Page 9 of Tabitha

It makes me want to muss her up.

Put my claim on her.

From the scowl on her face, she just learned I would be accompanying her and she’s not happy about it. I barely resist smirking at the homicidal look in her silver eyes. She’s the only brightness in my world, and I have no intention of allowing anything to diminish it.

I refuse to allow anything to happen to her, which means I can’t let her go off alone on such a dangerous mission.

I won’t interfere with her work. I’ve spent enough time with her to know that she needs the challenge. She needs the structure of the Belladonnas. If left on her own, she would hunt and kill indiscriminately, using her own somewhat questionable judgment.

There is no middle ground in her mind, just black and white.

Right and wrong.

If you do something bad, you will pay the price for it.

Being a retired cop, maybe I should find that alarming. She should probably be medicated, but I couldn’t bear for that spark in her to be dulled. I agree with Man—as long as she is monitored, follows the rules, she would remain free.

Being locked up would destroy her, and I’m determined to make sure that never happens.

It’s why I am so concerned about her taking this mission.

I don’t want her to get drawn back into the trauma of her past.

“You’re just going to be a distraction. You should stay here and let me deal with this mission on my own.” She storms toward her bike, ignoring me completely as she shoves items into the saddlebags.

Mostly weapons, if I had to guess.

“I’m a distraction, huh?” I can’t resist pushing her, loving her reactions.

Tabitha stiffens, a gorgeous blush climbing up her cheeks as she turns to glare at me over her shoulder. I know I hit a sore spot, because Tabitha is normally cold and analytical in her anger. The beautiful flush on her face is all passion and fire, and my dick hardens at the sight, imagining that look on her face as she kneels before me while I feed her my cock.

“What? No!” she sputters, her silver eyes flashing with indignation. Then she shakes her head and continues packing her bags. “Just don’t expect me to come to your rescue when you fuck up.”

I wait patiently, not the least bit put off by her snarly attitude. I sip my coffee, imagining what it will be like when she finally accepts the inevitable—that I’m not going anywhere.

That she is mine.

Before she can formulate a plan to get rid of me, I push home my point. “Man already cleared me to go. I’m part of your cover. I am to help you move and box up the house.”

She stiffens but doesn’t turn toward me until she’s done packing. Fire burns in her eyes, then they narrow dangerously when her gaze settles on the coffee I’m holding.

I squash my amusement, then innocently offer her the cup. “Want some?”

“No.” She turns her nose up with a sniff, but her eyes remain locked on my cup like she’s thinking about gutting me and taking it.

I raise my eyebrow at her in challenge, daring her to try it.

I love our sparring sessions and would take any excuse to get my hands on her, even if she’s trying her best to beat me into a pulp.

Her eyes sharpen, no doubt going over the rules in her head that grant her permission to kill. When she can’t find one that gets her what she wants, she pouts, and my gods-be-damned cock hardens to full mast.

I relent. No matter how much I love riling her up, I can’t resist that look. If she ever discovers the truth, I’ll be toast. I step to the side, discreetly adjusting my cock, and reveal a second cup resting on her workbench that contains her favorite chai tea.

Her silver eyes brighten, and she’s across the room in a second. I know better than to walk over and offer it to her. She would see it as a gift, one that needs to be repaid, but if I set it down, she considers it fair game.

She snatches it up, gulping the hot liquid like a little wolverine who thought I would try and take her prize, shooting me a triumphant smirk. I wait for her to finish, and I see the instant her shoulders slump with the realization that she won’t be able to leave without me.

I almost snort at the absurdity.

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