Page 93 of Black Willow Witch
‘Not because I think you need anyone else fighting your battles for you. In fact, I can’t think of a single person who needs that less than you do. But, as I pointed out before, they should show more respect, given who you are to me.’
‘I get it.’ She nibbled on her lower lip. ‘I hope you don’t think I should behave “respectfully” toward them if they ignore your warning and come at me.’ Because that wouldn’t happen.
He shot her a grave look. ‘If they ever come at you – which is unlikely – do what you have to do.’
Surprise pricked at Emberlyn. As their Alpha, he’d be instinctively protective of them. For him to basically give her the go-ahead to deal with them as she saw fit, he was essentially prioritizing her welfare over theirs. And damn the bastard for that, because it only made Paisley’s suggestion to keep him all the more attractive.
‘You watching the game Friday?’
Assuming he meant the high school football game, she nodded. Each clan had their own team, as did the coven. ‘Me and the twins always attend together.’ She and Paisley would cheer and boo and pretend they knew stuff about football.
‘You should come with us. All three of you.’
She felt her brow pinch. ‘Who’s “us”?’
‘Me, Logan, Kerr, Crew and a few others.’
Well, that would be new. Emberlyn and the twins usually straddled the edge of the spectator crowd, never part of any groups. ‘I suppose we could meet you there.’
‘OrI can pick you up.’
‘I usually give the twins a ride.’
‘Crew can do that. Then you can ride with me.’ It was a pressing suggestion.
‘Does it really matter if you and I arrive separately?’
‘No, so it’ll be easy for you to agree to shake things up,’ he cleverly replied. ‘It makes sense. Crew lives closer to both Paisley and Kage than you do, and the shortcut I can take through this land to your house makes it a quick drive.’
Very true, but she sensed that that wasn’t his sole reason for ‘suggesting’ this. ‘You like driving me places, don’t you?’
‘Yeah,’ he easily confirmed. ‘It’s one of the ways in which male werewolves like taking care of who belongs to them. You should know that already.’
Shehadknown that. She just hadn’t thought it would apply to him – they hadn’t been involved with each other long, and they hadn’t agreed on anything permanent. Yet.
‘Plus, it means I know you’re safe.’
She felt a brow inch up. ‘Are you implying that I’m a bad driver?’
‘Not at all,’ he assured her. ‘I’m protective. You know that. Right now, you have trouble coming at you from several angles. It makes me antsy. I like to have you where I can see you. Also, while I don’t anticipate you having a road accident, I prefer driving you places because my truck can better sustain a hard impact than your car.’
‘Don’t be so sure.’
He cast her a quick frown. ‘What does that mean?’
‘My car is protected by blood magick. It’s tougher than a tank. Maybe I should pick you up instead.’
His shoulders lifted and fell. ‘Whatever you want. Makes no odds to me as long as you’re not alone.’
A crackle came through his truck’s communication radio.
He picked up the walkie talkie, pressed down on the side button and put it to his mouth. ‘Problem?’ He released the button.
Another crackle. ‘Yeah,’ Kerr replied. ‘Your aunt Yvette called. A fight broke out at her diner. I figured you’d want to deal with it.’
Ripper’s face firmed. ‘Call her back; tell her I’ll be there in two minutes.’ He set down the radio and gave Emberlyn a quick look. ‘Gotta make a pitstop.’
‘No problem.’ She wasn’t surprised he’d want to deal with the situation himself, given that it involved his aunt.
