“Not quite what I expected from you.”
“Give it back. Now.”
He looked at her. Studied her. Saw far more than she was comfortable with.
“Okay, sweetheart. I wasn’t going to hurt it.”
She was acting like an idiot. Still she breathed easier when he put it back on the bed.
“It means a lot to you. You don’t have to worry, I don’t harm helpless bunnies.”
* * *
Or fragile females, he thought to himself. There was something about the stuffed animal that brought out her emotions. Broke that tough façade she tried to hide behind. But he saw through it. Or thought he did. She was a constant surprise.
He’d been shocked to discover who she really was. This made things harder. It would have been easier if she were nobody. He understood now why she wouldn’t tell them her name. Question was, why had she been in their castle? Was it to spy for her brother? Rumor had it that Carlin was super protective of her. Garret could sympathize, he felt the same way. There was something about those big, vulnerable, blue eyes that spoke to him. That made him want to take her into his arms and shield her from everything. Of course, she’d probably kick him in the shin and call him a sexist asshole. But that was just part of the fun.
However, he couldn’t see her brother sending in his baby sister to act as a spy. But why else would she have been there? Not that it mattered in the long run. If she was their mate, she’d be living with them soon. And with Sawyer’s change, he saw that as extremely likely. More than that, he wanted her to be theirs. He was attracted to her, felt protective of her, and sometimes he even liked her.
When she wasn’t attempting to bash his head in or lying and telling him she was a reporter.
“My parents gave it to me,” she said suddenly. She fiddled with the locket she wore.
What?
She glanced over at the bunny. Of course. It had sentimental value. He didn’t have anything like that. If his parents had given him anything as a child, he couldn’t remember, and it hadn’t survived all this time. Unlike all those ugly bear paintings and dusty furniture. He smiled as he remembered her words. The castle could use a bit of sprucing up. He wondered if she would enjoy that. She didn’t seem the type to be interested in worldly possessions, especially if her bedroom was anything to go by.
But there had been something there when he’d spoken about what he’d expected her bedroom might look at. Something he would explore later. Now, he just had to figure out whether his feelings towards her were just lust or something deeper.
And if she was their mate, he had to figure out how to convince her to return with him to the castle.
“They died a few years ago, didn’t they? Did they give you that as well?” He nodded at her necklace.
She looked startled. “Yes. But how did you know that? Do you know who I am?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
She licked her lips. “Then you know it’s dangerous to be here. If Carlin discovers you—”
“I can take care of myself,” he told her. He didn’t want her worried about that. “And you.”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t need anyone to take care of me. Carlin would never hurt me.”
“Not what his reputation says.” He had a rep for being a nasty son of a bitch. Violent. Cold.
She shook her head. “Carlin doesn’t hurt women.”
No. He had to admit, he’d never heard of him hurting innocents. Didn’t mean he thought highly of the bastard. He was a criminal kingpin. He led a group of hard, nasty thugs. And he wasn’t to be trusted with her safety.
“Carlin won’t hurt me, but he’ll kill you if he finds you here.”
“I’m not worried about that. Is he the reason you were in the castle? Did he send you?”
“What? No. He doesn’t even know I was there.”
He studied her, but he didn’t think she was lying.
“Is that why you’re here? Because you thought Carlin sent me? He had nothing to do with it. It was all me. I’m the only one at fault.”