Page 41 of Broken By Her Mate
Tolliver explained the problem with the vampire and wolf brawl caught on tape. “There’s this witch named Cora,” he said. “I bet she can make that human forget what he saw after you twofind him and delete that video he has. I’ll do my part by making it disappear from all online platforms. I’ll convince Cora to go along with you guys.”
“Okay,” they chorused.
“And for the love of the gods, boys, don’t get up to any of your antics with her. Keep her safe and be nice, or I’ll have your heads.”
“Relax, boss.” Francisco smiled. “Benny and I are always perfect gentlemen around the ladies.”
“Yeah, right,” Tolliver grumbled. “In any case, I’m sure Cora will hand you both your asses if you mess with her. She’s a feisty little witch. Get going and send me an update.”
Benny and Francisco saluted him as if they were in the army and took off.
As soon as Tolliver was alone, he went right back to thinking about Laila. He just couldn’t help it. She haunted every corner of his mind.
Chapter 16 - Laila
Laila stared at the face on Tolliver’s phone screen. Her eyebrows were furrowed in concentration as she studied the cold, calculating eyes staring back at her. Jonas Mercer. The name didn’t even sound familiar. But she must have interacted with him at some point because he was hellbent on finding her since she escaped his first kidnapping attempt. She pressed her lips together, wanting to remember him.
Tolliver loomed over her with his arms folded over his chest. “Take your time,” he said. His voice was softer than usual, but she could feel his tension and watchful gaze as he waited for her to answer. Sitting in one of the chairs surrounding the dining table, she glanced up at him.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t remember ever seeing this man in my life.”
“Try again. Take another look at him.”
She heaved a sigh and fixed her gaze on Mercer’s photo. No matter how hard she wracked her brain, she got nothing, but she didn’t want to disappoint Tolliver. Tilting her head, she hummed, “Hmmm… Well… he does look like this one guy I went on a date with a few years ago.”
Tolliver went stock still. “Date? When exactly was that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t remember exactly when. I mean, it was pretty insignificant.”
“I wouldn’t call a date insignificant, Laila,” he bit out.
She scoffed at his scathing tone. “You can’t possibly be jealous.” She looked up at him for confirmation. When his eyes skated away from hers, and his eyebrows dipped into his signature scowl, she shook her head. “Unbelievable. I barelyeven considered it a date; I just agreed to get a coffee. So, I say it was insignificant. I bet you dated tons of girls after you broke up with me.”
She eyed him with mixed feelings. On one hand, thinking about him with another woman made her want to wolf-out and snap someone’s neck. On the other hand, it was understandable if he did have a string of lovers. Look at him; he was drop-dead gorgeous, charming, when he wanted to be, and wealthy. What warm-blooded female wouldn’t swoon at his feet and dive into his bed?
“I told you, I haven’t touched another woman.”
“Right…” She had never known Tolliver to be a liar but was still skeptical. He had been a chick magnet before he claimed her as his mate. “And I didn’t lie when I said I wasn’t intimate with another man in five years, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy a couple of lackluster dates.”
A muscle ticked in Tolliver’s jaw as he drew out the chair next to hers and sat. He tapped his phone screen. “Was any of them with this guy?” His tone dripped with disdain that made Laila roll her eyes.
“While he kinda looks like the one guy I mentioned, it isn’t him. I might not remember the details, but his name was not Jonas Mercer, not even close, and he wasn’t as handsome.”
“Handsome?”Tolliver scoffed. “For fuck’s sake, Laila, the man is a sick, twisted monster, and you think he’s handsome?”
She glowered at him. “I know he’s evil. Commenting on his looks doesn’t mean I’m gonna marry the guy. Relax, Tolliver!” She shook her head. He’d been wound up so tight since he got home that she feared he might snap in two at any moment. Tolliver had never been laid-back, but his tense energy lately was out of control.
He took a sharp breath, running a hand over his face as he forced himself to calm down. “You’re right. I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve just been on edge with everything going on. The thought of this guy targeting you and not knowing why is messing with my head.”
She softened as she studied him. He looked exhausted. She bet it was from hours glued to his computer. He got home hours ago, but he’d been locked up in his home office, delving into Jonas Mercer.
“Me too,” she admitted softly. “I’m being targeted by someone I’ve never met. It’s confusing, to say the least.” She squinted at the picture again. “Really, Tolliver, I don’t know him.”
To lighten the mood a little, she reached over to place her hand over his. He stiffened as he stared at their connected hands but instantly relaxed. “I know you, Tolliver. I know how your brain works. Your control freak ways make it hard for you to accept not knowing Mercer’s motives or where he is. But I need you to take it easy before your poor brain explodes. I need you fully intact to help keep me safe, after all.”
The glint of humor lighting her eyes made him smile. “My brain has come close to exploding a few times in the last few days. You’re right, I’m going to take a breather.”
“Good. And I’d better not catch you pouring over any more CCTV footage tonight.”