Page 10 of Renard's Deliverance

No matter what his dick might think.

“And who is going to demand that I rest?” she asked, leaning forward.

He had to force himself to raise his gaze from her breasts to her face. There was a hint of unease that she quickly hid.

Renard doubted that she let anyone see her unease. He got it. She wore her clothes, her personality like a shield. She was used to men staring at her body, lusting after her.

That was normal.

Looking her in the eyes? Not so much.

However, most of the men around these parts respected women so she best get used to it.

“Problem?” he drawled.

“I haven’t got one, darlin’.”

He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “You know that the men in this town take care of the women.”

“Well, so they say. I’m Opal, by the way.”

Yep. She was still protecting herself. And he already knew who she was. The people in this town enjoyed a bit of gossip. And for some reason, people liked to talk to him.

He had no idea why.

From all accounts, her life had been pretty shit up until this point. He’d heard whispers of abuse at the hands of her last boyfriend.

Renard grunted. “Renard. And it’s true. I’ve seen it. Not saying they always do a good job, though. Often thought they don’t go far enough, myself.”

Opal raised her eyebrows. “You’d go further? What would you do?”

“Depends on the situation, doesn’t it?”

“Say someone was threatening your woman, what would you do?” she asked.

“I don’t have one of them and I will never have one.”

The idea made him feel ill.

He didn’t want a woman. He also wished that he didn’t feel so protective of the women in Haven.

But that was the price of living in a town like this. And even he had to pay his dues.

Until he left . . .

Which would be soon.

Opal sighed and waved her hand through the air. She had a number of gold and silver rings on her fingers. She looked tired.

Concern filled him, but he pushed it down.

She had people looking after her.

Yeah, but it was those damn Malones. Who knew if they were doing a good job or not? He still had to keep a close eye on Lara. And, hell, he was the one who had basically kept Hannah alive. Delivering her much-needed food. Where had her man been then? Renard couldn’t remember which one she was with. They all looked the same to him.

But they were supposed to be taking care of this woman, too. However, he bet she didn’t make it easy on them. Opal had the look of someone who had seen it all and was used to taking care of herself.

It was no wonder she didn’t fully drink the Kool-Aid.

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