Page 10 of Tabitha

She might not know it, but I’ve been following her on her missions for months, covering her back. The thought of anything happening to her has bile rising in my throat. The last bit of my sanity would crumble, and I would fucking bathe in the blood of anyone who dared touch her.

“You read the reports?” She turns and throws away the empty cup, waiting for my reply.

“Yes.” I repress my smile, knowing her question means that she’s at least considering my request. Man gave me the rundown on the mission before asking me to send Tabitha to him.

Tabitha’s jobs are mostly done in the dark. She’s good at short missions, but if she’s needed for anything longer than a few days, people notice she isn’t…normal.

She is a predator in human form—most people either shy away from her or attracted to her. Crazy is drawn to crazy, and I don’t trust anyone not to come after her.

So I’ve assigned myself as her personal protector, whether she likes it or not.

She hasn’t noticed it as of yet, but I’ve stopped more than a few ass clowns from touching her, casually breaking their hands or legs when they thought to approach her.

“Fine,” she says with a huff, finally accepting the inevitable. “You can go as my brother.”

“No,” I calmly reply, amused that she thinks she can keep me at a distance that way.

She whirls, her expression full of fire, and I hold up my hand to stave off her tirade. “We can’t. You are the only heir to your grandfather’s fortune. You don’t have a brother. The only reasonable explanation is taking me as your lover.”

Her nose scrunches up adorably, even if it’s at my expense, and I silently accept the challenge. I’m not one to give up easily. Sooner or later, she will realize that she’s mine.

I’m a patient man.

I will win her over, eventually…or wear her down to my way of thinking.

I’m good with either outcome.

“No, absolutely not,” she scoffs at the idea, swinging her leg over her Harley. I don’t hesitate to do the same, knowing she will leave me behind in a heartbeat if given the chance.

“It’s the most logical solution,” I reply, yanking my eyes away from the spectacular view of her ass in the tight-fitting jeans. I can’t afford to be distracted. The only way to win an argument with her is appeal to her logical side, otherwise, she will dig in like a wombat and hold her ground.

Tabitha chews on her lip for a second, then glances at me from the corner of her eye, as if realizing for the first time that she won’t be able to leave without me. “Fine, you can come along—”

“You’re so gracious.” I flash her a smile, loving the light blush that rises to her cheeks. She might think it’s anger, but I know better. Before I can tease her more, she continues as if I didn’t interrupt her.

“—but only as muscle. To help me move boxes. Our cover is to close down the house, so you’ll pack while I investigate.”

She doesn’t wait for my response, just yanks her helmet down over her head, starts her Harley, then roars out of the garage without an ounce of fear.

I trail after her, more than willing to follow her wherever she goes…even if it’s into the bowels of hell itself.

Chapter Three

TABITHA

As we drive across country from Colorado to Tennessee, my ire with Pierce gradually fades. Against my will, I find myself enjoying his company. Something about being on a bike, nothing but the open road in front of us, eases my annoyance.

I could almost say it’s fun, but I won’t go that far.

Pierce drives by my side, and I can’t get the suggestive tone of his voice out of my head when he said I could use him as I saw fit. Sexy images of him pleasuring himself flash through my head, and the rumble of the bike between my legs makes me squirm.

I quickly banish the thought.

I refuse to look at Pierce that way.

He’s the enemy, nothing more.

My nemesis.

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