Page 44 of Blood of Vengeance

“Please.”

That seemed to be the magic word. She still looked annoyed that I had given her money, but she took it and shoved it all into her pocket. Not saying a word and definitely glaring my way, which was fine by me. I would take any win I could get, but I would also make sure she knew how much I liked it when she let me get away with taking care of her.

I ran my hand up under her shirt, using my position to move her back until I had her pressed against the wall once more. Her breathing became deeper, faster, and her eyes locked right on mine. My girl was independent as fuck, but she liked me being demanding with her body. Good, because I had a preference.

Once I had my hand all the way up, her shirt pulled taut and showing off the bottoms of her breasts, I slipped my fingers around her throat and leaned in close. Tightening my grip just enough for her to feel it. Growling softly under my breath as I whispered, “That’s my good girl.”

She whimpered, and I smiled before kissing her again. Long and deep, sweeping my tongue across hers and biding my time. Letting my other hand reach around to grab her ass and pull her closer. This girl was going to destroy me from the get-go, and I couldn’t help but race for that starting line.

“Flinch,” she gasped when I finally pulled away. Hanging on to my shirt with both hands. “You have to go.”

By the way she pulled me closer, she didn’t want me to go. Hell, I didn’t, either. I had her by the throat with a solid grip on her ass and the taste of her mouth on my tongue. Seemed like the start to one hell of a good night for the two of us. Instead, it was the end to one.

“Come on,” I said, pulling my hands off her. Resettling her shirt into place so no one got to see her goodies. No one but me. “Come say goodbye to me.”

I grabbed her hand and tugged her behind me, walking into and through the house. Taking her with me out the front. My new man on the door—Rush, the brother who still owed me big for killing a human without an exit strategy—glanced up from his spot on my porch. He’d be guarding Locklyn tonight.

“Brother,” I said, giving him a head nod. He returned the gesture, no words necessary, then looked away. This job was both a punishment and a way to earn back my trust. He knew it; I knew it. The whole fucking crew knew it.

Locklyn settled in beside me, keeping her body almost behind my arm. Clinging to me. “Hi.”

Rush glanced to me before locking eyes with Locklyn. He even gave the woman a small smile. “Hi. I’ve got you tonight, so you have nothing to worry about.”

And then he looked away. Motherfucking respectful, that man.

“We ready to go?” Cutter yelled from the driveway where he sat with the rest of the guys who would be hunting for Chiggy’s truck tonight.

I grabbed Locklyn’s hand and squeezed. “Yeah. We’re ready.”

“Be careful,” Locklyn said, her voice tight and small. Quiet.

Worried.

“I will.” I tugged her closer, turning my back to my team. Hiding her from them. “Make sure you eat a good dinner.”

She finally smiled. “I plan on it.”

“What’s that look for?”

She rose onto the balls of her feet for a second before dropping back down, looking like a kid about to get a new toy or some shit. “I found an Italian place that delivers here. I’ve been craving pasta.”

Craving pasta…something I had missed. Fuck, I had been directing her to taco stands, and she had been wanting pasta. I was going to have to work a little harder to figure out what she wanted. Though, if she wanted Italian, I had put the right guy on the door. Rush was about as Italian as you could get in this state.

“Yo, Rush.” I waited until I saw his head pop up from the corner of my eye. “Locklyn is getting dinner from an Italian place tonight.”

“Which Italian place?” Rush asked, his brow furrowed. “There aren’t a lot around here.”

Locklyn glanced at me then pulled her phone from her pocket. “Uh… It’s called Sorrento’s. Any good?”

Rush scowled and shook his head, pulling out his own phone. “No. I’ll get you Giacomo’s.”

It was my turn to interrupt just so he didn’t write a check his ass couldn’t cash. “They don’t deliver out here.”

Rush grinned my way, looking cocky as fuck. “They will for me.”

I snorted a laugh. “Okay, brother. Feed her well.”

He looked past me, catching Locklyn’s attention again. “You want something specific?”

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