Page 43 of Claim Me

The woman reeked of passion.

In every action.

With every word.

The way she played the piano.

Hell, the way she walked into a room reeked of pure sin.

She was everything I craved and nothing I should have.

For the love of all things holy, I had a fucking screw loose. Wanting something I shouldn’t have would erode my ability to protect her. Especially in these circumstances. Getting back to Vegas was the best chance to keep her safe.

Marissa remained nestled in my arms, her face resting on my chest. She was peaceful, her chest rising and falling in a normal rhythm. The fact she hated darkness was ironic since my world often revolved around the shadows.

Of right and wrong.

Good and bad.

I scrubbed my jaw, the thought amusing me.

Yet the light remained on.

Dawn would pop over the horizon, yet I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours. Even with my soldiers remaining on high alert and surrounding her home, I wasn’t convinced another assassin wouldn’t be sent to finish the abduction.

If so, the fucker assigned the task would be surprised that he’d need to get through me.

And that wasn’t happening.

As soon as she’d fallen asleep, I’d retrieved my weapon and phone, along with another drink.

After that, I’d tried to put together a plan of action in my mind, but one thing continuously got in the way.

Thoughts of Marissa.

Her long legs when she’d draped them around my body.

Her swollen lips after I’d abused her mouth.

Her sweet pussy, the taste still lingering in my mouth and throat.

And the soft sounds she made when I brought her into moments of ecstasy.

Fuck me.

The hour of prodding my mind had been pure hell. It was time to do my job, which was to protect her. While remaining in Seattlewas necessary for a few days, the prospects for keeping her safe were limited.

I could only imagine how she’d feel about returning with me to Vegas. A chuckle formed, but I tamped it back. There was no reason to wake her. In fact, it was time to discover what the fuck was on the flash drive. What I didn’t want was to create another nightmare for Marissa. She’d been through enough. I’d keep the files found on the drive to myself for the time being.

After draining the last of the glass, I placed the tumbler on the nightstand, my weapon catching my eye. A ping indicating an email had me lifting my eyebrows. Ryker had managed to come through with the detective’s addresses. Excellent. I grabbed my phone, navigating to the pictures I’d taken of the dead assassin. I’d done a damn good job of getting his best side if I said so myself.

Now I’d determine the best time to let the cat out of the bag.

Maybe the easiest way of moving forward was to have another meeting with the good detective instead. I’d lure him with promised information. Then I’d issue my first strike.

I wouldn’t get to three. I laughed to myself just as Marissa stirred, murmuring in her sleep.

Peering down, I took a deep breath. My God, she was fucking beautiful.