Текст книги "Tiger"
Автор книги: Laurann Dohner
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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 18 страниц)
“Damn straight!”
The van had to slow when a large crowd blocked the road ahead of them in front of the Reservation gates. Richard tooted his horn to get some of them to move out of the way. Three off-road, full-sized pickup trucks were in line ahead of them to be searched.
Richard sighed. “We might be a little late.”
“It’s not our fault. The NSO officers can see us up there on the wall.” Zandy peered up at the well-armed security officers patrolling the catwalk along the top of the thick barrier. “I don’t remember there being so many of them up there the day I came for my interview.”
“That’s because there usually aren’t.” Richard paused. “Are you feeling as nervous as I am? Notice the way some of these jerks are eyeing us.” He hit the locks on the door but they were already down. “I don’t like this.”
Her gaze darted around to find a lot of strangers glaring at them. “I don’t like this either. Maybe you should back up and drive to the other gate that I use.”
“That’s miles away and we’d really be late. We’re safe. No one would be stupid enough to try anything with all those guns up along that wall. We’re technically on NSO land here on this side of the gate. It’s posted everywhere and those officers can open fire if need be.”
She studied the faces around them. “Do they know that? Those aren’t our finest and brightest holding those racist signs. They are total dipshits.”
Richard chuckled. “It will be fine. Look, there are a few deputies from town trying to do crowd control. I’ve worked here for a while and I’ve seen worse.”
Some idiot wearing jeans and a T-shirt climbed up into the back of a pickup truck in line at the front to yell obscenities at the NSO officers. A news crew shoved forward with their cameras to capture the tension.
Richard softly cursed beside her. “They are such assholes.”
“Maybe he’ll fall out of the back of the truck and break his neck. We can always hope.”
Richard gave her a wink when she glanced his way. She smiled and returned her attention to the jackass making a fool of himself. The NSO officers ignored him but the camera crews were eating it up while filming the action.
“I’ll bet you five bucks that makes the six o’clock news. It only hurts their cause so I hope they do run it. What a prick. I know two-year-olds with better language skills.” Richard’s fingers tapped the steering wheel. “We’re really going to be late.”
“It’s not our fau—” Shock cut her off when a tarp was thrown from the back of the truck bed in front of them. It landed on the slanted hood of Richard’s minivan and two men stood up from where they’d been hiding under it. Both of them were gripping long weapons.
Zandy froze in horror as the men opened fire. The sounds of gun blasts were deafening and the brake lights on the truck holding the two men suddenly went off. It was such a small detail to notice but it drew her attention. Reverse lights came on a second before the vehicle ahead of them slammed into the front of the minivan. Zandy’s belt dug painfully into her shoulder with the rough impact and Richard yelled. It wasn’t a word, just a sound of terror and confusion.
The NSO officers responded by firing canisters that exploded on the pavement around them. Thick white smoke began to fill the air to block the sight of the gates ahead. Something hit the window next to Zandy, jerking her attention there. A man with a bandana over his nose and mouth hit the window again with the hammer he wielded. The glass next to her face spider-webbed as it started to crush in.
The protesters attacked the minivan by the dozens, their bodies pressing against it and rocking it wildly. Zandy cried out as her fingers frantically clutched at the belt release. It popped open right when the man hit the window again and broken chunks of glass hit her lap as a hand gripped her arm. Richard jerked her roughly and shoved her between the open space between the seats.
Someone bellowed for calm from a loudspeaker but the words were lost between the screams from the protesters, the shouting and more gun blasts. Zandy hit the floor hard between the captain chairs in the center of the van. Someone grabbed at her foot and tore her shoe off. She kicked away and her legs slid off the center divider until she was curled in a tight ball.
“We need help,” Richard yelled.
She couldn’t see him from where she lay but she saw his uplifted arm that had to be holding his cell phone. He might have called 9-1-1 or the gate, she wasn’t sure. The side door next to her slid open suddenly and she twisted her head.
“Fucking animal-loving bitch,” some man yelled.
“It’s her,” some other man shouted. “It’s Justice North’s wife.”
Rough hands reached inside to grab at her. Zandy screamed when the thick smoke poured inside, blinding her. Her fingers clawed for any purchase as they dragged her out of the van. They had her legs though and were strong. She slammed hard into the pavement and had a coughing fit when she tried to scream again.
The hands released her legs when she fell and a man grunted. Someone fell next to her and she realized people were running by them. She crawled forward and bumped her head on part of the van. She couldn’t see anything but she had found it. Heavy footfalls came closer, people screamed and coughed and she rolled under the van.
It was a tight fit but she hoped it would save her from being trampled as everyone fled. The smoke grew thicker until she couldn’t breathe at all. Zandy fisted the front of her shirt and tucked her head, covering her nose and mouth. It only helped a little.
“Zandy!” Richard screamed her name before he broke into a fit of coughs. He sounded close and out of the van.
She took a deep breath and freed her mouth. “I’m under the van!”
Hands gripped her and dragged her out from her hiding spot. She started to struggle but a vicious growl stopped her.
“I’m NSO,” the male informed her.
Her body went lax and she was amazed when he just scooped her up from the ground. She was held tightly against a padded chest—his protective gear—and he quickly rushed her through the thickest part of the smoke.
She had to blink back tears and stared up at the face shield of the officer carrying her when it cleared enough for her to see again. The gates came into view and he jogged through the open space they’d made to get her inside.
“Breathe against my shirt and don’t inhale more of the smoke,” he demanded roughly. “Just hang on.”
The sound of someone else coughing made her twist her head a little and she spotted Richard being helped by another officer. Her coworker clutched a mask over his face that his escort had obviously provided as he was led inside the gate too. She fought back more tears of gratitude that they’d both survived.
Chapter Nine
The officer assessing Zandy had removed his helmet after carrying her inside the guard shack. He grimly frowned as their gazes met. He released her arms as he stepped back. She was pretty sure he’d visibly searched about every inch of her before he was satisfied.
She tried not to stare at his face. His features weren’t as harsh looking as some of the males she’d met. His black hair was tied back in a ponytail and he was really cute. His eyes were more rounded in shape. She realized that he wasn’t canine or feline. He was one of the primate-mixed New Species that she’d heard about from Richard. There weren’t a lot of them. He only stood about six feet tall but his muscular frame left no doubt he was in great shape, despite being shorter than other New Species males she’d come in contact with.
“You have some scratches, bruises, and you’re bleeding.”
“I’m fine. Thank you for coming out there to get me. I’m Zandy. You are?”
His eyes narrowed. “I’m Smiley. You work for NSO. You are one of ours.” He glanced down and suddenly he grabbed her shirt with both hands.
She lowered her chin to watch him pull both ends of her torn shirt together. Her bra had been showing…and a lot of cleavage. That was the least of her worries and she refused to be embarrassed. Those assholes who had dragged her out of the van had destroyed her clothing in the process. He crouched down a little to stare into her eyes again, looking concerned.
“Did you hit your head? Are you in any pain? Your knee is bleeding badly. We are taking you to Medical immediately as soon as a Jeep arrives. I’ll personally escort you there.”
She avoided glancing down at her right leg. The sight of blood wasn’t her favorite and knowing it was hers only made it worse. It hurt a lot but she didn’t want to be a crybaby about it. “My head is fine.”
Richard suddenly stepped next to the officer and she was happy to see him. He looked a little worse for wear but unhurt.
“Are you all right, Zandy? I tried to get to you but I couldn’t get my door open. They pulled you out of the back faster than I could say shit.”
“I’m a little dinged up but they dropped me once they got me outside.”
“Thank god.” Richard sounded and looked pretty shaken. “I thought they’d run off with you. I can’t believe they actually attacked the gates.” He studied her face. “Your cheek is bleeding. Did one of them hit you?”
“I think I bumped it on the side of your van. I couldn’t see anything but I found it with my face.” She refused to reach up to touch the throbbing spot, afraid it would be worse than it felt. She didn’t want to know. “It all happened so fast. All I could think to do was get under your van to hide and keep from being trampled.”
He reached out to touch her but the New Species officer blocked his hand and scooped her into his arms. “I’m taking you to Medical now.”
Zandy gave Richard a stunned look over Smiley’s shoulder before she was carried outside. Snow waited behind the wheel of the Jeep that had arrived and she was carefully placed in the passenger seat. The officer climbed into the backseat.
“Go.”
The Jeep took off quickly. Snow glanced at her as he drove. “Are you harmed, Zandy? We apologize for you being attacked.”
“It’s not your fault there are assholes in the world. I’m just a little banged up but I’ll be fine.”
Snow glanced from her to the road, then back. “They shot one of our males but he didn’t suffer any lasting effects. The vest stopped the bullet from piercing his skin. We got both males who opened fire on the NSO.”
“Good.” The memory of seeing that tarp hit Richard’s hood and those men standing up suddenly, holding those weapons, made her shiver. She had little doubt it wasn’t something she’d ever forget and it would probably be the source of many nightmares. She didn’t say it but knew if they’d fired at her and Richard, they’d have been easy targets strapped in their seats. “I’m glad you have them in custody.”
“They believed she was Jessie North,” Smiley added.
She hadn’t remembered those men yelling at her until that second. “Who is Jessie North?”
“Justice took her as a mate.” Snow concentrated on driving as he parked in front of a building with glass windows. “She’s human but looks nothing similar to you except you both have red hair. Didn’t you watch the news last night?”
“I missed that.”
“They say our kind are hard to tell apart.” Snow snorted. “It seems your kind can’t tell each other apart either. You don’t look anything like Jessie except for your small size and the long red hair. Her hair is much longer though and it is very red.”
Smiley jumped out of the back and scooped her into his arms before Snow could even turn off the engine. “Thank you. I have it from here.”
Zandy put her arms around his broad shoulders while he carried her inside the building once the automatic doors opened. A Dr. Harris waited inside for them with a New Species female at his side. The man was in his mid-thirties and introduced her to Midnight. The tall blue-eyed female smiled grimly.
“Bring her this way, Smiley.”
He carefully placed her on an exam table in one of the back rooms and hovered there until Dr. Harris walked in. “Thanks for bringing her. We’ve got it from here.”
The officer hesitated. “I need to stay with her.”
“We’re making her strip,” Midnight informed him. “I see your interest but approach her later.”
“It was an order to protect her.”
“Wait outside.” Midnight smiled. “Human females are shy about their bodies.”
He spun around and Zandy watched him leave. Midnight closed the door. “Males.” The woman shook her head. “Did he drool on you?”
“No.”
Dr. Harris laughed. “That was Smiley and he has a thing for humans.” He turned his back. “I won’t peek.”
Midnight pulled out a cloth gown and offered it. “You need to strip down to your panties if you wear any.”
It hurt to stand on her injured knee and the tall Species female kneeled down to help her remove her only shoe. The other one was lost. She had forgotten that since she’d been carried everywhere since her rescue. Midnight took her clothes and she put on the gown, leaving it open in the back.
“She’s decent, handsome.”
The doctor turned his head to grin at Midnight. “Thanks, gorgeous.”
Zandy was surprised at their exchange. The doctor had put on gloves and he pulled a stool closer to sit. He examined her bloodied knee when she took a seat on the exam table.
“He’s mine,” Midnight announced, pointing to the doctor. “The young one. Not his father. There are two Drs. Harris. Don’t get ideas about him.”
“I wouldn’t,” she managed to get out, stunned that the tall muscular nurse was dating the doctor. He wasn’t a bad-looking man and was fit but it was obvious his girlfriend could kick his ass.
The doctor chuckled. “Yeah. I’m hers.” He prodded Zandy’s injured knee. “You won’t need stitches but it needs to be cleaned. It’s going to hurt.”
Midnight got him what he needed and Zandy clenched her teeth while he worked on her knee until it was bandaged. He examined her chest where her shirt had been torn, found a scratch above her breast, and even prodded the bruise on her hip where she’d landed on the pavement after being dragged from the van.
“Any dizziness? Double vision? Nausea?” He blinded her with a penlight he flashed in both her eyes while studying the cut on her head. “What happened here?”
“No, no, and no.” She winced when he started to clean it. “It isn’t bad, is it? I was crawling and hit the side of a van.”
“It’s not bad,” he admitted. “This is going to sting.”
Shit.
* * * * *
Tiger was furious. “They attacked the gates?”
Timber nodded grimly. “They shot Torrent. He is pissed but fine. They tagged his vest hard enough to leave some bruising.”
Tiger’s gaze wandered around Security, watching his males hard at work, keeping an eye on everything with the cameras. “Has Justice and Homeland been informed?”
“Immediately. We had to warn them about potential attacks on Jessie. One of our human employees was attacked. The idiot humans thought she was Justice’s mate.”
“Why would they think one of our human employees was Jessie?”
“She has long red hair. She had left for lunch with a human male and they were returning when the idiots attacked the gate. Some of them saw her and assumed she was Jessie. They broke the windows of the van she was in and dragged her out. The smoke made them run and they dropped her. She will be fine. I ordered Smiley to stay with her. He escorted her to Medical for treatment. We have the shooters and driver who brought them here in custody. They have been prepared for transport to Homeland.”
Tiger growled. “You should have contacted me immediately when this happened.”
“You were tending to the Wild Zone incident. It was all handled well. The only real destruction done was to the van the two humans were in. We are taking care of that. Good thing we pay for insurance for this stuff with the money we fine the idiots. The repair bill will be costly. The driver of the truck hiding the gunmen reversed his truck into the front of the van when they attempted to flee and then the windows were smashed in an attempt to get to the human female when the protesters attacked. They also dented the van greatly since they tried to overturn it.”
“Son of a bitch,” Tiger snarled. “Is the human female well? Is she going to quit? It is hard to find trustworthy humans.”
“She is well. I just spoke to Midnight. The human has been treated and has asked to go back to work. We offered her a few days of paid vacation to recover but she refused.”
“I will go smooth things over with her. What is her name?”
Timber hesitated, thinking. “It was an odd name. Zane? Zany?”
Tiger’s heart almost stopped beating. “Zandy?”
Timber nodded. “That is the name. Small human female, green eyes and long red hair.”
“Fuck!” Tiger snarled. “I’m going to Medical.”
Timber gaped at him. “You know this female?”
Tiger spun and sprinted out to his Jeep, not bothering to answer. Zandy had been attacked. The details sank in as he drove quickly to reach her. He wanted to know why she’d left Reservation for lunch and what human male she’d been with. He decided it had better have been with Richard Vega. The male loved his mate and that would mean it hadn’t been a date. Just the idea of another male touching her made him want to roar with rage. She’d been hurt and he hadn’t been there to protect her.
He took ragged breaths, trying to control his rage. A mixture of jealousy and fear gripped him hard enough to make his chest hurt. They hadn’t agreed on any dating terms. Had Zandy gone on a date? He shook his head. That didn’t matter at the moment.
She’d been attacked by humans and he was tempted to call Timber to put a hold on the prisoners. He’d love to spend five minutes with each of the males until he made certain they were injured as well. The thought of what could have happened to her left him with a deep need to reach her side as quickly as possible. He punched the gas to an unsafe speed and took a turn too fast. Species stared at him as he passed but he didn’t give a damn.
* * * * *
Zandy put on the new set of clothes. Midnight had brought her a gray T-shirt with NSO lettered on the front pocket and matching sweatpants. Her torn clothing had been thrown away. Her knee throbbed. Dr. Harris told her to go home and keep off it for a few days but Zandy had refused. The last thing she wanted was to go home to her empty house. She’d rather be around people after her close call with nearly being kidnapped.
Dr. Harris wasn’t happy with her decision. He held out a plastic bag. “I put a few shake ice packs in here too. Do you know how to use them?”
She smiled. “Um, I shake them?”
He grudgingly smiled back. “Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“Your purse was retrieved from the vehicle you were in.” Midnight handed it to her. “We are glad that you weren’t really harmed. Are you sure you don’t want a few days to recover? There is no shame in that. You are human and not used to this kind of stress.”
“Honey,” the doctor said softly, “we’re not invalids just because we aren’t as tough as you. She wants to go back to work. I’d do the same.”
She smiled at him. “You are very brave. For a human.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He turned to Zandy and asked, “Do you want crutches? That knee is going to hurt worse in the morning. You’re already limping.”
“I’m good. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t ache but I banged up my knees worse when I was a kid. I was a bit of a tomboy and liked skateboarding.”
“I saw the faded scars and wondered.”
“We lived on a hill.”
“Got it.” He grinned. “I hope you wore a helmet.”
“I plead the Fifth.”
“Don’t forget to take the pills I gave you for the pain and the ones I prescribed to help reduce any swelling. They are inside the bag. Use condoms for a month if you’re on birth control. They will mess with it since it’s also an antibiotic. I’d rather be safe than sorry to help you prevent any infection. I cleaned the cut well but you were in contact with the pavement. I have no idea what kind of germs you were exposed to. Stay off that knee as much as possible. I know you have an office job and work behind a desk. Have someone else fetch anything you need. Elevate it if possible.”
“Thank you. I’ll take the pills as soon as I get to my office.”
Midnight offered to escort her out but Zandy refused. Smiley was pacing outside in clear view of the front windows. She limped out there and he turned, his expression grim.
“Allow me to carry you.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m okay.”
“I called for transportation. You shouldn’t be standing from the amount of blood I saw on your pants. I strongly suggest you go home.” He paused. “You’ve had a trauma. Your family should care for you.”
“I live alone. The idea of staring at my walls isn’t real appealing. I’d rather be around someone right now.”
“I understand.” His expression softened and his pretty brown eyes fixed on her. “I could request to end my shift and take you to my home. I’m not offering to share sex but someone should care for you. I have a large television and I’m safe.”
She highly doubted his version of safe and hers lined up. Midnight and the doctor thought the New Species was attracted to her. The only man she wanted fawning over her had blue eyes and purred during the heat of passion. Her mouth opened to tell him no thanks but the sound of a car careening around a corner drew her attention first.
The Jeep was speeding at them and she recognized the driver instantly. Tiger’s streaked hair was easy to spot and so was his enraged expression as tires locked up on the pavement when he hit the brakes. The vehicle came to a screeching halt by the curb. He was out of it the second the engine cut off.
“This is Tiger,” Smiley stated, as if she didn’t know who stormed around the front of the vehicle to reach them. “Hello, Tiger. I take it you heard what happened. She is well. How did it go with Vengeance?”
“Give us a moment alone,” Tiger snarled, his gaze locked on Zandy. “I need to speak to her. Take a walk.”
Smiley gawked but backed away. He spun on his heel and went to the end of the building. He’d seemed pretty shocked at Tiger’s abrupt dismissal and she could relate, stunned a little herself. Tiger waited until the other man had moved away before he stepped closer. He ran his gaze down her body before meeting her eyes again. His hand lifted and he gently gripped her jaw, forcing her head to tilt a little to get a better look at the cut on her face.
“Why did you leave Reservation and who were you with? Are you all right? Who did this to you?”
She wasn’t sure which question to answer first. “I’m okay. Richard and I went shopping for his wife on our lunch break and the protesters attacked while we were in line to get back inside the gates.”
A deep growl rumbled from his throat. “Where are your clothes?”
“They threw them away. The shirt was history and the pants were bloody.”
He sniffed and another growl came from him, the second one deeper and almost scary. Rage narrowed his eyes and she hoped it wasn’t directed at her. His touch remained gentle where he held her jaw.
“I still smell blood.”
“I’m okay. I got a few scratches. My—”
“Where?”
She paused. “My knee got the worst of it. I have a scratch on my chest and you can see my face. I didn’t get a good look at the men who tried to grab me but they thought I was someone else.”
His other hand gripped her hip. “I heard the attackers thought you were Jessie. I can’t believe they thought you were her. Your hair is much lighter and shorter than hers. Humans are stupid. You shouldn’t have used the front gates. Didn’t you realize it would be dangerous?”
She let that one slide since he was obviously upset and didn’t she really want to be lumped into the same category as the protesters at that moment by reminding him she was human. His words made her feel a little defensive though.
“I guess we missed the news conference last night when Justice North announced he’d gotten married to the woman they mistook me for. I had no idea it wasn’t safe to leave the front gates. I take it that you know her?”
He nodded. “I know her very well and you two look nothing alike.” He took a deep breath. “I am agitated. I’m sorry. I should have called your office the moment I found out Justice had to tell the press about his mate and warned you it would antagonize the protesters.”
Zandy studied him and a hint of jealousy struck. How well did Tiger know the other redhead? It was going to bug her if she didn’t ask. “Did you ever date this Jessie?”
His mouth tensed. “No. She is Justice’s mate. I’ve never mounted her. Why would you ask that?”
She hated the fact that she was glad he’d never slept with the woman she’d been mistaken for. The idea of being a replacement version of a woman he’d lost to another man had set her on edge. “Curiosity, since some people think we look so much alike. Never mind. It’s been a stressful day.”
He caressed her cheek before dropping his hand. “I don’t want you leaving Reservation. It’s not safe. The protesters are out in full force and some have even shown up at the gate you use. That’s a long stretch of road I don’t want you traveling and someone could follow you home. They already attacked you once, thinking you were Justice’s mate. I insist you stay here for a few days until things calm.”
Disappointment hit her that he wasn’t inviting her to stay at his place. Smiley had offered to take her home and he didn’t even know her. It was a painful reminder that Tiger didn’t want anything long-term between them. It was what they’d agreed on and she’d made her bed. Sleeping in it suddenly seemed really lonely and painful.
“Okay.”
“There is space open in human housing. It’s similar to your apartment buildings. I’ll assign officers to guard you. Some of the protesters have tried to breach our walls and I want to make sure you’re safe. I will try to check on you but I’m not sure how late my shift will end. It’s going to be a long day and worse night. We’ve learned that they tend to think just because the sun goes down that it will be easier to sneak onto NSO lands.”
“I don’t have any clothes. I’ll need to take at least one trip home to get my stuff.”
“No. I’ll order you clothes from our store.” He glanced down her. “I apologize but we don’t get too many small females staying here. You’ll probably have to wear more sweats and T-shirts.”
“There’s a dress code for work.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll make certain no one says anything. You are safer here at Reservation until this blows over. We’ll extend the same courtesy to all NSO human employees.”
That killed her assumption that he’d done something special for her by asking her to stay where he knew she’d be safe. It drove home another reminder that they didn’t have a relationship. It stung.
“Fine. You do that. I need to get to work. I guess I’ll see you later.”
She turned away from him and he had no choice but to release her hip. The limp was noticeable as she headed toward Smiley. He saw her coming and came at her quickly.
“Zandy?” Tiger hissed.
She paused and turned her head to meet his gaze. “Yes?”
“Is something wrong? Are you angry with me?”
She swung back around and limped so close to him that she had to tilt her chin up to stare into his handsome face. He looked past her and held up his hand to halt the officer. His hand dropped to his side.
She was in pain and had been assaulted, her patience already at the limit. They didn’t have a real relationship but she wanted to be honest. It was probably the last time they’d talk anyway. She might as well give him a piece of her mind.
“I’m having a shit day if you haven’t noticed. I’m sure you are too since I know you’re the head of security here. I guess when I saw you speeding around that corner I assumed you’d heard what happened and it shook you up enough to want to see me.” She paused. “Hell, this is why I don’t get involved with men. I suck at it and we don’t have a relationship, right? Thank you for caring and checking on me. I know you need to get back to work. We’re fine.” She turned away again.
Tiger’s hand clamped down on her arm to prevent her from getting away from him. He stepped around her until he blocked her path. “Are we in a relationship?”
Her gaze dropped to his NSO work shirt. “I don’t know. Are we?” She gazed back up at him.
“I wanted to invite you to stay at my house but you’d already told me no. I didn’t want to be rejected a second time. I also have to work long hours and my home is too far from the office to sleep there while this crisis is happening. You’d be out there alone. I wanted to keep you close.”
“It wasn’t a rejection. I just said no because we barely knew each other then.”
His exotic eyes narrowed. “We know each other extremely well now.”
Sexually. “I don’t know where we’re heading and it’s scary. I missed you today and hoped you’d invite me to meet you later.” I’m falling in love with you.
“I missed you too.” He hesitated. “I will come visit you tonight and we’ll talk.”
“Okay.” She wasn’t sure if that was bad or good.
“It might be late.”
“I understand.”
His cell phone buzzed and he reached for it, never looking away from her eyes. “Yes?” He paused. “Understood. I’m on my way.” He hung up. “I have to go. Some of the humans outside the gates are acting up again.” He lifted a hand and waved Smiley forward. “Try to take a nap before I arrive.” His voice lowered even more. “I plan to do a lot more than just talk to you.” A soft purr came from him before he backed away.
Zandy’s body instantly responded to the sexy noise. The idea of seeing him later and possibly spending another night sleeping together had her nipples growing taut and her belly quivering. Him licking his lips only reminded her of what he could do with that tongue and her clit throbbed.
He faced Smiley. “I’m reassigning you to Zandy today. Take her to work and I want you to stay close to her building until after her shift is over. She’ll be staying at building H, apartment HJ until this mess ends. It’s too dangerous for her to leave Reservation. I’ll have officers meet you there later. Wait for them if they are running late. She isn’t to be left unguarded.”
“Understood.”
Tiger glanced at her one more time before he strode back to his Jeep. Another one turned the corner, probably the transportation Smiley had called. She resisted waving at Tiger as he drove away. The officer next to her sniffed loudly and she jerked her head to stare at his face.
