Page 38 of Retribution

“I still don’t like it. What are you doing today?”

“I’m going shopping, and then hopefully moving into a house,” I say, watching his face as he sees my SUV.

“How do you plan to get out of there, darlin’? You drove yourself into a ditch,” he grumbles.

“Four wheel drive,” I say, shrugging. “It’s fine. I do it all the time.”

“We’ll see,” he seethes. “You kill people for a living. Is that correct?”

“Oliver is spilling my secrets, is he?” I ask, rolling my eyes. Wiggling, I force Lucas to drop me so I can pull out my keys. “I’ve never killed anyone who didn’t deserve it. Does that help?”

“Isolde, it’s not the morality or reasons for the killings,” he says. “I’m more concerned about how dangerous it is.”

“Oh.”

Stepping off the road, I slide down to my car. “I’m very good at staying alive, Lucas. I promise.”

He watches as I get into my SUV, turn it on, and wait for everything to warm up. Getting comfortable, I pull off my gloves and check my phone. Nothing important has come through yet, and I’ll check my email when I get to a big box retail store. I’m going to also use the restroom because I’ll have to pee by then and grab something easy for breakfast.

Lucas has me paying attention to how often I eat now, simply because in my mind, I want to be able to prove that I’m eating if he asks. It’s silly, but I want to make my alpha proud.

Even if he never knows that I’m doing it.

Putting the car into reverse and enabling the four wheel drive, I maneuver out of the ditch until I’m back on the road. Lucas comes up to my window, and I roll it down to smile brightly at him.

“You’re very smug and accomplished right now, aren’t you, Little Omega,” he purrs.

“You doubted me, Alpha,” I pout, playing his game.

“Dear God, Isolde,” he groans, leaning against the side of the vehicle. “You’re going to kill me. Having you call me that makes me think of things that you’re not fucking ready for. Fuck me. Please, be careful driving. This back road is a nightmare in the winter.”

“I will,” I promise.

“Where are you planning to live?” Lucas asks suddenly. “While this is a safe town, I don’t like the idea of you renting a room or something like that.”

“I’m not,” I say cryptically. “I have to go, or I’ll be late.”

“Are you carrying your weapons with you?” he asks.

“Always,” I say, looking at him funny. “Is there something I need to know about Bargersville?”

“No. It really is safe. I’m being overprotective and a bit anxious about your wellbeing. I don’t like being away from you. Will you come to dinner tonight?”

“Does it have to be at the house?” I ask, chewing on my bottom lip.

“No,” he says slowly. “There’s a bunch of restaurants. Are you allergic to being inside my house?”

“It’s silly. Your house is so big. I have a thing for knowing where my exits are, and I can’t really do that there,” I explain, waiting for him to look at me as if I’m insane.

“I can buy another house,” he says. “If you don’t like it, I can also gut the fucker and remodel. I need you with me, Isolde.”

“It’s really fast,” I whisper. “I shouldn’t say that because I ended up in a tree in your backyard to be closer to you, but what I’m feeling defies sense.”

“If it makes sense to you, then this is how it’ll be,” he says. “I want to see you every day though. Hopefully not because I’m catching you as you fall out of high places.”

“I’ll see what I can do. I need to be around you too,” I admit.

“No scent blockers,” he growls. “I want to be able to scent mark you, breathe you in, and smell myself on you.”