Page 11 of Phoenix

“I’m fine,” I whispered, bracing my palms against his chest.

His hand snapped up, gripping my jaw just firmly enough to stop my words cold. His hazel eyes were molten. Dangerous.

“Don’t say that,” he ground out. “Don’t tell me you’re fine after what just happened. You were two seconds away from being thrown into that van.”

“But I wasn’t,” I argued, even as my voice shook.

His touch was protective but commanding. He seemed very close to completely losing control. “If I hadn’t been here…”

“You were, though. And you stopped them from taking me.” I stroked his broad chest, hoping to defuse the situation. “Although you missed out on your chance to see my ninja moves in action. I was just about to kick some serious butt before you stepped in.”

His nostrils flared. “Don’t push me, Lindsay.”

“What? You don’t believe me?” I asked, blinking up at him as innocently as I could.

Beck stepped even deeper into my space, one large hand sliding into my hair and fisting the strands at the base of my neck. His hold wasn’t rough, but it was just tight enough that I gasped and went still, my breath catching.

“Now is not the time to give me your sass, baby. Save it for when I have you somewhere safe.” His deep voice was gravelly and sent goose bumps up my spine. “If you don’t get on the back of my bike in the next ten seconds, your ass’ll be red before I let you sit on it.”

My jaw dropped. It was the second time he’d threatened to spank me. I should’ve been furious over him bossing me that way. Insulted. At the very least, offended.

Instead, a rush of heat rolled down my spine, confusing and overwhelming.

I swallowed hard, my knees wobbling in a way that had nothing to do with the adrenaline still in my veins.

“You’re being ridiculous,” I managed, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s over. They’re gone.”

“For now.” He released my hair but didn’t move back, his body still crowding mine. “But I need to get you outta here in case they change their minds and come back.”

“We can’t just leave.” Even if I wanted to, the idea of them returning was now cemented in my brain. “You just fired a bunch of bullets with a ton of people around. The cops must be on their way.”

“Your safety comes first,” he insisted, nudging me closer toward his motorcycle. “And the Old Bridge PD isn’t gonna give me shit for gettin’ you behind our gate before calling them. We have too many ties to them for that.”

My brows drew together at the mention of the Iron Rogues compound. “You don’t have to protect me?—”

“Yeah, I do,” he cut in, his voice low and final. “We’ve been over this.”

“But…why?”

“Because I take care of what’s mine.”

I froze.

He’d just called me his.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Beck didn’t waste his golden opportunity to get me on his bike. Wrapping his hand around my arm, he led me over to it as though he hadn’t just flipped my entire world upside down. Even more than almost getting kidnapped had.

I told myself what he’d said was heat-of-the-moment macho crap. It was just the adrenaline. Too much testosterone.

But my heart was pounding as though it didn’t believe me.

6

PHOENIX

We pulled into the compound and around to the back of the clubhouse. I didn’t say a word as I helped Lindsay off my bike, then put my arm around her and walked toward the back door. As we passed a couple of brothers and prospects lounging around the firepit and picnic tables, I gave them a terse nod. They were smart enough not to say a damn thing when they saw the storm cloud on my face and Lindsay practically plastered against my side.

I needed to get her alone before I lost my shit.

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