Page 55 of Reaper & the Lioness
“Then she doesn’t talk.” I regretted the words as the hurt flashed across Eva’s face.
“Wow,” she said, the anger in her voice replaced by disappointment. “I thought you, of all people, would understand why this is important.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I took a deep breath as I tried to formulate a calm and measured response. “I do understand. But you have to see it from my perspective. If anything happened to you?—”
“I get that you want to protect me. But you can’t lock me away forever. If you care at all for me, you’ll respect that.”
Every instinct screamed at me to keep her safe. I needed to shield her from any potential harm. But if I tried to control Eva, I’d lose her.
I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. But I’m coming with you. And we’re bringing backup. Non-fucking-negotiable.”
A small smile of victory tugged at her lips. “I can live with that.”
We pulled into the clubhouse parking lot, and I turned to her, cupping her face. “You’re going to be the death of me, my Lioness.”
“But what a way to go, right?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I pulled her in for a kiss before we walked into the clubhouse with Hawk biting at his leash.
As we said our hellos, I couldn’t tell what excited the guys more—meeting the woman who dominated my thoughts or playing with her energetic puppy. Hawk’s tail wagged as he soaked up the attention.
We navigated the room, Eva’s confidence radiating as she shook hands and exchanged greetings. I introduced her to Bones, our resident mechanic, and Archer, a sniper I’d served beside in Iraq. Her quick wit matched their rough humor.
“So, you’re the one who’s got our VP all tied up.” Bones grinned, his grease-stained hands crossed over his chest.
Eva smirked. “Well, usually I’m the one who’s tied up, but that’s between us.”
They roared with laughter. Pride and affection welled in my chest as I watched her interact with my men. I also couldn’t help but notice the glances some threw her way. I caught more than one gazing appreciatively down her body as we moved through the clubhouse. A surge of possessiveness rose in me, and I tightened my grip on her waist.
Eva leaned in close. “Easy there. Don’t get jealous. They can look as long as they don’t touch.”
“Doesn’t mean I like it. If anyone even thinks about touching you, I’ll kill them.”
She rolled her eyes and patted my shoulder as if she thought my response was an overreaction. I mean, it was, but I was also completely serious.
Eventually, Rhetta swooped in and pulled Eva toward the bar. “All right, boys. I’m stealing Eva for some girl talk.”
As they walked away, Eva threw a wink over her shoulder that had my blood heating.
Thane sidled up to me with a knowing grin on his face. “She’s something else. You thinking of giving her your patch?”
“Yeah. Just hope she’s ready for what that means.”
Thane lit another smoke. “It’s about damn time you settled down. You’re too old to get away with being a manwhore like Hatchet.”
I chuckled. “You were more of a manwhore than Hatchet before you met Rhetta.”
He slapped me on the back. “Yeah, and then I got old. I needed a drama-free zone and someone to keep me in line. Make sure I take my vitamins and shit so I don’t die. I think you’ve found that now, too. You're nearly forty. You won't live past fifty if you don't settle down.”
Thane stepped away, and I joined Merrick, Hatchet, Archer, and Bones in a corner.
“We need to talk. Eva’s got a meeting tomorrow at Maisie’s Bakery. One of Hale’s victims is willing to talk to her for their investigation.”
Merrick’s eyebrows shot up. “And you’re letting her go?” His tone was laced with a protective edge that indicated he considered Eva under his watch because she was with me. It was a hell of a shift, considering he’d been just as dead-set against Thane hiring her as I was.
I snorted. “She can be very convincing. I need you guys there to help protect her.”
Hatchet nodded. “We’ll set up a perimeter. Merrick and I can be inside, blending in with the customers.” He flashed a charming smile at one of the women nearby. She giggled and playfully rolled her eyes.
