Mastered by Mavericks (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 3)

Jason cuffed his hands behind his back while all of Lucy’s customers put away their respective guns except Reed and Sawyer. Their weapons remained locked in on Jaris.

“Henry is missing.”

“I know. How did you know where I was?”

“He told me the day you left. Said you were working on something dangerous.”

“And?”

“And Henry said he had contacted the sheriff here to keep an eye on you in case things got out of hand.”

“You still haven’t answered my question, Jaris. Why are you here?”

“I came here for you, Nicole. When Henry didn’t show up at the station without so much as a word, I went to his place. No Henry.”

“You working alone, Simmons, or are there other of Mitrofanov’s men in my town with you?” Jason asked.

“Mitrofanov?” Jaris looked her in the eyes. “Is that what you’re working on, Nicole? Damn it, do you know how dangerous that is?”

“Quite the actor, Simmons. Academy-Award-winning performance, if you to be asking me,” Alexei said.

“Sheriff, can we take this to your office? There’s something you need to know.”

“Everyone in here is deputized, Simmons.”

“Everyone?”

“Yep. So whatever you have to say to me, you can say right here in front of these good people.”

“It’s sensitive information.”

“Spill it, mister,” Ethel said. “I’m the county judge in Swanson and you’re wearing my patience thin. You don’t want to piss me off.”

“Jaris, please,” Nicole said, still in shock to see her friend here in Destiny. “Do you know where Henry is or not?”

“I don’t, Nicole, but I am working undercover with the FBI. Or at least I was before I got to this town.” Jaris shook his head. “They recruited me to help smoke out the mole in the station. I’ve been on the job with them for over a year now.”

“Easy to check out,” Dylan told Jason. “I’ll make some phone calls. I can have the facts by tomorrow at the latest.”

“Until then, Simmons, you’ll be enjoying the comforts of the Swanson County Jail. Come with me.”

“I’m going with him,” Nicole said.

“The hell you are.” Reed blocked her from moving closer.

“He’s my partner. Don’t try to stop me, cowboy.”

As Jason led Jaris out of Lucy’s, Reed cupped her chin. “I won’t try. I will stop you.”

A shiver ran up and down her spine. “I’m a cop. When will you two get it through your thick heads I can take care of myself?”

His tone softened slightly, warming her insides. “Now that we’re here you don’t have to, Chicago.”

“What if he’s telling the truth?” she asked, hearing her voice come out so small it surprised her.

“If his story pans out, then you can talk to him but not until.” He kissed her on the forehead.

She wanted to argue with the maverick giant in front of her, but couldn’t seem to find the words. Something about his change in demeanor had a powerful impact on her. She felt tiny, feminine, and protected. The truth was she liked how he made her feel right now. Was this his Dom side showing? If it was, she definitely wanted to see more of it.