Page 42 of Inflame Me
“Now, this problem,” Pops says, turning around while Breaker follows the cop outside to make sure he disappears. “I made a call to your wife who said you are on a fishing trip.”
Griff pales.
“Tell me everything, and I’ll make it fast,” Dagger says. “Or don’t and I’ll beat it out of you. Either way will work.”
I crack my knuckles, placing my fist in the palm of my other hand. I want this fucker to play hardball. How dare he touch Tanner! No one touches her. Ever.
Griff spews his guts, but everything on the case is pretty much washed up. Investigators say it was from the water heater—go figure—and closed it out.
“Tug, GT, Cruz,” Pops calls out, “take this guy fishing. There’s an extra car in the side wing of the garage.”
Griff pales further. “You’re really going to kill me, aren’t you?”
Dagger slams the butt of his gun down on the asshole’s neck, and he passes out.
“Boys, do good,” is all Pops says as the three take Griff out. “Looks like your ladies can leave whenever they want.” My stomach twists. Fuck that. “Do what you gotta do.” With that, he leaves, the others following him out the door. The sound of engines firing and leaving echo through the house.
“Now what?” I look at Dagger.
“We tell them that shit’s getting sorted, and they need to stay.” Dagger smirks as if he’s reading my mind. Sure, I’ll probably get shit later for it, but fuck, having some other guy touch Tanner … I can’t do that shit. I don’t deserve her, but I’m not letting her go, either.
I move down the hallway, dead set on seeing my girl. I knock and open the door.
Tanner lies next to her mother, face to face. It looks like they’re talking. Tanner’s head pops up. Then she scrambles off the bed and heaves herself into my arms, and I catch her with ease. Fuck, I like the fact that she feels safe with me.
I inhale her scent, not even giving a shit that her arms are around my neck. If anything, I like it. Fuck me. I’m screwed.
“I didn’t mean to make you mad,” she says into my neck.
“I’m not. That’s my own shit. We’ll talk.” Even though I don’t want to bring that shit up, she deserves to know that it’s not her. It’s all me.
“Mearna, you all right?”
Concern is all over her mother’s face. I know how much Tanner loves her mother. Fuck me. Do I really have to win over her mother? This is exactly why I don’t do this shit.
“I’m fine.” Her eyes narrow. “What are your intentions with my daughter?”
To fuck her brains out.“Taking it one step at a time.”
“Tanner,” she calls out, and Tanner turns to her mother. “You be careful, sweetheart.” Tanner nods, and then Mearna turns to me. “What’s going on out there?”
“No worries. It’s under control,” I tell her.
“So if everything is under control, can we head home?” Mearna asks, watching my reaction closely. I disguise my irritation at her question.
“Nah, you two need to stay for a while. We’ll know more tomorrow.” I pull Tanner with me. “Come on, Sprite.”
“Sprite?” her mother questions.
“I don’t know where he got it, Mom, but whatever.” Tanner shrugs.
“It fits you.” Mearna smiles. “I like it.”
All right, enough of this touchy-feely shit.
“Come on.” I lead Tanner through the hallway and into the living room. She looks around, finding it empty besides Dagger sitting in the chair.
As soon as we pass, I hear the creak of the chair. He’s no doubt going to talk to Mearna. I kick the door shut to another bedroom, and Tanner sits on the bed.
