Page 6 of Mob Bride

My elbow pushes against his chest as I try to get down. I wish I could stay in his arms forever because I’ve never felt so safe inmy adult life as I do with this grizzly bear wrapped around me. But it’s too dangerous for all of us if the wrong people see us. Besides, I don’t want him dictating what I do.

“My list is shorter. My parents. You don’t make my list either. Put me down.”

“I don’t enjoy repeating myself.”

“Simple solution. Put me down. That’s the last time I’m saying it, Shane. I’m serious.” My gaze darts to my mom before I look up at him again. Then I sweep my gaze over our surroundings.

“There’s no one here but us.”

“You believe that because your men haven’t told you otherwise and because your security system hasn’t either. That doesn’t mean we’re alone. Please.”

“After you tell me who did this.”

His voice matches the steel in his arms. My mom’s gaze bores into me. I let my shoulders droop as I whisper a name I made up a year ago. “Jesse.”

Shock registers on Mom’s face, but Shane’s is unconcealed rage.

“Man or woman?”

I keep my lips sealed. I cringe when my mom answers for me.

“A guy she dated for a few months. They broke up when Carys moved to Pittsburgh.” She narrows her eyes at me. “The city I thought she was in today.”

“I’m not because I wanted to surprise you.” I sigh. “I also came to see Jesse. I arranged to see himafterI’d already decided to come see you.” After being about thirty seconds ago.

“Your ex-boyfriend did this to you? Why?” Shane’s demanding tone tells me I’m not getting out of this without some kind of plausible answer. Silence won’t work.

“We started talking again three weeks ago, and I thought there was a possibility we’d get back together. Clearly, we are not.”

“Clearly, you haven’t answered why.” Shane’s snarling now. Sexy as sin if he didn’t direct it at me.

“We had an argument. One I will not discuss with a stranger or my mother.” Let them make of that what they will. Hopefully, they think it’s about sex.

When Shane’s gaze hardens into two emerald slivers, I know that was the wrong thing to imply. He sets me on my feet but keeps his arms around me to support me. He whispers again, and I’m certain my mom wants to know what he’s saying. I appreciate the discretion.

“Before, during, or after?”

My gaze locks with his, but I stay quiet. The more I say, the more lies I have to remember later. My mind’s already full of them.

“Did you consent, but he didn’t like your limits?”

I can only stand, staring and blinking. I swallow after a few seconds. How the hell does he know I might like it kinky or even just rough?

“Carys, answer me. I’ve reached my breaking point with you being uncooperative. Why?”

If I were someone else, he’d scare the shit out of me. I’m certain he scares the shit out of most men. But he’s not the biggest man I’ve faced before.

“I warned you.”

Fucking hell. He’s going to have me followed. “It’s private, Shane. Don’t you think this is humiliating enough without having to reveal stuff that private? My mom’s standing right here.” I hope he buys my beseeching look.

“He nearly killed you, Carys. He will kill you. No man does this without expecting his victim to die. When he finds out youdidn’t, he will try again. Can you guarantee you’ll be so lucky a second time?”

He’s right about all of that. But this is an occupational hazard. I don’t want to think about work. At least not directly. I push all thoughts of it to the side.

“That’s why a hotel would be best. It keeps me away from my parents. Once I’m in my room, no one is going up without asking for my room number. I’ll tell the desk staff absolutely no visitors.”

“You’ll tell them that how? You can barely stand up, let alone walk up to the counter to tell anyone anything. And how will you explain your mangled face?”

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