Page 29 of Savage Devotion
He looks at me a little wide-eyed like he never thought I could take care of myself.
“You shouldn’t have to fight. That is what I am for.”
As unladylike as it is, I snort. And instead of agreeing, like I should I say, “I grew up around assholes my whole life, Reaper. He was just one of many.”
I physically see Reaper’s shoulders stiffen and the scowl he’s worn for the last fifteen minutes deepens until he looks like he’s ready to drop bodies. “I’ll want to know more about that at some point.”
Rehashing my past? No thanks. Instead I say, “Sure—over coffee and pie sometime.” I’m feeling a little smart-mouthed looking around and seeing my asylum tattered and violated. Screw trying to find calm and silver linings.
I head behind the front counter and pull out a phone book, the burn of his hard glare pinned between my shoulder blades.
“What are you doing?”
My brows pull down in confusion, considering he is half the reason this place is trashed. “Calling a window repairman. If they are still open.” I gesture toward the front window and the dark skies beyond. “That rain will ruin everything not already either soaking wet or lying in ruin on my floor.”
“No need.” Reaper pulls his phone out and presses it to his ear. “Get the enforcers to the Broken Chapter Asylum and bring some boards for the front window. Arabelle is in trouble.”
He hangs up, turns to me, and gruffly demands, “You’re coming with me.”
Fuck. Me.
11
ARABELLE
He can’t be serious. I blink up at him a couple of times, making sure I heard his alpha chest-thumping demand correctly. “The hell I am!” I keep my tone even, but firm. Yay, me! Because what I really want to do is chuck this heavy book in my hands at his head.
I hold back a snort. I’d probably have a shit-ton of bikers on my ass if I hurt their precious president.
I round the counter and start picking up one book and then another. I slam each of them down on the counter and glare at him. Who the hell does he think he is?
He’s on my ass and practically breathing down my neck. His cologne warps my senses. “Yes, you are. You can slam all the shit you want, but you are coming to the compound where I can keep you safe. No argument.”
“Brute. Fucking. Animal. No,” I hurl at him and continue keeping my hands busy so I don’t wrap them around his neck.
It’s not that I am against help. Obviously, I needed it a minute ago. What I loathe is having my options taken from me and treated like a child who can’t think for herself.
I think I surprise him because for a second the only sound I hear is the rain on the pavement outside my broken window.
“Why are you even here?” I half expected him to follow me here after I finished helping Lily out at the bar last night. Irrational rage rolls through me like untamed fire. I feel an uncontrollable amount of anger and frustration dig into my muscles and knot them from the inside out. Not only because Reaper shattered my front window but because this is exactly what I didn’t want. Bikers ruining the life I am working so hard to build for myself.
Reaper bends, gathers a few books, and hands them over going in for more.
“I’ve got that.” I jerk the Lord of the Rings from his hand and shoot daggers at him in return for the help.
My chin is in his hand and his lips are on mine the second I take the book from him.
He softens his touch and caresses the pads of his fingers across my cheeks. The move momentarily soothes my ruffled feathers.
“You can’t be riding in here and saving me every time I get in trouble, Reaper. I don’t need a knight.”
He softens his voice to a husky whisper. “No, you need me. Make no mistake, I am no one’s hero. But I am your protector.”
Before I can tell him hell no, revving bike motors cut off my smart remark. Probably for the better, too. I angle my head toward the front to see a truck pull up behind the bikes with Savage Reign crew in the back.
“What do they plan on doing?” I ask over my shoulder. The men bail from the back and surround the store, hammers, and boards in hand. Others climb off their bikes looking mean. Hearing the news of a Vulture getting through their defenses probably rubs their egos the wrong way.
Reaper passes me and joins his men.
