Page 42 of The Huntress

She leaned away from Gabe and rested her hands on her hips. She did not need saving or protecting…when would the men in her life realize this?

He reached for her hands and drew her near him again, not letting her off so easy. “I’ll always know where you are, and I’ll always put you first.” His husky voice lowered, like rough velvet caressing her skin.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. Was he serious?

“That’s my cue. I’ll wait in the car.” Barrows held out his hand, and she sighed, wiggling out of Gabe’s embrace to dig in her back pocket for the keys. She took her gun and badge he offered her, then slapped her keys onto his open palm.

She waited until he closed the door, then released a long breath.

“I like him,” Gabe said. “Now what’s this about heading home?”

“I’m tired, it’s been a long day.”

He scowled. “Callie, it’s not safe.”

She huffed. “You haven’t claimed me yet so if I die, it won’t affect you.”

He growled. “You think I’ll allow you to die?” He gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his narrowed gaze. “I don’t announce the Rite ofAdsumofor any woman. I wanted you since you descended that ladder.”

Her breath hitched, not only from the silver in his eyes but by the strength in his voice.

“Thank you for telling me that. Um, I’ve been on my own for a long time, Gabe. Being in danger is not new to me, but I need time to understand what happened today and what committing to you means to me.” She cupped his cheek, sighing as his warmth traveled from her palm down her forearm. “You saved me and I’m grateful, but as handsome as you are, I can’t make a decision this serious based on sexual attraction.”

“How long will you need?” His voice was hoarse, his shoulders stiff, but his touch on her hips was gentle.

“A few days, maybe more?” She shrugged.

With a flick of his fingers, the sconce disappeared. Plunged into darkness, she didn’t expect to feel his lips on hers. Sweet scales of justice, her heartbeat spiked as he teased her bottom lip with his tongue. He looped an arm around her and gathered her against his chest. She gasped and he kissed her, thoroughly. The sheer taste of him was like the finest of scotch with the darkest of chocolates.

She melted into his embrace, attempting to join this exploration. When she swept her tongue across his, he groaned, deepened the kiss, and scattered her thoughts.

Mike switched on the headlights, and she pulled away from Gabe, feeling like a teenager caught necking on the porch.

“Um, I don’t know what to say.” She inched toward the passenger door. “Call me tomorrow? Leo might have my number.”

“I don’t like this, Callie.” His growl conveyed how much he didn’t like her leaving. He followed her, his hand shoved into his front pockets.

“Gabe, you’ve been without me for centuries, what’s a few more days?”

He paused, and the car’s lights shone on his hopeful expression. “Then you’ll move in with me?”

“Whoa, not so fast. I’ll give you my answer then.” Didn’t he know, couldn’t he see how leaving him was tearing her up inside? That alone was reason enough for distance. It wasn’t natural and normal to yearn for a man she’d met that day.

He clenched his jaw. “No, not liking this.”

“Call me.” She climbed into the car and closing the door had a finality to it. Mike reversed the car, shining the headlights on Gabe. She watched him for as long as she could see him, not daring to blink.

Mike didn’t speak, and she was grateful for the silence.

If the investigation tied the canister to Carter, that would involve Syl, and arresting Gabe’s brother wouldn’t bode well for their “marriage.” Iced pain wrenched her stomach. The idea that she might have to choose between love and the law had her tightening her hold on the seatbelt.

Hope dawned, melting the dread, warming the cold lump in the center of her chest. What if the canister wasn’t tied to anyone in her current case files? She’d walk away as best she could, trusting Leo that it wasn’t a weapon.

She needed to talk to Gabe about the politics involved with the shitstorm she was in and the implications for his brother. Arresting him wouldn’t be easy, if it came to that.

The damn canister better be harmless, or she might have to kick Syl in the balls. Leo too, for lying to her.

Chapter Fifteen

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