Page 14 of Training His Pet

“Because the only reason I’ve been shoving you around is to keep your nosey ass out of trouble. Something you obviously don’t know how to do on your own.”

Her chest puffed up in defense. “You don’t know the first thing about me.”

He shook his head. “But I do. You’re a pushy journalist who will do anything for a story. Even hiding behind a goddamn dumpster while one of Joey Persuccio’s men is being beaten right in front of you.”

He didn’t give her time to think of another excuse.

“I’m not arguing with you. Like I said you either walk out with a bag packed, or you get carried out to my car with only what you have on. That’s your choice right now.” During his time in the military he’d had men under his command, and not one of them would have thought to speak out of turn or question him. But complete disobedience blasted from the icy glare she gave him.

“So? Which is it?” he asked when the silence continued to stretch on.

“Won’t Christy be in danger?” Erika asked.

“If you’re gone and not talking with anyone Joey finds threatening, and you’re not putting his name in the paper, he should be glad enough you’re out of his hair,” Dax said, hoping he was right. He’d have to call in a favor and have an old friend swing by and check on the roommate.

Erika sucked in a big breath. “I must have a pretty good story on my hands.”

Dax clenched his teeth. “What you have is five minutes to pack a bag or you’ll be walking around in that dress for the next few days.” He folded his arms over his chest and pushed his chin down.

“You don’t have to be such a caveman about the whole thing,” she mocked. Did she not understand the danger, or didn’t she care?

“If I have to drag you out of here, I will absolutely do that. But you won’t enjoy it as much as you think.” He winked.

Her face paled—just a little—enough for him to know his words registered appropriately.

“Get going,” he commanded, firming up his tone.

Chapter Six

Erika jammed a fistfulof panties into her duffel bag before zipping it up. She had to be crazy, going along with this man, but her instincts told her to go for it. Joey Persuccio wasn’t a threat, not one she took seriously, but Dax was something entirely different. He and his brother owned the nightclub. Dax’s brother seemed to be in bed with Joey. Going through Dax might get her a good story, close enough to the Persuccio family to make her editor happy.

She’d already texted Andrew, letting him know she’d be out of town for a few days chasing down a lead. Working beneath Andrew for the past two years, she’d learned to go with her gut when it came to a story. Instincts could make or break a reporter starting out. He’d hold off on giving her another assignment for a few more weeks, and she only had that long to get this story. If she pulled it off, she’d be given her own column and the good tips that came into the paper would be handed off to her.

No more covering a debutante dinner.

“One minute,” Dax called from the living room.

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