Page 46 of Stealth Mission

Until I make it known I’m not standing for this.

Then the air goes static. Forks loaded with food hang in mid air as everyone pivots to follow me with their shocked stares.

Like I’m doing the most ridiculous thing in the world.

What-fucking-ever.

The mayor is totally unaware that trouble is fast on his heels. Voice pitched low, I issue a warning. “Let her go, or lose the hand.”

With a look of panic, she waves a hand in my direction like she’s trying to distract a charging bull. “Walt, it’s not what you think.”

“What do I think?”

“I’m sure you think this looks bad, but he was just messing around.”

I hold her gaze. She knows I see the lie written in her eyes. It’s one of those lies that women tell to protect themselves from more abuse.

“Doesn’t look like kidding around to me.”

Meanwhile as she and I stare at each other, her father is sputtering a string of curses in Spanish.

I flick a burning glare toward him and reply to him in Spanish. “Quieres bromear con alguien, inténtalo. Puedo mostrarte algunos trucos”.You want to joke around with someone, try me. I can show you some tricks.

His chin jerks back. All sputtering and cursing ceases. A nervous gaze flickers down my body. Today, I’m in a form-fitting T-shirt and a pair of hiking shorts that show off my thighs. I’m muscle from head to toe.

Yeah.I look like the kind of motherfucker that can get shit done.

He withdraws further.

That’s what I thought, asshole.

I’m not sure why I didn’t notice it before, but he looks like a dick with ears. For a beat, I wonder how such a spectacularly beautiful woman came from someone with such an ugly air about him.

He’s… garish, just like at the party. His skin is almost as shiny as the three gold necklaces he’s wearing. His smile is greasy too, and I hate him for just breathing in the same space as this incredible creature.

“This is private business.” This time his English is flawless.

“Where I’m from, we don’t ever handle women like that.”

He sticks out his chest, but stays safely out of the impact zone. “Tourists shouldn’t get involved in family affairs.”

I tilt my head as my jaw clicks. “If you think just because I’m not from around here that I take your assault on this woman lightly, then you’re smoking crack. Now it’s time for you to leave before I have to put you out.”

Marianna’s father makes a choked sound. “You’re messing with the wrong person.”

“I don’t care who you are.”

A small palm slams into my stomach and when I look down it’s attached to Marianna’s arm. “Thank you, Walt. Now, what are you doing here?”

When my hand folds around hers, I have to swallow. A flood of heated energy courses between our connected skin.

Just like last night. An overwhelming urge to drag her away and keep her safe surges through me.

For a beat my tongue is glued down. I hate hearing her call me by my alias. As much as it is the right thing to do—to hide my identity as well as the team’s identity—I hate that the foundation of our relationship is built on that.

Wait.What?Did I just thinkrelationship?

I unlock my jaw, concerned what might come out of my mouth. “Getting a drink.”

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