Naked

13 The troublemaker

A/n: Dedicated to my wonderful madam hehe! @user23957662

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 I picked at the items on the table. Strange. Very strange.

'What have you got there Fox?' came the voice that sent chills down my back.

'Dust. A lot of it. No one has been here for a while, sir.'

His footsteps sounded behind me and the next thing I know, he stood beside me his shoulder nearly touching mine.

'One would say we have been deceived.' I caught him glancing at me from the corner of his eye. He then proceeded to search further as did I.

We had been in the house for almost an hour, with nothing tangible on our hands, the information we received proved nothing but wild goose chase. The place seemed deserted for the most part, but the alarming thing was that we weren't the first ones to search it.

On the shelves I searched earlier, I found books missing and scrape marks on the dust. Lightly dusted areas within heavily dusted surfaces indicated that something was removed from there and near the front entrance were muddy bootprints that had dried. The problem was that whatever the previous party was searching for, they found it and left us with our cocks on our hands. Well, the men at least, seeing I was fortunate enough not to be bothered holding something. Heh, heh.

We were enshrouded in silence as we tore the place asunder and Hawk never left my side. Was he worried I might do something or what? I caught him glancing at me every time I bent over or stretched high to reach, even when I left a room he followed right behind. I knew there was bound to be mistrust on his side, but I was content over the fact he gave me at least a chance.

Earlier that day during the meeting with his men, he had completely excluded me from this search. It took some convincing him but I knew he hadn't regretted it.

(A few hours earlier)

'We are going to search the house thoroughly. I want you to leave no stone unturned. Am I clear?' his tone left no room for argument.

Everyone nodded and started preparing for departure. We made our way to the door as soon as we were ready, me almost last in line with Hawk on my hooves. Just before I was about to exit, I felt his hand grasp my shoulder and pulled me to a halt.

'Not you, you 're staying here.'

'I am not!' I exclaimed narrowing my eyes in annoyance.

'You will follow my orders, woman.' he warned in a low voice 'We could come face to face with Ailey's assassin.'

'Then I will kick his balls the same way I kicked yours.'

I shrugged out of his hold and walked out the door confidently, leaving him in stunned silence.

Yup. That's exactly how I convinced him. I really didn't know where I found the courage to be so bold with him, especially after finding out that he is a Lord. I couldn't help myself. He wanted to push me aside, I wanted to retaliate immediately. It was etched in my character to react at any challenge the rose before me, it was probably the reason I survived this long.

We tore the place upside down but found nothing but minuscule tracks that, for the time being, lead to nowhere. But it troubled me that for as long as we were looking around, I couldn't help glimpsing every now and then at his powerful back; The memories of this morning still fresh in my mind.

I was mulling over the fact that I wanted him, desired him, craved him. I wanted to have him, but I wanted him to be mine and that pesky thought kept coming up to my mind and sent disturbing pangs of jealousy in my heart. He was an eligible bachelor, if not, even, married. Did I check for a wedding ring? Damn me! He looked old enough to be married and have three little brats to pester him, why haven't I noticed it before?