Page 6 of Becoming His Pet

Nora peeked over her shoulder at him. While her insides were rattling around, his composure was completely in check. Having a gun in his hands and pointed at Teo’s head might have helped his confidence along.

Where had he gotten the gun?

“Okay, fine.” Teo nodded to Anthony, and he shoved Nora away.

“There,” Anthony said.

“I don’t know who you are, but this ain’t none of your business,” Teo said, shifting his footing. He still held his gun, but it was pointed at the floor.

“You’re right. I don’t care about that.” The customer nodded toward Antonio on the floor. Nora swallowed back a whimper. “Come here.” He reached out and snagged the back of her T-shirt, pulling her to him. She realized he wanted her behind him and scrambled to take cover behind his back.

Real hero she was. #womanpower would not be included in any tweets regarding her.

“We’re leaving and you two can finish whatever you came here to do.”

Nora took a step back toward the door.

“We have some business with Nora there, too,” Teo said, pointing a finger at the pair of them.

“No. You don’t,” the customer said. “Whatever your business was with her is over now,” he said with authority.

She stared at the back of his head. He didn’t know her. How could he say that? Maybe she did have business with the brothers. Maybe she was their partner. How the hell would he know?

“No, not by a long shot.” Teo took a step toward them.

“It is,” the customer said. “Nora, go up front.”

Now he was giving orders to her in that burly voice.

“Now.”

She would school him later on his arrogance, she decided, and hightailed it to the front of the shop.

“You don’t know who you’re fucking over, kid,” she heard Anthony warn, but she couldn’t hear the customer’s response.

Unbolting the front door, she stepped out into the warm summer sun, looking both ways down the street. She’d taken the bus to work.

“This way.” That same arrogant demand as he grabbed her arm and pulled her down the street.

“Where are they?” she asked, looking over her shoulder as he dragged her along.

He didn’t answer her, just kept tugging her along the sidewalk until he brought her to what she assumed was his car. He yanked open the passenger door. “Get in.” He waved at her.

She looked at the car. Decent. Newish, but not brand new. She didn’t know cars well enough to know the make, but she could tell he took care of it. And he did just save her from having to deal with the brothers.

“I-I don’t think so. I’m good. Just—where are they?” she asked, hearing the panic in her own voice. They still hadn’t come out of the shop. Had he shot them?

“They aren’t coming out yet. Get in the damn car, Nora,” he ordered. His use of her name snapped her to attention.

“I don’t know you!” she argued.

His jaw set firm.

“Seriously? I just saved you from those goons, and you aren’t sure you should get in the car?” The crease in his forehead deepened as his eyebrows shot up.

He had a good point. But still.

“I don’t even know your name.” She continued to watch the entrance to the flower shop, unsure of how much time she had before they came for her. And they would come for her. “Where’s your gun?”

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