Dunc noticed how quiet Amanda was but wasn’t sure what to do about it. He felt awkward, trying to talk to her with Dew and Sallie across the table from them. They were almost done with breakfast, and Dunc had just put his arm around Amanda. She had not spoken much, but she had finished a massive plate of pancakes and a glass of chocolate milk. Dunc wasn’t too worried.
Then he felt Amanda lean back against his arm and go stiff. She began trembling, and Dunc looked at her, then in the direction she was looking. Joseph had walked into the restaurant and was heading toward them. He was dressed like anyone else in the diner, a dark green sweater with gold trim and black pants. His hair was styled, and his eyes were fixed on Amanda and Dunc. He had a smirk on his face that Dunc would have loved to wipe off with his fist.
But they were in a diner packed full of people. There were families nearby with small children. This was not where a fight would be held.
“Good Mornin’, honey.” Joseph grinned, leaning on the back of the booth where Dew and Sallie were sitting. Dew immediately shifted to push Sallie a little closer to the wall. He turned in his seat and glared at Joseph. “I know you’re enjoyin’ your breakfast there, but I wanted to have a word with you in private.”
“No.” Dunc snapped before Amanda could answer. She was trying to breathe normally and get herself under control. She needed a minute more. “You need to leave.” Dunc gestured to the door. “You are not welcome here.”
“You stay out of this, ‘Neighbor.’” Joseph growled, glaring at Dunc. “I am here to speak to Amanda.”
“Go away, Joseph. I have nothing to say to you.” Amanda leaned over the table and focused on him.
“Please. Amanda. I need you.” Joseph actually dropped to his knees next to the table and clasped his hands together.
Dunc made sure he was positioned in case Joseph tried anything. He was between him and Amanda. Dunc said nothing, fixing his eyes on Joseph.
“I don’t care what you need. You are not in my life.” Amanda turned and slid her arms around Dunc, leaning her head against his shoulder. “I found someone who loves me, so why don’t you go back to wherever it is you crawled out from.” Amanda smiled at Joseph. She wanted to punch him so bad, but Dunc was in the way. There was also that second lawsuit possibility hanging over her head. She couldn’t afford another one of those.
“You know he’s a monster, right?” Joseph sneered and gestured at Dunc with his head.
“He is not.” Amanda scowled. There was no way. She got what Joseph was saying, but she had seen Dunc handle pure silver. He was an average human, and Joseph was trying to mess with her head. “Leave me alone, Joseph. I will never go back to you.”
“You heard her,” grunted Dunc. “Leave. She has no interest in you, and I swear, if you touch her or harm her in any way, I will make sure you pay for it out of your hide.”
“I would be more concerned about yourself.” Joseph rose to his feet, scowling at Dunc and Amanda. “Amanda. I need to speak with you.”
“No.” Both Dunc and Amanda retorted.
“Amanda.” Joseph gave her a stern look. “Does he know what you are?”
Dunc glanced at Amanda. What? What did that mean? He looked back to Joseph, prepared to get up to escort him out in as rough of a way as possible. Amanda had other ideas and scrambled over his left leg and got on her knees in front of him. She hit the table in the process rattling every dish on it and drawing all eyes on them—even the ones who were trying so hard to ignore what was going on.
Amanda grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his. She began kissing him in a way that made Dunc immediately start squirming. He was trying to keep his eyes on Joseph, but her hands began traveling in overwhelming ways. Dunc knew what she was doing as Joseph’s face contorted with disgust. He couldn’t mentally enjoy it. That and all eyes were on them. Amanda stopped with a nip on Dunc’s lower lip then turned to face Joseph with a look that could melt steel.
“You touch him, and I will do more than break your leg, Joseph. I have someone good for me in my life.” She growled.
“I see you’ve made your choice.” Joseph took a step back, his face flushing red with anger and jealousy. He had NEVER gotten anything remotely that heated out of Amanda. “For however long, he survives.” He turned and stormed out of the diner, slamming the glass doors as he went.
Dunc stared at Amanda, then at Joseph’s retreating form, then at the other diners. They immediately looked away in silence. The entire restaurant was silent.
“He’s terrifying,” Sallie whimpered into Dew’s arms. The pair of them were squished up against the wall. They had moved further and further in that direction as the conversation continued.
“And dangerous,” Dew added.
“You do know we would have made less of a scene if I got up, punched him, and dragged him out the front doors, then beat him up in
