Vixen (Dark Protectors #11.5) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,35
small of his mate’s back and escorted her from the restaurant, acutely aware of the different atmosphere from the shifters. Hot and angry.
Furious.
* * * *
Tabi held her head up high as she slipped into the passenger side of her own car. “I don’t see why you have to drive.”
He sat and looked at her, starting the engine. “You drive too fast. Way too fast.”
“I like speed,” she protested.
“Yeah, well this is a peaceful place with kids who don’t look both ways before chasing a ball across a street,” he countered, driving out into the quiet main drag.
There was the small town cop she’d crushed on from day one. Thinking of kids chasing baseballs. How was he the same guy who’d dug a grave the night before? “Are you okay about last night?”
He slowed down to let two elderly ladies cross the street toward the Eagles’ Lodge. “Yes.”
“I’m talking about killing someone and then burying his body—outside of the law.” Had she ruined him?
He stopped at the one stop sign in the town, turning to look at her. Full on, blue stare. “He threatened what’s mine. He threatened you. I’m absolutely fine with him no longer being a threat.”
Whoa. Oh boy. Okay. “Is this a new thing, since we mated?” Maybe she should call the queen.
“I was a sniper for a SEAL Team before becoming a detective here as I prepared to die, sweetheart. I don’t like killing, but I will protect my country and now you, with whatever means are necessary.” His broad hands were more than capable on the steering wheel, and the muscles in his forearms flexed nicely. At least he hadn’t broken the car yet.
She studied him. Strong and capable. He was dressed in a dark T-shirt with faded jeans, filling out both with ripped muscles. His body was impressive, and there was no doubt he was intelligent. But his heart, the protective way he had of caring for the people in the town, was what had caught her eye. Even though she’d been in trouble after beating the crap out of those boys who’d tried to mess with her, he’d been sweet and had helped her through the court system.
Her heart warmed.
He took another turn, heading back to his house. “Since we’re talking billions here, how much is enough? Why not go into business with these guys?”
“They’re jerks, and you can never have enough. It’s the only way to stay safe,” she countered.
“You mated me. That’s your way to stay safe,” he said, his voice way too calm.
She couldn’t think. He was sounding more like an immortal than ever, and now what was she going to do? “Money is good, too.”
“Maybe. You hungry? We didn’t get breakfast.”
There he was again, making sure she was all right. It was decent that he’d changed the subject, too. She jumped on it. “Yeah. I don’t suppose you can cook.”
His grin flashed quick and smooth. “You haven’t lived until you’ve had my blueberry pancakes. I’m about to make you very happy.”
The promise went deeper than that, and she could almost touch it. So she backed away. “I’m not one for sharing.”
“You’ll learn.”
She blinked. “What I’m trying to say—”
“I know what you’re trying to say,” he said, pulling into his driveway. “You’ve been alone for a long time and you’ve never relied on anyone. Especially a man. I’ll give you time to work through it, Tabi. But I won’t let you run, so get that out of your head right away.” Even with the threat, his voice remained soft and kind—with absolutely no give.
“If I ran, you wouldn’t find me,” she challenged.
“Want to bet?” he asked.
Definitely. Oh, she couldn’t run right now with her factory, but someday, they were going to play that game. It hit her then. She had started planning with him. How had he done that? Her mind spinning, she stepped out of the car and didn’t feel the threat until it was too late.
A multitude of darts impacted her side, shooting down her legs. “Evan,” she whispered, trying to turn and see him.
His roar of raw fury sounded more animalistic than anything she’d ever heard. So many darts showed on his face and down his torso that she couldn’t count them all. The blue of his gaze, primal and desperate, was the last thing she saw before the darkness pulled her down.
It swirled around her, while nausea rippled through her stomach. The ground was hard and the rain soft. Grunting, she flipped all the way to