Page 8 of Fletch’s Protection

Mari

When he says, “Come again,” it’s a dangerous rumble that shakes my insides.

Goodness, that sound. It’s so comforting and hot. But I wish I’d have kept my mouth closed.

“Clark knows where you live?” he asks directly, those broad shoulders seeming to get bigger.

For some reason, my mouth opens and spills the truth. “I’ve seen him driving by.”

Fletch stares down at me, jaw muscles tense, eyes razor sharp. “Mari, what I’m about to say is probably going to scare you.”

He pauses and I grip the edge of the desk.

“We’re moving you and your sister in here. We have several cabins, two of them are ready for guests. I’ll put you and your sister up in one as part of your job.”

A shocked sound comes out of my lips.

“Now hear me out,” he warns when he sees my distress.

I’m in a cold sweat, my throat is stinging. It feels like the air is thin. “I can’t just move in here. It’s a motorcycle gang. I mean… club.”

He nods solemnly. “It is, but the Mountain Men MC have always helped women in danger. Our other chapters have dorms for women that need temporary housing. I can show you photos.”

I’m trying to calm my pulse. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t believe this.”

He’s already got his phone out. The thick, callused pad of his thumb moves over the screen, swiping through photo after photo. “This is the Wyoming chapter. And this one is Colorado. And this is Northern California.”

There are pictures of dorms, women, even children, and lots of men in motorcycle vests.

One photo makes his eyes soften. “Last Christmas in Denver. Had a big fundraiser. We fed and clothed twenty families.”

There’s so much pride in his words it causes a warm flood of emotion to spread behind my breasts. He lowers the phone and steps closer. When he rests his hand on my shoulder, his thumb brushes my neck. “You’re safe here, Mari. You have my word. The job is yours. The pay is yours. I’ll take my truck to get your belongings and move you and your sister in tonight.”

Tears sting the back of my eyes. I have to look away. “I’ll have to drive my sister to school in town every morning.”

“One of us will go with you,” he says firmly. “I won’t take a chance you’ll run into Clark or his boys.”

Gulp. That chills me. I hadn’t thought about Clark intercepting me. I want Cassie safe, that means we can’t stay where we are.

I tell him, “I don’t have much. Our apartment isn’t very…”

“The cabin is furnished. I’ll take you to show you now.”

He extends a hand and I take it. It’s shocking again that his hand is so big. The palm is twice the size of mine. It’s warm, strong, and full of calluses like I’ve always admired in a man.

Fletch leads me along a path, around the big construction site for the main building, and a short distance to a cabin.

“This one is the nicest,” he says.

Oh my god. My heart is up in my throat. “Did you fix this up?”

He nods, making a gruff sound.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmur as he leads me to the bright red door. The rocking chairs even have a fresh coat of matching paint.

He opens the heavy door and lets me walk in first. The floorboards creak softly. It’s the most cozy living room I’ve ever seen. “Did you decorate this?”

The corners of his eyes crinkle in an almost smile. “I’m a lot better at building things, but me and the guys managed.”