“Very well.” Mavis didn’t stand, just sipped at her tea. “What time, then?”

“Just after the lunch crowd.” His fingers clasped mine warmly as he pulled me to the door. “Bring your purse.”

“Of course.” Mavis smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ava.”

I smiled, not sure if it had been nice to meet her or not. Owen walked quickly down the street, tugging me along with him. From the set of his shoulders and the way people melted out of his way, I knew he was angry. His fingers weren’t rough on mine, just firm as he guided us through the crowd.

I didn’t say anything, not wanting to turn his ire in my direction. When he ducked into a quiet alley and turned to look at me, I felt my blood pressure rocket. Gone was the gentle man that had offered me sliced apples and teased me about my romance book. I was staring into the eyes of the man that killed people for a living.

“Owen?”

“Why? Why would you agree to go in there with her?” He stepped toward me and I took a step back. “With a woman that is suggesting she use you as bait? What part of that sounds like a good idea? You don’t even know her.”

“I—”

“You could be killed, Ava. I’m trying to protect you and you offer yourself up as the sacrificial lamb!” He took another step toward me, but I had nowhere to go. Cool brick and the hard edges of the pistol pressed into my back.

“It’s—”

“You don’t belong in this mess. You’re going to get hurt.” His eyes bored into mine. “I’m taking you to another safe house and locking you up there. I’ll come back in the morning and deal with Mavis.”

“The hell you are!” I shoved his shoulder. “You’re not locking me up anywhere! I’m in this, Owen! I’m at least going to help get myself out of it. And what about Tess? I still don’t know if she’s in danger.”

“I don’t care about Tess!” He growled the words. Slapping his hands against the wall, he barricaded me between his arms and glared down at me. “I care about you!”

My heart thumped hard against my chest as I stared up at him. Cared about me? How had that happened? I opened my mouth and shut it, not sure how to respond.

“Damn it. In a few short days you’ve turned my entire life upside down. You’re everything I’ve always avoided.” His words were quiet, but there was a desperation underlining them. “You’re too good for me and I’m the death of everything that makes you perfect. You should be running in the opposite direction and instead you look at me with those big eyes and easy smile and I…” He shook his head as if lost.

“Owen.” My stomach clenched tightly as my mind tried to understand what he was telling me. “I care about you, too.”

“I’m wrong for you, Ava, but damn if I can help the way I feel.” His hands moved to cup my face and his lips touched mine in a fierce declaration of need.

There was no thought, no internal struggle or worry about the outcome. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back with every bit of me. His mouth begged my lips to open, his tongue a hot stroke of desire. I groaned as the sharp angles of his body pressed into mine. He fit against me perfectly, not too tall, not too short. Everything lined up just right. Letting go of my face with one hand, he reached down to grab my hip, moving me so that he could press closer against my core.

I fisted my hands in his hair, desperate to hold onto his kiss. It was wild and hungry, something that would consume me if I let it. And I wanted to let it. Never in my life had a man kissed me in such a way; as if he was drowning and I was air. I grabbed his bottom lip between my teeth and gently tugged until he groaned. His fingers tightened on my hip and I slid one hand into his jacket to trace the muscles along his midriff.

A loud wolf whistle broke the bubble we had been in, and Owen pulled back to look in my eyes. He was hungry for more, but I could also see the guilt creeping back into his gaze.

“This isn’t over.” I stared up at him, my chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. I fisted my hand in his shirt so he couldn’t move away. Now wasn’t the time, but we were going to have to figure out whatever was between us. “And you’re not locking me up somewhere to keep me safe.”

“What else am I supposed to do?” His eyes flashed with frustration. “You’re intent on getting yourself killed.”

“Am not.” I glared at him. “I want to help.”

He leaned back just a little. “This isn’t your world, Ava. People die and they don’t come back.”

“I know all about death.” I frowned. “You don’t own an exclusive license on the term. Orphan, remember? I know what could happen, but damn it, it’s better than sitting around and waiting for someone to find me. I’d rather go out because I was doing something, rather than flinching in the dark.”

He watched my face. “You’re tougher than you look.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”

“I’m sorry.” Closing his eyes, Owen rested his forehead against mine. “This is complicated. I don’t do complicated.”

“Tough.”

He chuckled and pulled back. “You’re difficult as well.”

“Would you have it any other way?” I winked at him as I straightened my shirt. The material hung so low you could see my bra after our game of back alley tag.