Page 32 of Chief's Addiction

“Whatever you’re trying to do. It’s not happening.”

A slow,we’re so totally doing thissmile spread across his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do.” I set my burger down, suddenly not hungry anymore.

The memory of the night we spent together five years ago flashed through my mind—his hands on my skin, his mouth hot against mine, the way he’d made me feel things. And then the gut-wrenching discovery that he was married.

My stomach churned, and I frowned, unable to hide my emotions.

Chief’s smile faded. He set his burger down and turned to face me fully. “We need to talk.”

No. We really fucking didn’t. Over whatever game it was that he was playing, I shot to my feet, stomped over to the door, and yanked it open. “Get out.”

Chief looked from me to the open door, his brows drawing together. “I’m not leaving, Cora. You need to get that through your head. Shit is going down. It’s not safe.”

“You keep leaving out the part of what exactly isn’t safe!” I threw my hands up in frustration. “So I’m calling bullshit. Now... get the fuck out before I call the cops to put you out.”

He stood slowly, his face hardening. Like a predator, he prowled through my living room until he was right in front of me. “The cops won’t be able to help you if something happens,” he said, his voice dangerously low. “You think I want to be here, babysitting some bratty bitch who clearly doesn’t know what’s good for her? I was doing a favor for your brother, but fuck it.”

The look in his eyes made me take a healthy step back. For the first time, I felt a sliver of real fear about whatever trouble was brewing.

“Chief,” I started, my voice sounding small even to my own ears.

“Fuck off,” he snapped.

And with that, he turned and walked out.

Tears welling up in my eyes, I pushed the door closed behind him and threw the deadbolt with shaking hands.

“No,” I whispered, pressing my palms against my eyes. “No, no, no.”

My back hit the door and I slid down onto the floor.

I didn’t need this shit. I was fine on my own. I had been for years.

So why did watching him walk away hurt so damn much?

Chapter 7

Chief

I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel as I glanced up at Cora’s window for the hundredth fucking time.

Three hours I’d been sitting in this goddamn parking lot like some lovestruck teenager, and my patience was wearing thin.

Her lights had gone out over an hour ago, but for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to leave.

“Stubborn fucking woman,” I muttered, checking the time. It was after midnight.

The rational part of my brain knew it was late and I should head back to the clubhouse. I had the Bratva bullshit to figure out, Spike was on the loose, and there were a hundred other things that needed my attention. But the thought of leaving Cora unprotected made my chest tighten.

I’d fucked up with her five years ago, no denying that. I should have told her the truth from the jump, but once it hit me that I wanted more than just a roll in the sheets, Tonya had spewed her venom and Cora had shut me out.

There was so much she didn’t know, so much I wanted to tell her. I glanced back up her window, a bad idea sparking.

“Aw fuck it.” Decision made, I climbed out of my truck and hit the lock before taking off in a jog toward her building. The security in her building was laughable, nothing more than a simple keypad that any halfway decent outlaw could bypass. I punched in the code I’d seen Cora use earlier and shoved through the door.

The elevator ride to her floor was slow, allowing the frustration I’d felt all night to spiral.

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