Page 20 of Savage

“She’s mywife,” he shouted, like that made everything okay.

Becky was right. The guy was a psychopath. He certainly didn’t seem to have a healthy grasp on reality or that Becky wanted shit to do with him.

Except—and this would have been comical if it wasn’t fucking wrong—the moment the sheriff parked and approached, Todd shifted into playing the injured party. As the lawman listened, he was just the smooth-talking, concerned husband checking on his wife.

I went over to Becky, resisting my desperate urge to make contact even though I wanted to wrap my arm around her and pull her in close. Instead, I stood at her shoulder with my arms folded across my chest, like her fucking bodyguard.

Which I was—or planned to be. Among other things. Up until now, she didn’t know it. But now? Everything had fucking changed. There was no more of her pushing away. There was no more of me giving her space. Her ex wasn’t just a jerk. He was a problem to her safety. The way she was shaking, to her health, too. I couldn’t step back a second longer.

A second patrol car came, and between the two officers, Becky’s restraining order was checked out. Once he caught on that neither man was going to fall for his shit, he got quiet. Fast. Todd was arrested and taken away as we watched. Little did the guy know, he was safer in jail since I couldn’t get my hands on him.

I’d have to talk with Rob. As alpha, he heard issues like mine. My mate was being threatened, and the cause had to be eliminated. It was the pack way. The challenge? Todd Nichols was human. We couldn’t make a doctor from Meade disappear. It was my job to see things like this done. The one time I was eager to kill someone, I wasn’t able to do it.

After the cop cars’ brake lights disappeared around the corner, I turned to Becky and set my hands on her shoulders. So she didn’t have to wrench her neck, I bent down, so we were eye to eye. “You okay?”

She nodded. “Thanks for helping. Do you want to come in for… coffee or something?”

If coffee was a euphemism for headboard banging sex, then yes.

“I’ll come in, sugar, but just for you to pack a bag.”

She frowned.

“You’re not staying here. Not when that fucker’s still breathing.”

She laughed. “I foresee him breathing for a very long time. I’d just like to not be legally tied to him. Although, killing him has crossed my mind.”

I turned her toward her front door and nudged her inside. She’d been outside in the cold long enough. “Sugar, I don’t blame you. Now, let’s get a bag and get out of here. You’ve probably had a long day, and you should get some sleep.”

I followed and closed the door behind me. She flipped a switch and a lamp gave the living room a soft glow. Her place was small but cozy. A tan couch faced a gas fireplace with a flat screen TV above it. It was clearly a rental with cream walls and neutral carpet, but landscape photos on the wall gave it some personality.

“I’m not going with you.” She rested a hip against the back of the couch.

“You’re not staying here.” No fucking way. She didn’t know she was mine, and I had to get her to see it, slowly. But not in this house and not alone.

She sighed. “I’ve dealt with Todd for two years. Longer when we were truly married.”

“Two years is long enough,” I countered. “Pack a bag. I don’t want you anywhere that asshole can find you. End of story.” I stepped into her personal space, dropping a hand to her hip. She felt soft and warm beneath my palm, and at the simple touch, my wolf popped up and sniffed.

I heard her breath catch as she gazed up at me and licked her lips. “You do bossy really well, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do what you say. We had fun. One night. That’s all.”

I arched a brow. “That’s all? I’ve been hard since we kissed this morning.”

Her gaze dropped to the front of my pants, which only made my dick swell even more. I took a deep breath. Yeah, just as I thought. “You’re wet, aren’t you? For what I can give you.”

She huffed as if she was infuriated, but I couldn’t miss the way her cheeks flushed or her pupils dilated. Or her scent. My wolf practically howled at the sweet scent of her pussy.

Shewaswet, and if I got my hand in those pajama pants…

“You’re cocky, too.”

I grinned at that and cupped myself. “You liked cocky once. I’m ready for another go, but a bed would be good.”

She blushed a deeper shade of pink. “Cocky. Bossy. Whatever. It’s all the same.”

We weren’t getting anywhere, and I wanted to be somewhere safe, not still here in her living room. I always meant what I said, and she was not staying in this place alone. It had been practically painful walking away from her not once but twice knowing she was mine. I wasn’t doing it again.

I had no idea what the fuck I was doing, but I knew she wasn’t remaining alone. Even if I couldn’t claim her, my protective streak told me to keep her safe.