Free Four Hard SWATs by Marteeka Karland

when he hadn’t been harsh with her, nothing had ever been about her. On the other hand, she’d never sought to meet his needs or demands, either. Only presented herself to him when she needed to be punished.
    Just as she was having the epiphany of her life, she heard Dylan yell something at her—probably an obscenity—right before his hand flew at her face. She’s seen that sight before--the last time had been the night he’d last brought her here.
    Instinct told her to duck, to block him, anything to defend herself. But Tawni stood her ground, not looking away, not moving.
      Surely I can defend myself.
    You will trust us to see to your needs and your protection.
    Tawni had promised, had sworn to do as they said. To trust them.
    And Dylan’s hand flew closer, straight at her upturned cheek.
    Just as Tawni knew his hand would strike her, the feeling of betrayal once again like a bitter taste, the sound of flesh hitting flesh came loud next to her ear. Which was when she realized Wyatt had caught Dylan’s arm mid swing. Inches from her face, Dylan’s open hand curled as Wyatt exerted pressure around his wrist until Dylan gasped, taking a step backward.
    “I know you weren’t planning on striking Tawni ,” Nicholas said in a nonchalant voice just behind Wyatt. “Because if you were, I’d have to kill you.”
    Dylan looked from one to the other of them, a sneer on the face Tawni had once thought handsome. Now, he just looked like what he was. An evil predator, hurting women by using a legitimate lifestyle in the most twisted manor imaginable.
    “Here in front of all these people? I don’t think so.”
    “I wouldn’t push Niko tonight.” That was Sebastian. “He’s in a hell of a snit. Something about seeing our woman about to be struck by another man does that to all of us every time, though Niko, being team leader, takes it more personally.”
    “Nicholas,” Tawni said softly, still not making any kind of defensive gestures, “Dylan was the other man at the raid. He’s the one who whacked me then got away.”
    All business, Nicholas’s gaze flashed to hers. “Are you sure?”
    “I knew something seemed familiar about his build and the way he moved, then I saw him again tonight in the dim lighting of the club. It was just like in the woods under the moon. That’s the man we’re looking for. It’s probably why he was so hard on me that last night. I ruined whatever he had planned and he was getting even with me.”
    “Bloody bitch!” Dylan lunged at her. Unwisely. Four meaty fists swung at his face, connecting with a sickening crunch . Dylan slumped to the floor and didn’t move.
    Through it all, Tawni didn’t move. Didn’t even flinch. When she looked up at Nicholas, then at the others, she smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered, tears beginning to fill her eyes.
    Nicholas took her hand, kissing the palm as he asked, “For what, love?”
    “For giving me back my trust. I do trust you. All of you. And it will be my privilege to wear your collar.”

Chapter Nine
     
    Nicholas couldn’t get Tawni home fast enough. She’d done what he’d hoped she would do, though every time he thought about that bastard Dylan nearly striking her, he saw red. Grayson had called the police and they’d carted Dylan off to jail, the guys putting in a hasty report with the promise of a more complete version within twenty-four hours. What the bar manager had witnessed had been enough to hold Dylan until the next morning when Nicholas was certain his lawyer would get him out on bail.
    Later. He’d deal with that later. The bastard was looking at jail time no matter what, and that was enough.
    Nicholas surprised himself by letting Wyatt hold Tawni on the drive home. The big man seemed to be more shaken than Tawni . He’d gathered her in his arms and simply refused to let her go, not that anyone would have tried to pry her from the man’s arms. Even to his team he could look intimidating at times. Now? Yeah. He