The daughter wasn't here yet. He wanted to ask about her, but refrained. It wouldn't do to seem too interested in her before he'd even met her. That might rouse suspicions. Instead, he sipped his black coffee casually, mind going over the security changes he needed to make in order to keep the house somewhat protected. He'd already demanded curtains or something to cover the windows, and no free access to the pool. Those two things would go a long way in restricting access to anyone with a grudge.
The biggest challenge was going to be the charity event. It was too open, too public. He couldn't personally validate everyone who was going to be there. As the daughter would be the guest of honor, people would be coming up to her throughout the night, many who only had a fleeting connection to the charity itself. They wouldn't be able to be vouched for ahead of time.
It was going to be a massive fucking headache, now made worse because he knew she was his mate. His cat would be clawing at his insides, determined to break free, whenever another male approached her. Whenever another man touched her. This shit was going to drive him to drink. Well, more than he already did.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, he froze, glancing upward to watch as she hurried down the stairs. Dressed in a pair of jeans and a soft, silky looking shirt this time, she was still stunning, even this early. Her hair was pulled back from her face, a dainty charm necklace glinting from her throat. Thian barely resisted licking his lips at the thought of tracing the line of gold chain, following it down into the swell of her breasts. She was the type of woman he'd always gone after, the type with soft, lush curves a man could fucking drown in. He wanted to dive in and never come up for air.
As she reached the dining room, he stood, waiting until she'd seated herself before he sat back down. He hadn't meant to do it, as his displays of respect didn't generally reach quite that far, but it was as if the cat was controlling his body somewhat. You stood when your mate entered the room as a sign of deference. Or some shit. He needed to get his damn cat under control. Unfortunately, he was too new to compromising with his feral half, he didn't know how to do that. Bribe it? With fucking what?
Once she'd joined them, the Mayor sat aside the paper he'd been reading as breakfast was officially served. Over the food, he made introductions. Her name was Adele, and she was 27 years old. She also appeared not all that impressed with Thian and his presence in their home, especially once he'd made it known that he was aware she'd come in late last night, and it wouldn't be happening again while he was charged with their protection. She'd visibly bristled, lips thinning, before she relaxed, returning to eating her pancakes.
He recognized that look. That was the look of a female who had decided she wasn't doing a damn thing any male had stated she'd be doing, and had simply set whatever fool notions the man had laid out aside after the momentary flush of anger. That boded well for no one.
Least of all him. Once breakfast was finished, he followed her into the hall, intent on making her aware that he'd been hired for a reason. To his surprise, she was waiting for him, green eyes bright with ire. She was a few inches shorter than him, but still poked a finger into his chest, cheeks pink.
“I don't care what he hired you for. This is not the 40's where women are meant to stay home pregnant and barefoot. Despite what my father believes, I have an actual job outside of this house, and I will not be kept captive here because he's worried about his constituents in something that has nothing to do with me. You can take your rules and shove them, I have work that needs done, and I will not be coddled and prevented from honoring my commitments.”
He'd be amused if the situation wasn't so fraught with potential danger from various directions. Glancing at the finger poking at him, his gaze lifted to meet hers once more as he caught her hand in his, hold slightly tighter than necessary.
“Let's try that again, shall we? I have been hired to ensure your safety after a death threat, Miss Adele. We take those types of things seriously, as should you. If you do not want to follow the rules, then I will enforce them how I see fit. I assure you, it will not go well for you.”
It turned out, the feisty female was more than a handful. They were at an impasse, and had been for days. She attempted to sneak out, he caught her, slinging her over his shoulder and depositing her right back into her room. When she left for work, he followed right behind, to her complete displeasure. The curtains had been fitted in the house, but it didn't help when she'd protested the lack of natural light and kept opening the damn things.
At more than one point, he'd threatened to take her over his knee and spank her. He'd sworn he'd seen a spark of interest flare in her eyes, but that had to have been a trick of the light. The little spitfire was impossible. It was taking all of his energy just to keep up with her, to ensure her protection when she so frequently seemed to run on everlasting batteries.
Chapter Three Hundred Ninety
The woman didn't stop. She ran
