Page 60 of Dean's Delinquent

Her eyes widen as takes a step back from me. Finally, she has the right idea. For the first time tonight, an air of uneasiness swirls about her as each faltering twitch of her legs puts more space in between us.

Maybe I was wrong about her. Maybe she’s not as smart as I thought she was. She’s certainly not showing any intelligence. But then, she’s also not wrong. Perhaps it’s time I actually show her what it means to truly be mine.

ChapterTwenty-Three

Dean Anderson

At first, her whole, deer-in-the-headlights-uber-innocent gaze made me melt just a little bit. Now, all I can feel is a tendril of anger wrapped around a cord of fear. To her, these are just horny men. They mean nothing and will do nothing. She doesn’t understand that they’re dangerous, that many are ruthless.

To her, she probably sees Grigori as some suave, polished Russian with a kinky streak. She has no idea he’s an actual Bratva enforcer. Hell, she doesn’t even seem scared of Sergei, who I know has numerous kills under this belt. And if she knew the truth about Luke and his presence here.

If she had even an inkling that her friend is probably down in Florida being a fucktoy for The Order of Ravens and Wolves... I’m sure she’d be just a bit more scared than she is now. Unfortunately, I can’t bring her in like this. I can’t give her the information she really desires.

At the end of the day, her sexual urges may have put her at my feet, but it was her rampant curiosity and insatiable need to uncover every secret that put her at this den of iniquity. There’s no way I can let her leave without her truly understanding the ramifications of her actions.

Silence stretches out between us, only filled with the rushing water from the fountain. A cool spray drifts into the air, tickling my face and hands. In front of me, Ashleigh trembles, but I’m sure it’s more the cold than anything else.

Soon, another set of footsteps intrudes, putting me on edge. I’m not like Sergei or Grigori, who can tell a person by the sound of their walk. I’m not observant like Doctor Andrew and able to tell hidden secrets by the shuffle, gate, and breath. Instead, like some common mortal, I’m forced to watch the entrance like a hawk as I ball my fist next to me as I prepare for battle.

The instant the psychiatrist clears the last barrier, I let out a slow breath and relax. Ever curious, Ashleigh cranes her neck as he deposits a duffle bag at my feet and stands up. Inclining his head over to her, he smirks. “I also have my rope if you need assistance.”

Following his gaze, I take in her blank stare and shake my head. Something’s got to get through to her. Maybe if she won’t be afraid of me right away, she’ll be afraid of him. As much as I don’t want others to do my dirty work, it might be a good idea to give her a small taste of what these other men are like.

“Nothing else seems to be working,” I eventually murmur.

“I was afraid of that.”

Ashleigh crosses her arms as she pulls the robe in tighter around her. “Are you just going to talk about me like I’m not even here? Hello. Me, naked in a hedge maze?”

“You’re not nearly naked enough,” I growl, stalking toward her. “Andrew, your knife. I know you keep one on you at all times.”

Is that a shiver of fear I see racking her body? Is it a quiver of unease? Desire?

The schnick of him unsheathing the knife slices through the air, nearly smothered in the sound of her gasp. If possible, her already enormous eyes grow even larger. “Why do you carry a knife? Are you expecting dangerous patients? Are there volatile students on campus?” she babbles as she worries the edge of her cape.

Maybe that’s her tell. If anything, it might possibly show me when she’s actually becoming afraid. All this time, I thought she was just being a bit bratty and inquisitive. Andrew would probably know.

I don’t allow him to answer her. Instead, I redirect my attention to something more important. “Who’s on your post? Can you stand to be away for a bit?”

“Bradley finally showed up. Though he missed the ceremony, he seems fine playing babysitter to your escapades. Not that he has all that much to do.”

“One of these days, the man’s going to deck you one.”

“Yeah. And I’ll go to an even better doctor to patch me up.”

A soft laugh vibrates in my chest as I grab the knife from him and turn toward Ashleigh. “What do you think?” I ask him from over my shoulder. “Nervous?”

“Oh,” he agrees. “Most definitely a tick. Did you notice the way her nose flared a bit with each question? If you look closer at her neck, you can even see the flicker of her pulse.”

With a long stride, he walks over to her and grabs her wrist, yanking her arm free of the robe. At her shocked cry, it takes every bit of willpower not to pummel the bastard. He knows she’s mine, and he’s already taken. He won’t do anything all that untoward.

“Just as I thought,” he continues. “Touch her palm.”

Reaching out, I slide my finger across her slightly damp skin. “Interesting. Very interesting.”

As if the odd man can read my mind, he steps back out of the way and starts to fiddle with the bench near the fountain. Some days, I swear the man is nearly clairvoyant. I was just about to ask him to get things set up for me.

Turning back to my prize, I grip the front of her robe and haul her closer to me. The instant she gets near, she sags forward. Part of me feels grateful that I can be this safe place for her, but I’m nowhere near allowing her to feel this yet. She hasn’t earned it, hasn’t repented.

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