He went only as far as Glory’s car. “You know anything about Glory’s broken window?”
Showing only enigmatic concern, Mike regarded her car. “One of the windows is broken?”
Animosity heating, Kam had to admit that Mike was either one hell of a liar or certifiably unhinged enough to believe his own bullshit. No way was he innocent. “At her house.”
“She has a house?” Affecting the look of a proud boyfriend, Mike said, “I shouldn’t be surprised. She’s a hard worker and she has a great job with a supportive family. Ijust never pictured her in a home of her own. She’s always enjoyed an apartment.” He grinned. “I assumed the responsibilities of a house didn’t interest her.”
Done being nice, Kam said, “Youdon’t interest her. Last night, Glory was clear.” Mike started to speak, but Kam crowded closer, cutting him off. “She doesn’t want you around, and she damn sure doesn’t need your favors. I told you once already, so this is your last chance. Leave her alone.”
Finding his spine, Mike stiffened. “You’re threatening me?”
“Just giving you pertinent details.”
“Sounded more like a threat to me. So spell it out. What are these dire consequences?”
The thing was, Kam had dealt with every kind of person in existence: bad, ugly, mean, misunderstood, and dangerous. Where Mike fell, he didn’t yet know. The urge to strike him was there, tightening his hands into fists, causing his shoulders to bunch.
His father had settled disputes, and in just about every other situation, in that exact way, but by God, he was not his father.
He considered himself smarter and more controlled, so he knew not to state his intent upfront. It was always better to hold on to your ammunition so it couldn’t be used against you.
If it became necessary, he’d take Mike apart and probably enjoy it, but for now, he didn’t want to give the prick a reason to call the cops.
Filling his smile with evil intent, Kam pressed closer, close enough that Mike shrunk back, tucked in his chin, and turned his face away to keep from touching.
“She’s not alone, Mike.” Without raising his voice, Kam put steal into his tone. “I’m in the picture and I’m telling you flat out: Stay. Away. From her.”
5
The turbulent ire churned within Kam all the way home. He’d thought the drive would give him a chance to cool down, but instead his thoughts played an endless loop of all the ways a man could plague a woman. Never before had he felt such an overwhelming need to ensure a woman’s safety.
Yet, he felt that for Glory.
Tanner had agreed that Mike reeked of danger. Not just pushy, not just lovesick or annoying. Something was off with Mike, something dark and desperate.
And the guy wouldn’t quit. So far, Kam had seen him in three different modes: full of boisterous teasing when he tried to convince Glory to let him give her a ride, sad despair when he confessed to Kam that he loved her, and now this over-the-top shit with trying to commandeer her ride.
What mood would he be in next?
Thinking about that bothered Kam enough that even driving Glory’s flashy Mustang didn’t distract him.
Worse, the second he pulled in to Callie’s driveway, he saw all three women hanging out on the front porch, drinking iced tea and eating cookies as if they didn’t have a care.
He wished that were true, but both he and Tanner had decided that extra precautions were in order.
Starting with getting Glory’s consent to let him stay close. If he had to, he’d sleep on her front porch.
Smiling, Glory walked over. “You got my car.”
Trying for a lighter mood, Kam stepped out and ran a hand along the glossy hood. “She’s a beauty. I enjoyed being behind the wheel.”
Glory beamed at him. “I love her, too. She was one of my indulgences when I got a nice bonus back when I turned twenty. Even though she’s not new anymore, I can’t imagine trading her in.”
So only five years ago? Another way in which they differed; to him, a five-year-old car was definitely still new.
“I’ve kept her in good shape.”
Okay, so his teasing didn’t work if Glory also considered the car a “she.”
