Page 36 of Ensnared

Icluck in disappointment. “It’sthe darndest thing—in all this commotion, my training has just flown right out of my brain.”

“Thatisa shame.”

“Adamned shame,”Iagree.

Turnsout,Idon’t have all that much patience with predators either.

Theman’s gaze falls to the side, and he seems to realize he’s in the grave, sprawled over the leaking, reeking bodies of his comrades.Hesqueezes his eyes shut, shaking.

“They’llf-f-find... you.”Hisbreaths start rattling. “Th-they’re... com.. . coming.”

Dom’sattention sharpens. “Thereare more of you?”

“Morethan you... can stop,” he whispers, then he coughs, coating his lips in blood.

Theman goes limp, andDomandIexchange a look.

“Fuck!”Hestands and shakes his head. “Weshould have taken a hostage.”

“Ohyeah?Didyou have an opportunity for that?BecauseIsure as hell didn’t.Youknow as well asIdo not to fuck around in this terrain.Youget the shot, you take it.”

Domrubs a hand over his mouth, glaring down at the corpse pit like he could revive one of them with the force of his ire.

Igrimace. “Look, the others need to know about this—we should go back toBristlebrook.”

“Wehave a camera set up about a klick from here.ItoldJasperto keep an eye on it—I’llput up a sign so they know to look out for another group.”

Irritationspikes again, fueled by my buzzing adrenaline. “Unnecessary.Wecan cover our tracks,Dom.We’llbe careful this time.There’sno reason to take the long way.”

Damnit,Iwant to go home and kiss our girl again, not be stuck out here with his sulky ass.

Domjust raises his dark brow in the condescending way he knowsIhate. “Theycould be coming right to this clearing—we don’t know how the groups were communicating, or what their rally points are.It’ssafer to leave a decoy trail.Ifwe go through town and the caves, they have no lead onBristlebrook.Notto mention, your pet might appreciate some clothes of her own.Wecan use the trip to stock up.”

That...Damnit.Sheprobably would like that.

Thesmugness comes now, hiding in the tuck of his smile.Dick.Heknows he has me now.

Butthe real joke’s on him, because this only proves my point.Evenif he’s using it to manipulate me, he’s still thinking about her.Hepretends to be the aloof, in-controlCO, but he’s more considerate than he gives himself credit for.He’sstill thinking about what she needs.

He’sacting like her dominant.

So, fine,Domcan pretend he doesn’t care till the cows come, butIknow him through and through.Theman was hooked the second she turned those big eyes on him for help, and he was lost the minute she submitted to me andJasperright in front of him.

I’msure it pissedDomoff thatIshared her with the sadist instead of him.

Itwasmeantto.

Theproud asshole could choke on that one for being a dick to our girl.

Ilet out a long sigh. “Fine.Wego through town.Butin five—Ineed a break.”

Afterwalking upwind of the fetid clearing,Isit, stretching back against a mossy tree.Tomy surprise,Domsits next to me, pressed against my shoulder.Ipull out my canteen to take a sip, then spot the hole going right through it.Itoss it down.

Wordlessly,Domhands me his, and after a moment,Itake it and drink deep.

“Thanks,”Imutter, handing it back.

Ashe screws the top, his jaw flexes tight. “Ourfriendship can’t take another hit,Beau.”Helooks up at me, golden eyes solemn. “We’refull of holes as it is.”

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