by Zoe Forward
His tongue brushed against hers and then along her teeth. She gasped when his tongue touched one of her elongated canines. With a soft groan, she slid her hand up his arms and down his chest to clutch his shirt in her fist, holding him in place. She pulled him deeper. His mind spun with a base instinct to have her naked. They needed this. He wanted this. Right here against the side of the house.
Damn it, he was supposed to be the one in charge here. Not her.
She’d stolen his mind. Again.
He dug deep for restraint. This couldn’t happen right now. Not with Julio and his cohort inside. Not with TC watching.
But kissing her was so right. He wished he could forget the world and its problems. Then he could take this where they both needed it to go.
He softened the kiss and released her mouth.
“You’re pretty persuasive.” She bit back a smile.
Damn it. The seductress knew what she’d done to him. Who knew he liked it.
Screw the meeting. Screw the world. “Never argue with me.” He leaned forward to pick up where he’d left off.
She craned her head backward to avoid his mouth. “You can kiss me all you want, but no matter how good it may be, I will find a way to communicate with my aunt.”
He almost fell to his knees, so genuine was his pleasure at her continued challenge. His animal side, who enjoyed a good fight with a strong opponent, loved this game. “I’ll win, if you don’t obey.”
“You’ll try to win, but it’ll be you begging me by the time we’re done.”
“Maybe.” But it’ll be a fun fight. “We can probably find some way to contact her, but only once we’re out of this country.”
A throat cleared nearby.
Lexan side glanced, but didn’t release her.
“They’re waiting inside and they’re pissed. You’re an hour and a half late,” TC stated.
“As if I give a fuck,” he broadcasted telepathically.
“You better give a fuck. You called this meeting yesterday. Whatever’s going on here needs to be done.”
He’d like to tell Julio to take a hike. Dealing with a political sleaze and his tough guys was the lowest item on Lexan’s priority list. Highest was getting Vee naked once more before he died and discovering a bit more about how much he liked her showing him who was really in control.
TC’s gaze darted to Vee. “She shouldn’t be here, not with them inside. I can take her somewhere.”
Lexan release a frustrated exhalation and stepped away from Vee. With her a supposed member of the head household of his nemesis, TC was right, but he didn’t want her separated from him.
Lexan mumbled, “She should leave.”
Hurt passed through her gaze.
Definite misinterpretation of his intent. He wasn’t used to adding an explanation to his statements. “Vee, I—”
“I’ll take off, then. Since I’m not wanted here.”
“You are not taking off.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Still trying to order me around?”
His blood pumped hard with desire to continue their fight…and finish it until she screamed her climax. “Here is safest for you with me and us.”
“You just said I needed to leave.” She cocked her head.
“I meant to say it’d be safest if you weren’t here, but you are here, and you’re not leaving.” He released a long breath. “I would like you to stay here where I feel it would be safer for you.”
“This won’t work.” She referred to the big picture.
“It will. This meeting is about war financing and medical facilities. Julio can be unstable, especially when it comes to Scarpa vamps. I don’t want you hurt or my boys fighting his.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be here.” She pivoted.
“Damn it.” He caught her arm before she reached the top step. The sudden movement shot pain down his leg. He bit back a wince. He could force her to stay, but he didn’t want to. The animal in him wanted to seduce its mate. Besides, this mate didn’t respond well to her choice being removed. “Stay. Please.” He didn’t want to beg and reveal to his guys how twisted he was over this female. If she pushed, though, he just might find himself on his knees.
She glared and tugged at her arm. “Let go.”
“Please.” He let go of her and stumbled when his mind went wobbly, catching himself on the porch railing.
Vee’s touched his arm. “Are you okay?”
He didn’t want her pity. How ironic a week ago he would’ve embraced silver toxicity as the end. Now, gazing down at the spitfire ready to attack him for imposing his will, he didn’t want to spend what might be his last hour of life making political nice.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“No you’re not.” Her gaze, startled and frightened, burned into his.
“I just said I was.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, willing the hammering in his brain and the pain to retreat in the background again.
She thought to him, “You’re pale. I’m worried you’re…”
“I’m fine.” Aloud, “Stay behind the guys when we go in. Don’t reveal anything about your true heritage. These guys do not need to know. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Julio is—”
“Yeah, I know who he is. North American pack leader. Dominic’s top enemy in this country. Is Roman here, since this is about medical facilities?”
“Yes. Just stay behind us.”
Lexan strolled inside and into the room he’d labeled the meeting room with couches and a fireplace. “Sorry to have delayed our meeting, Julio.”
The six visiting werewolves faced Lexan. Each did a deep bow of respect and stayed in the down position, waiting.
“Your Majesty,” Julio said, head bowed.
“Julio, it’s been a long time.”
All resumed an upright stance.
“Welcome to our country.” Julio flashed a smile—the perfect political caricature, conveying respect with a hint of arrogant condescension.
Lexan nodded and then greeted the man to Julio’s left, “Dr. Roman, always a pleasure to have your company. I’m glad you could give me a briefing on the state of medical availability. I thank all of you for your patience during our delay.”
Julio stared beyond Lexan to Vee. His pale gray eyes gave away nothing regarding his thoughts. “Why is she here?”
The Elites crowded in front of Vee, taking position behind Lexan. Julio reached for his gun, but Lexan put his hand on Julio’s forearm. “She’s not a threat. She’s here as our guest.”
“As a consultant?” Julio pursed his lips.
“She is under my protection.” He stepped away from Julio, leaving a solid cushion of more than six feet between factions.
“According to my sources, Dominic doesn’t exactly dote on his eldest daughter. I can’t imagine she’s got a lot of clout in so far as resolving our conflict. You sure she’s not a spy?”
“She is not.” He stared coldly.
Dr. Roman asked softly, “Have they hurt you, Vee? Are you under some sort of coercion?”
“They’ve been nothing but the ambassadors of hospitality,” Vee said with a hint of sarcasm from behind the wall of warriors, catching Eric’s warning gaze. She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m fine and here by choice.”
She moved out from behind the guys and shook Roman’s hand. When she smiled at Roman, her eyes softened at the edges. “Are you doing as much surgery these days?”
Roman shrugged, running a self-conscious hand through his dark hair. “I’ve been busy with matters that have taken me away from the hospital.”
Julio gasped. “You know her?” Disgust laced his tone.
“Thank you for fixing up Julio’s son a few weeks ago. I knew if I sent him your way, you’d take care of him,” Roman said.
“It was the least I could do, considering what you did for me.”
Julio scowled. “You let a vamp fix up my son?”
“I owed Roman a favor,” Vee answered.
&nb
sp; “What exactly did Dr. Roman do for you, such that you owed him?” Lexan asked.
“Where did the Squad take my son? He’s been gone since yesterday.” Rage mottled Julio’s cheeks.
“I didn’t know they had him.” Vee didn’t move an inch, standing her ground despite Julio’s fury. Lexan noticed her glance at him out of her peripherals. The small move screamed, Protect me!
Julio grabbed Vee and whipped her around, laying a knife against her throat.
Oh, hell no.
“Hurt her and I’ll kill you.” His world narrowed to the tip of the blade against her neck. Probabilities on rescue options cycled through his brain. He reached out mentally to his guys, alerting them to be ready to move. He assigned each of them one wolf on Julio’s detail.
“Her life in exchange for my son’s seems reasonable. She’s a Scarpa, after all. What would it matter in the scheme of things, if I eliminate her now and send Dominic pictures?”
Fuck probabilities on play-nice scenarios. Within a few silent seconds, the Elite Guard had Julio and his entire wolf contingency on the ground with a weapon to each head. Except Ryder, who, like Vee, gazed around, stunned.
Vee rubbed her throat. Lexan hoped for Julio’s sake not a single mark marred her skin.
Eric glanced up from where he had his knee lodged mid-back on Julio and a gun to Julio’s head, waiting for orders.
“No one touches her. Ever. Is that understood?” Everyone in the room, including Vee, flinched at his tone. He knelt next to Julio’s head. Eric wrenched Julio’s head backward to force him to meet Lexan’s gaze.
Lexan whispered, “I should kill you.”
“Noo-oo.” Julio’s plea came out a two-syllable nasal whine. Only a male who’d never put himself on the front lines of battle would emit that cowardly noise. Julio had been born long after their emancipation from slavery and granted a life of privilege. He passed down life-and-death decisions about others but never participated in the fight.
Lexan met Eric’s gaze in mutual disgust over Julio’s behavior.
Another whine came from Julio.
“Quiet,” Lexan ordered. His leg throbbed almost as much as his head.
Julio shut his mouth.
“I understand a father’s concern for his son. We were not aware he was missing. If you’re sure the Squad took him and he’s been missing for over a day, then I’m sorry.” They all knew the Squad didn’t keep prisoners alive for long. His gaze met Ryder’s. “I cannot fathom the depth of your grief. But we are at war. All must understand this and take appropriate precautions.”
Julio’s face turned an even darker red.
“Will you abide my edict with regard to her? She has nothing to do with your son or the Squad.”
Julio nodded.
“Tell me how she owes you, Roman.”
Vee said, “He put me back together after Dominic…uh, got upset a few years ago.”
Julio gritted out, “Get off me.”
Eric didn’t move.
Roman said, “Can you ask your man to get his foot off my chest, Your Majesty?”
Without uttering a word, Lexan telepathically ordered his guys to release and resume position surrounding him. Eric held Vee’s arm to keep her still and locked into a position safely beside him.
Julio sat up, massaging his neck.
“I need details, Roman. Now,” ordered Lexan.
Roman stood. “Dominic stabbed her a few years ago. She drove herself to South Carolina where I was attending a conference. She was a mess. Who knows what possessed Dominic to do that. She isn’t the point of this meeting, is she?”
“No.” Lexan met Eric’s gaze. “Secure her.” Eric moved Vee well behind his guys.
Julio spoke. “I know you want to end this war, but diplomacy is out. Dominic…that son of a bitch isn’t going to do anything other than bomb us into oblivion if we show up en masse at a peace talk.”
Lexan said, “As of two hours ago things changed. I kidnapped Vee from Ambrose DiFalco, who is her fiancé. Ambrose then attempted to assassinate me.”
“Oh.” Julio ran a hand through his hair. “Are we taking the war global?”
“Julio, I need you to eliminate Dominic. Like his father, if you cut off the snake’s head, then his whole empire will fall into disarray.”
“Do you have any hints on how to perform this miracle?”
“We’ve got a few newer weapons to make it a lot easier.”
“You certain if we target him and destroy him it’ll do the trick? Who would take over?”
Vee said, “He hasn’t actually named an heir to his empire, but it’ll be Trace. The problem for you guys is Trace hates you just as much as Dominic. He thinks a wolf killed my mother.”
Lexan added, “As far as I heard, no one really knows for certain who killed your mother.”
“Trace doesn’t know that. Dominic loves to tell this story, which blames moon madness as what caused the wolf she was sleeping with to go nuts on her. Would that be Blay?”
Several snorts and laughs came from most of the guys around him.
Lexan smiled and said gently, “The only moon madness we males experience when she’s perfectly round is the need to run free and find a woman. If there’s a willing female in proximity, our minds are so consumed with the need to be with her, there’s no room for homicidal urges. Believe me. Apparently, when the female is our mate… Well, it’s a whole different level of need. Moon madness is what helps our species persist. As far as I know, Blay loved your mother. He worshipped her. I have it on good authority he never hurt her.”
“Then who killed her?” Vee asked.
“I don’t know, but Dominic used her death for his own purposes.” His gaze sent her a silent apology for his lack of knowledge.
“You think it wasn’t a wolf?” she asked.
“I will tell you all I know later,” he thought to her. He wanted this conversation with her but preferred it be less public. “If all of you would excuse us, Julio and I have matters to discuss in private. Then I shall speak with Roman.” He nodded to Eric, who took her arm and led her out of the room. All of the Elites followed suit, along with every wolf that had accompanied Julio.
…
The wolves separated to opposite sides of the room across the hall. The large room had several sofas, a billiard table, and what had to be a sixty-inch TV. Everyone stood or sat tensely, silent.
Her drive to demand Lexan reveal everything he knew about her mother’s death had lessened but wouldn’t be forgotten. Now wasn’t the right time to get info from him. She collapsed onto a sofa and threw her head back, enjoying the quiet, even if the atmosphere was charged. Exhaustion drummed through her.
Reality crashed in. She’d caused the war to go worldwide. Not her intent. She despised this war, but she could barely believe Lexan had come for her, taken her, and knew in doing so this might happen. Was it only to meet some ancient promise he’d made to her father? Or was it about their connection that, for her, pinged irresistibly between them?
The cushion next to her dipped, causing her hip to roll away from the sofa’s edge. She opened her eyes, expecting to see Eric or one of the other guys but was startled to find the beautiful blond with eyes the same shade of blue as Lexan’s. His lips slid upward into a seductive smile. The guy might be handsome, but she didn’t trust beautiful exteriors.
“I’m Ryder.”
She wasn’t sure how she was supposed to react. Eric moved slowly into her visual field. He seemed edgy. TC and some of the other Elites shifted subtly, and somehow she detected they were ready to move into action, if needed. Odd to realize they’d protect her, but reassuring.
Ryder flashed a white smile that was all teeth and charm. He lowered his voice into a silky tone and asked, “So, what’s up with you and Lexan?”
Vee rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you’re not trying to persuade me right now. That’s rude. My life is none of your business.”
Ryder’s face was a wide-open what
-the-hell.
A laugh detonated from Eric.
Several of Julio’s guys snickered. Roman laughed.
“I didn’t believe you, Eric. But she does have some sort of special resistance to the Dimitrov boys’ charm,” said TC. He gazed at Vee as if her worth in the world just went up a few points.
“What?” Vee looked around at the stunned and amused wolves.
Eric said, “That woman-magic thing Lexan and Ryder have going on is incredible and works on every female, except you. You level the playing field a bit, which is damned entertaining.”
Ryder wiped the stunned holy-hell off his face. He asked Eric, “My father’s thing doesn’t work on her at all?”
“Big zero. Funny as hell, too,” Eric said.
“What exactly does it mean when you say woman magic?” Vee asked, jealousy wildly firing in her brain at the thought of Lexan doing some sort of mesmerizing magic on other women.
“All he has to do is exist and any woman within a hundred feet of him would do anything for him. I do mean anything,” Ryder said in a tone tinged with jealousy.
“You have to work a little harder at it? Poor you. I’m not so sure Lexan’s magic doesn’t work on me. He’s proven several times he can manipulate me into doing what he wants.” She closed her eyes and rested, hearing a less-stressed banter pick up around her.
A wave of pain hit her mind. She sat up and looked around the room. Everyone looked fine. It hit her again, causing her to involuntarily grab her head.
Lexan. Her stomach cramped.
His battle against silver wasn’t over.
Vee pulled a superspeed move to the parlor doors, startling all in the room. She pushed them open to find Lexan and Julio speaking, sitting across from each other. At her entry Julio stood, obviously stunned. Based on his glare, this was beyond a small breach of protocol.
Lexan didn’t get up. He looked relieved when their gazes collided. Small beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
She didn’t wait for permission to check his vitals. His pulse was easy to pick up. She could practically feel it from the far side of the room. It bounded. She did another superspeed move to touch his forehead, finding it hot enough to cook an egg.
