Page 4 of Claimed By River

“It says protein bars.”

She pretends to study it for another second before looking back at me with a blank face. “River, your handwriting looks like a drunken chicken had a seizure while holding a pen.”

I blink. I shouldn’t be shocked. But for some reason, she finds a different way to get under my skin. I want to shake her and kiss her full, inviting lips in the same breath. The thought makes me crazed with the need I’ve held back for months, fueling my anger.

“I tell you to get them every week. Why is today any different?” I shift closer. “You knew I was out. I know you skipped them on purpose.”

She rolls her eyes. “I have enough responsibilities around here without monitoring your snack inventory. Besides, I can’t read minds just as I can’t read your handwriting. And if you want them so bad, why don’t you buy your own damn protein bars?”

She turns her back to me, not knowing the beast she’s awakened. “It’s a good thing your tattoo work is incredible. Nothing like your scribbling.” She throws the off-hand remark over her shoulder, not giving me another glance.

The urge to fuck her, annoyance and all, goes through me like a live wire. One minute, I’m a few feet behind her; the next, I’m backing her into the counter, her back to my front. I plant my hands on each side of her, crowding her.

“I know you didn’t get them on purpose. You wanted to make me miserable,” I growl.

I expect the snappy comeback. It doesn’t come. She goes rigid under my hands, and her breathing changes to something harsh, fast…wrong. My years as a detective kick in before the rest of me catches up.

I register that she’s having a panic attack.

I turn her around quickly to find her eyes unfocused and her breathing erratic. “Nadia?”

She isn’t looking at me anymore. She’s looking through me. Her shoulders begin trembling. I straighten immediately. I’ve never seen her like this, and I realize I can’t stand seeing her this hollowed out. My heart thuds hard in my chest.

“Angel. Breathe.” The endearment escapes before I can stop it.

I have to touch her. I have to bring her out of it. The second I raise my hand toward her face to brush a loose strand of hair away, she flinches. Hard. Like she’s expecting me to hit her.

Someone has hit her before.

The movement feels like someone has driven a knife straight through my chest. I immediately drop my hand.

“Nadia…”

I take two full steps backward, giving her as much space as possible. Before I can say a word, she bolts. The bathroom door slams shut. Silence settles over the breakroom. I stand there staring after her, unable to process what just happened.

I’ve seen that look of fear many times as a detective. Seeing it on Nadia makes me want to destroy someone. Someone fucking put that fear in her. And they’ll pay.

“River.” Royal’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

I glance toward the doorway to find him standing there with his laptop tucked beneath one arm and a cup of coffee in his hand. His eyes flick briefly toward the hallway leading to the bathroom before settling on me. He takes one look at my expression and slowly lowers the coffee onto the counter.

“What the fuck did you do?”

I scrub a hand down my face, still trying to make sense of it myself. “We argued.”

His brows knit together. “About?”

“My protein bars. I told her she skipped them on purpose.”

He blinks. “And?”

“I was pissed.”

Royal’s expression hardens almost immediately.

“I wasn’t threatening her,” I say quickly. “I was trying to make a point. She always mouths off, so I boxed her in, expecting another smartass comment.”

“What happened?”