Behind them, Logan cleared his throat.
Countenance darkening, Rowdy pushed away from the desk. “I’m not you, babe.”
“There’s a news flash,” she said with a healthy dose of sarcasm. “But here’s another—this is my problem, not yours.”
“I’m making it mine.”
“You want to help, Rowdy? Great. I’m grateful.”
He looked like she’d slapped him. “I don’t want your f**king gratitude.”
No, he just wanted to put himself at risk, always, for everyone. But she was determined that at least with her, things would be different. “Tough! You have it anyway.”
Logan said, “Maybe I should—”
Avery twisted a hand in the front of Rowdy’s T-shirt. “I told you I love you. Do you have any idea what that means?”
A long whistle sounded from Logan.
Rowdy puffed up like an enraged bull. “It sure as hell doesn’t mean you get to dictate to me.”
That almost made her laugh. “Like I would even try? I’m not stupid.” She went on tiptoes. “It means that I would be destroyed if anything happened to you, especially when you were acting on my behalf.”
Rowdy breathed a little harder.
“Do you want me destroyed?”
“You’re pushing it, honey.” He closed a hand over her wrist, but didn’t pull her fist from his shirt.
“No, of course you don’t.” Avery softened, but just a little. This was too important to water down. “You want to protect me because that’s who you are. And I love you for that and for so many other reasons. But if it’s truly not dangerous, then let me go with you. It is my problem, whether you like it or not. I have a right to be there.”
With tension arcing between them, they stared at each other, neither willing to relent.
Into the quiet, Logan said, “She’s right, you know.”
Rowdy’s right eye twitched. “Fuck you, Logan.”
“It’d probably be a good idea to take her along—as a witness, as a reminder to keep your cool. And for Fisher to see that she’s not cowed by what’s happened.”
Rowdy said nothing.
“If she’s with you, Fisher will be less likely to get out of hand, and you’re less likely to threaten him.”
“I don’t make threats.”
No, Avery thought, Rowdy made promises—that he kept. “You could come with me when I visit my mom again.” She searched his face, praying that he’d understand. “I can set it up as soon as you need me to. If Fisher is there, we’ll both talk to him. And if he’s not, we can find out his schedule from my mom or Meyer.”
“It’s that important to you?”
“You are that important to me.” She’d confront Fisher once and for all. She’d let him know that she wasn’t the same easily intimidated person.
If he came after her again, he’d have a major fight on his hands, one that she’d pursue with every resource left to her.
Rowdy took his time thinking about it, mulling it over until she was ready to clout him.
Finally he nodded. “All right.”
His agreement made her smile and left her limp. “Great.”
“Set it up, the sooner the better.” Half under his breath, he muttered, “I want this over and done with.”
“Glad that’s settled.” After checking his watch, Logan sat forward. “If anything else happens, anything at all, let me know. In the meantime, I’d suggest you take extra precautions.”
Rowdy walked to the door. “She’s staying with me.”
“Tonight?” Logan asked.
“Indefinitely.”
Though Logan quickly recovered, Avery saw his surprise. “I know,” she said, deadpan. “I’m still shocked, too.”
Rowdy didn’t find either of them funny. “I’ll go to her place to get whatever she needs, but she won’t be back there alone.”
Logan looked back and forth between them again. “I’m sure that’s for the best, at least until we get things figured out.” He joined Rowdy by the door. “You need to be careful, too.”
“He will be,” Avery promised. One way or another, she’d see to it.
With a half smile, Rowdy told Logan, “After we see Fisher, I’ll let you know if we find out anything worth repeating.”
“Appreciate it.”
Avery held out a hand. “Logan, really, thank you so much for coming over.”
He ignored her hand and pulled her in for a hug. “Anytime at all, okay?”
They were about to leave the office when Cannon showed up. “Sorry to interrupt, but you said you wanted to know.” He tried unsuccessfully to moderate a big grin. “A group of guys just came in—firefighters fresh from their shift. Nothing threatening, I don’t think, but they’re asking for Avery.”
Well, shoot. Avery started out of the room. “I’ll get to it.”
Rowdy pulled her back, anchored her to his side and together, followed by Cannon and Logan’s amusement, they entered the crowded front of the bar.
Rowdy even made a point of lifting her chin and kissing her with more heat than necessary. Flustered, Avery scolded him, but that just got her another kiss before, far too grim, he got to work.
If he’d wanted to make things clear, well, that sure did it. Her lips continued to tingle, and her heart soared.