Page 83 of Uncaged Obsessions

“You have a lot of nerve showing up here,” I tell the officer standing just on the other side of the threshold.

“Where’s the rest of yourcrew?”Doogie asks.

“Not here.”

“Well, I’m here to check some things out, so I need to come inside.” The bastard tries to step in, but I fill the doorway with my large frame, stopping him.

“You must think I’m an idiot. I know you can’t step in here without a warrant. And you’re lucky Caine isn’t here. We know what you did.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I’ve done is my job.”

Athena slides across my chest, and I watch how the older man’s eyes widen in horror. I smirk. “You know…snakes venom can be deadly, but depending on the snake, it can take days or minutes to kill a man.”

He continues to watch Athena move on me. “You wouldn’t let that thing on you if it could kill you.”

“I wouldn’t? I’ve had her since she was a baby. She’s safe with me, she knows I would never hurt her. But someone unfamiliar may not be as safe,” I say as she slides down my arm, wrapping around it while resting her head on the back of my hand.

Ball pythons aren’t venomous at all and are probably the most docile snake there is, but clearly he doesn’t know that and it makes me want to fuck with him a bit more. It’s what he gets for showing up to my house for no reason other than to try and intimidate me. It’s only a matter of time before he gets what’s coming to him anyway.

“You just let her be free like that?” He looks disgusted and terrified. I bite back the smile that wants to spread across my face.

“Sometimes. Want to see if she’ll be as nice to you?” I stretch out my arm with her wrapped around it, and he backs up quickly to get away.

“No, I’ll come back another time.”

“Don’t bother. There’s no reason for you to come around any of us.” I step out toward him and he continues to back up. “The case is with the FBI which means it’s out of your jurisdiction, so you can fuck off.”

He stutters, looking at Athena again and backing up to his car. I watch to make sure he drives away. We really need to deal with him; I know we can’t kill him, despite the desire we all have to do so.

After I make sure he’s gone, I go back inside and put Athena away. Grabbing the bag I packed, I head to Max’s because the last thing I need right now is Doogie thinking he can show up there and try to intimidate them. If he’s dumb enough to do that, then he probably does deserve to have Caine kill him. More than he already does.

Luckily, I don’t see his car anywhere when I pull up and head inside. The TV is on with some movie playing while Max is draped across Caine and Drew, her head in Caine’s lap, legs resting over Drew’s. The scene looks so peaceful and oddly domestic. It makes my stomach swoop at how…simple it is. How normal.

“You just leave the gym?” Drew asks, rubbing his hand along Max’s legs steadily.

I shake my head. “No, stopped at home for a bit to check on Athena.” I don’t miss the way Max shivers at the mention of my snake, and I smirk. “She misses you, baby girl.”

“I can’t say the feeling is mutual.”

“She was the most important girl in my life before you, and since I have to be okay sharing you, I think you need to do the same.”

She chuckles. “I’m more than okay sharing you with her. It’s having her onmethat I still struggle with.”

“Really? Because my memory says you enjoyed it.” I step around the couch, kneeling in front of her, where she’s giving me a skeptical look. “And I’d love to do it again.”

I lean forward, pressing my lips to hers, and she sighs against them, relaxing more on Caine’s lap. I pull back when she tries todeepen it and she whines in protest. Smirking, I stand up. “You seem comfortable, don’t let me disturb you.”

“Damn right,” Caine insists, wrapping an arm around her so she doesn’t move.

“Disturb me any time.” She looks up, her eyes following me. “Just not with Athena.”

I chuckle. She says that, but I know she gets off on the fear. Our girl likes to be scared and chased, held down, air cut off and fucked rough.

And we love to give that to her.

Caine has wantedto spar with me for awhile. Though, with everything going on I could tell he needs it even more now. Just like with our girl, we give her everything she needs. I’ll do the same to keep the peace with everyone else as well.

Including indulging him in a fight.

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