Page 29 of Renard's Deliverance

“Wow. I didn’t take you for being sexist.” He grabbed the most expensive security light on the display. One she definitely could not afford.

Instead she went for a far cheaper one as he started down the aisle.

“Put that light back,” he told her. “You’re getting this light.”

“What? What do you mean?” She attempted to chase after him.

Damn it.

“I’m not buying that light.” She managed to catch up with him as he paused to examine a security camera. “And I’m not sexist!”

“You just said that I couldn’t call Chip Chip because she’s a girl.”

“I didn’t mean that! It’s not really a proper name. Nor is Potato or Carrot!”

“Hmm. So you’re namist as well? Think it would be a good idea to get Curt to put in a security system. I’m surprised Malone hasn’t already organized it. Will need to talk to him about that. That’s a landlord’s responsibility.”

“You’re not speaking to Alec,” she told him, placing her hands on her hips in exasperation.

“You need one. For protection.”

“I do not! I don’t have anything anyone would want to steal so why would I need one?” she asked.

Honestly.

This man was too much.

“Wasn’t talking about protecting your stuff. Was talking about protecting you.”

He headed toward the counter.

“I do not need your protection!” She stomped after him. “And I am not namist. That’s not even a thing.”

“Then why do you care what I call my baby?”

“Your . . . your baby?”

He didn’t have a baby, did he?

But then where did the baby lying against his chest come from

“Renard!” A yell came from the front door and she stared in shock as Joel Saxon stormed into the store.

“Oh hell,” Trey muttered from behind the counter. He was only about sixteen. “I might need to get my dad.”

“Don’t worry,” Opal told him. “I’m sure everything is fine.”

“Stop yelling! You’ll wake up Chip!” Renard snarled in a quiet voice.

Saxon paused, looking confused. She had never seen the other man angry. He was always the epitome of control and calm. Kind of a necessity when you ran a BDSM club, she figured.

But right now he looked like he was about to separate Renard’s head from his shoulders.

She edged closer to Renard.

“Don’t worry,” Renard told her. “I won’t let him harm you.”

“Why would he harm me?” she countered, perplexed.

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