Jodi_ByTheLight by JenniferLitteken Page B

wasn’t an isolated incident. Haley went missing the same night as Ava.” Jayden’s expression was grim.
    “This probably means there are other girls out there.” Her eyes widened in terror as she looked up at him.
    “Possibly. But the only one we know for sure is Haley.” He gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
    “Then we’ll start with Haley.” Ava stood.
    “What do you mean, ‘we’?” Damon eased to his feet, already hating where this conversation was heading.
    “I mean, we are going to go find this girl.”
    “There is no ‘we. ’” He growled. “You aren’t going anywhere.”
    “I won’t just sit here and do nothing. Especially since I know what they’re planning on doing to her.” Sparks built up behind her emerald gaze.
    “I won’t let you put yourself in danger to save someone you don’t know.” His heart pounded between his ears as he curled his fingers into fists.
    “Why not? You did.” Ava cocked her head to the side.
    “That’s different. I’m a Guardian, a soldier. It’s my job. This is what I do.”
    “There’s been no trace of Haley, no sightings, no credit card activity. It’s like she vanished.” Jayden frowned and took the folder.
    “I guess that means we’ve got to start from the last place she was seen.” She stuck her hands in her pockets and met his gaze.
    “They searched her car and found nothing. Besides, they already towed the vehicle so the scene has been compromised.” Jayden rubbed his neck.
    “We start with where her car was found, back on the highway.” Damon shrugged into his leather jacket. He had to figure out what to do with Ava before they took another step.
    “I’ll get the coordinates off the computer.” Jayden called over his shoulder as he headed into the next room.
    “If you’re going, I’m going.” She raised a beautiful eyebrow at him, as if daring him to stop her. Now he remembered why he never dated women like her. He liked a woman who wouldn’t defy him at every turn.
    “Fine, but you’re going to have to do exactly what I say.”
    Her lips trembled, as she fought back a smile.
    He gritted his teeth. “I mean it, Ava. You listen to me, or you’re staying here. Even if that means I have to tie you to the bed.”
    “While that sounds fun, I suggest you save that entertainment for tonight when we get back.” She winked, sauntered to the door and opened it.
    He slammed his hand against the door, closing it, and scowled. “I’m not kidding. I won’t have you out in the open unless you agree to listen to me. I want your word, or we both stay here.”
    She huffed and turned around to face him. “Fine.”
    “Swear it to me.”
    “I swear I’ll listen to you, Damon.” She gave him a smartass salute. “Happy?”
    “Ecstatic. You know what would make me even happier?”
    She propped her hands on her hips and narrowed her emerald gaze. “I’m not staying here, so you can forget it.”
    “I wasn’t going to say that.”
    She gave him a doubtful look. “I can’t image what else would make you happy.”
    “I can. Tying you to the bed.”
    Her lips curled into a sexy smirk. “If anyone’s tying anyone to a bed, it’s going to be me doing the tying.”
    “I don’t think that’s going to happen.” He reached out and ran his finger across her cheek. He couldn’t seem to stay away from her, even if it cost him everything.
    “I think I might persuade you, especially if I tied the knots with my mouth.”
    His smile slide off his face like hot butter. His gaze drifted down to her mouth.
    “As I recall, you seem quite fond of my mouth, or was it my tongue you liked so well?” She took a step forward. Her warm breath tickled his face. He briefly entertained the thought of taking her up against the door before Jayden came back.
    “If you two are finished sniffing around each other, we need to hit the road.” Jayden stuck his head in between them.
    “We’re done, for now,” Ava said. Why he found her sarcastic tone