A Kitty in the Lion's Den(18)

He stepped through the door, stared at the ground, and grumbled out, “How about we go get some lunch?” He looked at her with just his eyes, keeping his head still downcast, and waited for her to respond.

“Okay.”

“Yeah, figured you’d be hungry since I made you that toxic breakfast.” She started laughing, not able to stop herself. “I know this sandwich shop in town. It’s got a wall around the patio, so we get you outside for some fresh air, but still have a bit of privacy. I don’t really like the fact of taking you out, especially with things on a tightrope right now with Viktor, but also think you shouldn’t be cooped up. Besides, I don’t sense any immediate danger right now.”

“Okay, I’d like that, as long as you feel it is safe enough.” She stood and put her purse strap over her shoulder. He nodded and lifted his head to stare at her. He glanced up and down her body, and a little shiver worked through her.

“Besides, we also need to get you some clothes. I know the owner of a small boutique. I’ll call her and see about having her close down for lunch so we can get you some things. It’ll be safe, and you won’t have to worry about anyone seeing you. I’d go by myself, but I don’t know the first thing about shopping for a female.”

That sounded nice, dangerous being out in open, but nice nonetheless. The thing was she knew Maverick wouldn’t let anything happen to her, so right now, in his presence, she felt safer than she had in forever. But Kettah only had a few hundred dollars to her name, and didn’t think she could spare anything on clothes from a boutique that would be willing to close down for her to privately shop. She looked down at her purse and said, “That’s really nice of you, but I can’t really afford to go buying clothes right now, especially since I have to stretch what I have as thin as I can.” When she looked up again it was to see Maverick standing just a foot away from her. She took a step back, felt the chair get pushed away by her sudden motion, and pressed a palm flat against the wall. The blood rushed through her veins at having him so close, but it was so much more than that, too. The scent of him was extremely male, and she breathed in deeply, taking it all in. “Besides, I don’t know how long I’ll be here, and I plan on paying my way with you.” The words tumbled out softly, and his frown deepened.

“You’re my mate, which means you won’t be leaving my side, at least not until I know things are safe for you.” An emotion passed across his face, and she swore he almost regretted something he had said. As quickly as he had shown any kind of reaction it was gone. Back in its place was a deep rooted need that she felt down to her toes. He looked down her body once more, but it wasn’t just assessing her attire. No, Kettah could feel his stare like fingers trailing along her body. “I take care of what’s mine.” He lifted his eyes to hers and leaned in a fraction of an inch. His breath smelled faintly of mint, and a stuttered gasp left her at the thought that he might very well kiss her. “And you’re mine. Money isn’t a problem, and if I can do this one thing to ensure your comfort, then that is my right.” Did he see how gentle and caring he sounded? He blinked a few times, and must have just realized it because he glanced away. “I can’t have you walking around in the same clothes day in and day out. I don’t know how long all of this will play out, and you need a selection, Kettah.” His voice was back to being gruff and unaffected, and it was as if he used his roughness as a barrier, a wall to keep others out. Kettah had seen the human inside of him, the one that he either hid or had no idea was there, and it was something that she wanted to see again.





Chapter Seven



Kettah stood in the center of the small boutique and looked at all the clothing on the racks. For such an intimate little stop it held quite a selection. Maverick had taken her to lunch, made sure she had eaten so much she was full to bursting, and then had taken her to the shop. The windows on his truck were so darkly tinted that she knew others from the outside couldn’t see them as he drove through town, and that also aided in making her feel safe even though she was out in the open. But truth be told, she trusted him, knew his judgment was not something he would falter in when it concerned Viktor, and rested assured.

They had arrived just moments before, pulled down the small alley that was behind the store, and entered through the back door. Now she stood off to the side as Maverick talked quietly with a very beautiful brunette. She looked glamorous for living in such a small town, and a spike of unwanted and unwarranted jealousy slammed into Kettah. Even if she was Maverick’s mate, feeling jealousy over this woman, one that kept reaching out and running her hand over his massive bicep, Kettah knew nothing could ever come between them. She could never stay with him, never be the other half to him as mates usually were. Eventually she would have to leave, because staying here couldn’t be safe or smart, no matter what he said. All she could think about was that even if Maverick killed everyone associated with the shifter mafia, wouldn’t there always be more, always be males that took over the act of cruelty? It was a never-ending cycle of madness.