by Kym Grosso
Chapter Six
Katrina stared out the tinted window of the limo and wondered how the hell she’d survived the past three days. After they’d returned to the city, Jax had insisted she stay in his home. She’d argued, unsuccessfully, that she’d be safer in a hotel, when in truth it would be Jax who’d be safe from her.
Her guest room, located on the first level of the three-story Central Park West penthouse, had become a prison cell. She’d considered escaping, but Finn had been assigned to guard her. While he’d initially spoken to her with contempt, he’d softened toward her after he’d found her crying on the balcony. A weakened moment, she acknowledged. Katrina didn’t usually lose her composure. But the sand in the hourglass was spilling out fast; soon they’d be out of time.
Jax had isolated himself on the third floor, ignoring her but to say good morning and good night. When she’d attempted a conversation, he’d summarily dismissed her, claiming he was needed in a meeting. The more time she spent away from Jax, the more her magick dissipated. If the demons didn’t make a move to abduct her, she suspected she’d die anyway.
Earlier in the day, Katrina had called Tristan to explain that she’d gone to New York and had been in contact with Jax. As much as she loved her brother, she almost felt relieved when she’d found out he was out of town, traveling to an emergency meeting in Seattle to help settle a dispute among allied Alphas. Over the past couple of years, she’d told Tristan about her kidnappings, but there’d never been enough evidence for them to find a perpetrator. Until recently, she’d always been able to immediately shift. Healing quickly, no physical evidence remained of her abduction. When she’d asked Tristan to help keep Jax away, he’d been quick to assume that he’d attempted to force a mating. Although she’d denied it, the rumor had settled within the pack. When she’d left for New Orleans, their relationship faltered. Soon after, her brother Marcel, died, leaving Katrina devastated. Despite moving back to Philadelphia to be with Tristan, they’d grown further apart.
Their phone conversation had been brief but she assured him that she was safe. Tristan, however, insisted he’d be flying home within the day. Regardless, Katrina knew the only place she’d ever felt remotely safe had been New Orleans. But she knew Jax would never let her go nor would he be satisfied until he had the answers he sought.
As they stopped in midday traffic, Katrina smoothed the silky printed fabric over her thighs. She wondered if Jax had selected the stylish wrap dress himself or had simply hired a personal shopper. The day after she arrived, her closet had been filled with a selection of clothing, all in her size. Food of her liking was cooked by his personal chef, delivered by butlers. He’d spared no expense seeing to her comfort. In her gilded cage, she grew miserable, desperate for his touch.
The car lurched forward, reminding her of their final destination. Jake called her name, interrupting her contemplation.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she lied. Her stomach clenched in anticipation of seeing Jax. “I don’t get why I have to meet him here. He comes home at night. We’ve been in New York for days.”
“He’s busy. The business, it hasn’t been doing as well without him,” Finn offered. “Nick was in charge of operations. So now Jax has been training someone to take over but it’s intensive work. Most of his established corporations are doing well, but ZANE…the magazine is a delicate operation. It was Nick’s baby. It’s important to Jax that it doesn’t tank.”
“Is it in trouble?”
“He’s been gone for a month and a half. It’s doing okay but Jax doesn’t settle for mediocre.”
As they came to a red light, Jake moved over to sit next to Katrina and took her hand in his. “Listen Kat,” he began. “All this shit you’ve been through over the past couple of years, we’re going to find a way to make it stop.”
Katrina looked out the window and took a deep breath. No words could fix the situation. They needed to get to New Orleans and search for a spell, a weapon against her attackers.
“Look, I know what’s happening between you and Jax. I’m not sure why you’ve fought so hard to stay away from him. But I’ve spent time with you. Long nights in the bayou. You’re the real deal. Lying isn’t your style. So whatever reason you’ve got going on for putting distance between you and Jax…”
Katrina’s eyes flashed to his. She sighed, considering his point, but didn’t answer.
“You need to talk to him. You know I give Jax a hard time. There are times when the two of us butt heads. He can be a son of a bitch, for sure. But he’s Alpha of this pack for a reason. He was there for Gillian. He helped her shift to a wolf for the first time. I saw him fight down in New Orleans. He would have given his life to protect any one of us, a pack that isn’t even his. And Nick paid the price. What happened to Nick…” Jake’s mouth drew tight as he recalled what had happened. “Fuck, he didn’t deserve any of it.”
Katrina glanced up at Finn, who appeared stunned by Jake’s account of the night his friend had died. It hadn’t occurred to her that his wolves hadn’t known the details about the death of their beta.
“So my point is, he might be an asshole at times but you can trust him with whatever you have brewing. I can feel your magick draining. Maybe Jax hasn’t been around you enough to feel it but he damn sure will. Let him help you.”
Katrina, at a loss for words, nodded in agreement. She closed her eyes, searching for her wolf. No longer could she hide the truth. Denying her mate, her Alpha, would torture her. But if they could find a way to destroy the demons, bring them down one by one, they’d both have a chance of living.
You can do this, Katrina told herself, rehearsing her speech. For fifteen minutes she’d worn a hole in the carpet of the spacious office. Located atop the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, floor to ceiling windows lined the walls of the octagonal-shaped room.
Katrina ran her fingers over his sleek desk, noting how not even a pen was out of order. How could she be the mate of such a highly organized person? She laughed, recalling how her office was littered with pens of every color and half-filled sketch pads. Creative, she drew, painted and created. In Philadelphia, she’d been involved in the arts, and had opened a salon, enjoying doing the hair and makeup of local celebrities. But after her last abduction, being forced to return to New Orleans, she’d opened a gallery featuring several of her own paintings as well as work from local artists.
The door creaked open, and Katrina jumped. She cursed her jittery nerves, but her attention was soon distracted by the laughter of a female. Katrina turned to find the source running her hands over Jax’s forearms. Her wolf snarled, and she fought to maintain an impassive expression as they entered the office. Jax faced Katrina, his eyes locking on hers. In a suit and tie, he was every bit as spectacular as he’d been raw and naked in the bedroom. For a brief second, she imagined tearing off his tie, ripping the buttons off his shirt so she could continue what she’d started in the cabin.
Katrina swore she felt his fierce beast growl. With her palms flattened against the window, she struggled to stand as his power washed over her. She couldn’t be sure if he was deliberately exerting control or if somehow, in her weakened state, she was unconsciously absorbing his magick. She sucked a breath, and blinked, attempting to remain upright.
“Katrina, hey.” Jax reached for her arm, and slid his hand behind her back, supporting her. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
As the warmth of his breath brushed her cheek, Katrina thought she’d melt. The draw of the Alpha was impossible to fight. As Jax set her down into a chair, he broke contact. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she inhaled, attempting to regain her composure. I can’t do this, she thought. I need this man, in my life, in my bed. None of it made any sense, she knew. She had to confess everything before she gave in to the urge to run out of his office.
“I’m okay,” she managed, staring up into his blue eyes.
“Jax,” the woman interrupted, annoyance in her tone.
“You scared me,” he admitted, never taking his sight off Katrina.
“Jax,” she repeated, louder this time. “The upcoming photo shoot. Are we going with five girls or—”
“Later,” he dismissed her.
“But sir, the models will be here in an hour.”
“London, go find Adam. He’ll help you with the details. You’re ready to prep this one on your own. I’ll be down in an hour.”
“But I thought—”
“Discussion’s over. Go find Adam. Now.”
His focus on Katrina never wavered as he sat on the edge of his desk. Katrina unconsciously reached for his hand, the urge to touch him overwhelming.
“Yes sir.” The staccato beat of heels echoed in the distance, and Katrina startled in her seat as the door smacked shut. Although the woman hadn’t slammed it, she’d closed it with enough force to make a point, demonstrating her irritation. Katrina fought the envy that flittered in her mind.
“What’s wrong?” Jax asked, his tone soft but firm.
“I’m fine.”
“No. More. Lies.”
Katrina shuddered as his voice boomed around her, his power washing over her like a tidal wave.
“I told you before.” She lowered her eyes. While she didn’t intend to imply submission, her body hummed with the energy of the Alpha. Breathing deeply, she sought to control what was happening to her. “My magick…they’ve stolen it. I can’t…please stop.”
“Stop what?” Jax asked as he walked to the bar. He retrieved a bottle of water from the refrigerator, opened it and offered it to Katrina. “Drink this.”
Katrina defiantly met his gaze, her lips pursed in anger. How could he not know what he was doing? She’d known Tristan could release his power on a whim, influencing the pack.
“It’s overpowering me…your energy.”
“Drink it.” Jax nodded, waiting on her to obey. “Not a request.”
Katrina brought the rim to her lips and did as he told her. Jesus almighty, if she’d felt better, she’d have knocked this Alpha on his ass. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t gone head to head with Tristan on occasion. Torn between ripping off his clothes and dousing him with the contents of the bottle, she silently counted to ten.
“Your energy. Control it,” she told him in the most even tone of voice she could conjure. “I don’t know what’s going on. I told you…they’ve done something to me.”
“I’m not deliberately sending it to you, Kat.” A curious expression crossed his face as if he didn’t believe her. “I’m not saying it’s not possible. I’m saying that I’m not trying to hurt you. Believe me, if I were forcing it on you, you’d know it.”
Katrina’s eyes flashed in recognition of his threat. Today, they’d have it out and one way or another, she’d move on.
“Why are we doing this here?” Katrina scanned the room, and brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I’ve been at your house for days and I’ve barely seen you.”
“Because.” Jax paused. As he rounded behind her, Katrina stilled, frozen like a frightened deer. The wolf towered above her, the heat of his body emanating onto her skin. Firm hands rested on her shoulders, and she closed her eyes, as he continued. “This is where I attend to my business matters, and as much as I want you for pleasure, and make no mistake, I do…you’re currently business. You see, negotiations are a tricky thing. Much like poker, the players conceal their weakness, their strengths. At home, you have me at a disadvantage. I seem to have trouble controlling myself around you.”
Katrina gasped as his lips brushed her ear, her nipples stabbing through the silk.
“I…” At a loss for words, she opened her eyes, afraid to make a move.
“That’s right, my sweet little wolf, you’re in my world now. And while I still find it difficult to resist you, I will have answers. The truth. All of it.”
Jax stood and walked away, leaving Katrina’s body on fire with arousal.
“My company. My office. My rules. I can’t tell you how much I’d love to punish you for your indiscretions. Ah, to spank your ass while you scream for mercy….well, that does sound lovely. Not today, though.” He smiled and sniffed the air.
Katrina tightened her legs together, aware he’d scent her desire. It wasn’t as if it was a secret she was attracted to him, but hell, just imagining his firm hand on her cheek, the loud slap to her flesh, provoked wetness. Embarrassed by her own fantasy, she averted her gaze.
“You are a naughty one, aren’t you?” he teased knowingly. “Don’t you worry, I promise someday, just not today. No, today is for discovering truth.”
Katrina fought a small smile, wanting so badly to take him up on his offer. But if they made love, it would only be a matter of time before their instinct drove them to mate.
“Feeling better?” He raised an eyebrow at her and extended his hand. “Take it.”
Jax was in his element. Katrina knew not to test him as she placed her small hand in his. He led her around the large black desk, and while curiosity urged her to ask what he was doing, she resisted talking. Answers. The truth. It’s all he’s ever wanted. He’d either believe her or not, but the exhaustion of protecting him could no longer be sustained. One thing was certain; challenging the Alpha wasn’t in her best interest.
“Like this,” he told her, reaching for her hips.
Her face registered surprise as he backed her up against the edge. When his firm hands went to her waist, she held her breath.
“Up you go. Business first, then play.”
“What are you doing?” Katrina’s hands went to his shoulders as he lifted her up onto the flat surface.
“Very nice.” He gave a wicked grin as he ran his fingers down her arms. His soft touch left a trail of delight on her skin. Taking her wrists, he carefully set her palms flat onto the surface so she leaned back at an angle. Katrina went to move, and he placed his hands on top of hers. With a tilt of his head, he warned her. “Don’t move.”
“What are you doing? Why am I on your desk?” Katrina’s pulse raced as he sat back into his chair, studying her like she was on display at a museum.
“I’m leveling the playing field. Something about you,” he drawled. Removing his suit jacket, he hung it on the back of his chair. “It distracts me. I simply cannot have it. I won’t fall victim to the half-truths that spill from those luscious lips of yours. No, I can think of much more pleasant things that should be coming out of your mouth.”
“Jax…” A picture of Jax’s chiseled abdomen flashed into Katrina’s mind. Recalling how his cock pressed to her skin, she imagined sucking him down her throat. A new wave of desire rushed over her, and her face flushed.
“That’s right. I’m very much looking forward to having you on your knees.” He smiled as if he’d read her mind. “But first, we talk.”
“What are you…?” As his hands glided over her thighs, her skin rippled in gooseflesh.
“We shall start at the beginning. Why, dear Katrina, did you tell your brother that I tried to force a mating?” Jax pinned her with his stare, his voice low and firm. Despite the lingering fingertips atop her knees, Katrina heard this question as an order; the request came from the Alpha, not a lover.
“I already told you the truth. I asked Tristan to help me keep you away. You wouldn’t leave me alone. Once you called him, it just confirmed it. He was angry at you, and it all just spiraled out of control. I’m sorry I let it go so far, but I was trying to protect you,” she explained, her body tense with arousal. He silently listened without interrupting, so she continued. “These…demons. The things that have taken me. It’s happened six times over the past three years. At first,” Katrina paused and looked out the window. A firm hold on her chin directed her gaze back to Jax and her heart raced. “They told me that my mate, an Alpha…that I’d kill him. What they’ve done to me, they’ll take it from my mate too. They’ve been waiting, hoping for it to happen.”
Katrina lifted her hands, and w
as swiftly reprimanded.
“Do. Not. Move,” Jax ordered as his hands moved to her knees. Katrina’s heart slammed against her ribs as he spread her legs. His fingers lingered on her inner thighs, but all the while, he never took his eyes off hers. “You have one chance to set things right with us. This is it. Don’t you dare lie to me.”
“I’m not,” Katrina protested. She refused to cry, no matter the desperation that bubbled in her chest. “I know you think I’m crazy. Why do you think I haven’t told anyone? Tristan suspects I’ve lost my mind.”
“That doesn’t make sense. He’s your brother. Why doesn’t he know what’s going on with you?”
“It’s not like Tristan can’t feel if I’m in trouble, but every time they took me, I wasn’t gone for long. I never had trouble shifting. I’d recover quickly. This time, though, things are different. It’s a total loss of time…loss of magick.”
“If you never lied to Tristan about me, why let the rumor continue? How exactly could you protect me by staying away from me?”
“Because, Jax…” Katrina shook her head, exhausted with keeping secrets. “You’re an Alpha. You are the Alpha. My Alpha.”
“Are you trying to say that we’re mates? How would you know for certain? We’ve never made love.”
“Between my father and Tristan, I’ve attended summits, met nearly every standing Alpha in the country. It wasn’t Logan. I mean, I spent enough time with him when he was my brother’s beta. No…the night we met…”
“The party?”
“Yes. I’d known about you for some time.”
