Control (Blood & Bone Enforcers MC)

It was weird, to him at least. Tarun had been so strong. She came all the way to B&B when she didn’t really know any of the Enforcers that well, just to warn them. To warn him, specifically. He ordered her to go home, and she refused, digging her heels in. Even after she thought he played her, she stayed.

The clubhouse caught on fire—she stayed. Even went as far as to befriend Georgie, who’d hurt her immeasurably. The shifters broke in the night before, and not only did she not hide, but she joined in the fight. And then she spent hours training that morning.

Through all of that, she held strong, steady as a rock. But when Georgie had enough and took off, that was what shook her.

He didn’t understand it much, and thought it must be a woman thing. If a man he hadn’t known long—one who tried to make him think he shared a thing with Tarun—took off and left, he’d shrug and move on. Hell, he thought maybe even a lot of women would react that way.

But Tarun was hurt and worried.

Our mate is one hell of a woman, his lion said.

You’ve got that right. You showed superb taste by choosing her.

I know.

And if his cat’s thoughts were on the smug side, well, he didn’t hold it against him. His animal had every right to feel that way.

Glancing over at Tarun and watching as she wept up broken glass, he thought hard for something to say that could distract her.

Only one thought came to mind. It was something he didn’t want to admit—not because it wasn’t true, but because he’d secretly hoped it wouldn’t be.

“You did very well this morning. You’re picking things up quickly. I don’t know if it’s from watching the War Cats or some of the training Jameson gave you, but you’re a natural.”

She paused, looking at him with an eyebrow arched. “Was it painful to admit that?”

“What? No,” he scoffed. She just continued to stare at him with a knowing look, and he cleared his throat. “Okay, maybe a little. It’s the truth, though. You’re good.”

Straightening, she leaned on the broom and smiled at him. “Thanks. But why do I have to be a natural because of a man or what I learned from a man? Can’t I just be so because I’m good?”

He inclined his head, acknowledging her point. “No, there doesn’t have to be a reason. Regardless of why you’re good, the fact remains that you are.”

“Hopefully that means you’re more resigned to me staying here.”

“Would you change your mind if I wasn’t?”

“Nope.”

Chuckling, he shook his head. “That’s what I thought. But I have to admit, after watching you this morning, I am feeling a little more at ease about it. You did well last night, too.”

“I’m glad you can acknowledge it.” Hesitating, she studied him for a moment before speaking again. “Soooo… does this mean you’d be open to me becoming an Enforcer? If Blake would have me, of course.”

His mouth dropped open and he stared at her, mute. “What?”

She smirked. “I’m pretty sure you heard me.”

“I did, but—honestly, I thought you’d want me to quit. I didn’t think you’d want to join.”

“Well, now you know. I don’t need an answer right now. Just think about it. Besides, Blake could say no.”

“Blake would say yes,” Blake called from across the room, clearly having heard the conversation.

Luke shook his head, feeling a little faint. “I think I need to sit down,” he joked weakly.

Tarun’s hazel eyes twinkled with amusement as she used her foot to push a chair toward him. “I understand. Sit away.”

He rolled his eyes at her, but truth be told, he wanted to take her up on it. He wouldn’t, of course—no way was he showing that kind of weakness in front of her, let alone the other Enforcers. But he wanted to.

Liam opened the door, his face like a thundercloud, and made his way over to Luke. “You need to come see this.”