Dare (In Safe Hands Book 2)

by S. M. Shade

  Alex cranks up the heat in his car and drives me home. Well, back to Dare’s apartment. I’ve barely been home since we got back together. A lot of my clothes and toiletries have migrated next door.

  I’m barely inside when Dare rushes up to me. “What the hell happened? Is that your blood?” he demands, taking in my stained clothes.

  “She’s fine.” Alex speaks up before I can. “Victoria showed up at the studio, trying to start shit, but your girl here handled it.”

  Heavy palms fall on my shoulders as he looks me in the eye. “Ayda, are you hurt?”

  “No, well, my knuckles are a bit sore.” Alex chuckles and heads to the kitchen.

  “What happened?”

  “Like Alex said, she showed up and asked for me. Anyway, I sort of lost my temper and kind of…hit her in the mouth.”

  Dare’s lips curl up. “Kind of hit her in the mouth?”

  “And the nose. That’s where the blood came from.” Wincing, I close and open my fist. “I didn’t think it would hurt that bad to hit someone. I’ve never done it before.”

  Dare laughs, shaking his head. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it’s pride I see in his eyes. Alex returns and hands Dare an ice pack. “Before you tear Alex a new one, she was dressed as a dancer. He had no reason to see her as a threat. And he got me out of jail as fast as possible.”

  Dare whips around so fast it’s a wonder the breeze doesn’t knock me over. His jaw hardens and he glares at Alex. “She was in fucking jail? Why the hell didn’t you call me?”

  “Because she asked me not to and she was right. You would have been out the door and we’d have even more problems to deal with. She’s out and safe, and the charges will be dropped as soon as the judge sees the protective order.”

  “She’s my fucking woman! You don’t keep that shit from me!”

  I turn to Alex, giving him a quick hug. “Thanks for getting me out of there. You should go.”

  “I’ll be right outside,” Alex replies, fighting a grin.

  Dare jerks me into his arms. “God, Ayda. Jail is not a place for someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?” I mumble into his shirt.

  “You’re too tiny, too sweet to be surrounded by animals in a cell.”

  “There were a few other women. They didn’t bother me. I felt sorry for them. I’m fine.”

  My phone buzzes in my pocket. “Shit. It’s Lisa. I have to talk to her. If she fires me I won’t be surprised.”

  “You aren’t going back to work until this is over, Ayda,” Dare says.

  “You can’t tell me where I can go.”

  “The fuck I can’t. If I have to keep you tied to the bed, I’m keeping you safe.”

  Turning my back, I answer the call. Lisa is extremely supportive about everything and doesn’t blame me, but when I mention not coming in until everything blows over, she agrees it’s probably best for everyone involved. “You always have a job here, Ayda. I want you to come back,” she assures me.

  Dare stares at me when I hang up, looking satisfied that he got his way. In a huff, I stalk away from him and head to the bedroom to grab some clothes. Between the blood on me and the hours spent a few feet from a toilet, I’ve never felt so disgusting.

  He leans on the doorway, watching me silently, his arms crossed across his chest, making his biceps bulge. His gray sweat pants hang low, showing the V of muscle my tongue always finds its way to. For some reason, the sight of him—or maybe it’s more my reaction to the sight of him—pisses me off.

  If he thinks he can start telling me where to go or what to do he’s lost his mind. Sending Justus to carry me over here, telling me I’m not going to work, he obviously thinks he can make me do whatever he wants. “What are you doing?” he asks, when I push past him.

  “Taking a bath, or do you think I need your permission for that, too?” I know I’m taking out my shitty day on the wrong person, but I can’t stop myself. It doesn’t help that he seems to find my little tantrum amusing. “I’m running next door to get some panties. I’ll be right back. There’s no need to send one of your goons after me again.”

  Alex steps out of his car when he sees me come out, but I wave him away, holding up a finger to show him I’ll just be a second. It’s not the same finger I’m tempted to show Dare. I grab a few pair of underwear and my comfy sweats before marching back to Dare’s apartment.

  I’m smacked in the face by citrus scented steam when I enter the bathroom where Dare is just turning off the faucet. “You ran me a bath?” I ask, stunned.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Dare

  Ayda was so fucking adorable storming around the apartment, it was everything I could do not to laugh. She’s a tiny pent up ball of anger and frustration right now, and I know how she feels. I’ve been there.

  Her scowl dissolves when she returns and sees the tub full of warm water, the lights turned low. “You ran me a bath?”

  “Yes.” She stares at me like I’m trying to trick her as I approach and kneel down, removing her ballet shoes. Judging by how raggedy they are, I don’t think they’re meant to be worn out of the studio, much less to jail and across slushy, snowy streets. I peel off her clothes until she’s standing in front of me, nude. “You had a bad day,” I murmur.

  Her eyes well up and she nods. Holding my hand, she steps into the tub, then sinks back into the hot water with a grateful moan. A giggle escapes when she peeks up at me.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I was going to suggest you get in with me, but…” she shrugs.

  “Yeah, I can’t fit in this tub by myself. It’s probably a good thing, though. You need to relax, and if I was in there with your wet, slippery body against mine, you wouldn’t get much rest.”

  “Sex fiend,” she teases.

  “Only since you came along.” Makeup streaks her face and neck, so I grab her little puffy sponge thing—I don’t know what the hell it’s called—and lather it up with body wash. She closes her eyes, leaning her head back as I stroke it across her throat. As the makeup dissolves, pale green and yellow skin is visible beneath.

  “What the fuck?”

  Her eyes fly open. “Oh! I forgot.”

  “You forgot you had massive bruises on your neck?” She sits up, wrapping her arms around her knees, and I try to tamp down my anger. I don’t want to scare her, but if these are from Talbot’s visit to her, they must’ve been bad for it to still be visible. No wonder she locks the door when she showers. I didn’t mention it because I thought she was still nervous and needed to feel safe.

  “Talbot?” I ask, trying not to grit my teeth.

  She nods and lays her head on her knee.

  “I thought he just threatened you. You never said he touched you.”

  “I didn’t want you to go after him and screw up your house arrest.”

  I rest my palm on her cheek and she nuzzles it. “Did he…sexually assault you?” If she says yes, she’s signing that fucker’s death warrant right here and now.

  “No, he choked me, slapped me once. That’s all.” Her whole body is tense again.

  That’s all. I need him in front of me now. I need to break him in half. “Okay,” I reply, fighting to keep my voice even. “We don’t have to talk about it right now.” I just want her to take it easy.

  A comfortable silence falls between us as I wash away the remnants of her terrible day. “Relax awhile, darlin’ and I’ll order us some dinner. What sounds good?”

  “Something greasy, then something drowning in sugar.”

  “You got it, babe.”

  He hurt her, choked her. I shouldn’t be surprised since her skin is proof of what he’s capable of, but all I can think of now is squeezing his throat the way he did hers, watching his eyes bug out, watching him panic.

  Watching him die.

  Landon picks up on the first ring and I step out on the balcony, explaining everything to him. “We can’t,” Landon says.

  “What?”

&
nbsp; “We can’t feed him to the pigs. Dare, think, man. He has a case against you and his girlfriend has a case against Ayda. You two will be the top suspects if he goes missing. I know it’s hard, but you have to wait. Let this play out the way we planned. Then, if you feel the same, I’m sure he could have an accident in prison.”

  He’s right, damn it. “Do I need to come over there and keep you from doing something stupid?”

  “No. Ayda’s here. I just…”

  “I know. If it were Zoe, I’d feel the same way. I know how hard it is to just sit tight, trust me, I’ve done my share, but you need to let us handle this. We’ve got your back, and Ayda’s. So go be with the only girl who doesn’t see what an asshole you are.”

  Through the balcony door, I watch Ayda emerge from the bathroom, dressed in sweats with her hair falling around her shoulders. “Suck me sideways, dickwad.”

  “If only I liked baby food. Later, man.”

  My heartbeat has slowed and I’m not quite as worked up after venting to Landon, but I still have every intention of seeing Talbot six feet under. After making a quick call to a local restaurant, I join Ayda on the couch. “Walking Dead or Game of Thrones?” she asks.

  “Your choice, darlin’.” She snuggles into my arms, smelling of citrus and the cucumber lotion she uses. Her upper body rests on my chest while her shapely legs tangle with mine. There’s an ache in my chest I don’t recognize, but I know it has to do with this petite woman with the smart mouth who has completely changed the way I see my future. She makes me want good things, to be the type of man she deserves. Beside that ache in my chest is another feeling I barely remember. Hope.

  If I wasn’t already sure Senator Coulter was pulling strings, the fact that my trial date is set for only three weeks from now would be proof. It typically takes months to go to trial. Three weeks until I can set things right. Until then, I plan to keep her right here with me. Safe in my arms. In my bed.

  * * * *

  Being cooped up isn’t nearly as bad with Ayda by my side, but I know it’s starting to wear on her. Other than an occasional trip for groceries and other necessities, she hasn’t left the apartment in almost two weeks.

  She met with a lawyer last week and agreed to drop the charges against Victoria if she’d do the same, so at least she’s not in trouble and won’t end up with a criminal record. Unfortunately, that means Victoria gets away clean once again.

  Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I don’t know what to do for her, since I can’t leave the house. It’s time to call in reinforcements.

  “I’d love to!” my sister, Leah, cries. “I can’t wait to meet her! And I love the spa!”

  “Then get your ass here by nine a.m. kid.”

  She hangs up with a squeal that makes me smile. The girl is pure energy. My next call is to Landon, who gives me a ton of shit before putting his wife on the phone. “Zoe, I need help.”

  She listens to me explain, then promises to be over by ten on Valentine’s morning.

  When Valentine’s Day comes, Ayda groans, “Why do I have to be out of bed so early?”

  “Because I have a surprise for you.” She jumps when I smack her ass. “Now get ready. My sister will be here soon.”

  Her eyes pop open. “Your sister’s coming?”

  “She’s on her way.”

  With a smile, Ayda hops out of bed and heads for the shower. She’s excited to meet the only family I have left. Since my mom failed to protect Leah, and still denies Dad’s brother molested her, we’ve cut her out of our lives. After seeing what Ayda has to deal with when it comes to her mother, I’m grateful to have at least one stable family member.

  Leah bounces through the door in a cloud of enthusiasm and smiles. My kid sister has always been the happy, outgoing one who can make anyone smile. Ayda is going to love her. She gives me a big hug, then asks, “Okay, where is she?”

  Ayda enters the room and Leah bounds over to her. “Hi! Dare told me he found a woman willing to put up with him, but I didn’t believe it! And look how tiny you are, I’m totally jealous. We’re going to have so much fun today!”

  Ayda laughs and hugs her, raising her eyebrows at me. “Ayda, this is Leah. I’ve arranged for you two to go to a spa for the day. Alex will accompany you. According to him, he’s man enough to get a pedicure.”

  “It’s going to be great. We’ll get our nails and hair done, get a massage, relax in the steam room. Oh! And they have this cute restaurant that makes the best little cakes you’ve ever tasted,” Leah gushes.

  “Sounds great,” Ayda replies. “I’m dying to get out of here for a while.”

  Alex taps on the door before entering. “Ready to be pampered, ladies?”

  The excited expression on Ayda’s face makes my day when she turns to hug me. “Happy Valentine’s Day, darlin’. Go have fun.”

  “I love you,” she murmurs.

  Leah is boring holes into my skull, a hopeful smile on her face. “I love you, too.”

  “Your masseuse better be female!” I call out as they leave, grinning as Ayda and Leah giggle.

  They won’t be back until this evening, which gives me plenty of time to prepare for our date night. I can’t take her out, so I’m going to do my best right here. Zoe shows up right on time, accompanied by her best friend, Frannie.

  “Okay, show me what you picked out,” Zoe says as she and Frannie take a seat at the kitchen table.

  There’s a slight frown on Zoe’s face when she sees the silver hummingbird necklace with a tiny diamond for an eye. “It’s pretty and all, but I’m not sure it’s her.”

  “It is. It reminds me of her.”

  “And you’re making dinner tonight?”

  “I’m having the Italian place deliver, but I need some stuff, you know, a box of chocolates, some flowers and candles.” Zoe gives me a look like I’m a puppy tripping over its ears. “Stop it.”

  “Sorry, but sometimes I let the fact that you’re this big scary behemoth covered in tats make me forget you’re really a sweetheart.”

  “No, I’m not,” I growl.

  Zoe grins at her friend. “Second opinion?”

  “Fucking adorable,” Frannie agrees, laughing.

  Ugh. I hope Ayda likes what I have planned because I’m never going to live this down. “Here’s my card. Get whatever you think I need. The jewelry store knows you’re coming for the necklace. They’re holding it for me. Same thing goes at the lingerie store. Just give them my last name.”

  Zoe hops to her feet. “We’ll take care of it. It’s going to be so romantic! Landon better be planning something for me tonight or he’s not getting laid for a long time.”

  Frannie laughs. “You know he is.”

  “Thanks, Zo,” I tell her, as they leave, and she gives me a wave.

  Now, all I can do is wait.

  Zoe and Frannie come in weighed down with shopping bags about an hour before Ayda is due back. “Damn, did you buy the whole store?” I exclaim, taking some of the bags.

  “Just stand back and let us work, Bruiser,” Frannie says, and Zoe cracks up.

  “Bruiser. It’s perfect.”

  “You girls are pushing it,” I warn.

  “Says the man who calls Landon Raisin.”

  “Why raisin?” Frannie asks, tossing her fire red hair over her shoulder.

  “Shrivels in the sun?” Zoe says, and Frannie turns to look at me, her mouth open.

  I hold up my hands. “Justus came up with that one.”

  “Uh-huh.” Zoe gives me a wave of dismissal. “Now, go away and let us work our magic.”

  God, how did I go from being a loner with a few guy friends to be surrounded by cocky women? They’re turning our little group on its head. I can’t imagine how things will be if Justus and Jeremy settle down. Someday, we’re going to be outnumbered.

  While they decorate the dining room, I call to order our dinner from Ayda’s favorite Italian restaurant. By the time they leave, everything is ready. They’ve managed to
turn my dining room into a romantic restaurant, complete with candles and flowers. A soft linen tablecloth covers the table, with two place settings arranged.

  Zoe and Frannie both whistled with approval at the lingerie set I bought Ayda. Pale blue lace panties with a matching bra that leaves little to the imagination with a matching lace robe which ends mid-thigh.

  I tuck it inside the gift bag and add tissue paper on top. See, this is why I needed female help. I never would’ve bought a gift bag, tissue, or ribbons. I’d have handed it to her, or maybe laid it out on the bed. Fancy frilly shit just isn’t something I understand, but for Ayda, I’ll try anything.

  The food delivery shows up just as Leah texts that they’re fifteen minutes away, and it quickly gets shoved into the oven to keep it warm. I’ve showered and shaved, and I’m dressed in the only suit I own.

  Fuck, I feel like an idiot standing in my living room all dressed up, waiting for her to come through the door. What the hell was I thinking? I don’t do shit like this. Hell, the women I’ve been with were lucky to get a drink and cab fare home after. This woman has me by the balls, and worse, I have no desire to escape.

  “Tell Dare I’ll call him tomorrow,” I hear Leah say as Ayda opens the door.

  “I will. I had fun!” Ayda calls to her, stepping inside.

  Her jaw drops at the sight of me standing there in a suit, holding a rose and feeling like a dumbass. Her bags get forgotten in the entryway. “What’s going on?” she asks, a cautious smile on her face.

  “I’m taking you on an official date.”

  Her forehead crumples. “You can’t leave the house.” She takes the rose and sniffs it, giving me a shy smile.

  “We don’t need to leave.” I hold out my arm and she giggles, taking it. “We have the best table in the place.”

  She allows me to lead her to the dining room, then freezes in the doorway, stunned. “You did all this?”

  “I had some help.” Spinning to face me, she leaps into my arms, and I catch her, backing her up against the wall. Her lips land on mine and her tongue wastes no time sliding in to rub and tease. Screw dinner. I just want to fuck her brains out, but I didn’t do all this for nothing. “You smell amazing,” I mumble, running my tongue over her collarbone.