Page 35 of The Satyr's Guilt
“Really? No. I want a new partner.”
No way was Ram sending Denim out with anyoneelse.Hell.What if she got hurt?
Where did the protective loose-screw notioncome from?
Ram scrubbed a fist across his jaw. “I’m anass. Aren’t I, Kole? Tell her.”
“You’re finally including me in the convo?”His gaze popped up but immediately returned to the paperwork on hisdesk.
“I was the sensible choice to send into thealley.” Denim popped fists to her hips. “Wasn’t I, Commander?”
Kole glanced up again, but he didn’t lookhappy. Fire danced between his fingertips. Already one of the mostpowerful demons of his breed, his gifts exploded when he was calledto the Firebrands. His flame-throwing digits were always ready toflare. Passion, anger, or sometimes just being mildly pissedbrought his gifts roaring to the surface. “Okay, we’re really doingthis. Denim, he’s an ass, but he’s also a satyr with a shitloadmore experience. He outweighs you by at least a hundred pounds ofpacked muscle. Sure, very little of it’s in brain matter, but thereya go. Maybe you could do the thinking, and he could be the shield.Then I don’t have to send you back to the Alliance in pieces. Butshe’s right, satyr. She was the smart choice to step into thefucking alley.”
“As I rethink my actions, Commander, Iagree.”
“So happy I have your approval.” Kole’sattention returned to his desk.
Denim faced Ram, waving her finger in hisdirection. “Don’t ever restrain me again.”
“I promise I won’t restrain you. Unless youwant me to. I added the last part just to show I’m open to anysuggestions from you.”
She sighed, tossing her hands into the air.The gesture showed her body to advantage. Lean but curvy.
Keep your head in the game, satyr.
Sabine and Nico stormed into the officebefore Denim could resume yelling at Ram.
Kole leaned back in his chair. “This isgoing to be a fucking awful night.”
Ram greeted his nymphfreron. “Hey,Sabine, tell Denim I’m an ass.”
“He’s an ass.” Sabine did a double take atthe human female. She arched a brow.
Reaching around Ram, Denim offered a hand.“Hi. I’m staying with Galena for a bit. On vacation. Allianceagent. Partnering with the ass here on an assignment.”
“Welcome.”
They shook as Ram resumed pleading. “Tellher I can learn from my mistakes.”
Sabine seemed to ponder the statement for amoment. “He’s capable of learning. Whether he will or not is up forgrabs.”
“Thanks for the support, nymph.”
Sabine ignored Ram when Nico crossed hisarms over his chest and blurted out his concerns. “Enough withtheir bullshit. This is important. I want you to put someone elseon me. Preferably no one.”
“Somebody is going to be tight on your ass,Abello. Now, tone down the attitude. What’s wrong with Sabine?”Kole fixed on his nymph Firebrand.
“I’m not having this … I mean, anyone …shove me to the back of the action like I’m some fly weightrookie.”
“I hear ya.” Denim peeked around Ram. “Thislunk did the same to me.”
She and Nico both nodded as if they were inthe know.
The human acted as if he was suddenly awareof the otherHomo sapiens’spresence. “Nico Abello, by theway. An Alliance ex-agent. Kidnapped, brought here, and assigned ananny. A fucking nanny.”
Sabine sighed while Denim nodded agreeting.
Ram pressed his lips tight together. “I’mstill sorry, do … Denim.” He stopped himself short of calling her“doll.”
