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Tessa looked down, wiping her eyes. “You’d want to do this for me?”

Kieran nodded curtly. “It’s not a matter of wanting to. This is a professional matter; whatever benefit you may represent to criminals, I cannot let them snag it.”

“Ok… I get that, but… you’re going to attract them to you. I’ll bring you nothing but bad fortune.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve seen enough to know how to handle anything that comes my way.”

Tessa grew more anxious, desperate for him to understand the weight of his decision. “You haven’t seen what I have! I can’t talk about all of it, but please… Kieran, just know that if you take me with you wherever you go, this case may be your last.”

Kieran remained silent, sensing how upset she was.

Tessa growled and looked away, head lowered. “And who gave you the right to decide for me anyway? What if I refuse to go with you?”

He may have triggered her anger by acting similarly to her parents, pushing away her ability to choose. “It is rationally the best choice right now,” he declared calmly.

Tessa grumbled under her breath but he could not hear what she said.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Kieran wasn’t used to dealing with people, no less women, on a deeper emotional level. He did well with it socially, but only to a point. “Listen, I… I don’t know what to say, but I need you with me to get to the bottom of this case and do my job,” he said, bordering on both frustrated and anxious, “and staying with me is the best option you have for staying safe.”

Tessa did not respond or acknowledge his words.

“So. You can keep running from these guys forever,” he narrowed his golden eyes at her, “or we can bring them down together. You tell me what the best choice is, Tessa.”

Tessa sighed irritably, but he could sense that she was now seeing his point and understood him. “Fine,” she said, lifting her head to look directly at the minty bounty hunter, “I’ll stay with you. If you insist. I wash my hands of your blood if something happens to you; there’s only so much I can do to save idiots.”

The bounty hunter cracked a small, half-smile on his muzzle; he could tell Tessa was reacting this way out of concern for him. They may not have known each other long, but it was clear that she had a big heart.

The blue fox saw his expression and blushed a little, then took a sip of her coffee. “Just… I don’t know you, so please don’t be a creep,” she said in a low voice, stirring.

“You have my word, miss,” he responded warmly. “Let’s enjoy the coffee and treats. Then we’ll go somewhere safe.”

It was highly likely that he was already a target anyway, so getting involved with Tessa would not hurt him further.

Taking a bite of his vanilla cream donut, he tasted the rich flavors coating his tongue. “Oh..! This tastes like Heaven!” he exclaimed, adding flair to his statement by ‘talking’ with his hand-paws.

Tessa still looked apprehensive but gave a subtle smile. “Yea. This place has great donuts. Have you tried any of their cakes yet?”

“No,” he perked up his ears curiously.

“What is your favorite flavor of dessert, then?”

“Uh… apples?”

“They have apple cakes. Come on, let’s go order, I’ll pay.”