Page 50 of Tempting Her Grumpy Protector
“The Goddess? The Kindred Goddess?” Sunny’s big brown eyes went wide.
“Yes.” He nodded. “Now be quiet for a minute and let me hold you.”
He never wanted to let her go.
38
SUNNY
The violence had sobered Sunny instantly. The fog of Woo hanging over her brain had burned away as she watched Greer pull the attacker off her like he was nothing more than a rag doll. She hadn’t seen Rage like that before—raw, terrifying, protective Rage that had a murderous edge to it.
And yet, even at his most dangerous, the big Warrior hadn’t frightened her. She knew he was there to protect her—to save her as he had so many times before. She was just grateful that he’d gotten to her in time.
Two Kindred guards arrived a few moments later, drawn by Greer’s roar. The two enormous Beast Kindred warriors in black uniforms lifted the bloody, gasping Summerville off the ground with no more effort than picking up a sack of flour.
“What happened here?” one demanded.
Sunny started to explain but Greer cut her off.
“I found him trying to rape her.”
Both of their faces darkened.
“A fucking rapist, is it?” growled one, shaking Summerville roughly.
He groaned and snorted blood.
“She wanted it! She was sending all these thoughts out?—”
“No woman wants to be raped, you asshole!” The second guard’s elbow connected with Summerville’s jaw, which was already turning black and blue from Greer’s punches.
“Ow!” he shrieked, jerking away.
“Oops. Sorry about that.” The guard smiled with grim satisfaction. “My mistake.”
“Looks like it’s time for you to go, human,” the second guard remarked. “I can tell you now—you’ll never be welcome aboard the Mother Ship again.”
“And we’ll be sending word to the human authorities,” the other added grimly. “Attempted rape won’t be ignored—not here. We Kindred take the safety of our females very seriously.”
“Noooo,” Summerville moaned, putting his hands to his bloody, bruised face. “No, you can’t! I’m already on the sex offenders list! Another report will violate my parole! I can’t go back to prison—I can’t.”
“Oh, I think you can.” The second guard smiled savagely. “I’ve heard what shit-holes human prison are. Sounds like the perfect place for you.”
Sunny looked at Summerville in disgust. What a horrible man! She hugged herself as her attacker was dragged away, his protests dwindling into the night. Relief left her shaking. If Greer hadn’t come when he did…but she couldn’t let herself finish the thought. It was too awful.
At last, she and her Protector were alone.
The two of them stood side-by-side in the shadow of the Sacred Grove, the faint glow of the dimmed artificial sun casting a soft silver shimmer over the trees. The edge of the parklands wasn’t too far away.
Sunny realized with a pang of memory that this was close to the little restaurant where she and Greer had first met. They had eaten dinner—or “Last Meal” as the Kindred called it—together and then taken a walk in the park. That was where he had gone to one knee and sworn his oath to protect her, claiming her as his Ward.
“Do you remember the first time we met—walking through the park?” she asked softly, looking up at him. “Remember how you promised to be my Protector?”
Greer’s pale eyes locked with hers. His face was drawn tight, unreadable.
“I could never forget that, little one,” he said, his deep voice hoarse. “And I promise you this—I will never forget you.”
Her heart sank at the finality in his tone.
