Her words made my stomach clench, and I stood up straight, staring down at her big blue eyes with concern. I’d once heard similar comments from someone as young and beautiful as the woman in front of me, and my heart did a funny stutter. There was evil in this world that not even Lucifer Morningstar, the devil himself, could control.
“Lay it out for me, honey.”
“I got this today. It was placed under the windshield wiper of my car.”
She pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it over, slapping it on my upturned palm. I opened the crinkled note and found a malicious message.
I’m coming for you bitch.
“What the fuck is that?” I asked, stepping closer. “Who’s threatening you?”
“My ex.”
“How do you know?”
She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. “He’s done this before.”
“Not anymore,” I swore, tugging her into my arms as I tilted her chin up, feeling that familiar surge of protectiveness rise within. I could blame it on my Reaper, but that was only part of it. “You’re under my protection now.”
She scoffed. “Diablo, stop. This isn’t serious. He did this to remind me that he’s out there. Like I could forget,” she muttered. A distant look entered her eyes, followed by a grimace. “I can handle it.”
“I don’t like it,” I grumbled, forcing my Reaper to stay calm.
“It’s nothing to worry about. Alright?”
“I disagree.” Tugging her tight against my chest, I lowered my head briefly. “You contact me if anything else happens. Promise me.”
“Bossy,” she joked, slapping my chest. “I’ll be fine.”
Flustered, I fought the idea of either kissing her or slapping her on the ass. She needed to take these threats seriously. I didn’t want anything to happen to her or her kids.
“Damn straight. Call or text if something happens. If not me, then Sasha. I’m serious. Do it.”
“Fine.” She lifted her hand, brushing her fingers on the scruff of my face, those soft tips grazing the underside of my jaw. “I’ll reach out if anything happens.”
“Gina,” I whispered, my voice husky. She brought out the beast, the untamed side of my nature, and I couldn’t help it as my chin dipped lower. My mouth hovered above hers, close enough to steal the kiss I craved. “You feel it,” I murmured as her tongue darted out, sliding across her pink lips.
“Diablo,” she admonished, fighting our attraction.
We could move at her pace. That didn’t bother me, so long as she knew I wasn’t going anywhere.
“You can’t fight it forever, Gina.” We’d been flirting for months.
Her lips tapped mine, the briefest of surrender before she pulled away. “I need to check on the kids. It’s getting late.”
I let her go, watching that sexy ass of hers swish with every step, but that didn’t mean I would give up.
There was something special about Gina and her kids. A reason I entered her life, and she brought warmth into mine. Maybe fate was a fickle bitch, but my Reaper knew we were brought together for a reason. Until I figured it out, I’d keep close and be the protector Gina needed.