Free Dagger: A Devil's Hellions Romance by Lauren Hunt Page B

or I needed to stop eating Chinese every night.
     
    I turned on the TV and scanned the channels. I settled on a reality show about surviving on a deserted island, waiting desperately for my food. Belle lay next to me while I scratched her head. How could people eat nasty bugs without throwing up? I was starving right now but not enough to start chowing down on insects. I hoped I'd never end up in a situation like that.
     
    A knock at the door alerted the cat and she was on her hind legs, ready to bolt to a safe spot if she need be. I didn't have much furniture to hide in but Belle found a space in the back of the closet that she liked. “Don't worry, Belle, it's just the delivery guy.”
     
    I unlocked the chain on the door and opened it to find Dagger, standing there with his tattooed arms folded against his chest. Belle fled like a coward and I wanted to go hide with her. Why was he here?

Chapter Seventeen
     
Dagger

“How the fuck did you get my address?” Melissa asked me, standing in the doorway, wearing some gray sweatpants and a baggy shirt. Goddamn she was so fucking hot even when she dressed down. I had expected a better response than that after our crazy morning we had together.
     
    I smiled and replied, “You have to know now, Sheriff, that I have access to all sorts of information.”
     
    She rolled her eyes at me, not giving up an inch. “I'm sure you have every officer in your pocket. So why the fuck are you here then?”
     
    She wasn't that far off about the officers. We paid a pretty penny to the cops to make sure they would keep off our backs. Of course, that was when Mendoza was Sheriff and played along. Somehow I didn't think Melissa would take a bribe. “I wanted to speak to you about the Mexicans.”
     
    Melissa narrowed her eyes at me. She looked so fuckable when she was angry.“Well you can come to the station tomorrow and we can talk.”
     
    A skinny Asian guy came walking down the hallway with a grocery bag. “Order for Ms. White.”
     
    “Let me go get my purse.” Melissa opened the door all the way and went to the kitchen. The delivery boy walked inside her apartment and I took the opportunity to do the same.
     
    Melissa came back with her wallet and threw me an evil glance. She turned back to the delivery boy. “How much do I owe you?”
     
    I stepped further into her apartment while she paid for the food. The smell of Chinese food filled the room and made my stomach grumble. Her living room was almost completely empty save for a small box TV. I'd seen crack houses that were better furnished.
     
    Melissa closed the door behind the delivery boy and turned towards me. “You know, you got a lot of nerve.”
     
    I ignored her remark. “You would think a Sheriff's salary would afford you some furniture.”
     
    Melissa scoffed and blocked my way from going into the kitchen. “I haven't had time to pick out furniture yet.”
     
    I made a u-turn from the kitchen and walked towards the bedroom. Melissa chased after me but was too late. A lone sleeping bag stood in the middle of the room and a pile of dirty clothes were laying in the corner. “You should at least get a bed. And this place could use some color.”
     
    Melissa weaseled around me and pushed me out of her bedroom, her cheeks all flushed. “Don't go in there.” She wasn't wearing a bra and her hard nipples were poking through the baggy shirt. It took all the willpower in the world to keep myself from grabbing those nice tits.
     
    You're not here for that, Dagger. Focus on the task at hand.
     
    “Nothing to be embarrassed about.” I chuckled. We walked back into the living room and a red tabby cat came out from the bedroom and began bumping her head against my leg.
     
    “Belle, what are you doing!” Melissa shrieked.
     
    “I think your cat likes me,” I said, crouching down to pet her.
     
    “Usually, Belle doesn't let anyone touch her.”
     
    “Good girl,” I whispered to the cat, rubbing her