Page 123 of Pink Ink

Dear Lord, does this cop have braces? His stupid mouth is parted, gulping like a damn fish as he flicks his gaze from me to Reyna—I can’t explain how unnecessarily upset it makes me when he looks at her.

What pisses me off more is that I’m comparing myself to someone wearing cargo pants. Is this what her type is? Someone who’s the opposite of me in every way?

Fuck it. Even if he’s her type, there’s no way she could date him. He’s not good enough for her. He can’t be what she needs. He can’t take care of her or keep her safe or stoke her creativity. He won’t be able to satisfy her like I can.

Really, I’m doing this for her, not me.

“What are you doing here?” Reyna hisses, glancing around like someone might come over and yell at her for my intrusion.

Then her eyes land on me, and one look is all it takes for some of the tension to ease from my chest.

She’s finally looking at me.

“I was walking past and decided to stop by.” A slight growl makes its way into my voice, making her flinch before hardening into steel.

Reyna gives the wanker a reassuring smile before going back to glaring at me. She should be smiling atme, not that fuckwit.

“How kind,” she grits out. “Unfortunately—”

“Is there a problem here?” Lawrence must have a death wish if he thinks he can cut Reyna off.

It took the idiot fifteen seconds to read the room. Maybe I’ll get his badge taken from him, then cut off his tongue before I kill him.

“No,” Reyna says at the same time I say, “Yes.”

He blinks, puffing out his chest as if I might be intimidated by someone who wears a smartwatch. What’s more amusing is that he hasn’t registered who I am—if he had, the lowly paladin wouldn’t be speaking to me like he is.

Good. Everything is going my way. He’s not about to go running to Roland or Shepherd about my behavior.

“You’re the problem. Leave,” I demand.

Lawrence gapes at me like I’m out of my mind. I guess I am. “I don’t know who the hell you think—”

“Mr. Shaw, it’s been lovely to see you this evening,” Reyna interrupts, plastering on the fakest, most disgustingly sweet voice she’s ever used on me. “If you don’t mind, I can email you any questions I have about the assignment.”I mind. I very much mind. “There’s no need to discuss the classwork outside office hours.”

“Assignment?” Lawrence unhelpfully speaks.

I ignore him. “No need. I’m here now. Let’s walk and talk.”

If looks could kill, I’d be dead at her feet from the holes she’s burning into me. “I’m in the middle of something, as you can see.” She nods at the dry, brick-level cheesecake they’re sharing.

Sharing.

My fingers curl into a fist. “I wasn’t asking for your opinion on the matter.”

There’s no universe where I wouldlether go out to dinner with someone who isn’t me. Let alone with Lawrence.

He stands to his full height. “Look, if she doesn’t—”

“No one gave you permission to speak,” I snap. His jaw goes slack, and I return my full attention to Reyna. “I think it’s past your bedtime.”

Oh, that does it. If she was angry before, she’s downrightlividnow. “How dare you? What’s your prob—”

Lawrence holds his hand up. “It’s time for you to leave, pal.”

The chair screeches and skitters back as I take a step toward him, leaving only a foot of space between us. “Cut her off again,pal. I dare you. Now, how about you do all of us a favor and take your bad breath to go.”

Reyna is turning me into a person I don’t recognize. I’d never do something so callous in public. Most definitely not to a police officer. One who happens to be an acolyte devoted to my betrothed’s house.