patted her hips and ass. “Too much padding to be called tiny.”
I grabbed her, tossed her over my shoulder, and smacked her ass. Twice. She yelped and grabbed my shirt as she squirmed. “You’re not allowed to talk shit about yourself, especially when it comes to this gorgeous body. I love every curve you’ve got so don’t even think about going on a diet or missing meals on purpose.”
“I was only kidding. Sort of.”
I eased her down in front of me and held her chin so she’d be forced to hold my gaze. “You had my attention the second you walked through my door. You think just anyone gets that reaction? Fuck no. I mean it, Lyssa. You’re beautiful just the way you are. Stunning. Most attractive woman I’ve ever seen.”
I realized I meant every word. No matter how much I loved Lo, even after all these years, I could admit that Lyssa was far more beautiful. Loretta had been more of a girl-next-door kind of pretty. With my little Tinkerbell, everyone took notice when she’d walked into the room. I had no doubt I’d have my hands full keeping men away for the next few decades, or however long I lived.
Her lip trembled and she hugged me tight. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
I made a mental note to have a chat with the Dixie Reapers. If no one had ever told her how pretty she was, or said anything else nice to her, even if her daddy was their President, I’d have to start kicking some asses. It amazed me how she’d been so tough and no-nonsense when she’d walked into the clubhouse, compared to the softer, more vulnerable woman clinging to me right now. Hard on the outside with a marshmallow center. Yep, perfect woman.
“Come on, Tink. Time to feed you. Let’s see what I have in the kitchen. I have a feeling we’ll need to make a grocery run, or send a Prospect out to grab some stuff. Until I know Tony isn’t coming back, I’d rather you not stray too far from the compound.”
“Trust me, I have no desire to see Tony again ever.”
I ended up dragging some ground beef from the fridge and found noodles and a jar of sauce in the cabinet. It wasn’t gourmet cooking, but it would fill her up. While I browned and seasoned the meat, I tried to think of how to best phrase my questions. I needed to know exactly how in the dark she was over Tony and why he’d been so adamant about chasing her down. Had her daddy’s club told her anything at all? She didn’t seem like the type to want to sit on the sidelines, blinded by anything going on around her. No, Lyssa would want to know if she was in danger. She’d want to be prepared. I might not know much about her, but it only took me a few seconds of talking to her to realize she liked being able to take care of herself, but wasn’t too proud to let a man step in when she needed him.
“Why does Tony think he has a shot with you?” I asked. “It’s obvious you aren’t interested.”
“I’m not sure. He just kind of focused on me and refuses to go away. But there’s something… off. I get this feeling it’s not that he wants in my pants. It’s like I’m a challenge? No. Something else.”
Smart girl. “A job?”
“Yeah! It’s like I’m a… Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.” She closed her eyes and sighed. “I really am a job for him, aren’t I? He’s been paid to kidnap me or something.”
I smirked. Definitely smart.
“Tony works for some bad people,” I said. “And yes, he did target you for a reason. It’s why the Dixie Reapers came here. They wanted our help. It’s not just you the men are after. The fact you’re here only made things easier on Venom. He said he’d been on his way to get you.”
She tensed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Tony is part of the Mancini family. They’ve been gathering up girls and women to auction off. You’re on the list.” I shut off the burner. “Before you get some great idea to run off and try to save everyone, because that sounds like some shit you’d pull, I’ll put you on lockdown if I have to. Your ass is staying right the fuck here, Tink. You hear me?”
As if in agreement, the ferrets