Page 48 of Marked

Waverly didn’t follow a specific set of rules, but everything she did had a purpose. It took me a minute to comprehend what she’d set up from the beginning; what she’d done to make certain I had no regrets.

“There’s no police report.”

She shook her head once. “No, there’s not.”

“And you blocked the Denver PD when they wanted my statement.”

“Also true.”

“Holy shit, Waverly.”

“Like I said, Agent Biggs”––she bumped me with her shoulder––“Dave Benson will spend time behind bars, but it’s your call as to what charges he’ll be facing.”

“How do I know the right move here?”

“Go with your gut. It’s the best tool in our box.” The door creaked open and I knew instantly who was behind us. “I'm surprised it took you this long, Agent Anderson.”

“I gave you four minutes instead of three. You should be grateful.”

As the two of them traded places, he slipped his jacket around my shoulders. Funny thing was, I hadn’t even noticed the cold until his warmth surrounded me.

“I’ll remember you said that the next time I’m handing out shitty assignments,” she snorted.

The door creaked a second time, then closed with a loud bang as it smacked against the frame. We fell into a comfortable silence while I gathered my thoughts.

“Does it make me a bad person if I said I wish it had been Jill?”

“No, Lanie. It makes you human.”

“Sure would sting a helluva lot less if it had been.”

Betrayal was a hard pill to swallow. It sliced deep, cutting through a lifetime of memories without warning or remorse.

“I hate this for you.” Strong fingers threaded through mine, squeezing gently. “I’d take it all away if I could.”

“I know.” Closing my eyes, I leaned into him. “What would you do? Be real with me. Don’t hold back.”

“I’d throw the fucking book at him and not think twice.”

“Okay, maybe hold back a little.” I grinned, not at all shocked by his response.

“Sorry, Darlin’, but Dave sealed his fate the second he pulled the trigger. No one forced him to choose violence.”

“You’re right.”

“I’ll support whatever you decide.” Warm lips pressed against my temple. “I’d lose my mind if something happened to you.”

“I know.”

“Do you? Because I seem to recall telling younotto put yourself in danger again, yet you did it anyway.”

“Careful, Noah. Your Dom side is showing.”

“Oh, just wait, Little Lamb.” His teeth nipped my earlobe. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Noah

Second-degree assault was the charge Lanie and the Denver prosecutor Waverly contacted agreed upon. Dave pled guilty at his arraignment, and would be facing five years in prison instead of the twenty-four associated with first degree. Lucky for him, Lanie wasn’t me. I’d have let the bastard rot. He deserved way worse than he was getting, in my opinion.

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