“Oh, because you like simpering, weak women, right?” She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I can’t believe you like a woman who hides who she really is. What is wrong with you? Do you honestly need an ego stroke that badly?”
Whoa. That was quite a mouthful. “I guess we’ll talk about this right now, then.” He set the files to the side. “I was in love with Ginny lifetimes ago when I was much younger. My commitment is to you, and I have no intention of changing that. Ever.”
Veronica snorted.
His temper stretched awake.
Her pretty eyes flashed fire. “You can use the word commitment all you want, but buddy…you don’t want that woman. Not even a little bit.”
Did she just call himbuddy? It was a slight, and she’d meant it as such. “Watch yourself, Veronica.”
“Why?” Her chin jutted out. “Are you getting pissed I’m insulting your one true love? The bitch that actually mated somebody else when you would’ve killed for her?”
His head reared back. Jealous? Veronica was jealous. He couldn’t prevent his lip from twitching as he settled down. “Calm yourself, and do it now.” Her face was getting red, and the healing tingles had stopped. Her heart required more healing, and she needed to concentrate to do that. Everything else could wait.
The red bloomed into fury. Her fingers curled into a fist. “You are such a prick.”
All right. Name calling would not do. “I’m trying real hard here to hold on to my temper, darlin’. While I know you won’t simper, I strongly recommend you simmer down and now.”
She snarled. “Or what, dickhead?”
He breathed out, his breath on fire. “Or you struggle sitting for the next fucking week.”
She reared back. “Oh, you—”
“Stop,” he snapped. “I’m not fucking with you. One more insult, one more name, and I will fucking turn you over my fucking knee.” He didn’t want to. He wanted to talk rationally with her. Yet her temper prodded his, especially when he hadn’t done anything to deserve it. The woman couldn’t hold him responsible for feelings he’d had as a kid centuries before she was even born.
For once, she seemed to heed his warning. Her eyes darkened, and her gaze ran over him. “You’re still bloody and dirty.”
“Yes. I wanted to make sure you awakened before taking a shower.” It was nearly midnight, and he needed some rest. He stretched his neck, his body humming. Getting away from her for a few moments held certain appeal. Unless…“Would you like to join me?”
She studied him, confusion and anger still blanketing her features. “No.”
Fair enough. If she needed time to process him, to come to grips with his way of dealing with threats, he could grant her that. “All right. There’s tea on the stovetop. Have some to warm yourself up.” Without waiting for an answer, he stood and headed for the bathroom.
A rap on the door stopped him short. He pivoted and headed to open it, wanting to sigh at seeing Theo and Ginny in the hallway. “What is going on now?” He moved aside to allow them in. It was way too late in the evening for visitors.
Theo rubbed dirt off his jaw. “An attack squad moved in at the hotel, and we were warned just in time to get out. Satellite feeds monitored by the Realm.”
Jared checked the hallway and shut the door. “Attack squad?”
Theo slid his gun to his waist. “I had soldiers move in as we got out and don’t have a report yet. As soon as they check in, I’ll let you know.”
Jared sighed. “All right. We’re leaving here in an hour. We have another safe house we can use.”
“I’m not leaving,” Veronica piped up, her gaze on Ginny.
At that moment, he’d just had more than enough. He turned on his mate. “You are leaving. I’m giving you one hour to pack what you’ll need for at least a week, until I find the guy who tried to poison you and break his neck.” His voice went hard and low as he let his temper loose. “If you don’t pack, you’ll go in the clothes you have on.”
She stood, fury in her eyes, apparently oblivious to the newcomers. “You wouldn't dare.”
“I would.” He was done with all of them. “Theo? Handle things here for fucking ten minutes. I need a shower.” Stomping across the apartment, he slammed the bedroom door.
Jesus. He needed to calm down.
* * * *
Ronni barely kept from flinching as the door banged. She glared at Theo. “If your brother made any of my paintings drop, he’s paying for them.”
