As she finished her sentence, her door burst open. “There you are. I’ve been looking for you,” said the man, who was obviously drunk.
“Johnny, you need to go home. Your mother is looking for you,” Tasha told him gently as she freed her hand and started toward the man.
Tim also started to rise, and Tasha pushed his shoulder and sat him down. “I got this.” She gave him a look and walked toward Johnny.
“But we had a date,” Johnny slurred.
“No, Johnny, we didn’t. Your mother needs you tonight. You go to her now.” She gently guided the man back to the door.
“You sure you don’t want to go out tonight?” he slurred again.
“I have to work, and your mother needs you,” she told him again, pushing him out the door and locking it.
“That’s why we keep that locked,” she stated as she went back to sit by Tim.
Tim couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. Tasha had been so calm and gentle with the drunk. Tim had just wanted to smash his face. How dare he just walk in on her like that? He walked to the door and saw the lock was cheap and wouldn’t keep a flea out.
“This place is not safe. Please, baby, pack some clothes, and stay with me.”
Tasha took a deep breath and prepared to make a deal with the devil, a very cute devil. “Why don’t you go home and let me do a couple things here? I promise I will wait in my apartment for you to come and get me, and we will talk further at work tonight?” She smiled, trying for a sexy look, as she laid one small hand on his chest and smiled up at him.
“Will you at least let me put a better lock on your door?” Tim wasn’t happy with the arrangement but could tell she needed some time.
“Yes, and I will go with you while you get it so I’m not alone here.” They had a few hours before they had to be back at the club, and if this would get him to leave her alone, it would be worth it.
“Great, come on.” He grabbed her hand and led her to his truck.
Tasha let Tim get what he wanted for her door. It was hard not to say anything when she saw the cost of the thing, and she had to bite her tongue to keep from protesting. He spent more on one lock than she did on food for a week.
He took her home and put the lock on, giving her one key and keeping one for himself. Again she started to protest, but thought better of it. Her mother had taught her to pick her battles. This was a small one, and the idea of Tim having a key was nice.
Finally, Tim decided she was as safe as he could make her without camping outside her door, which he had considered, and left her alone for a few hours until it was time for them to go back to the club.
Once she had Tim out of her apartment, Tasha changed and started doing what needed to be done.
It had been a couple hours when her phone rang. Not expecting any calls and not recognizing the number, she answered it.
“Hey, bitch, do you think that fancy lock your boyfriend put on the door will keep you safe?” was all the voice said before the call disconnected.
Shit, Jason had found her again. He had found her much more quickly this time. How he kept finding her, she had no idea. Every time she moved, she got a new cell phone, and the only people who knew where she was were her family. None of them would give him any information. Crap.
Maybe she would go stay with Tim for a few days until she figured out what to do next. She was tired of running and didn’t want to leave Tim without exploring where things could go with him.
Her mind made up, she threw some things in a bag and did what she needed to leave her home for a few days. At least she had someplace safe to go this time.
Chapter Six
When Tim arrived, he was surprised to see that Tasha had packed a bag and was not only willing to stay with him but seemed eager. He had thought he was going to have a fight on his hands.
Grabbing her hand and taking her bag with the other, he led her to his truck, and off to the club they went.
It was another quiet night, and Tim spent so much time at the reception desk that Theresa finally shooed him off so she could focus on training Tasha.
“Men, sometimes they just don’t get it,” Theresa said, shaking her head as her cell phone rang. “Here’s another one who doesn’t get it.” She giggled as she answered her call.
Theresa stepped to the side to take her call, and Tasha stood at the desk wondering what to do with herself.
The door burst open, and a group of several men came in. Remembering what Theresa had told her to do, she began by asking for their membership cards.