Page 37 of Thrilled By Her Protector

Her phone chirped again, and she looked down to see a couple of missed texts. Jennifer’s heart stopped in her chest as she read the message.

Is that really you, ladybug? How’d you find me? It’s been so long. How about you repeat our secret code word to me, just for old time’s sake? So I know you’re not really some fairytale prince looking for my bank account info? LOL. -DAD

That’s funny, Dad. But yeah. It’s really me. Your daughter. Jennifer. I found you through your high school reunion website. -JENN

The code word? -DAD

Peaches. Our secret code word was Peaches. -JENN

It really is you. I want to see you. Can we meet? Are you still in New Jersey? -DAD

Yep. But I can come to you. Where are you, Dad? -JENN

I’m still driving trucks. I’ll be in South Jersey, by Blue Valley, in an hour. -DAD

Perfect. I am half an hour away. This is exciting. -JENN

I think so too, ladybug. See you in an hour. There’s a roadhouse. Serious Moonlight. Best chicken wings for a hundred miles. -DAD

I’ll see you there. -JENN

Jennifer looked up into expectant blue eyes. Zircon was reading over her shoulder the whole time. She’d felt him there, so close, but not touching. It comforted her. Gave her what strength she needed to continue texting.

“It’s on,” he growled, eyes glowing. “You sure you are okay with this? He hasn’t seen you yet. We can get someone else to go undercover?—”

“No. This is my father. I want to look into his eyes and hear his voice when I ask him about what he’s done.”

Conny simply nodded. He didn’t second guess her or try to take over the assignment. No. He was a professional too, and on this one, he was there to back her up. Oh, she knew he would never let anything hurt her. Even if last night left her confused, that was a certainty. She was in safe hands, er, claws with him.

After calling Mother with an update, Jennifer grabbed her backpack and was ready to go. No need for weapons. Shifters brought their own. Zircon led the way to his truck, opening the door for her without comment.

She got in, squeaking, when he patted her ass on her way up into the seat. Truthfully, though, she liked it. Jennifer had never been one to receive that kind of playful possessive display from a man. Especially not a man who looked like him.

Zircon jogged around to the driver’s side, sliding into his seat with practiced ease. The roads were clear, but the sky was overcast. It looked ominous and gray, like the calm before the storm. She placed one hand over her stomach as nerves assailed her.

“Hey, you’re going to be fine. I’ll come in with you?—”

“No. It might spook him. I’ll go alone.”

“I really don’t like the idea of that, Jenn.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. Possessive was hot. Bossy was not.

“Listen up, Zircon Wessex, I might have just told you I love you, but you do not get to tell me what to do.”

“Fine,” he growled, shifting into gear. “But if he lays a hand on you, father or not, I’ll burn him to ashes.”

Gulp.

But he didn’t drive yet. Not until Jennifer nodded, as if she was actually agreeing to allow him to kill her father if he touched her—which was highly unlikely. Still, since she was on a new honesty kick, Jennifer had to admit something.

Murdery was kinda hot on Conny. Okay, it was super hot. Like inferno level hot.

Mine.

ChapterFourteen

She loves me. She loves me. SHE LOVES ME.

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