Page 47 of Tethered

His thumb traces circles across the back of my palm. “You don’t believe me now, but you’ll see. I should probably apologize in advance.”

“What for?”

“Let’s just say, when I want something, there is no holding me back. And right now, I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you.”

I sigh. I don’t pull my hand away, knowing he needs this connection between us. “You know I will never be just yours, no matter what happens.”

“Because of the con and the cop.”

“Because of Riggs, definitely. I’m not sure what’s going to happen with Shepard. We have this explosive chemistry, but we’re very different people. Perhaps too different.”

“I could get rid of them both. That would clear the way for just me.”

I look at him and let steel infuse my features. “You could, but then I’d never be yours. I’d burn your world to the ground.”

“But you can’t hurt me.”

“Don’t get cocky. My powers might not work on you, but a machete would do the trick. Failing that, I don’t need to kill you to stop you from having me. I just have to kill myself.”

The car swerves dangerously as his anger becomes so thick that it makes it hard to breathe.

“Never threaten me with that. I’d chain you up before I ever let that happen.”

“Then don’t talk about killing Riggs and Shepard. That’s a deal breaker.”

The cloying anger pulls back, leaving behind that weird, walking-on-eggshells feeling where you worry that something you say might set someone off. It’s a feeling that makes my temper flash because I swore I’d never let myself feel this way again, not after that very thing dominated my whole childhood.I swallow it down and sit up straight, shoring up my defenses, readying myself for what he might say next. I don’t want to hurt him, not right now at least. But I mean what I said. If he becomes a threat to those I care about, I’ll kill him, and my powers will be the least of his worries.

“You love him.”

I look out the side window, not answering. I’ll be damned if I tell Austin how I feel before I admit it to Riggs.

“Fine. I won’t kill them, but if they fuck with you?—”

“I’ll fuck with them right back. They’re mine, Austin, and if you ever hope to be a part of that, you’d better understand that right now. They are not your competition. They are not your anything right now. Maybe one day, they could give you something we’re both sorely lacking.”

“And what’s that?”

“Family.”

Chapter Fourteen

Ilet a quiet Austin lead me inside—his large, scarred hand wrapped tightly around mine. He nods at the guy operating the door before guiding me to a table in the back. He pulls out a chair and waits for me to sit before taking the one beside me.

“Order whatever you want. It’s on me.”

I grin, amused at his alpha bullshit. “You know I could buy this whole building if I wanted to, right?”

“You got a dick?”

“I’m sitting next to one. Does that count?”

His lips twitch as he leans in closer. “There isn’t much I can do for you that you can’t do for yourself. I get that. But when you’re with me, I’m going to be the one who pays, the one who opens your door and fastens your belt. It’s just the way I’m wired.”

I study him instead of brushing him off. If I thought he was being flippant, I’d tell him to get over himself, but I can tell this means something to him. Complaining when someone wants to look after me isn’t the hill I want to die on, so I shrug. “Okay, if that’s what you need. Just know there will be times when I won’t give in to you, regardless of how you feel.”

He smirks. “I can be very persuasive.”

“And I can be very stubborn. But let’s not turn this into a game of tit for tat. I’m hungry.”