Devil You Know(9)

He walks toward where I sit, with the coffees in hand, and I shamelessly watch the way his hips move in the low-slung jeans he wears. I’d forgotten how nice it could be to look at a man and not cringe at the fear he embodied. I’d also forgotten what it could be like to look at a man with longing.

Shit, I need out of here.

“Thanks,” I offer as he gives me the cup. “I best have this and be out of your way.”

He shrugs again. “What’ll he do when he gets home?”

“I don’t know when he will.”

“What will he do though?” He draws a mouthful of the hot liquid, and places the cup down.

This time I shrug. “I don’t know. I’m more concerned about what he’ll do to Rocco.” His furry ears perk up at his name. “I’m worried he’ll try to kill him again.”

“Then leave him here.”

My eyes snap to his, and I frown. “Are you insane? Why would you get yourself involved in a fucked up mess that’s not your problem? No, I’ll take him home. It’s better if you stayed out of Dylan’s way.”

“Who said it isn’t my problem?” He picks up the coffee, and downs another casual mouthful. I eyes his lips; so full, so soft.

“I did.” He draws my gaze back to his eyes, and I shy away. Still not enough guts.

“Look, Jane—”

“How do you know my name?” Rocco’s head pops up at the aggression in my voice.

Midnight Savior shakes his head. “I think the whole neighborhood knows your name by now.”

Of course they do. “Be nice if anyone bothered to do something about it,” I mutter.

“They probably want to, but who’s to say that interfering wouldn’t put you in more danger? I’m going to guess that’s most likely why nobody has intervened before.”

I sip at my coffee, not liking where the conversation is headed.

“Why haven’t you left him yet?”

And, he’s done it. Turned the whole situation back on me. Yet another person who blames everything on me. “I’m pathetic, I know. I don’t have the guts. I’m a miserable waste of space. I’m sorry you felt the need to get involved, when clearly, I’m not worth it.” Hot tears spill from my eyes, and I place the coffee down to swipe them away.

“Hey,” he soothes. “I didn’t mean that at all.”

He watches me with a morbid curiosity as I silently cry, cross-legged on his living room floor. We sit that way long enough for him to finish his coffee, and set the cup aside.

“I asked you why you hadn’t left because I wanted to know what he was threatening you with. I’m sure you’ve got your reasons for being there.”

“Yeah, like who would want to take me in? And what would he do to everyone I knew if I left . . . although that isn’t many people.”

“I can guess,” he adds dryly. “But what about you? What reasons do you have to stay?”

I stare at him, confused.

“You gave me reasons that affect others, not you,” he clarifies.

I fiddle with a loose thread on the edge of a grey towel. “I don’t know.” I’d never thought about it like that.

“Maybe you should be trying to answer that, then?”

What I would do to remain in the moment forever, because in this sliver of time, I’m safe. Everyone’s safe. Going back to last night to change the outcome would only lead to hurting Rocco, and going forward only leads to getting this guy too involved.

“Trust me when I say you don’t want to get involved with my issues,” I warn. “Dylan doesn’t have a conscience. I’m pretty sure the devil was out of morals when he put him together.”

He chuckles. “At least you’ve still got your sense of humor, eh?”

“Sometimes.” I smile.

“So, what do we do?”

“I have to go back,” I mumble. “But maybe you could keep Rocco for a while. I’ll give you food for him, and all that.”

“Don’t sweat it. How would you get it here without him noticing?, Plus, if you’re suddenly not buying dog food, then the douchebag might believe you when you say Rocco ran away.”

He has a point; Dylan was out cold when Midnight Savior took Rocco. He doesn’t know where my dog is.

My neighbor gazes out the window at nothing in particular, and I take the break in conversation to look at him a little more carefully. His lashes are full, and add an odd softness to an otherwise harsh face. His jaw is square and sharp, his nose crooked, and his skin holds the bronzed tan of a person who spends a lot of time outdoors.

The man is a mystery, but one I’m thankful to have.