This is why my bunny needs me. I knew I shouldn’t leave her alone. The world is cold and cruel and gobbles up tiny bunnies for breakfast.
She needs a Big, Bad Wolf at her side. I got here in the nick of time.
“I did one better,” I tell her. “I called her a private escort. They’ll get her out of the city and put her in a hotel for the night.” By then, my network of contacts will have forged new identities for Margot and her young children. Elodie’s sister will get newpapers, a burner phone, and an escort all the way to her final destination.
Whatever Elodie’s situation is, she doesn’t have the experience to handle it. I’ve spent my life dealing with sticky situations. Mostly, I murder people to solve them, so this is a nice, relaxing change of pace.
And helping children has always been a priority. If I had my way, no one who touches a hair on a child’s head would live.
No one touches my bunny, either.
“Your sister will be safe. I’ll make sure of it.”
She blinks at me, her forehead furrowed as if she doesn’t believe me. “Why?” she finally says.
“Because you’re now under my protection.”
“But…why?”
I stare down at her. I don’t answer because I don’t know how to put my urges into words. “Why didn’t you tell me you were in trouble?”
She snorts. “Why would I? I don’t usually explain my life story to my one-night stands.”
I grit my teeth against the sting of jealousy. My voice deepens to a growl. “Do you have many of them? One-night stands?”
She shakes her head. “It’s none of your business. But no.”
I relax. It doesn’t matter who she’s been with, I remind myself. It only matters that from here on out, she’s with me.
“But they don’t usually stick around,” she says. Her tone is accusing, as if she’s challenging me to leave.
Too bad. I’m not going anywhere. Not without her.
I caught my perfect prey, and I want to keep her.
I cup her face in my tattooed palm. Her eyelashes flutter. Poor bunny. She’s hurt and needs rest to heal.
“I’m taking you away from here.”
She jerks out of my hand and glares at me. “If you’re here for more of what you got last night, you’re going to bedisappointed.” She waves a hand at her ankle. “Like you said, I can’t run away.”
Sweet rabbit. Doesn’t she know I’m enjoying this new game? Caring for her is just as fun as the chase. I never thought I’d enjoy keeping what I’ve caught, but with her, I do. It satisfies the beast.
“Tell me why you wanted Margot and the kids to leave.”
She sighs. “Her ex borrowed from a loan shark and couldn’t pay, so he split. The loan shark’s been sending his thugs to threaten us. We’ve been holding him off by giving him our rent money.” She picks at the fraying couch cushion. “Why do you think I took a sex work gig that involved me running naked through the woods? For my health?”
Grumpy bunny. I love it when she snaps at me.
“How much do you owe?”
“It was thirteen thousand. Now, apparently, it’s doubled.” She rubs her forehead. “I guess that’s how loan shark interest works.”
“What is this person’s name?”
“Umberto the Executioner.”
I’ve heard of him. He operates outside the city, across the river, so as not to infringe on Fraternitas’ territory and incur our wrath.
