Page 37 of Arresting the Warlord

General Jones stormed into the room. “Enough!”

“Stay away from CeeCee.” Jake knocked the sword of the warrior’s hand.

His face a mask of anger, the warrior yelled, “We are full-blooded Coletti. We take what is ours.”

Zarek suddenly appeared. “No. You do not.” The horrifying gentleness of his voice warred with the rage in his eyes.

With a cry of agony, the warrior fell to the floor.

Holy crap! Was he dead? Kinda looked like it. I froze when Zarek’s gaze fixed on me. “Hey, we were minding our own business when Keyan and his thugs showed up. We simply protected ourselves.”

“Indeed.”

I nodded. “I don’t know what crawled up their butts and died, but Jake and I have a murderer to catch.”

“Yes, you do.” Zarek handed a box to Jake. “You will wear Jake’s ownership band starting now.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Ownership band?”

“It’s a type of a wedding ring, except it goes on your neck,” Jake hastily inserted. “It’ll keep Keyan and his buddies from trying to take you.” He opened the box and held it out to me. It contained an onyx neck band with intricate copper etchings.

What was that saying? Oh yeah, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. I had to face reality. I was Jake’s mate even though we hadn’t done it yet. Plus, I needed his help to catch Cantor. I blew out a long breath. As much as I hated to admit it, I found Jake sexy as hell and he was a damn good kisser. Keyan on the other hand? One of us would be dead within an hour. “I love the band. It’s veryeye-catching.”

Relief flashed in Jake’s eyes. “Is that a yes?”

“Yeah, it is. You’re my jackass.”

Jake grinned and fastened the band around my neck. “For all eternity, buttercup.”

The warm metal band adjusted to fit my neck perfectly.

General Jones snorted. “Who said romance was dead?”

Shaking his head in disbelief, Zarek picked up Keyan and the dead warrior. “Detja will arrange a proper bonding ceremony for you,afterCantor has been captured or killed.”

“Yes, my lord.” Jake did the fist-to-chest salute.

I followed suit. “Yes, sir.”

Zarek and the General vanished.

I yawned. “I need a couple hours of sleep before we continue our search.”

“So do I.” Jake pulled me close and teleported.

Poof we were in his quarters. A large bed dominated the room. The walls were covered with an assortment of weapons. “Do you know how to use all of those?”

“I do.” Jake collapsed on the bed. He was as exhausted as I was.

With a groan, I sat down beside him and gave a little bounce. “Great mattress.”

“Warlords get the best.” Jake tugged me down next to him.

“Un-huh.” I snuggled against his chest and closed my eyes. “Don’t get any funny ideas. Just need to rest for a minute or two.”

Jake wrapped an arm around me and sighed. “Me too. Then we will come up with a plan.”

Chapter Eight

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