Adored (Masters and Mercenaries #8.5)(51)

The room seemed to still, everything around her moving to the background until there was only Mitch and his cold stare. “Are you serious?”

He was cold as ice as he stared down at her. “You’ve read the contract. You know what I require and you defy me at every turn. You sneak in your wants and your desires and I give in. This is what happens. You aren’t capable of being my sub and I knew it the minute I met you.”

Anger flared through her system and before she could think about it, her hands went to the gold necklace around her throat. They’d selected it together, spending the day at NorthPark Mall, trying on pretty jewelry. He wanted it back? She could give it to him. “Well, I’m sorry I proved you right, Mitchell. We don’t have to talk at all.”

It seemed they had nothing to talk about. She tossed the necklace at him. He could use it on the next idiot, and there would absolutely be a next one. He was too gorgeous, too sexy, to not have another woman dangling for him. Likely, as soon as they realized he was available.

She turned and walked out the door, tears clouding her vision. This was what she got for her trouble. The minute she didn’t do what he wanted, he dumped her.

Except that wasn’t exactly what had happened. And she did try to get her way on things he was unreasonable about.

It didn’t matter now. And apparently she had to go and talk to the police.

Mitch was on her heels the minute she stepped outside. “Laurel.”

Guidry moved in beside her. “I’ll drive you to your apartment, and that’s not a suggestion. Just because Bradford wants to act like a jealous * doesn’t mean you’re out of danger, darlin’.”

God, she wanted to tell them all to go to hell. She wanted everyone to go away and let her mourn. How could she have a relationship with a man who shoved her away the minute things got tough? He didn’t even recognize his brother? Would he even bother to call and check on the baby now that they were through? Sure, he’d written it into their contract, but seeing how he avoided his father and brothers, she couldn’t know that he’d want anything to do with their baby now.

Mitch was used to walking away.

“Hey, I didn’t say I was through talking to you, Laurel. I’ll drive you to the police station and then I’ll drive you home. We have a few things to work out,” Mitch insisted.

She stopped on the sidewalk and looked back. Flynn had stepped out of the deli and he looked positively heartbroken.

That was what she would likely look like in a few months. When Mitch decided he was done with a person, he was done with them.

She should have listened. He’d told her he was bad for her. He’d said it in plain English. He’d tried to stay away.

In the end, she had to be sensible. Someone was out to hurt Mitch, and right now, they thought they could use her to those ends. It might take a few weeks for Dixon to realize there was no place in Mitch’s heart for anything, much less her.

“Remy can drive me and I’ll be a good client. I understand why he’s here and I’ll cooperate with him until we’re sure it’s safe. I’ll pick up my things from your place later tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Mitch asked. For the first time the chill was replaced with an almost expectant wariness.

He’d really thought she would fall in line? “You say I’m not your sub. So I’ll find a place to stay until my apartment is safe. I’ll call my brother. His building is secure. I think you should talk to your brother.”

“He isn’t my brother,” Mitch returned, his tone savage. “And don’t think this is over, Laurel. Are you forgetting you have something of mine?”

Her hand went to her stomach. “This is a baby and not a piece of property, and don’t you dare try to use our baby against me. Go to hell, Mitch.”

She turned and started back down the street. This time, he didn’t follow her.

“My truck is close. You should probably go in and let them know you won’t be coming back this afternoon. I’ll call in and let my boss know what’s going on. If you’re not with Mitch, then I need to stay close to you,” Guidry explained.

The last thing she needed was another man watching out for her, but she wasn’t about to let her stubbornness get her baby killed. She nodded, walked into the building and explained about her apartment. She was the world’s worst employee, but her boss seemed to understand. She grabbed her phone, which had finally charged back up.

They were supposed to get a new battery today. Well, Mitch was. He was going to order a new one and then take her out to dinner. She sniffled as she looked down at the phone. He’d called several times and left her texts about getting in touch with him the minute she could.

Why would the man seem so panicked about a woman he could throw away like a used tissue?

Maybe she was the drama queen.

“I’m parked out back,” Guidry explained.

“Of course you are. I might have noticed I was being followed if you’d parked out front.” She understood the need, but was irritated Mitch hadn’t told her.

But then Mitch wasn’t the most reasonable of men.

And pretty much every woman he’d ever cared about had cheated on him.

She turned suddenly and was pleased to see the big strong Cajun stop and look the slightest bit off-kilter. “What did you tell Mitch that had him in a jealous rage?”