Page 21 of Vengeful Reign

“I won’t let you hurt him.”

His eyes shift lower. “Hurt him? I’d never fucking hurt him.” His pearly white teeth clench together so tightly that I swear they’re going to crack. The words he spat back were as if I insulted his character. A man who shoved his way through my door, put his hands on me, and threatened my life—looked at me with disgust because I accused him of wanting to harm a little boy. It would be almost comical if I wasn’t terrified that he would.

I sigh as I hear the pitter-patter of John’s little feet because John’s out of his room and has walked straight into danger.

He drops to his haunches with his face right at my crotch as he stares at John. “John, buddy, do you remember me? It’s Jack.” There’s no anger or violence in his tone like there was for me a moment ago. He sounds so happy.

“Jack,” he answers. I hear him say it when we watch television, especially when there’s a man in a suit. “Jack, Jack.” I see this big brute that just threatened me with deadly bodily harm begin to sob.

“Yes, buddy. It’s me. Jack.” He opens his arms, but John doesn’t go to him. He clings to my leg. The brute stands and looks at me with tears in his eyes. “What the fuck did you do to my brother? Why do you have him?” He fists my hair violently, so hard that I let out a cry, and it causes John to cry.

“You’re scaring him,” I yell at the big asshole. I don’t care how good looking he is with his angular jaw, cleft chin, and the touch of gray at the closely shaved sides of his head. The damage he’s doing to John is pissing me off.Whoa, where did that come from? Why is this man turning me on when I should be petrified? He’s what I’ve been hiding from for the past year.

Chapter Eight

Jack

I step closer, giving her no space, partially to stop her from getting away and to get a little more of her scent. The little dark-brown-haired beauty with hints of red in her hair stares at me with a bit of fear and hunger in those tired but beautiful eyes. Why does she look so damn familiar?

Breathing her in, I stare into her gorgeous hazel eyes and challenge her, wanting her, needing Nora to show me who she really is. “Scaring him? You stole him, terrified him for so long, and I’m the one he should be afraid of?”

“I’ve done nothing but look out for him while you’ve been hunting him down like a dog, wanting him dead.” I’d be proud of her bravery if it wasn’t for her insult to my love for my little brother. It’s so damn disgusting that all the desire I felt a minute ago has passed.

I twist my head to the side, face tightening, hands at my sides flexing into white-knuckled fists. “Want him dead? Are you fucking nuts? I get that you’re fucking sleep deprived from the dark circles under your eyes, but I would never do anything to hurt my brother.”

She’s practically spitting fire for that intentional dig, but I need a little reprieve from the instant attraction I’m feeling. This woman kidnapped my brother and I should string her up for what she’s done, not want to drive my cock deep inside her hole and stay there until we both can’t move.

“I’m just supposed to believe you after you burst through my door, violently threatening me,” she challenges me. Damn, does she challenge me. I want to take her young ass over myknee and spank her. Who the hell does she think she is, talking to me like that?

“Little felon, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I’m not afraid of you.” She’s lying, but Nora’s not going down without a fight. What kind of woman would give her life for a stranger’s kid?

“You need to be afraid.” God, even sleep deprived, she’s stunning. The dark circles under her eyes don’t take away the beauty, but that doesn’t change my plans.

“You stole my brother. For one year, two months, and three days.”

“I didn’t—” My hand wraps around her delicate little throat, unwilling to believe her lies. I really could get used to that feeling. Her pulse under my fingers, vibrating violently, is intense and erotic. What would it feel like if she was riding my cock at the same time?Damn it, Jack. Shake it off.

“Don’t fucking lie to me, ever, little felon.” I breathe her in and groan. A mixture of distrust and desire bleed through me. What am I going to do with her?

The answer pops out of my mouth before I can think of a better one. “John responds to you, and you clearly respond so well to me. For your crimes, you will be John’s mother and my wife, my little felon.” She gasps and I smirk, stepping back.

“You have to be out of your mind. I’m not responding to you at all.”

“I already warned you about lying,” I say, staring into Nora’s gorgeous hazel eyes that scream longing. I’m not sure what she’s longing for, but I’m willing to satisfy her.

“Momma,” John cries at her side, clinging to her desperately.

“Come on, let us relax.” I turn to my men while still holding on to my future wife. “Stand down and wait over there. I have a lot to discuss with Ms. Harrison. Make yourselves useful and get her some water.”

“I…” It’s adorable that she thinks that I’ll be persuaded to listen to her. Leading her over to the sofa, John follows her before going to his toy bins. As her ass hits the cushions, fatigue falls over her. I almost feel bad that I came barging in—almost.

As I reach up to brush her cheek, she flinches. I should be offended, but then again, I’ve threatened her more than once. “You need to relax. It’s clear that my arrival disrupted your sleep.” I caress her soft skin briefly before she moves her face away.

“Relax? Are you freaking serious? You barge into my home, threatening me and John.”

“I’ve never threatened my little brother,” I inform her. I’d give my life for him. “You took him from me.”

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