Page 9 of Raging Heat

“Since when?”He doesn’t let go easily.One of his most frustrating traits.

“About a week.They’ve been getting stronger since I told Caleb and Vera about the night I took over this organisation.”

Jorge’s warm cedar scent spikes as he turns to me, surprise all over his face.“You told them?All of it?”

He’s one of the few people who know what happened that night, so he knows that me opening up to Vera and Caleb about it is very unusual.

“I didn’t go into detail.But I told them.They’ve even seen the stain on the wood.”

“Ah, that explains part of the mess in the office.”He smiles and I seem to finally calm down.“What about the ugly couch?”

“Different blood stain.I’m having the carpet replaced with wood, much easier to clean.I just haven’t gotten around to finalising the plans for it yet.”

“And the old stain?”

“I’m having it all ripped out and replaced.There wouldn’t be anything left anymore.”I need to finally let go of my past.I need to really move forward, and that means finally letting go of that night.

“Who’s the new stain from?”His voice is calm, like we’re talking about the weather, not who I killed this time.

“The fucker who hired me to capture Vera and Caleb.Big mistake on his part.”I pluck at some of the grass.“I would have just let him go too.If he hadn’t told me to ‘get rid of’ them because he didn’t agree with my fees.”

“And they willingly stayed with you after that?”Jorge sounds surprised, his pheromones spiking with suspicion.

“Not exactly.”I sit up, turning my back to him.“But that doesn’t matter right now.”

“Mathew…” There’s a growl in his voice, anger, upset.

“The fucker’s pack has put a bounty on our heads, all three of us.That’s why there’s more security right now.That’s why we’re all a bit busy.”

I get up, turning to go back into the house, but Jorge grabs my ankle, holding on tight.

“What did you make them do?”His growl deepens and I really shouldn’t be feeling this flicker of hope in my chest that he’s already this protective of them…

“Nothing that can’t wait until things have calmed down.”I glare at him.“Let me go.”

He glares back at me, but then slowly lets me go.

The door to the office opens and Vera bounces inside, wearing one of the bright and flowy yellow summer dresses that I had made for her.It suits her perfectly, accentuating her full boobs and her luscious hips.

Though, as she twirls in the middle of the office, showing off to me, I notice she’s not wearing a bra or underwear.

That girl…

I smile, reaching out to her and she twirls right into my arms.“You look lovely.”

“Thank you.”She grins, giving me a quick kiss, her warm honey scent like a comforting cloud around me.“Is your ‘friend’ still here?”Her pheromones ooze with desire and I’m rock-hard against her.She’s very horny today.

“Yes, he’s outside.”I tighten my arms around her waist and then lift her up as I spin us both around.The dress billows out around us and her bright laugh makes my heart lighter.

Yes.We’ll resolve the ‘owning’ thing once everything calms down.

For now, this is good enough.To see Vera relax and have fun and for Caleb to settle down.For both of them to feel safe for the first time in years.That’s more important than anything else right now.

As I put her down, I slide my hands under her skirt and grab her bare ass, making her squeak.“You like him, don’t you?”

She rubs her nose against my shirt, grinning.“He makes you happy, even if you deny it.Your pheromones tell the truth.”

“That’s about me.What about you?”

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