“For you I’m a fucking wolf. Got it?” I pull her in for another rough kiss, sharing her taste with her.
“Be a good girl and follow me.” I click her seat belt into place and reach over to pat Heirloom on the head. “Keep an eye on her.”
“I, um …” She leans forward and tries to look past me.
“Don’t.” I put my hand on her chest and push her against her seat. “He doesn’t deserve anything from you. Forget about him.”
“Forget?” She gawks. “You’re going to go to prison! You killed a man!” She seems to snap out of her lust haze somewhat. “Oh my God!”
“No one’s going to prison.” I cup her cheek. “Focus, little thief. Follow me home. Can you do that?”
She blinks a few times, then nods.
“Good girl.” I close the door to her Jeep, the whole thing a creaky mess. It seems dangerous and certainly not roadworthy. I don’t want her driving it, but we don’t have to go too far.
I stride to my McLaren and start it up, then pull away from the lackluster Hoover estate. It’s only a matter of time before someone discovers that bastard’s corpse, so it’ll be better for Marigold if she’s nowhere nearby when that happens. Besides, I need to get some ice for her cheek.
Once I’m on the highway, I sit for a moment and watch her pull out behind me. She does as I’ve said and follows me all the way back to my place, then parks in front of the house.
Heirloom hops out and darts into the bushes by the stairs, and then I hear some sort of rodent squeaking in alarm. Like father, like son.
“Here.” I help her from the Jeep and bring her inside. “Mrs. Lou! I need an ice pack for Marigold,” I yell as I close the front door.
“Be right there,” she calls from the kitchen.
“Are you all right?” I peer at Marigold.
“I honestly don’t know. I mean, I just saw you kill a man. You just killed a man like it was nothing.”
Mr. Lou walks out of the sitting room with a duster in his hand.
“Mr. Lou, could you get Marigold’s backpack from her car? I believe there are a couple of rare items in there as well as her other things.”
“Yes, sir.” He heads outside as I lead Marigold up the stairs to our room.
“I feel so strange.”
“You’re in shock.” I sit her on the bed, then take the ice pack from Mrs. Lou, who gives me a worried look.
“Is she all right?”
“She is now.” I gently press the ice to her cheek. “The bastard who sent her here had the nerve to put his hands on her.”
Mrs. Lou scowls. “I’m sure you gave him what he deserved.”
“And then some.” I sit next to my little thief.
“Don’t you worry, Marigold.” Mrs. Lou pats her hand. “Mr. Harbin would never let anyone hurt you. He’s a good man.”
“He killed that guy.” Marigold shakes her head. “Just snap, dead.”
“Good.” Mrs. Lou swipes her hands against each other as if washing them of the matter. “Now relax. It’s late. Get some rest, and in the morning, I’ll make French toast.”
“I love French toast.” Marigold gives a wan smile.
“I know.” Mrs. Lou bustles out and closes the door.
I pull Marigold into my lap. “Everything’s all right.”
“I don’t know.” She wriggles into a more comfortable spot, her ass against my erection. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“Hopefully, you never will again.” I kiss her forehead. “But you need to know that about me. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you. If they so much as try it, I’ll end them.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my nature.” I lean back and meet her eyes. “And because you’re mine.”