Page 66 of Hungry As Her Python

It wanted to wrap around her, shield her, make damn sure no one and nothing could ever hurt her again.

“Stay behind me, Sugar,” I murmured, but she was already pushing forward toward the yellow tape, toward the fire crew and Petyr.

My girl didn’t understand—when I said stay behind me, I meant let me take every hit for you until I’m dust.

I caught up in two strides, slipping my hand into hers.

She didn’t pull away.

Good.

Maybe she was starting to get it.

Maybe she was beginning to understand what she meant to me.

It soothed my beast a little. But the truth was I’d never be okay with her so close to danger.

“My Witchy! There you are!” Petyr’s voice carried over the crowd.

He looked tense, a streak of soot across his temple, but otherwise fine.

My muscles loosened a notch. I knew if there was still a lingering threat, her Domovyk familiar wouldn’t be so calm.

“What happened?” Bella asked, rushing to him.

“Small fire in dumpster only. Damage is minimal. No injuries,” he assured her.

His eyes cut to me, sharp and assessing, like he knew exactly what was going through my head.

And he probably did.

The man might not be a Shifter, but he was family to her.

Which meant this moment mattered.

“I’ll be doubling patrols until this bastard is caught,” I told him, my voice like gravel.

“Conrad, you can’t?—”

I narrowed my eyes, and kept right on talking.

“She’s not walking anywhere alone. Not at night. Not even across the damn street.”

Bella opened her mouth, probably to tell me I was being overbearing, but I kept going, loud enough for everyone in the parking lot to hear—Jax, Ryan, the Sheriff, half the fire crew.

Hell, even the damn Domovyks had gone silent.

“Bella Strega, you’re mine, and I protect what’s mine,” I said, my voice carrying over the hiss of the hoses.

“Does everyone hear me? I don’t care how long it takes her to say yes to my claim or accept that we are bonded, bite or not, but this little Witch is still mine. And I’m putting everyone on notice. Everyone in the whole damn town. This is going to stop! I will protect her with everything I have until my last breath, and if anyone here has a problem with that, they can step the hell up now.”

Bella froze, those big eyes snapping to mine.

Yeah, Sugar, I meant every damn word.

Petyr didn’t blink.

Didn’t flinch.