Owned by the Bad Boy(26)
Claire’s eyes widen at me. Is it me, or do I see a little bit of guilt mingled with fear?
“Your woman?”
“Frank, it’s fine.”
She places a placating hand on his shoulder and my guts boil with rage. How is it that she’s on a first-name basis with this fucking cop?
“It’s not fine. Luc DeMarco, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of—”
“I was not kidnapped!” She shoves his arm off her shoulders and molds into my side.
I slide my arm around her thin waist and watch his reaction as I press my lips to the side of her head. He bristles when I kiss her, the fists held at his sides whitened.
“Who the hell is this?”
“He was my handler when I was in witness protection.”
I knew they would come after me sooner or later, but it still doesn’t explain why the fuck he keeps ogling my girl with that pathetic, puppy-dog look on his face. Jesus Christ. He has a thing for her.
This could be fucking dangerous.
“Claire, what the hell is going on? I show up at your house—you’re gone. The baby’s gone.”
She sucks in breath. I squeeze her side gently.
“I—I wasn’t kidnapped. I left.”
Officer Douchebag glares at me with sudden suspicion. “I’d like to talk to her alone, if you don’t mind.”
“I do mind.”
His face burns hot, like a ripe tomato. Poor bastard looks like he’s on the verge of exploding. He barks to his police officers, “Wait outside!”
They throw me dirty looks as they head toward the door. My insides tighten as the door slams shut. I don’t like this.
“I’m not leaving until I talk to her alone.”
Who does this guy think he is? Most cops would be on their fucking way by now.
I feel her trembling under my fingers, but I let her slide away from my grip.
“Five minutes in my office. That’s all you get.”
Frank’s hulking figure follows Claire into the French doors leading to my office. The moment they close, a stab of anxiety hits my chest and I walk to the doors, straining my ears to hear their whispered words.
“I’m really sorry about our argument. I know I was way out of line.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. I can tell that you’re scared to speak around him. Tell me that you were kidnapped, and I can arrest him right now!”
“I can’t.”
His voice hardens. “You have to give me something, Claire. I don’t believe that you’re stupid enough to run back to that jackass or endanger your baby’s life.”
I bite my lower lip savagely, trying to stop myself from acting out the violent visions in my head. I’d take that piece of shit’s head and slam it into the wall. Over and over.
“Étienne is fine, Frank. He’s not going to hurt his son.”
“Claire. Please. You’ve got to give me something.”
“I’m not doing anything to put him in jail. I’m here and that’s that.”
His voice deepens suddenly so that I have to strain to hear him through the doors. “I told you a thousand times. I’ll take care of you and the baby. There wouldn’t be a need for you to leave the city. You could stay with me.”
CRASH.
My ears are ringing when I slam through the double French doors. Claire and Frank jump apart, and flames scorch my skin.
“Get the fuck out of my house!”
“Why don’t you make me?”
He takes a few threatening steps forward, and Claire jumps in between us, her palms on my chest.
“No, don’t—he’d love an excuse to arrest you!”
“I can take the bullshit harassment, but are you actually hitting on my girl? Are you out of your fucking mind?”
The room rings with my screams, but he looks just as furious. Jesus Christ, he’s not even trying to hide his jealousy. It’s right there, all over his pathetic face.
“She doesn’t want to be with you,” he says in a low growl.
How about I fucking kill you?
I push against Claire, but she digs her nails into my arms. “Think of our son!”
That’s right. That baby upstairs is depending on me, and I can’t fly off the fucking handle.
I clutch her to my chest, forcing myself to see what this man really is—a jealous idiot. Not even a real rival. He has no chance against me.
“Let her go.”
“She’s mine, asshole.”
“Let her go, or I’ll make your life hell. I swear to God, I won’t stop until you’re behind bars.”
Fuck you.
Every inch of my skin burns, Claire’s body adding to my heat. I want to kill him.
“Get the fuck out of my house.”