Page 9 of Fire

“Ferals have been overtaken,” I announce, vaguely giving him an answer without verbalizing it.

“At least you’re on the better side of the coin. I’ll consider answering your questions, if you answer mine. What’s Gracie to you?”

“She’s mine,” I respond, claiming her. It’s not my fault if the woman doesn’t realize it yet. She will. She’s just too damn skittish to throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my bed. There’s no way I can do that right now. I know it. That doesn’t alter the fact that the urge to take her to bed and fuck her into accepting my claim is slamming into me with every breath I take.

“Does she know that?” he asks, mildly.

“She’s …resistant.She’ll understand soon, though.”

The bastard laughs at that. “You mean she’s as skittish as a newborn foal.”

“She’ll come around,” I respond. “Now, what kind of fucking mess did you get my woman into by brokering a deal with the Korslova assholes?”

“Gracie must trust you to let you know about that.”

“I told you she belongs to me.” I’m bluffing my ass off. I’m not about to admit that I only know because Grace was pissed off at me and scared. Doing that won’t get me the information I need to keep her safe.

“Poor girl has the uncanny ability to attract men she should stay away from. I reckon she hasn’t had good luck with anyone in her life, though. She used to say she was cursed. I’m starting to wonder if it’s true,” he muses, making me frown.

“I wouldn’t hurt her.”

“Hmm,” he hums, sounding like he doesn’t believe me.

“I won’t. I sure as hell wouldn’t have gotten her messed up with the fucking Korslovas.”

“You think I did?” he laughs. “I see what’s going on here. You got part of the information and now you’re fishing for more.”

I grunt under my breath—annoyed. “She panicked and started talking about it,” I admit, not telling him she thought I worked for those assholes. “I can’t protect her if I don’t know what’s going on. She’s too deep in her fear to talk, so you’re going to.”

“Now, I don’t know you from shit. Why would I talk to you?”

Well, fuck. What do I say to that?“You can either tell me, or I’ll work and uncover it all on my own. I have no trouble doing that, but what happens if I turn over the wrong stone and it causes someone to come after Grace?”

“You could just let it drop,” Garcia responds, his voice hardening.

“Not happening. I’m not stupid. This woman is special and I’m not leaving her alone with her and her son’s ass flapping in the wind.”

“You know about her son?”

“I do.”

“Fuck. You’re starting to annoy me, boy.”

“I haven’t been a boy in a long time, asshole.”

“Not like you’ve given me your name,” he snaps back.

“Ford.”

“Damn, so it really isyourclub.”

That catches my attention. I blink. “You know who I am?”

“Roanoke isn’t that far away from your part of the state.”

“I guess not. So, are you going to give me what I need to keep Grace safe, or are we done talking?”

“Since you know just enough to get us all in trouble, I guess we’ll talk.”

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