost dragging him to the ground.
“What the fuck?” Bogs yelled, and tried to pry Stone’s hands from his chest. His back slammed up against the truck with Stone’s face inches from his own.
“Don’t you ever fucking point a gun at her. What the fuck were you thinking?” Stone raged. He shook Bogs and jammed him back against the truck making a loud thud.
“Dude, relax! I wasn’t going to hurt her. I just wanted to scare her. I would never fucking hurt a woman, you know that.” He pushed at Stone’s chest.
“It could have gone off, you dumb fuck. Jesus Christ, Bogs, fucking think! You could have shot her,” he reamed through gritted teeth and shoved Bogs back once more before releasing him. Stone ran his hand through his hair gripping a chunk. His anger permeated through him. He had to get a handle on it. His rage was directed at Bogs deservingly. Bogs screwed up. They all did. But right now, he was consumed with the protectiveness he felt for Sadie. He hated it. This girl was nothing to him, he repeated to himself.
He got into the front seat of the truck and slammed the door before staring back at her trailer. All the lights were still on. He wondered if she was still in her same spot. Still panting hard, wet, hard nipples begging to be touched. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, her scent still on him and his neck still tingling from her lips. He wanted her.
“Fuck!” He punched the dashboard.
“Get a grip, man,” T snarled.
“Fuck off!” He turned his glare to T.
T shook his head and waited for Bogs to climb in the back. He backed out of the driveway in silence and drove out of the trailer park. The truck remained quiet. The tension inside was thick and no one uttered a word the whole way home. They had fucked up tonight.
Sadie saw the guy, the blood—she saw too much. If she went to the police they were fucked. This job was turning out to be a cluster fuck.
T pulled into his spot in the parking lot at the condo complex and turned off the engine before turning his attention to Stone. Stone could feel his eyes on him.
“You think she’ll say anything?” he asked.
“No.” She wouldn’t say anything, Stone made sure of that. He had convinced her with his threats. He had seen the fear in her eyes.
T let out a long breath. “Stone, man, you gotta get a handle on
