Diesel had paid him a little visit to ensure he’d never cross that bridge again. The fucker admitted to knowing what his friends had planned to do to Tracey and had done nothing to stop it. He was lucky Diesel hadn’t killed him. Diesel had left him begging for his life and swearing he’d never step foot in Peaceful Harbor or go near Tracey again, which was exactly how Diesel had left Dennis Smoot two years ago, when he’d hunted him down and made him pay for what he’d done to Tracey.

Diesel had made damn sure neither of them would come near her. He’d hired his buddies out their way to keep an eye on not only those pricks but also their known associates.

He stopped at the clubhouse to shower, then climbed into his truck and headed over to Tracey’s house. He’d been twisted up over her all day. One minute he was thinking about the way she’d mewled and whimpered in her sleep, and the next he was seeing those big hazel eyes imploring him as they had earlier that morning.

As he pulled up in front of her house, concern and desire tangled into one hell of an ass kicker. He grabbed the bag with the new phone he’d bought for her and climbed out of his truck, heading over to talk with Tex, who had taken over for the guys who’d been there that morning. Tex was a good guy, even if he flirted with Tracey too damn much. “Any trouble?”

“Nah. It’s been quiet since the girls and Red left.”

“Great. You can get out of here. I’ve got her.”

“A’right. Let me know if you need anything.” Tex climbed on his bike. “See you at church tomorrow night.” Church was what they called the meetings of the Dark Knights, which took place Monday nights at the clubhouse.

Diesel nodded and headed up the walk. He knocked on the door, leaning against the frame as he waited. The door opened slowly, and damn. She was such a pretty little thing in those skimpy shorts, but those awful scrapes and bruises made him want to take her into his arms and protect her from the world, to kiss her, breathe his strength into her, until she felt more resilient, safe.

“Hi.” A small smile curved her lips, but it was the flush on her cheeks that stirred those emotions he was trying to ignore.

“I brought you a phone.” He held out the bag.

“Thanks.” She opened the door wider. “Do you want to come in?”

Hell yes. He wanted to come inside her. He gritted his teeth against that urge, but there was no turning off the desire to be near her. “Did you eat dinner?”

She shook her head, her hair falling into her eyes. “I’m not very hungry.”

“Get your shoes on. We’re going to eat.”