Page 73 of Savoring Her Snake

“When we were younger, he would flirt.” She shrugs, and I turn. “Jeff flirts, but not since I brushed him off.”

“Who is Jeff?” Ryker asks.

“He works with me,” she answers.

“Flirts,” I hiss, remembering the name she mentioned to Sally. I was preoccupied and only listening to bits and pieces of their conversation. “How?”

“The way everyone flirts, I guess,” she grumbles.

“I don’t flirt,” I inform her, propping my cane against the house.

“That isn’t surprising,” Ryker says, and I glare at him.

“That can’t be true,” she says, gaining my attention as she steps away. “You flirt with me.” I look away, meeting Ryker’s amused eyes, and back to Juliana.

“Mate, I don’t. I tell you the truth.” I circle her waist, bringing her back to my side.

“See,” she states.

“This is fascinating,” Bash drawls. “Let’s get back to whoever is threatening her.” I snarl at him, but he’s right.

“No one in my life would bother to do this. Stanly has a girlfriend. Levi said he was going to propose,” she protests, putting her hand on her hip. “Jeff moved on to another willing woman.” The silence after her statement only lasts a second before her phone buzzes. She rolls her eyes and takes it out. “Crap.” I grind my teeth and grab her phone.

“He can’t protect you,” I read, and my eyes glow. I toss her phone to Ryker and grab mine. I tighten my arm as I wait for Hunter to pick up.

“Another message,” he answers.

“Yes. I need you here.”

“Be there soon.”

“Heath,” Juliana whispers, and I cup her face.

“I can protect you,” I rasp. They are taunting me. Whoever it is, they must know I will show all my power to keep Juliana safe. They either have no idea what I can do or are conceited enough to think they can beat me.

The fucker will die. Brutally.

Chapter Eighteen

Juliana

I’minaworldI still don’t understand. The texts make me anxious, but not for the reasons I would expect. It’s Heath. We haven’t completed the bond, yet I can feel his emotions. His face is a mask, but I can see the tick in his jaw. He hasn’t let go of my hand, and I am glued to his side. He usually moves fluidly. The stiffness of his frame alarms me, and I want to ease his anxiety. If I allow myself to think too long about the words in the message, I will fall apart. I have to be steady.

I hope it’s someone in my life, not someone he brought into mine. I know the guilt will eat at him. In his mind, he couldn’t protect his mom; he has to keep me safe.

This has to be love. I love him. I will act as if I am not terrified for him.

I have lost track of the names of the shifters who showed up at the door. Sally rattled them off, but I wasn’t listening clearly. My concentration is centered on Heath. Bane and Hunter were the first to arrive. They brought their brother, Remy, who is as gorgeous as the rest of them. Many telling looks passed between the arrivals after them. It was a surprise because they knew Remy but didn’t know he had brothers. Heath is bent over the table next to Bane, looking at a computer. The remaining men who hurt Rylee are listed. Their words are muffled as I watch Rylee pace the length of the house. She had just arrived in town, insisting on driving herself. I’m worried about her. I don’t know how she will deal with the emotions if she has to see her captors again.

“Heath,” I whisper, and he turns sharply. “I have to use the bathroom.”

“I’ll go with you,” he offers.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.” I pull my hand. “I’m safe here.” They would be dead on sight if they waded through all the shifters here.

“Come right back,” he demands, and I nod.

I practically dive through the door to the basement, jogging down the stairs. Heath must hate that his home was invaded once again, and his hidden door is revealed. He can protest about the crew of shifters, but he trusts them. They wouldn’t betray him.

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