Page 47 of Turmoil's Target

“That wasn’t a suggestion.” The man’s voice drops to a menacing growl. “You’ll do as I say if you know what’s good for y?—”

Suddenly, he’s ripped away, a dark blur slamming him against a nearby wall.

Abe towers over the man, murder etched into every line of his face.

His words are pure venom, dripping with lethal promise. “Touch her again, and I’ll rip your fucking arm off and beat you to death with it.”

The man shrinks back. “Shit, man. I didn’t know she was yours. I’m sorry.”

“Get the fuck out of my sight.” Abe releases him with a shove, sending him scurrying away like the coward he is.

Then those blazing green eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches.

In this moment, Abe is a force of nature, savage and fierce and beautiful.

My dark avenging angel.

Something shifts between us, the air crackling with a new intensity.

For the first time, I glimpse the man beneath the rough exterior.

I realize he’s a man who would burn the world down to keep me safe.

My heart stutters at the realization, even as warning sirens blare in my head.

I can’t afford to fall for him. I can’t.

Abe closes the distance between us, his gaze still stormy. “Let’s get out of here. I’ve had enough of this place.”

I can only nod, mute, and let him lead me through the crowded club.

His hand rests possessively on my lower back, a silent warning to anyone who might try to stop us.

The cool night air hits my flushed skin as we step outside, a welcome relief from the stifling heat of the club.

But I can’t shake the memory of Abe’s fury, the fierce protectiveness in his eyes when he saved me.

It haunts me, even as I climb into his Mustang and place my hand on his inner thigh.

We speed through the neon-lit streets, windows down, the wind whipping my hair into a frenzy.

Adrenaline still courses through my veins, electric and addicting.

He feels like the only solid thing in my world right now.

Almost too soon, we're pulling up to his condo complex, the Mustang slowing down.

Abe cuts the engine and walks around to open my door, his hands lingering just a moment too long.

That single touch is enough to set me ablaze all over again.

“Abe, wait, I need to say something.” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He pauses, those aqua eyes locking with mine, questioning.

I take a shaky breath. “After tonight...I want more. With you. I thought it was enough, what we have, but it’s not. Not anymore.”

My pulse pounds wildly as I lay my cards on the table, terrified of his response.

---