Chapter 16: Acts of Salvation: Chapter 15

It’s the morning after the literal shit show at my apartment. My whole body shudders at the memory of it all. Who in their right mind would take the time to do something so disgusting?

Whoever did it is clearly disturbed. That’s one of the main reasons I didn’t fight Ren when he suggested we come back to his place last night. I didn’t want to stay in a place where a psycho had been. Besides, I could only imagine what my loft smelled like.

“What’s the face for, breakfast not to your liking?” Ren smiles up at me from his coffee mug. He’s wearing nothing but gray loose-fitting lounge pants, his taut abs on full display and ready to be licked. I’d like to have him for breakfast…

Focus Cassie, you’re still mad at him.

It’s six in the morning and Ren has already managed to put out a spread of bagels, assorted cream cheese, and fruit. My stomach grumbles in protest, remembering I didn’t get a chance to eat dinner last night. “No, it’s wonderful, thank you. You really didn’t have to. I could have grabbed something on my way to the gym.”

“You can work out here. I’m not letting you out of my sight.” Ren’s tone leaves no room for argument, but that doesn’t stop me.

“Excuse me? I have a ton of things to do today. You can’t just follow me around all day like a personal bodyguard.”

“Fuck if I can’t. Someone trashed your place, Cassie. Do I need to remind you of that?”

He has a point. Whoever did that to my place isn’t just going to disappear because I’ve changed locations.

Feeling defeated, I sit my ass down on a kitchen stool, letting my forearms rest on the cool granite surface of the island. “Suit yourself, but we’re still going to my gym. I leave in ten minutes.”

Didn’t think it was this kind of gym, did you buddy? Strolling up to the Krav Maga studio, I can feel Ren’s questioning gaze but I’m not willing to let him in on the details just yet.

As soon as we step through the double doors, I feel at peace. The one thing I’ll forever be grateful for is the sense of empowerment these classes have brought me.

“Hey, beautiful.” Mateo greets me from the other side of the large room. Immediately, I feel Ren’s body bristle beside me. Oh, this is going to be fun.

“Hey, handsome.” I shoot him a wink before pointing toward Ren. “Sorry about the entourage today. Had an incident last night and I’m saddled with a bodyguard for the day.”

Mateo’s facial features go from playful to all business in two seconds flat. “Who do I need to fuck up, babe? Just say the word and their ass is mine.”

Ren cuts me off before I even have a chance to answer. “That won’t be necessary. Her man’s got it covered. The name is Ren.” He extends his hand in greeting, and Mateo takes it but I don’t miss the questioning glances he throws my way.

I claim temporary insanity, but I decide to let Ren’s claim on me slip. I sort of like this possessive side to him. It’s a lot better than the aloof one he’d been feeding me the past couple of weeks.

Besides, the man is going to suffer heavily watching me grapple with this Italian stud for the next hour or so. The least I could do is refrain from busting his balls for the rest of the session.

As predicted, Ren’s facial expressions throughout my session with Matteo left nothing to the imagination. The man was not pleased.

Sure enough, as soon as we step back into his SUV, Ren has something to say. “That’s the last time you’ll be training there. I can have one of the instructors with the firm work with you. They can even come up to our place, that way you don’t have to trek back into Deep Ellum for this.”

Our place. The label doesn’t go unnoticed, and I can’t say that I hate how it sounds.

Never in a million years did I think that I’d even be contemplating living with a man, but Ren somehow makes it all okay. Every moment spent with him feels like home. We connect without having to utter a single word, anticipating each other’s needs before they’ve even arrived. The only thing holding us back is me and my damn fear of control.

It’s all too much too fast… though that walk-in closet of his might help soften the blow.

Ren’s place is gorgeous. It’s the penthouse in one of the most prestigious buildings downtown—there’s even a doorman and everything.

Shuddering at the thought of what his monthly payment is, I decide I will not be offering to go halfsies.

“Now where to?” Ren’s question pulls me from my mental tangents.

“So is this our new norm? You following me around to all my appointments?” Surely this man has better things to do than to be my shadow all day.

“Until we get more information on who trashed your place last night, yes.” Ren keeps his eyes on the road, not giving any indication that he’s joking.

“Okay, well then I guess to my mom’s. Ready to meet the family?” I tease, sure that he’s about to turn the car around, but to my surprise, he maintains the course.

“Good, it’s about time I met the woman behind the force that is my little angel.” Ren shoots me a wink, before getting on I-75.

Noticing he’s heading toward Oak Cliff, I can’t help but blurt, “How do you know where my mom lives?”

“I pulled your info last night after the attack. I’m not taking any chances, Cass. I need to know everything about you if we’re going to catch whoever did this.” His tone is serious, and I can feel the undercurrent of concern so I drop it. “While we’re at it, any other Matteo types I need to know about? Anyone is a possible suspect at this point.”

I scoff, “It wasn’t Matteo. And no. You pretty much already know anyone in my small circle aside from my family and the Wilson family.”

“The creepy husband still giving you problems?” Ren’s face contorts into a murderous stare.

“It couldn’t have been him. He’s in South America, performing reconstructive surgery on little kids.” After a beat, I add, “Maybe I was wrong about him.”

“Cassie, always listen to your gut. That could give him a plausible alibi, but I’ll look into it. We could never be too sure.”

Ren pulls up to my moms, and I’m sure the neighbors are rubbernecking all the way down the block. I don’t blame them. A G-Wagon in this neighborhood is typically nothing but trouble.

“Cassandra?” Mom’s small frame shows up behind the screen of the front door.

“Si, Mama,” I say as I remove myself from the exquisite Italian leather covering the seats of Ren’s car.

Ren quickly walks around the car, opening the door the rest of the way before closing it behind me. Who knew he was such a gentleman?

“And who is this fine man you’ve brought home?” Mom’s eyes rove over Ren and I can’t help but blush at her perusal. Holy hell, Ma!

“Limpiate la baba,” I whisper under my breath, telling my mom to wipe her drool.

Ren beams at my words and I’m left wondering if he understood what I said. God, I hope not.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am. It’s clear to see where Cassie gets her beauty from.”

Mom preens at Ren’s high praise. “Oh, I like him, mija.”

“He can hear you, Mom.” I roll my eyes as I make my way to the back yard where no doubt Bruce is lounging. “I take it my man is back here?”

Before I can open the back door, Ren puts his hands on my waist, pulling my back to his chest and whispering into my ear, “That title belongs to me and me alone, little angel.”

My breath stutters as I feel the length of his arousal brush against my ass. No words. The man leaves me with no words.

Ren chuckles as he walks around me, opening the back door and greeting Bruce as if he hadn’t just rocked me to my core.

I’m about to step outside and join them when Mom grabs my arm, effectively keeping me in the kitchen.

“Is it serious? It’s the first guy you bring home, so it must be serious, right mija?” Mom pulls out her old-as-hell address book and starts flipping through the pages. “Should I call the church now? They book out a year in advance, you know…”

Jesus take the wheel, this woman is out of control.

“No, Ma. This is all very new, so I’d appreciate it if you kept the wedding plans to zero.”

Mom shoots me a doubtful look. “You know that man looks at you like you’re his next breath, right? That, paired with the fact that he’s the first man you bring home, a mother could only assume wedding bells aren’t too far off.”

“I get it, Mom. I promise you’ll be the first to know if anything in our situation changes.”

“Like the fact that you’ve moved in with me?” Ren’s wicked grin appears through the door, bringing along a traitorous Bruce with him. I swear my dog might love Ren more than he loves me. I’ve never seen him so taken with anyone as he is with Ren.

Turning toward mom, I see that her jaw has just about hit the floor. Oh yea, Ren just revealed our living situation. One that I haven’t even fully come to terms with.

“It’s not permanent, Mom. I’m having some work done at my place and I’m staying with Ren until it all gets worked out.” There’s no way I’m telling my mom what really happened. She already has a lot to worry about without having to add a psychopath to the mix.

Ren walks up behind me, wrapping me up in his big strong arms. “We’ll see about that. I think the best place for you to be is with me, permanently.”

“Dios mio. This man knows what he wants!” Mother fans herself as she conspicuously slides me her address book, causing me to roll my eyes. “Shall I fix you both something to eat?”

“Maybe next time, Mom. We still need to get Bruce situated in his new surroundings and then I have a meeting with the Wilson family for a charity luncheon they’re putting together.”

“Okay, but next time you come over don’t forget to bring that handsome man of yours.”

Ren, who is still holding on to me, chuckles into my hair. “I wouldn’t dream of letting her forget.”