Page 31 of Brutal Power

“I’ll tell you the neighborhood and you tell me if this is doable. I’m not asking for too much. All I want is to make sure there are no patrols in the area. If any calls come in, I understand that they’ll have to respond.”

I grunt and sip the brandy, considering what I can do. “That’s possible,” I say at last. “But it depends on who’s working tonight.”

“Whatever help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.”

I nod and stand up. “I’ll make some calls.”

“Thank you, Brody.” He stands and we shake hands. “I hear that your family is stuck in red tape hell right now trying to get somepermits in order. The rumors say the zoning board hates your guts.”

“Certain members,” I admit.

“Listen to Elena. I promise, she’s got the best political mind in our whole damn organization, and everyone likes her. If she can’t make your problem go away, come to me in a few months and I’ll see what else we can do.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He nods and I leave. I take my time walking back to Elena’s house, strolling along the peaceful streets under big, wide leaves sprouting from old growth trees. It really is beautiful, this oasis of theirs, even with all the construction happening.

She’s waiting out front with her bags packed. A guard’s standing with her, a young, handsome man with good hair and a wide smile. He says something and she laughs, and my heart rate suddenly jumps as I pick up my pace. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I want to grab that guard’s throat and strangle him to fucking death.

I plant myself at my wife’s side. “You ready?” I grunt at her.

She looks up, frowning at me. “Hello to you too. Did you ever meet Matty? He’s been working on the oasis for a few years now.”

I nod at him. “Good to meet you. I’m her husband.”

His smile doesn’t falter. “I know, I was at the party. Well, I was lurking on a roof with a high-powered sniper rifle.” He mimes shooting a gun. “Fine times.”

“You should’ve come down for a drink,” Elena says, rolling her eyes. “You didn’t have to stay on duty all night.”

“I was scheduled.” Matty shrugs and runs a hand through his hair. I hate the way he looks at Elena, like he’s bashful around her. “Besides, I’m just a guard.”

“You almost got yourself killed during the attack driving that bulldozer. We appreciate you.” She squeezes his arm. “Next time, come have a drink.”

“Yeah, alright, if you insist.”

“We should get going.” I cut into her conversation, feeling like a fucking asshole. I don’t know why this is bothering me so much, but watching her touch him lights a fire in my heart. It’s all I can do to keep myself from breaking Matty’s fucking nose, and the guy didn’t even do anything wrong. He’s being perfectly respectful and hasn’t crossed any lines, and if he were talking to my own sister like this, I wouldn’t mind it one bit.

Except he’s talking to my wife. And she’s touching his arm. And it fucking pisses me off.

“Okay, rude,” Elena says, giving me another look.

I heft her bag up onto my shoulder. “Good meeting you,” I grunt at Matty, grab Elena’s wrist, and drag her along.

“What the hell was that?” she asks as I toss her luggage into the bed of my truck.

“That was nothing. I’ve got calls to make for your brother, that’s all.”

She leans against the driver’s side door and crosses her arms. I don’t like the look on her face one bit—it’s like she’s staringstraight through me and she’s absolutely amused by what she’s finding.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were acting jealous again. But that would be very stupid, right?”

I lean forward, one hand on the glass next to her head, my face inches from hers. “There’s nothing to be jealous of, wifey. You’re all mine.”

“I am?” She pouts and puts her hands on my chest. Fuck, I love it when she touches me, and I like it when she pushes her lips out like that. I think of kissing her last night and how badly I wanted to do more. “You keep on acting like a big, strong caveman, but it’s not like I’m getting any of the benefits of my possessive husband.”

I clench my jaw. “Don’t fucking tease me.”

“I’m not teasing.” Her fingers grip my chest muscles and I swear she just licked her lips. “You keep on acting like you don’t want me, but we both know the truth.”

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