Jennifer saw the fury in his eyes and she sunk into the seat, wringing her hands in her lap. He was right and it chilled her to the bone.

“I don’t want you anywhere near that fraternity.”

“I really don’t want to be alone tonight.”

* * * *

Fury raged in his blood, pumping hot pulses through his skin. “Do you know what Adam asked me the other day?” Steve snapped at her and stopped behind the line of cars at the drive-thru. “He asked me if you were worth it. Do you have any idea how much it took not to knock his lights out?” He closed his eyes and took a deep cleansing breath. “I can take down more than a few people at a time, but I’m not sure I can take out a whole fraternity and that’s what I’d be up against if you stay with me,” he said pulling up to the take out speaker. He rattled off his order and turned to her. “What do you want?”

“French fries and a milkshake.”

He placed her order, got the total and dug in his wallet for money.

“Are you sure you can’t stay with me?” Jennifer asked.

“I can’t tonight. I promise I’ll stay tomorrow night.” He leaned back in the seat; the demands of his job took a toll on his emotions. Anger wasn’t the only thing tainting his blood—icy fear played a part as well, and the behavior of his fraternity brothers was at the heart of his discord.

He’d like nothing more than to hold her all night, every night, but an order was an order and Jack wanted him at the frat house. He collected their dinner and pulled into a parking spot overlooking the valley.

As if reading his mind, she said, “I don’t see why you can’t just say screw it and stay with me.”

The conflict within him boiled over and he exploded, “God damn it, Jennifer. This is my fucking job!” He got out of the car and whipped his shake at the garbage can. It smashed against the inside, spraying the garbage can and a few feet beyond with the chocolate drink. He stood leaning against the front of the car with his back to her, his arms crossed.

The muscles in the back of his neck and shoulders tensed with the creak of the passenger door and he grated his teeth together as she stepped into view. After a sharp inhale, he let the hardness in his muscles soften. “I know you’re scared and a little freaked out about your closet, but I can’t protect you at the fraternity.” He let silence fall between them.

She offered him her milk shake and he shook his head.

The gesture melted the layer of ice that formed around his heart and he sighed, wiping a stay hair out of her face. Just the touch of her skin stirred him and he shifted gears away from his feelings back to the case. “They found the teenagers, by the way.”

Jennifer raised her eyebrows and her expression crumbled. “Oh, God.”

“So I’ve got my hands full right now. You can’t stay with me and I can’t stay at the apartment.” He took a breath. “Please stop making this more difficult than it already is.”

“Oh.” She stepped back, looking shell-shocked, her eyes tearing up and her lips trembling. “Okay.” She took a seat in the car, looking out the passenger window.

Steve saw the sting in her face as his words tumbled out and he dropped his arms, looking up at the sky. “A little help,” he said to the clouds in exasperation. Another deep breath and he turned, sliding back into the driver’s seat.

“Jenny,” he said, and waited. She didn’t turn. “Please look at me.” When she did, he swore under his breath. Tears rolled down her cheeks, cutting a path through her makeup and leaving streaks in their wake. “You need to understand where I’m coming from,” he began, holding up his hand to stop her impending interruption. “Please let me finish. I’d take a bullet for you in a heartbeat and it’s not just because it’s my job, it’s because I’m in love with you. I think I always have been, but that doesn’t matter right now. What matters is stopping this thing before someone else dies. As you so eloquently pointed out today, we may be connected in some way to everything that is going on.” He turned the car on again and sat back. “The fraternity is caught up in it, too.” He looked over at her. “I would like to keep you and the fraternity separate because I can’t do my job if I’m scared shitless that something’s gonna happen to you.” He put the car in gear. “At least at the apartment, I know nothing bad can happen.”

“What about the thing in my closet?”

“It’s only a vision or nightmare. It can’t hurt you like those men can,” he said, bringing his point home. “Now I’m going to let you finish your fries and drink with me on the porch, I’m going to walk you to your car and kiss you goodnight. You are going to drive back to the apartment and call me when you get there. Understand?”

“Fine,” she said, causing him to look over at her. “You can be a royal S.O.B.”

Steve half smiled. “Love me anyway?” he asked as he pulled into the parking lot and slid next to her car.

“Yes,” Jennifer said, grabbing her shake and the remaining fries.

Steve took the seat next to her on the porch. “I’ve got some homework to do,” he said.

Jennifer slurped up the last of her drink and smiled. “Do you really have to do homework right now?”

Steve smiled back at her. “Yes, I do.” He grabbed her empty containers and brought them in the house, coming back empty-handed. “I’ll walk you to your car,” he said, taking her hand. At the driver’s side of the car, he took her face in his hands. “I love you Jennifer Ann Curtis.” He looked into her green eyes before he kissed her, running one of his hands down her arm and around her waist, pulling her against him.

Jennifer started to laugh under his lips.

Steve broke the kiss. “What’s so funny?”

“My initials if we ever get married,” she said, grinning like a fool. “I’m keeping my middle name.”

Steve smiled. “JAW.” He kissed her gently and stepped away with the same smile on his face. “If?”

She rolled her eyes. “Is when better?”

“What do you think?” he tossed back, although her little clarification just made his day.

He watched her pull out and waved, turning to climb up the steps.

“Is she strictly a pussy fuck or does she like it up her ass?” Adam asked. He leaned against the post, his gaze following Jennifer’s car.

Like a light switch, Steve’s mood changed. He barreled up the steps, stopping when he was toe to toe with Adam. “You want to lose your front teeth?” He tightened his fist, flexing his arm and Adam flinched. “I didn’t think so.” Steve stepped toward the door.

“I’ve always wanted to bend her over this rail and fuck that pristine cunt until she screamed. Is she a screamer, Steve? ” Adam asked, pushing beyond Steve’s limits.

He stopped in his tracks.

* * * *

Joe saw Steve’s face flush red from inside the house. He moved quickly, running outside in time to catch Steve’s arm as he threw it back in a punch. Joe slammed Steve against the house. “You don’t want to do that,” he said. “I know Adam can be crude, rude, and obnoxious, but you don’t want to hit him.”

“The hell I don’t!” Steve roared, and pushed Joe off. He swung and connected with Adam’s jaw, sending him flying off the porch and onto the lawn on his back. He turned on Joe. “I don’t want to hear anyone talk about my girlfriend like that,” he growled and stormed into the house.

Joe waited until he heard the slam of a door and he turned a glare in Adam’s direction. “You stupid fuck,” he said, and turned, heading up to Steve’s room, softly knocking on the door.

“What?” Steve snapped.

“It’s Joe, can I come in?”

His question was met with silence. A moment later, the door opened and Steve went back to lying on his bed with his law book opened. “I’ve got studying to do.”

“Adam doesn’t mean any harm,” Joe began, but the look on Steve’s face cut him off. “He’s had a thing for Jenny ever since he met her.”

Steve rolled toward Joe. “That doesn’t make it right.” He looked back at his book.