Page 18 of Marko

When I had Josh hack the security in the area around the site of the robbery, he had copied what I needed, then corrupted the images so that nothing significant could be seen. The police officers investigating it wouldn’t be able to identify the culprits or link it to the MP.

With the crime report reference provided to Melissa for her insurance, that would be the end of it. All going well the two incidents wouldn’t raise any real suspicion and would soon be forgotten about, at least for the law. It would be an entirely different story for Melissa of course.

I sighed, my thoughts drifting back to Little Miss Pouty Lips and the danger she was facing. It was crucial to uncover her connection to Mathieson and whatever else was happening in her life, but that could wait until tomorrow. Melissa had been through enough today. We would talk in the morning after she had rested.

It was a bit presumptuous to inform the head fireman that Melissa would stay with me and could be reached through my mobile, especially since I hadn’t told her that yet. However, she had mentioned having no close friends in London, so the only alternative would have been a hotel, which wasn’t an option. I wasn’t about to let her out of my sight.

Little Miss Pouty Lips had been robbed, her home blown up, and someone had even tried to throw a knife at her. Her situation was far more precarious than I had realised, and my instinct to protect her was on high alert. From now on, her safety would be my main priority. My fists clenched as I walked to my van, where Melissa was safely settled. Anyone who threatened her would face my wrath.

Overwhelmed by a fierce protectiveness that I couldn’t explain, not to mention a possessiveness I had no right to feel, I reminded myself she wasn’t mine. Until a couple of days ago, I hadn’t even known she existed, and until yesterday, we had never met. Yet, I couldn’t help myself. I liked her. A lot.

My cock certainly agreed with me because it kept twitching at the mere thought of her and had done ever since I first saw her driving licence photograph. The bloody unruly thing had a mind of its own.

Even though I hadn’t established if she was a threat to my family or not, my intuition told me Melissa wasn’t and I couldn’t wait to get to know her better.

As I climbed into the van, I discreetly adjusted myself. Now was hardly the time to be getting horny, I berated myself, glancing at Melissa. She was crying quietly, her whole body shaking in her effort to hold on to her emotions. My heart constricted tightly in my chest.

Wanting to comfort her, I leaned over and put my arm around her, tugging her onto my lap. Thankfully, her being so upset had brought my cock back under control and she snuggled close, turning her head towards me and burying it into my chest. Holding her tightly as she sobbed, I vowed then that whoever caused this was going to pay. If I got a hold of the guy responsible, I would kill him with my bare hands.

My hands stroked her back and her head and I kissed her forehead, wishing I could take away her pain. Outwardly I appeared calm, but inside my heart pounded and my mind was filled with anger. What the fuck was going on here? Who was trying to hurt my woman?

Shit! My woman? She wasn’t mine, but by god, I wanted her to be and right now, with her curled up in my arms, it felt like she was. Things were moving fast between us, but I wasn’t about to slow it down. I wanted Melissa Martin, and I was going to do whatever it took to make her mine.

My mouth twisted wryly as I thought about how I’d mocked Ash and Miki for falling for their women so quickly, and how even until yesterday I had been so sure I didn’t need what they had and was not at all jealous. Obviously, I had been in denial, and I was turning out to be just as bad as them.

We sat there for a while, and I simply held my Little Miss Pouty Lips and let her cry. She needed to let it out.

When Melissa’s sobs eventually died down, I moved her gently off my lap.

“I’m taking you to my apartment,” I told her.

Melissa didn’t protest, and in fact said nothing as we drove across the city. She simply lay her head back against the seat and gazed out of the window, probably trying to process everything.

When we got to the flat, I guided her to a spare bedroom and straight into the ensuite.

“Take a shower, sweetheart. You’ll feel better after it. I will find you something to wear then you can take a nap,” I told her before handing her some towels.

“Just call if you need me,” I said.

She simply nodded, looking a bit dazed as I left her to it.

I grabbed a T-shirt and some gym shorts from the master suite where my brothers and I kept spare clothes for when we stayed here. Returning to the guest bedroom, I left them on the bed for her. Given our size difference, they were the best I could offer for now.

After quickly grabbing a shower myself, I put on some fresh joggers and a T-shirt before heading to the kitchen. Melissa had quite a shock, so preparing some sweet tea and buttered toast seemed like a good idea. When she finished her shower, she padded through to the kitchen, and I handed them to her.

“I’ve put sugar in it to help with the shock,” I said as she took a tentative sip.

“Thanks.” She smiled with a sigh as she took a seat at the breakfast bar.

Melissa looked so cute in my oversized clothes, and I felt that possessive surge again. I let her sip her tea and watched as she nibbled absently on the toast.

“I know we need to talk, but it might be better to leave that until morning and get some sleep first,” I told her when she was done.

She nodded, and I quickly tidied up.

“Let’s get some rest,” I said, turning towards the bedrooms, expecting her to follow, but she remained sitting and seemed to have zoned out. “Earth to Melissa,” I said, smiling.

“Sorry,” she replied, looking into my eyes.

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