Page 14 of Mine to Protect

“All those guys think they’re gods. Fuckers,” he grumbled, then shifted a few pieces of paper around on his desk. “I didn’t like the way he kept staring at you.”

I pursed my lips, not quite sure how to respond. Pretty sure saying ‘I did’ wasn’t in my best interest if I wanted this conversation to wrap up sooner than later.

“You want me to ride around with you tonight on your shift? You know, like old times?” John’s tone was wistful, nostalgic even.

Letting him down was the last thing I wanted to do, but I also didn’t want to lead him on. “Nah,” I said as I moved toward the open door. “I’ll be fine. I like the mountains at night. You know that. I should go though. Don’t want to keep them waiting.”

“Check in when you’re back. That’s an order.”

With my middle finger, I gave a fake salute and stepped out into the hall just as a wadded paper ball soared past my head.

“You missed,” I called over my shoulder.

In the main room, I slowed my quick steps at the sight of Sarah smiling and laughing, surrounded by Agent Peters and Sergeant Mathews. Benny’s soft head rested just under Sergeant Mathews’s hand as the man scratched the thick fur.

Oh crap, what do I do with Benny?I rubbed at my eyes. Maybe I could run him home and meet them at the first scene.

Not wanting to interrupt the conversation, I tentatively approached the group. Benny glanced up with a ‘please don’t make me move’ plea in his eyes.

“All set?” Agent Peters asked.

“Um, yeah I am, but I forgot about Benny.”

“He can come too,” Mathews directed over his shoulder as he marched to the front doors. I cringed at his ear-piercing whistle that sent Benny bounding after him.

Traitor.

“Okay….” I raised both brows in a silent question to Agent Peters, who merely offered a knowing smile before strolling toward the front doors.

Sarah’s hand wrapped around my wrist, holding me back from following. “Wow. He’s hot, right? Where are you going with them? Can I come?”

A pang of jealousy dipped my stomach. Flirting, talking, conversation came easy for Sarah. Plus, with her amazing looks, no doubt she could have both men in her bed by the end of the night if she put her mind to it. Which didn’t bother me about Peters, but Mathews was a different story.

We’d only said a handful of words, but to me, he was mine.

Which had to be the most backward thing formeto think, considering that same mindset from someone else was what put me in my perpetual state of fear and unease. But the difference between me and the freak who stalked me was I wouldn’t follow Mathews, leave him creepy notes, or drug him.

“I’m taking them to the two scenes where those women went missing.” I’d keep the part about a possible serial killer to myself for the time being. Sarah wouldn’t spread it around, but since it was an active case, protocol had to be followed. “I better go before they leave me.”

With a fake pout, Sarah crossed her arms across her ample chest. “Whatever. I’m meeting that new ranger in a few anyway.”

I tensed and frantically glanced around the room. “Oh no. Is she here? Please tell me she’s not here.”

Sarah shook her head and stretched her arms high over her head. “Nope, I’m meeting her at one of the trails. Your boy John thought I should include her since she’s having a hard time making friends on her own. And since you don’t like her….” Her mischievous smirk took a fraction of the hurt out of the accusation.

“Who doesn’t like dogs?” I said, a bit exasperated. The woman was strange, so no, I didn’t want to be friends with her. Either way, I was already at my max with Sarah and John. “I don’t trust anyone who won’t pet Benny.”

“I don’t blame her, Birdie. That dog stares her down like she’s his next meal.”

Okay, she was right. But I just assumed it was because he knew she didn’t like him.

Which was absurd.

I mean really, who couldn’t love Benny?

5

Cas

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