Free Distraction: An underground kings novel by Aurora Rose Reynolds Page B

walk back to my bedroom, pull out my large duffle bag from my closet, and stuff it full with enough clothes to last me a few days. Once I’m done, I drag it into the hall behind me.
    “This is my card. If you think of anything or need anything, just give me a call,” Officer Jenkins says as he picks up my bag then turns his attention to Officer Lent. “I’m gonna take this down and phone into the station to let them know we’re following her to the hotel and getting her checked in.”
    “I’ll help her lock up then we’ll be down,” he replies as I go into the kitchen and turn out the light then to the living room to do the same and turn off the TV before heading for the front door.
    “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I have a sister your age, and I know if something like this ever happened to her I would want her to have whatever protection she could get her hands on,” Officer Lent says quietly as I step outside with him and lock my front door. “Every other week at Lawson’s, I teach a class on gun safety, and I would be happy to have you in my next class.” He hands me a card, and I look at it then back up at him. “Guns can be dangerous, but they can also save your life, and in my class, I’ll teach you how to be comfortable handling a gun and what to do in different situations. You don’t have to buy a gun if you don’t want to, but you can come to the class and find out for yourself if that is something you want to do or not.”
    “Thank you,” I tell him sincerely as I place both cards in my bag. I’ve never thought about owning a gun, but after tonight, it might not be a bad idea to have one.
    *
    “What the fuck happened to your face?”
    Jumping in surprise, I lift my eyes from the computer screen in front of me and my gaze collides with Sven’s blue ones. I didn’t even hear him come into the office.
    “Nothing,” I tell him then lean back when his hands go to the top of the desk and his body looms over until his face is just inches from mine.
    “That bruise on your face doesn’t look like nothing. Wanna try again?” he taunts as his face twist in anger.
    “Not particularly,” I mumble sitting further back in my chair.
    “Too bad. What happened?” he rumbles, lifting one hand, touching my cheek gently.
    “My sister stole money from some guy,” I say, and then regret it instantly when his energy changes and wraps around me so tight that my breath comes out in a rush.
    “He put his hands on you?” His words are soft, but the angry, vibrating energy I feel coming off of him grates against my skin. “Tell me everything.”
    “Sven,” His body leans even closer to me as he snarls, “Now.”
    “Sheesh, fine.” I take a deep breath and let it out then tell him about hearing someone at the door and thinking that my sister was home but that she lost her key. Then I tell him about the guys breaking in and the police showing up. I only stop talking when I tell him that I stayed at a hotel last night and he roars.
    “You didn’t call me?”
    “I knew you were probably busy.” I shrug, trying to make it seem like it’s not a big deal.
    “I wasn’t. Goddammit, Mags! You should have fucking called me.” He paces back and forth in front of the desk then goes to the window behind me and looks out over the club. “You’re staying with me until your sister cleans her fucking mess up.”
    “N… No, I’m not,” I choke out in distress at the idea.
    “You are, and if you even think about going anywhere but my penthouse, I will track your ass down and drag you back with me.”
    “Sven, don’t be stupid.” His penthouse is nice, really nice, but it only has one bedroom, and his couch isn’t even one you would want to sleep on if left with no choice. It’s modern and edgy, but in no way does it say ‘come sleep on me’.
    “Do we need to go to your place to get some stuff?” he asks, ignoring me.
    “I’m not staying with you,” I repeat.
    “You are,” he says,