Page 52 of Severed By Vengeance

“They’re gone,” he said, and I nodded in agreement.

Placing my hands on his shoulders, I attempted to lower my legs to the ground, but he held firm.

“I’m going to exit first. Make sure it’s clear; then I’ll come get you.”

“The hell you are. I’m the one with the badge here.”

“And I’ve got the dick and balls. You think I’m going just to let you waltz out there while I hide here like a little bitch?”

I narrowed my eyes at him and huffed. “Oh,letme?”

“Don’t be a brat, Eva.”

“Fuck off.”

With two fists to his chest, I pushed myself away and slid down his body, backing into the jagged wall. We both eyed the small entrance, and he tilted his head in warning.

“Evangelina.”

But he was a second too slow, and I dove out of his reach into a crouched position and crawled out. His massive frame couldn’t be as rash, so I had the upper hand. Once free, I scrambled to my feet and drew my weapon, carefully maneuvering through the wreckage. It didn’t take long for Derek to flank me, a gun of his own in hand. As a tactical instructor, I was sure he was carrying legally, but I inwardly berated myself because I hadn’t even known he was armed. That was negligence on my part as an officer.

We reached the barren lot, greeted only by deep trenches in the dirt left by Belov’s men.

Holstering my weapon, I turned to Derek and sighed in relief.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you here. That was irresponsible of me. You’re a civilian, not my partner. I just—”

“Shut up.”

I blinked in quick succession, caught off guard by his words and the venom behind them. “You ever put yourself in danger like this—” His mouth clenched into a tight line. “What if I hadn’t been here?”

I released an exasperated breath. “Are you serious? Stop treating me like I haven’t been a cop for eight fucking years. Like I’m some weak chick who can’t—”

Derek’s hands dug into the waistband of my jeans, and he tugged me with so much force I crashed into the solid planes of his front. The impact nearly pushed the air out of my lungs. He gripped my chin and forcibly tilted my face, meeting my wide eyes.

Fuck me, why was I so turned on right now?

“I need you to understand something. You’re in my life now. Youwon’tbe reckless.” He brought his lips to my ear and growled. “Mine.”

The word rocketed through me like an electric pulse, every inch of me coming alive as the spark settled deep into my center, throbbing, burning. Hot.

“What did you just—”

A thunderous boom and the screeching of metal cut me off. Like a synchronized team, our backs collided, each with our weapon drawn, ready for whatever threat awaited.

“Do you hear that?” I asked, putting a finger up, signaling for him to be quiet.

Derek nodded. “Where is it coming from?”

I shushed him the moment I heard another soft cry.

“A baby?”

Without saying a word, I followed the noise, Derek, on my heels until I reached a pile of twisted metal that had caved in on itself. The shrill cries grew more frantic, and I shoved my Sig into Derek’s hand, threw off my jacket, and crouched as I peered into the small opening.

“Eva, what the hell are you doing?”

Clawing dirt and gravel out of the way, I slowly inched inside the crevice.