Page 63 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Illren picks at the dirt under his fingernails and looks at me when he answers Rook. “If I didn’t respect her, I wouldn’t have sworn my fealty in the first place.”

“That’s not what I mean!” Rook snaps. “Nora has trouble with physical touch, especially from strangers.” His eyes start to glow faintly when he glares at Illren. “Keep your hands off her.”

Illren doesn’t answer Rook one way or the other. He studies me for a long time, then says simply, “I will earn your trust.”

After another short silence, Terrance says, “Enough of this. Illren is clan now. That’s the end of it.” He points a finger at Illren. “Rook is right. Nora needs you to keep your distance until she’s comfortable with you. She initiates physical contact. Never the other way around.”

Illren gives Terrance one short nod, and then the conversation is over. Terrance steals the plate from in front of me. He dumps the cold food into the garbage and refills it with warmer food from the stove. “Eat,” he demands.

I dig in without hesitation. I’m starving after sleeping so long. The guys let me eat a few bites before starting in with their fussing. “How are you feeling?” Oliver asks.

I want to lie, but I know I look a little haggard, and Rook would be able to sniff out the untruth anyway. I take a long sip of juice and then sigh. “Soaking up all these imprints every night is taking a toll on me. I have to put a stop to this. Tonight.”

I brace myself for an argument and am surprised when I get none. As if reading my thoughts, Terrance grunts, and Rook and Oliver share a look. “Is there anything we can say to stop you?” Rook asks.

“No.”

He grimaces, and Oliver shrugs. “Then there’s no point in trying.”

“But we’re coming with you,” Terrance demands.

I grin at that. “Again, I wouldn’t expect anything less, T-man.”

Rook takes the stool next to mine and swipes one of the sausage links from my plate. I’d stab his hand with my fork, but he’s finally calmed down, and I don’t want to ruin his mood. “What’s your plan?” he asks.

I blow out a big breath. “Well…” My eyes flick to Oliver. “I’m hoping we can still meet with your sister today.”

Oliver pulls his phone out of his back pocket. “I’ll text her now.”

I flash him a grateful smile, then look at the other three men still waiting for an answer. “After we have some sketches of the two men, I want to head over to the FUA and let Nick help me come up with a plan.” I roll my eyes at all the surprised looks. “I’m not unreasonable. I’ve got that abnormally strong sense of self-preservation, after all.”

I wink at Terrance, reminding him of the first night we met. I’d used those same words when he called me trouble and told me to be careful. He rolls his eyes back, but the corners of his mouth twitch. I grin at him and say, “Nick’s the one with all the experience doing this sort of thing. I’ll happily defer to his knowledge. Hell, I’d let someone else be the bait and stay out of it altogether if I thought it would work. But the killers know the casino is being watched. They’re bound to be more careful. They’ll need some incentive to make a bold move. They already know I’m on to them, and now I’ve survived their attack. They’ll want to come after me. Maybe badly enough for them to do something careless or make a mistake. Plus, I’ll know when they show up. My intuition will warn me before they can hurt anyone. I’m the most sensible choice for this.”

Three out of four men sigh. Illren just continues to watch us like specimens under a microscope. Oliver’s phone chimes, and after reading a text, he grins. “Elle says she can meet us in an hour—with three exclamation points and five smiley emojis.”

. . . . .

Oliver and I meet Elle at a coffee shop. It’s hard to get the guys to let me leave the house with only Oliver to protect me, but I insist. I’m going a little crazy with having so many men watching out for me. I love them dearly, but I need a little breathing room. I think the only way I’ll survive this whole harem thing is if I have lots of one-on-one time.

They’re reluctant to let us go. They almost seem as protective of Oliver as they are of me. Especially after we both got attacked yesterday. I have to remind them that it was Oliver who saved our lives last night, and he promises that he’ll be able to use his magic if it’s a protective spell or it means my safety.

When we walk into the coffee shop, I almost wish all of them were here to back me up. I’m so nervous. Oliver and his sister are close, and I want her to like me. Oliver promises she will, but most women don’t.

“Relax,” Oliver says for the millionth time as we walk toward the counter.

He takes my hand, which is covered with a new pair of gloves that match the new hat and scarf I had to replace since all my stuff was left at Henry’s. I got a new coat, too. We had time to stop by the mall really fast before meeting Elle. It was the last one in the style I like, so it had better last me this time.

We’re standing in line when this girly, excited squeal splits the air. “Big brother!”

Oliver’s sister walks through the door, carrying a large sketchpad. When we turn to face her, she drops the pad and practically leaps at Oliver, hugging him tight and bouncing up and down. The woman is tiny. Oliver dwarfs her in height. Her hair is a lot lighter and curlier than Oliver’s. But the bubbly blonde has the same warm, amber eyes as my boyfriend, and you can see a slight family resemblance in their facial features.

Oliver’s cheeks turn pink, as if his sister’s energy embarrasses him, but he still wraps his arms around her and kisses the top of her head. “Hey, sis.”

As soon as Elle lets go of Oliver, she turns to me. She clasps her hands together and presses them to her mouth. Her face is all pinched up like she’s trying to contain another squeal and only just succeeding. “You aresogorgeous,” she finally says. “Even prettier than Oliver said you were. What in the world are you doing with my geeky brother?” She elbows Oliver playfully and says, “Just kidding. Oliver is the best. I’m so glad he’s found someone who deserves him.”

Elle links my arm with hers. “He’s told me so much about you, you know—talks about you nonstop.” She flashes me a mischievous grin and fake whispers, “I think he’s been in love with you since he was fifteen.”

Oliver’s face flames again. I try to contain my smile for his sake, but it makes my cheeks hurt, and I know my eyes give me away. Oliver, despite the blush, chuckles and shakes his head. He’s a good sport.

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