Page 274 of Duty and Desire

“Because you mated Noah,” Tabi said easily, brushing invisible wrinkles out of her silk blouse. “You’re on the inside now, girl.”

Abby’s eyes widened. “He told you?”

“No.” Tabitha’s laugh was a soft tinkle with a hint of hoarseness.

Well. “What is there? Some sort of mate registry?” Irritation she couldn’t quite define ticked through Abby and made the hair stand up at the base of her neck.

“No. I can smell him on you.” Tabi licked her lips. “Noah has a bit of a reputation for being a deadly assassin, you know. Those kind of guys usually are shockingly good in the sack. He as good as I think?”

Abby’s mouth gaped open. “Assassin?”

“Mercenary, soldier, sniper, assassin,” Tabi said easily. “Same thing in our world. You didn’t answer my question.”

“Yeah, Abby,” came a low voice from down the hallway. “How about you answer the question?”

Abby jumped, turning to see Noah lounging in the doorway. Her mate.

Tabi walked toward her and looked between them. “Why am I getting the caveman mate vibe?” She glanced at Abby. “Wait a sec. Why exactly were you waiting at the Minimart for me?” She bit her lip as if trying not to laugh.

Abby turned to face Noah. “I had a job to do, and here I am.” She edged next to Tabi. Girl power and all that.

Tabi laughed. “Oh, my friend. My newly mated friend who decided to poke the bear, or rather the demon, on the first go around.” She patted Abby’s shoulder. “I like you, quite a lot. Good luck.” Winking, she sauntered down the hallway, nodded at Noah, and headed out the door. “The first crew arrives in two days, so please leave the place as you found it.” Then she shut the door behind herself.

Abby watched her go, her mouth agape. What in the world had just happened? She lowered her chin, facing Noah.

For the first time, he didn’t look amused or even lazily irritated. He looked...primal. His eyes glowed a warning green rimmed with black, and he appeared even bigger than usual. More animalistic—all muscle and strong sinew. “You said you understood all of this was my choice.” She wanted to sound reasonable, but challenge edged her tone.

“Your life is your choice. Your safety is mine.” He loped toward her like any predator playing with prey. “If there’s a threat out there, and I tell you to stay put, you do it until I clear the path. It’s the only thing I ask.”

Her head jerked. “You’re not asking.”

His smile was an impossible mix of danger and sin. “Now you’re getting it.”

CHAPTER 13

Noah’s relief at seeing his mate safely with the demoness had nearly taken him to his knees. Never in his life had he lost his control like he had when discovering she was out there, alone, with her jackass of an ex on her trail. He now owed the Realm computer techs, those in charge of satellites, more favors that he could count.

But he’d found her. Small and fragile and still dressed in that light sweater and dark jeans. She smelled like potato chips and raspberries, and his mouth started to water just from her presence.

She opened her mouth, no doubt to argue with him, and he held up a hand. When his voice was under control, he finally explained her new reality to her. “No. This world is different. You don’t understand the rules, and you don’t know the lines yet. When I tell you to do something, it’s to keep you safe. Otherwise you’re free to do whatever you wish.”

Her nostrils flared, and a lovely pink slid beneath her cheeks. She put her hands on her hips. “I neither asked for nor need your protection. Don’t think for a second you’re in charge.”

He stilled. Even he could feel the air heat around him, vibrating out. He was trying to be reasonable and gentle, and she was all but taking a bat to his good intentions.

She swallowed but didn’t back down.

He’d be impressed if he wasn’t fighting his temper with both hands. His eyes ached as they no doubt changed from black to his secondary color of deep green. The color that only emerged with great emotion or fury. “Are you sure you want to challenge me?”

She slowly, very much so, tilted her head. “Yeah.”

“Oh, baby.” He couldn’t help the timbre of his already hoarse voice going gritty. She wanted to play? He could play. “What is it about a newly mated female that all but asks for a taming?”

Her gasp was followed by her chin lowering and that pretty pink turning a deep red. “Taming?” She tossed that glorious hair. “Maybe you’ll be the one tamed.”

She was challenging him. Full on, and with complete focus. God, she was spectacular and more than perfect for him. He’d wanted to ease her into his world and help her find herself again. Maybe if he showed her who he really was, she’d know herself as well. “I’m going to give you one chance to walk out of here and get into my truck.”

“Or what?” she whispered.