Chapter 37: Lance POV

**“Sometimes it is strangers that will willingly protect you from someone you personally know”, -Domunique White**

When Karma left, Jake and I debated about just going to the restaurant to make sure she was okay. I do not know why, but I have a weird feeling about this situation. After about an hour, Jake and I drove to the restaurant. As soon as we crossed the street to the front door, Karma came out power walking. The look on her face made me want to punch someone. I played along as per her request. This guy was something else, he was disrespecting her in her face in front of people.

I had a million things going on in my head. One of them is having the head of my security find him and put him in a ditch. Another is making sure Karma is safe for the night. That guy does not seem like the type to give up and seeing her with me might have set him off more.

“Karma, I don't think you should go home tonight”, I said, worried about what that guy might do to her if he got her alone.
“What do you mean? Why not?”, she asked, looking confused.
“There might be a possibility if you go home tonight, either Mike will be there waiting for you or will show up later on. And I can't have that on my conscience if something happens to you”, he said, leaving no room for argument, but I try anyway.
“Mike isn't crazy. He's not going to ever mind”, she said, shaking her head.
“Never mind what?”, I asked, wondering if he had done something stupid before.
“He has come to my house a couple of times before I agreed to see him tonight. So, you might be right, I'll just go check into a hotel or something until tomorrow”, she said. But I do not want her to leave here. I do not know why I don't want her out of my sight.
“No, you don't have to do that. You can sleep here”, I said.
“Lance, I can't do that. You sleep here, I can easily just go to a hotel. It's not a problem. I'll make sure I'll be here on time in the morning”, she said, getting up.
“Did you forget I have a pull-out couch? You could take the bedroom and I could take the couch. It's fine”, I said.
“I still have to go home. I don't have any change of clothes with me”, she said with a sigh.
“No problem. Jake and I can take you to your house so you can pack your stuff”, I said, walking her out of the building.
“You know this is really not necessary. I'm perfectly fine going by myself”, she said, walking faster.
“I can't let you do that. Mike might seem harmless, or maybe he was harmless when you were together, but men like him, don't give up on what they want. And right now, he wants you and he is not going to stop until he gets you. I see enough of lifetime movies and Oxygen TV specials to know that it's a matter of time before gets to the point. Where he's at if I can't have you, no one can type crazy. And I don't want that for you", I said, then we walked outside.
“Jake, get in the car”, I said to Jake. He looked confused.
“Why, what's going on?”, he asked.
“We are going to Karma's house so she can pack her overnight bag and sleep here tonight. I don't feel comfortable with her staying home by herself, knowing that asshole is still out there”, I said, opening my car door for her.
“You know what I was thinking the same thing. The look in his eyes when he saw you guys holding hands. And on the way, he tried to convince her that he was not for her, even though that was all fake. But to him it was real and I didn't like the way he looked like he had a couple of screws loose. Or he was just an egg ready to crack. I don't know but I get heebie jeebies from that guy”, Jake said.

Karma put her address on the GPS. She does not live far from the office. We pulled up to a nice house about two stories. It seemed like a nice neighborhood; she went inside for a while. Jake got up and looked around the house, walked all over her porch, then went back to the car.

“So, are you getting attached yet? Or can I make my move? You know I can be her hero”, Jake said, winking.
“Jake no she is off limits”, I said.
“Off limits to me or off-limit to the both of us”, he said.
“I have a contract”, I said.
“Yeah, with a girl on the weekend. And here you have someone you see every day. You played the protective boyfriend very well”, she said, smiling.
“That asshole scared her a little. She might not say it but her face told me she was scared of him”, I said.
“Well, you guys are leaving for Europe on Friday? Why doesn’t she stay with you until then? And maybe by Monday, he will not be around”, Jake said.
“That's a good idea”, I said as I got out of the car to tell Karma to pay for the weekend as well.
“Hey Karma”, I called from the door. I would not go into her house unless she asked me to.
“Yeah, I’m coming”, she yells back.
“I was thinking about Europe on Friday. Why don’t you stay with me until then? Maybe by Monday Mike will get the hint that you are not interested”, I said, still standing in the doorway.
“Lance, are you sure? I do not want to put you out”, she said, looking worried.
“You are not putting me out. And besides, since you are already here, it would make sense to pack for the weekend as well”, I said, leaning on the door frame.
“Well, come in while I pack some more. Tell Jake to come go in the bathroom is to your left and the living room is to your right”, she said, then went back upstairs.

I get Jake and we wait for Karma to come downstairs. While we wait, Jake takes it upon himself to look around the house, invading her privacy. I must say the house is nice in a cozy type of way. The living room has a fireplace perfect for New Jersey winters. The ceilings are high, with nice white walls. The house is nicely decorated.

“I am ready”, Karma said, coming down the stairs.
“Shit”, Jake whispered, and I elbowed him.

Karma is wearing black leggings with a long white sleeve crop top, and a pair of black sneakers. She looks amazing. Damn that Mike dude is a fool for letting her go. We got into the car and drove off. I see Jake in the rearview grinning at Karma. Yeah, his ass needs to go home.

Hell, the way she is looking right now, I am considering telling the temp agency that she is no longer needed so I can date her. But even if I do that, I still have the contract with Kay. And honestly, I do not want to give that up right now. I still did not find out who Mistress Jackie's niece is and I do like spending time with Kay.