Page 73 of Tabitha

PIERCE

“Put me down, you asshole.”

Tabitha’s fury blisters the air, and I jump to my feet and hurry toward the kitchen. She normally keeps her emotions locked down tight. I’ve seen her pissed before, but I’ve never actually seen her lose her shit.

I enter the kitchen at a run, then stumble to a stop when I see her dangling over River’s shoulder. She’s beating the crap out of him, wherever she can reach. River winces when her elbows hit a nasty spot along his spine, and he smacks his palm over her ass so hard that the sound cracks through the room like a whip. “Calm down. Pierce is here. You can tell him.”

He dumps her at my feet, catching her at the last minute to ease her landing. Then he steps back with a grim expression, and I get my first good look at him. It looks like he went ten rounds with a feral cat. Bruises and scratches cover fifty percent of his face and torso.

I’m not sure if I should kick his ass or feel sorry for the poor bastard.

With a warning look for the others to keep their distance, I crouch in front of Tabitha, taking care not to touch her. “What happened?”

Her furious expression fractures and raw terror swirls to life in the silver depths of her eyes. I’ve seen anger from Tabitha, doubt, even amusement, but never the scared girl I see now. I’m shaken, wanting both to cuddle her in my arms and hunt down the monster who caused such a reaction and slay him.

At my question, her mouth snaps closed, and she looks away, her expression turning mutinous.

I glance at River for an explanation, but he’s unable to tear his eyes away from Tabitha. “I have no clue. We were scouting the area, checking out the locations, when we picked up a tail. We set some traps. We were clearing out the human vermin when gunshots rang out, killing the men who were trying to kill me. I thought it was Tabitha, but she was staring off at something in the trees. By the time I turned, the area was empty. She only said one word—dad.

“The next thing I know, she’s collecting all the weapons, ready to go after him.” He runs a hand down his face, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “I tried to reason with her, but she refused to listen. So I grabbed her up and hauled ass back here.”

Without hesitation, I reach for the gun in my ankle holster, grab her wrist, and slap the grip in her hand. Her eyes flash toward mine, a calmness falling over her expression as she clutches the gun. “Do you think he’s after you?”

She looks down at the gun, flips open the cylinder and checks to make sure it’s loaded, then flips it back closed. “No, he had a clear shot. If he wanted to take me out, he had plenty of time.”

I wait for her to collect herself, but she remains huddled on the floor. I reach out and capture her ankle in my grip. When our eyes meet, her jaw clenches, but not before I see her bottom lip tremble.

That’s when I realize the root of her terror. “You think he’s come back for you.”

Without hesitation, I drag her into my arms, not caring that she stiffens. It just has me clutching her tighter. “Oh, baby, you’re no longer alone. He won’t lay a hand on you, I promise.”

Tabitha slowly melts against me, her head coming to rest against my shoulder, and I press my cheek against the top of her head. “I want you to think about this…your father probably knew you were back the instant you stepped foot in this town. He could’ve approached you or taken you at any time. Instead, he only revealed himself when one of your men was in danger.”

Tabitha rears back, looking up at me with wide, incredulous eyes. “You think he’s trying to protect me?”

I cup her face, preventing her from looking away. “If he wanted you dead, he had plenty of time to do it.”

Her eyes drop to the gun in her hand, and she chews roughly on her bottom lip, as if not sure what to believe. I glance up at the men, and the only one who looks like he has a clue to what’s happening is Gage.

I’m shocked that she chose to confide in him, though maybe I shouldn’t be. People are often drawn to others that have suffered the same pain. I’ve pieced together enough information about Tabitha’s past to know that it’s affected her view of the world. She sees people as potential threats that need to be eliminated.

“Bast and Gage, check the grounds. River, go get cleaned up.” I don’t wait for them to reply, just scoop Tabitha up in my arms and head toward the stairs.

She stiffens in my arms, and I tighten my hold to keep the two of us from tumbling down the stairs. I expect her to fight me, but she remains docile, which is almost worse. I head directly toward her room, then kick open the door to the master bath.

Setting her on the counter, I turn on the shower, letting it warm up before heading back across the room. I stop a foot away, but Tabitha is now more curious than fearful, and I nod my chin in her direction. “Arms up.”

I cross my arms, waiting for her to protest, unable to fight the need to take care of her anymore. She’s hurt and scared, and I’m determined to ease her pain, even if I have to fight her kicking and screaming the whole way.

Tabitha waits a heartbeat, then she shocks me by doing as told and lifts her arms. Not waiting for her to change her mind, I close the distance between us and slip her shirt over her head. I undress her in silence, stacking her weapons into a pile next to her, trying to keep my touch respectful and my gaze off her beautiful breasts.

And fail when my fingers linger on her smooth skin, my cock hardening at the way her nipples stiffen under my attention.

I lick my lips, my mouth watering for just a taste.

I’ve been lusting after her for too long, and my control is paper thin.

Once she’s gloriously naked, it’s only the painful press of my zipper against my cock that prevents me from taking things further. I nudge her toward the shower, but before I can close the door behind her, she slaps her hand against the glass. She looks uncertain, and my heart twists in my chest.

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