“How?”
“If he comes here, he sees me. If he pushes, I will talk to the right people and get him arrested.”
She sits up. “What do you mean?”
“He’s doing something illegal. I haven’t put it all together yet. I don’t like dealing with the human police, but he's human. I know people who can put him away.” She looks away. “Is that something you would be alright with?”
“After he hit me, I wished for someone to rescue me. I didn’t know where to turn for help. He seemed like such a force, like nothing could touch him.” She meets my eyes. “The vengeful part of me would love it. Is that wrong?”
“No,” I rumble, caressing her arm.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” she asks quietly.
“No. I could have kept all of this from you and made him disappear.” Her mouth parts. “I thought about it. We live by a different set of rules. Yes, we're part human, yet our animal instincts push us. They tell us to protect you, no matter how we have to do that. Is that wrong? Does that scare you?”
“None of you scare me. It makes me feel good to know you would go that far for me.” She lays her palm on my chest. “You would do anything for your family.”
“Yes. You are my family.” I cover her hand. “I will consider what you want when I make a decision about your father.” She nods slightly and stares at our hands.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course, but I don’t know when he will show himself.” After his conversation with Remy, I don’t think it will be long.
“I don’t want him to do anything to you,” she whispers, raising her gaze.
“He can’t.”
“He can try.”
“Then we deal with him our way.” I wouldn’t mind killing him. “I hate what he's done to you.”
“He hasn’t hit me since I’ve moved out. He tried once,” she mumbles, and I tighten my hand. “I threatened him. I told himI would call the police if he touched me. I never spoke to him that way, and I think it scared him. After that, he tried to control me in other ways. Like Brian.” I tense up. “He didn’t mean anything.”
“I know. It doesn’t mean I like thinking about him,” I growl, and her scent changes. I tilt my head. “You like that?”
“I’ve never had anyone feel jealousy over me,” she whispers.
“I think you have, you just weren’t paying attention.” I sit straight, gripping her hips and yanking her close. “Just so we're clear. If anyone touches you, hurts you, or says anything to offend you, we will kill them. You are ours. Mine. I will do anything to protect what is mine. I'm giving you a choice with your father, but I don’t want to. The things he has done to you are enough to warrant his death.”
“I don’t know if I can say it’s okay,” she whispers.
“I know. We won’t decide anything now.” I cup her face. “There is something else. You said you want honesty.”
“Yes.” I drag my hands away and palm her hips.
“Lawson said he told you about his past.” She nods. “Heath found his adoptive dad. He is meeting with him tomorrow.”
“Is Lawson going?” she asks.
“No. It’s better that he stays here. We're building a trap for Frank, and we don’t want to reveal that Law is here.” I squeeze my hands. “He won’t be hurt.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?”
“Your body and scent tell me,” I say softly.
She wrinkles her nose. “Are you going?”
“No. I want to, but my scent would smell similar to Lawson’s.”
