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“You think we have some time before we have to rush off to meet the boss?” he asked with a grin. “If anything, we can blame it on the pervert who lives here.” Unable to contain myself any longer, I made my way into the kitchen and confronted the three men.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll let her go, and we’ll forget about all of this,” I ordered, and all three men turned to look at me. Skye’s eyes lit up in hope as she stared at me.
“Derek!” she said as she looked at me, and the men exchanged looks.
“So, you’re the pervert that gipped the boss?” the first one said as he smiled at me. “Don’t look like much. I could take you with one arm tied behind my back.” Before any of them could react, I closed the gap between us and punched the man as hard as I could in the face.
“Get your hands off of her,” I demanded as I stared venomously at the other men while their friend backed away right into the glass sliding door.
“Jesus, man!” he exclaimed, holding his bloodied nose. “The fuck was that for?” I turned and spat at him.
“That’s for touching my baby girl!” I shouted, and the other two released Skye immediately. Raising their hands up in surrender, they backed away slowly while Skye practically leapt across the kitchen, clearing the room in two graceful strides, and charging up the stairs to safety.
“Take it easy, man,” said one of the goons as I approached. The man with the broken nose grabbed his buddy by the arm and shoved him.
“Go get the girl already!” he ordered, sounding a bit different because of his current indisposition. The man nodded and started towards the upstairs, but I caught him by the arm, and, in one fluid movement, dropped him to his knees while pinning his arm behind his back.
“If you know what’s good for you, you’ll back the hell off,” I ordered just as I heard sirens coming up my driveway. Relieved, I loosened my grip a little and looked at the third guy. “Not a sound out of you, either. I don’t take kindly to men who attempt to hurt women.” Before any of them could answer, I heard knocking on my door and then the door flew open, and the police poured into the house. Several officers rushed into the kitchen and stopped when th
ey saw us. Joe Benedict was leading the way.
“Sir, please step away from the suspect,” Joe requested cordially as he started to lower his weapon, and I nodded, releasing the man as requested.
“Please be careful when you check upstairs,” I told them as I backed away slowly, my hands up in surrender. “There are at least two other people in the house, my housekeeper and a guest, and they are hiding from these intruders somewhere upstairs. I would appreciate it if no harm came to either of them.”
CHAPTER NINE
Skye
"Hey, Skye," Uncle Joe said as he smiled at me while the police arrested the intruders. "Are you feeling alright?" I smiled as I gripped the blanket tighter in order to conceal my embarrassment.
"I'm fine," I told them, and Derek, who had just entered the room, raised an eyebrow at me momentarily, but I continued talking. "I'm not hurt or anything, if that's what you were worried about."
Uncle Joe nodded as he sat down next to me. "We have a bit of a serious question to ask you," he informed me as he stared me down. "Due to what happened, Mr. Derek has agreed to annul the deal and allow you a choice: go home or stay here with him, no strings attached." I frowned as I looked at Derek.
"Are you sure?" I asked, and he nodded in agreement with a small smile.
"I failed to protect you, and were almost hurt," he told me as he looked at me. "I don't blame you if you want to go away, but I do hope you'll stay of your own free will." I smiled and looked from Derek to Uncle Joe.
"Thanks, but I think I'll stay here," I told them. "At least for the weekend, that is. I want to get to know him before I make any assumptions."
Uncle Joe raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I don't want you feeling like you have to be here because of what happened."
Derek nodded in agreement.
"You don't have to stay, Skye," he said, and I noticed a certain amount of sadness in his voice. "You can go home and be with your family. You could return to work and be safe." I shook my head.
"I am safe," I told them. "I'm safer here than living alone in my big, empty house. I want to stay here and finish getting to know Derek." Both men exchanged looks, and Uncle Joe smiled.
"Alright, as you wish," he said as he gave me a quick hug. As he got up, he looked at Derek. "Take care of her for us. She means the world to us." Derek nodded in agreement.
"She means the world to me," he said as he smiled at me. "Don't worry, she's in good hands." With that, Uncle Joe left with the rest of the officers, leaving me alone with Derek.
He smiled as he looked at me. "Did you really mean what you said?" I smiled and nodded at him.
"Yes, I did," I told him, standing up. "It's not fair to blame you for one bad night, knowing the chances of a home invasion are practically nonexistent." He smiled and nodded before turning his attention back towards the blanket I was wrapped in.
"Why are you still wrapped in that?" he asked, his voice full of concern. "Is the AC too high? I can turn it off." I colored in embarrassment as I opened the blanket and revealed my stained clothing.
