Page 24 of The Enforcers: NOAH

He flung himself at Mina and hugged her around the legs.

Robbie was still staring at Noah. He purposely slammed the truck door a little too hard, just to annoy him.

The Asshole turned his snake gaze on Mina. “So you’re out on a date? That’s why you could barely be bothered to come home and be with your son?”

No growling, Noah told himself. Humans freak out when you growl.

“It wasn’t—” Mina began, but Noah took over, striding around the front of the truck, a friendly grin on his face.

“You must be Robbie,” he said, grabbing the other guy’s hand in a punishing handshake. If he wanted, he could crush the fucker’s hand bones to shards with his shifter strength, but he settled for mere pain instead.

“Mina’s told me so much about you. We had a business appointment—she was interviewing me about wolf myths and legends—and her truck broke down, so of course I offered her a ride. She was very anxious to get home and see Brock.”

Robbie was gritting his teeth and his face was getting red, but he was killing himself not to show how much Noah was hurting him.

Noah let go of his hand. Not out of pity, but because he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from breaking it if he held on any longer.

“Great of you to bring Brock by early. I know Mina appreciates it. But I guess you have to go, huh? Big hurry?”

Robbie was opening and closing his hand surreptitiously, seeing if it still worked.

“Yeah,” he said, his gaze narrowing. “I guess I do.”

He climbed back in the truck, still glaring at Noah. Which was fine with him—he was happy to deflect Robbie’s anger onto himself instead of letting him vent it on Mina. Bring it on, Asshole. I’ll end you.

Robbie slammed his door and peeled out into the street, tires squealing.

“I guess he really was in a hurry,” Noah said.

Mina was eyeing him. “Business appointment?” she said. Noah shrugged. She might not approve of lying, but he didn’t give a shit. Anything not to give the Asshole any more ammunition.

She hesitated, her hand on Brock’s head. “Thanks for the ride,” she said.

“I know a mechanic,” Noah said. “Do you want me to call him and see if he’ll take a look at your truck?”

She blew out a helpless sigh. “Noah—” she said.

He could almost read her mind. Too much, too soon. She wasn’t sure she wanted him that intimately involved in her life.

But he wanted to be. He wanted to bite Robbie Wells in the jugular, and then he wanted to wrap Mina up in his arms and never let anything hurt her again.

They gazed at each other, and then Brock piped up, “Mommy, we should take Mr. Noah inside and give him cake. Because he bringed you home.”

Mina rolled her eyes a little, and shook her head in an “I’m-pretty-sure-I-already-lost-this-battle” gesture.

Noah said gravely, “I think it’s important that your son learns to show good manners when someone has helped him.”

Mina gave him a “really?” eyebrow lift. Clearly she was not fooled.

“And I like cake,” he added.

She blew out a sigh, and gave up. “Fine,” she said. “Noah, would you like to come in for some cake?”

“How nice of you to think of it. I’d love to,” he said innocently, and followed them into the house.

Once they were inside, Mina said, “Brock, would you like to show Mr. Noah some of your toys while I warm up the cake and make some coffee?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Brock ran over to an old-fashioned toy chest at the side of the family room and began pulling out stuffed animals, throwing them into a big pile. “Come on, Mr. Noah,” he said. “I’ll show you all the animals.”