Page 141 of Wrapped in Their Arms

NOELLE

“You sure you’re okay?Youdon’t want me to walk you to your door?”theBeastKindredpilot asked, glancing over at her from the controls as he powered down the shuttle.

“No thanks, it’s okay.Ican manage.”Noelleforced a tight smile and unbuckled her harness.

The big warrior looked doubtful.

“Just say the word if you’re in trouble.Youdon’t seem too happy to be going home forChristmas.”

“Thanks, but it’s just a family thing,” she said, trying to smile.“It’sbetter ifIgo alone.”

She thanked him again and stepped off theKindredshuttle, her boots hitting the cracked sidewalk at the far end of the street with a softcrunch.Coldair nipped at her cheeks.Thesky above was the color of damp slate, fading from dusk to night, the streetlamps casting puddles of yellow light along the curb.

She adjusted her coat and began walking.

The neighborhood hadn’t changed.Hergrandmother still lived in the same squat little bungalow at the end of the cul-de-sac, its faded yellow paint dim under the blinking strings of multi-coloredChristmaslights.Plasticcandy canes lined the path and a wornNativityscene sagged in a neighbor’s yard, babyJesusglowing faintly blue under a snow globe dome.

The world looked peaceful…butNoelleknew better.

She had spotted the unmarked blackSUVfrom the sky—a matte monstrosity parked directly in front of herAbuela’shome.Therewas no license plate and the windows were tinted dark, doubtless to keep anyone from knowing who it was.

Her stomach clenched as she walked.Theair smelled of woodsmoke—someone had lit a fire.Notsurprising—it got cold inNorthCarolinathis time of year.

She spotted him the moment she turned onto the sidewalk leading to her childhood home—Branson.

Her ex stood casually in the shadows, dressed in full tactical camo, the kind that looked more like a costume than an actual uniform.Gearstraps…holsters…comms unit hooked to his shoulder.Shecould see his smirk before she got close enough to hear him.

He always did love a performance.

Power.Control.Hurtsomeone and walk away smiling.Thisjob must beperfectfor him.He’dbeen a cop before, but now he had even more power—he must love it.

“Well, well, there you are!”Bransonexclaimed, stepping into the glow of a porch light.“Whatdo you know?Ithoughtyou might want to see me again.”

Dios,I’venever hated him more.

ButNoellesmiled anyway—lips tight, eyes calm.Sheknew better than to provoke him.

“Branson, can’t we settle this like adults?”she asked, trying to sound reasonable, even as her pulse thundered in her ears.“There’sno need for all of this.Isthere?”

“I don’t think so, babe.Theonly way we’re settling this is you coming home with me.”

He grabbed her arm—hard—and yanked her forward.

Noelle’s breath caught in her throat as his fingers bit into her skin.

“You shit all over my perfect life,” he growled, pulling her in close, his mouth just inches from hers.Hisbreath reeked of stale coffee and cigarettes.“Ihad the perfect marriage and you fucked it all up!Youran away to fuck a bunch of asshole aliens!Andnow you’re gonna pay.”

“No—Branson, please?—”

He seized the back of her head in one brutal grip, yanking her hair until her scalp burned, forcing her to look at her grandmother’s house.

“There she is,” he hissed in her ear.“Niceand cozy.Butnot for long.”

“Branson, please!”she gasped, tears springing to her eyes as his fingers tightened.

“Oh, there’s gonna be a world of hurt, you little cunt—” his voice turned sharp and gleeful “—for you and your grandmother both!”

Then, he shouted over his shoulder, “Allright, boys!Gether!”