Page 83 of Run From Me

She looked at me and gasped.

“How did I miss this?” She questioned the lines of blood along my jaw, tracing them with her fingers.

“Let’s just say that tonight was a loss for the Vipers. I think they’re down six. Seven if we include Ripple.”

The blood was dried and her fingers came away clean. I watched for panic to set in. I expected it. But the thing about her was she didn’t play by any rule I expected.

“So this isn’t yours?”

I gave a little shake of my head.

“Okay, then. And they’re gone and can’t be found?”

I nodded.

“Alright. Is it safe to go home?”

That one got an answer from me. I stiffened at the idea of her leaving.

“You are home,” I said, pulling her closer.

“Can you not squish me against whoever’s dried blood this is? And no, I am not.”

She started to pull away, like I was going to let her go.

“Yes. You. Are. And,” I ripped off the jacket with one arm letting the other sleeve dangle from the arm wrapped around her while I kept her in my grasp.

“I—” Her words were cut off as I pressed my lips to hers and made sure no more nonsense came from that perfect mouth.

It didn’t really matter what happened tonight. Everyone was in the loop as much as they could be now. I’d started a war with the Vipers, but the Vipers hadn’t known that until tonight.

When I finally pulled away, her cheeks were adorably flushed.

“You are home. I told you, you are mine.”

Her lips moved, but this time she was speechless. There was a knock at the external door to the alley next to the large garage door.

“That would be supplies for O.”

Zeid was already talking to our guy and grabbing the bags, a litter box, and then something I would have to assume was a bed.

“Great. Grumpy cat will have a place to sleep in no time. I’m actually impressed he didn't claw a hole through the bag when I jumped from your balcony.”

Her little gasp made me pause and question what I’d just said.

“You had to jump from the balcony? What the hell were you thinking?”

I grabbed her hand as she tried to hit my chest.

“I was thinking I had someone at home worth coming home to, so maybe I should avoid getting arrested.”

That got her attention.

“Arrested?” she asked.

Zeid was the prick to answer.

“Yeah. You have some real nosy neighbors for being in such a shit hole. I sat and listened to the scanners while Cas checked out the area for more Vipers. Romeo here made a bit of ruckus and got the cops called.”

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