Page 110 of Awakened by Sin

“Is that as good as it looks?” Mickey asked, ruining her moment.

She opened her eyes to find him watching her instead of where he was going. “Eyes on the road.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She bit into two other donuts, but none gave her a rush like the strawberry one. She sucked her finger as Mickey drove and then smacked the door.

“Turn here.”

“Frederick’s not going to—”

She reached for the steering wheel. He cursed and brushed her hands away. “Okay, okay. Where are we going?”

She gave him directions and then handed him the donut boxes as she got out of the car. Frederick parked beside her and jumped out with his hand in his jacket.

“What’s going on?”

“I need stuff,” she said and started toward Petco.

“What the hell?”

“There’s an animal adoption event in two days.”

“What the hell does that have to do with …” Frederick began but broke off when she walked through the doors.

She walked into Petco with Frederick and Mickey flanking her. She found two workers to assist her, and she went on a shopping spree. She bought beds, leashes, food and water dishes, collars, toys, treats, etc. She situated a delivery time with the manager and also managed to get him to advertise the event with the local stores as well. After handing over her credit card to pay over ten grand, she caught the look her guards exchanged.

“How’d you two get stuck with me?” she asked. “Is Angel or Gavin punishing you?”

“Neither. We volunteered,” Mickey said.

Carmen frowned. “Why would you volunteer?”

“You’re with Roman, right?”

She stiffened. “Excuse me?”

“You were with him last night. He basically claimed you in front of everyone. We figured you were bound for action since you’re his.” He finally registered her outraged expression. “You’re not?”

“No! You were duped into playing babysitter for someone who is going to make you take her on fast food runs and animal adoptions.”

“So why were you with Roman last night?” Mickey persisted.

Why, indeed? Fucking Angel. She thanked the cashier and crumpled the epic receipt into a sizable ball as she marched out of the store. She pulled her phone out of her purse and pointed at both men to stay as she walked a few paces away and dialed Angel. He answered on the fifth ring.

“I’m busy.”

“So am I,” she quipped. “Why did you really take me with you last night?”

“I told you.”

“For the rush?” she asked as she paced with a hand on her hip. “Is that all?”

“What else is there?”

“How about the fact that everyone thinks I’m yours now?”

“It’s for protection.”

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