Page 53 of Claimed

Juliet waves a hand in dismissal. “Whatever, I don’t care. She’s perfect for you, anyway, Maddox. Weak, small, and pathetic.”

She gasps as a very naked, human Cherry suddenly appears in front of her, jabbing her finger into her chest. “Don’t talk about him like that!” Cherry yells as I quickly pull off my shirt. “You’re just jealous because you can’t have him.”

Chase helps me wrangle her back and pull the T-shirt over her, trying to prevent Ezra, or any other males, from seeing her perfect little body.

We finally hold her between us, and Juliet blinks a couple of times in surprise before she lets out a condescending laugh.

“Oh my god!” she laughs. “She’s a midget like you!” Her eyes move to me in amusement.

“I’ll kill you!” Cherry screams, lunging for her. Her venom startles me, so does the spark of fire in her eyes, but between Chase and me, we manage to pull her back again until I can wrap my arms around her, keeping her secured to my chest.

“I see she’s just as crazy in this form,” Juliet says with a pleased smirk.

Hunter and Gage push in front of us as Hunter says, “Let's go.” Cherry doesn’t move, her fiery gaze set on Juliet. So I scoop her up, making sure my T-shirt is covering everything it needs to as I follow Gage around them, knowing Chase and Bain have my back.

After a few minutes, Chase tells us, “Okay, they’re gone.”

The others move close as I look at Cherry’s heated face. “You okay, sweetheart?” I ask, worried she’s upset.

“I don’t like her,” she says with a pout, folding her arms over her chest as I hold her.

“You’re awfully cute when you get all protective,” I tell her, kissing her temple, but that seems to be the wrong thing to say.

Her indignant eyes turn to me as she asks, “Cute? No wonder she wasn’t scared of me.”

“Cute is a good thing,” Chase says, stroking her head gently. She levels him with a small glare, and he nods as if trying to convince her.

“Besides, you were right,” Hunter says as he rests his forearm on Chase’s shoulder. “She’s jealous of you. She’s been after Maddox for years, and she can see from a single glance how much he loves you.”

My wide eyes flash to his in surprise. “I haven’t told her that yet,” I warn him through the bond.

“Why not?” he asks.

“Have you?” I fire back.

He gives his head a small shake, and I glance around as they each shake their head. How is it that none of us have told her how we feel yet?

Glancing down at Cherry, her wide blue eyes staring up at me in question, I lean down and kiss her forehead before I start walking again.

I’ll make sure to tell her how I feel soon. But not in the middle of Main Street.

Chapter 20

Cherry

Play it cool, Cherry.

I lick my dry lips and try not to look up at the man carrying me. The man who apparently loves me. I thought after Hunter said that, he was about to confirm it, but instead, he gave me a peck on the forehead and started walking again. Saying absolutely nothing.

Does that mean Hunter is wrong? That he’s not there yet? Cause Goddess knows I am. I think I’ve been in love with him since I realized he wasn’t my enemy, when he was taking care of me in the cave.

Fear keeps me ‌silent. If I ask him how he feels, or tell him how much I care, and I don't get the answer I want in return, it would crush me. I know he cares, obviously. But love is something else completely.

What about what happened in the bathtub?

Well, yes, he was obviously attracted to me, but I knew people could be intimate without love.

A bell chiming brings me out of my thoughts as Maddox steps into a familiar bakery.