“What? Of course not. He’s pissed right now, but he’d never hurt me, Derek.”
Derek hauled me against his chest. “No one puts their hands on you. No one. Not even your father.” He held my face. “I heard what he said, and he won’t disrespect you again.” Kissing my forehead, he whispered over my skin, “I told you to go home, angel.”
“My father is not a threat.” Derek opened the passenger door, and I climbed inside as he waited on my answer. “You did tell me to head home, but I couldn’t do that. And this is my father we’re talking about. I’m not some prisoner.”
“I never said you were.”
“But you threatened my dad, Derek. You can’t do that.”
“He grabbed you and disrespected you. I won’t allow that.”
Fuck. Why am I so turned on right now?
I rested my head against the seat as Derek sat beside me.
“I understand maybe you have this hero complex, but I—”
Derek twisted in his seat, eyes searing through me. “I’m no hero, Eva.” He leaned in and grabbed the nape of my neck. “I’m something else entirely. Nothing and no one else matters to me. I’d bathe the whole goddamn world in blood for you.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX
DEREK
“I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
Eva placed her phone on the side table and climbed on the couch beside me. Even in an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants, she looked good enough to eat. And while I’d certainly had my share before breakfast and twice after lunch, I would never get enough.
“Come here,” I growled, pulling her into my lap and slipping my hands beneath her shirt and up her back. No bra.
Perfect.
“Derek, did you hear what I said?” She pulled back when I tried to kiss her. “Derek, tomorrow. I’m going back.”
I fisted the back of her hair, tugging just enough to get her to shut up and let me stick my tongue in her mouth. Eva obliged with a sigh, her hands on my chest. But just when I grabbed two handfuls of her ass, she bit down hard on my bottom lip.
Little hellion.
“That’s okay. We can get into a little blood play if that’s what you want.”
“You’re avoiding the subject,” she said, trying to suppress a smile.
“Of you trying to put yourself in danger? Damn right I am.”
“I have a job to do. I’ve been holed up here for two weeks. My father refuses to speak to me. Rayne is still missing. James’s case has no leads. Sam is still in the ICU.” She tried to climb off my lap, but I held her hips firmly. Exactly where she belonged. Straddling me while the warmth of her pussy sheathed my cock.
“All of that can wait. I need more time, angel.”
She studied me, eyes narrowing. “More time for what? I can’t pretend the outside world and all its problems don’t exist. I have a job to do. And newsflash, Derek,” she said, laying her head on my shoulder, “it’s not the first time someone has threatened to kill me.”
Her words were like a stake to the heart. The thought of someone hurting her sent my demons into a frenzy.
I held her tighter.
“But it will be the last.”
“Baby, I have to do this. And I’m not asking for your permission or approval. I’m letting you know what’s going to happen.”
I shifted sideways, taking her with me until I was on top.
