Aro: I’ve got her.
I stare at the text, taking a long moment to look in the rearview mirror. I clocked the SUV parked across the street the second her front door was open, and although knowing my teammate will be stationed there all night calms my fears a little, it also concerns me with how easily Kincaid predicted this outcome.
It makes me wonder what signs I missed.
Could he see in her eyes earlier that she had one foot out the door?
That she was just using the situation to her advantage and now that Varon has been captured, she can just go back to her regular life?
I feel like a fool as I reverse out of her driveway, and it only stacks right on top of that helplessness I felt earlier tonight when she opened her front door.
I let great sex and my personal fear of what I’m starting to feel for that woman cloud my mind. I was sent there to protect her, and yet I couldn’t even manage that one task. I failed when it meant the most.
The clubhouse looks no different than it did a week ago, but for some reason, it doesn’t feel like coming home.
I look over at Sylvie’s car as I approach, needing to get it back to her. I know if I drive it over there tonight, I’ll end up on my knees, begging her for more than she seems willing to offer.
“Hi.”
I snap my head in Lauren’s direction as she approaches, wondering just how far I’ve fallen since she had the ability to sneak up on me.
“Lauren,” I say with a quick nod of my head.
The last time I was alone with the woman, I ended up tied to a chair. What started out as shooting my shot to get her in bed ended with my hands cuffed behind my back and her whispering in my ear,“I don’t fuck pussies.”
I took it on the chin, thinking it was just her part of a cat-and-mouse game we were playing.
Later, I found out the woman likes it rough, and I don’t mean tugging hair and a sharp slap on the ass every now and then, which I wouldn’t have totally been down for.
Lauren Vos wants to be humiliated, damn near traumatized, and that just isn’t my kink. It never will be. I’m not the type of man who needs to provide a safe word for the woman under me. Since I found out what she needs, I haven’t barked up that tree since.
I won’t kink shame a single person, but I’m also not the type to walk into a situation, knowing I’m going to be a failure.
“I heard what happened.” She steps closer to me, her hand sweeping down the front of my chest. “I bet you have a lot of pent-up energy to release.”
“Lauren,” I tell her, gripping her wrist a little too tight in my irritation. I frown when her eyes spark with heat. “I’m not interested.”
I would mention that it was obvious that there was something between her and Angel, but I’m not responsible for diverting her attention.
“That’s a shame,” she says before moving to the side so I can walk past her.
Ugly meets me at the front door, his eyes darting over my shoulder before settling on mine.
“Really?” He gives Lauren another glance. “Haven’t you been trying to get with her for months?”
“Clearly, you haven’t been paying attention,” I mutter as I try to walk past him.
“Oh, I’ve been watching. It seems Sylvie has ruined you for all other women.”
Instinct tells me to argue his point, but I’ve never been big on lying.
I shove past him, the sound of his laughter following me through the clubhouse.
Chapter 33
Sylvie
“I regret making Spade leave,” I mutter, standing in the entryway to the living room.