Keeping Her kh-1

by Kelly Lucille

  “I doubt you would have missed that hand. From the little I can see, and I do mean little, one is more than sufficient for the job.”

  The silence was booming, then in a less than human growl he spoke. “I’m going to eat your heart while I fuck you.”

  “Can you do two things at once? That’s not what Demon said.”

  He started forward but the name halted him half lunge.

  “Demon?”

  “You did ask me who I belonged to.” She glanced pointedly at his exposed dick, now deflated. “You know he’s going to kill you right?”

  “He won’t find us here, but I’ll be sure to send you back to him in pieces. All except the heart.” He took a flying leap forward and ripped what was left of her tattered dress completely off. He pulled her against him. She wanted to gag at the touch of him on her bare stomach. He yanked off her bra bruising her in the process.

  She shoved the sharpened hair clip into his neck right above his Adams apple. He roared, throwing her away so that she slammed into the concrete floor and almost blacked out. She was aware enough to see him yank the clip out spraying blood in a hot ark.

  “You fucking bitch.” He roared, his words garbled, either because of the damage or because he was changing into a wolf.

  Clytie struggled up to her knees, the blood seeping from the cut on her head covering half her face before she made it even that far. He grabbed her by the hair and yanked her up off the floor. She yelped, grabbing his wrists while her head throbbed. He was going to break her neck, all it would take was a twist of his hands, and she would be dead. She saw the knowledge in his eyes, even as she weakly tried to knee him in the balls.

  “Maybe I’ll just send him your head.” He spat out blood with each word, but already his wound had closed. He shifted his grip so her neck was in his grip, his face close. He licked the blood off her cheek with a long swipe and popped his lips in appreciation. “I bet he’ll miss you when you’re gone.”

  Clytie closed her eyes and waited for the killing blow. Instead, the sound of the door exploding had her eyes snapping open. Demon. The relief was instantaneous.

  She wasn’t allowed to enjoy it long before Clancy jettisoned her body and she hit the wall. The last thing she heard before she blacked out was Demons roar of rage.

  As soon as Demon saw Clytie crumble to the ground he knew the fight he’d been having for control of his wolf was lost. Bones cracked and changed, hair sprouted and he grew a foot across the shoulders shredding his clothes. The rage of an animal whose mate had been hurt coursed through his veins and he welcomed it with a bloody vengeance. Halfway between man and beast, he charged Clancy with claws out and teeth bared. His jaw was still expanding when he drew first blood latching onto Clancy’s collarbone and crushing it.

  Clancy fought back, teeth flashing, razor claws raking. He swiped at Demons face trying to blind him and missed, tearing strips out of his neck and shoulder instead. He lunged and bit at anything vulnerable but Demon was too fast. He had open wounds bleeding out faster than his body could heal. The fight began to take its toll. He was slowing down. A hardened and vicious fighter he was still no match for an enraged Demon. When Clancy realized he was going to die, he tried to make a run for it. Demon ripped out his spine. Then he started on the rest.

  Demon dropped down beside Clytie shaking and covered with gore, but back in his right mind. He was afraid to touch her. She was the only spot in the whole room not splattered with Clancy. He wiped his hands off on the concrete as best he could then reached for her pulse, praying as he did so that her heart still beat. She shifted and groaned and it was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

  “Oh God, Baby.” His voice was as shaky as his knees, but he carefully checked her over for broken bones, pulling her hair back from her face to study the cut there. There was already a knot forming that worried him. She still wore her panties, but nothing else. He had almost been too late.

  Ben came through the door as Demon pulled Clytie into his arms. “I need something to cover her, and make sure the medic Lucas is sending is at the house by the time we get there.”

  Ben pulled off his black top and placed it over Clytie like a blanket. She was so small and bloody in Demons arms. “What do you want us to do with the rest?”

  Walking into the other room Demon found his team surrounding the four knocked out wolves. It had taken maybe two minutes for his men to shoot them full of drugs and take the house. He wanted to burn the place to the ground with them in it, but pack law was clear.

  “Leave them, they can return Clancy to his father, if they can find enough pieces. They’ll be lucky if Gregory doesn’t kill them all.” He looked down at Clytie, the rage in his eyes simmering. “Any other messages I’ll deliver after Clytie is taken care of.”

  Clytie woke screaming.

  “Baby, it’s me. You’re safe. Clytie you’re home.” His words eventually registered and she stopped thrashing and fell back against the bed. She didn’t realize she was crying until he wiped tears off her cheek. “You’re safe baby.” She turned her head. Demon was kneeling beside her bed. One of his hands brushed her hair back from her face, the other held her cheek, his thumb brushing tears away as they fell. She swallowed, her eyes closed with the effort. Her head, a dull ache, throbbed when she tried to shift. “Clancy?”

  His eyes glowed a wolf gold, his jaw grinding tight before he answered. “He won’t bother anyone again.”

  She grabbed the hand he caressed over her face. “He heals.” She warned. “I shot him and stabbed my hair clip through his neck, he heals. Fast.”

  “Not from this.”

  “Demon, his hand was almost all the way off and he healed in a few hours.” She knew she sounded paranoid but she couldn’t help it. Clancy had become a nightmare she would relive every time she closed her eyes.

  “Baby, there wasn’t enough left of him to fill a shoe box. He’s gone. He can’t hurt you any more.”

  Clytie was not ready to deal with how Demon had accomplished that. She needed to think of something else, and getting clean became a necessity. Someone had wiped her down, the blood was gone, but she needed a thorough scrub before she would feel close to human again. “I want a shower.”

  Demon stood, pulling her covers back, he helped her to her feet. She paused holding the mattress until her dizziness passed and the pounding in her head was bearable. Someone, she assumed Demon, had dressed her in one of her few long nightgowns. It seemed strange to be wearing a picture of a cartoon dog when she felt so used up. Demon tried to lead her into the bathroom but she shook his hand off. “I can do it myself.”

  “Baby, you can barely stand. The Doctor said you have a mild concussion. You could fall in the shower.”

  She stepped away from the bed. When he reached out again she pushed him away once more. “I said I want to do it myself.”

  “Damn it Clytie let me help you!”

  She moved toward the bathroom steadily, her voice shaky. “If I need help I’ll ask for it. Right now I need a few minutes to myself to think.”

  “And I need to make sure you’re all right!”

  She turned at the bathroom door, Demon crowding close behind her. “I’m not all right. I was kidnapped, beat, almost raped, and very nearly killed by an insane werewolf, oh yeah and my lover and all his friends probably turn into the same kind of monster and never told me.

  I need a shower and time to process. Tomorrow can be about what you need. Right now I’m taking me time!” She slammed the door in his face and locked it.

  “Fuck!” Demon roared, feeling as helpless now as when she was in danger and he couldn’t find her.

  Clytie heard the roar and cringed but she didn’t relent. She didn’t have it in her right now. Instead she turned on the shower as hot as it would go and used a full bar of soap to clean off the invisible filth that covered her.

  By the time she left the shower, the water was cold and she’d shampooed her hair three times, scrubbed her body raw,
and cried the whole time. When she left the bathroom sometime later, her hair was blow-dried and her head felt like someone was using it for an anvil.

  Demon was still in the bedroom but he kept his distance. He sat in the chair in the farthest corner from the bed. He had closed the curtains and there was a pile of sheets beside him so he must have freshened the bed.

  When she looked, she found her favorite pair of pajamas across the foot with soft cotton panties in navy blue. Tylenol and a glass of water sat on the nightstand. His eyes followed her painful process until she had dressed, taken the painkillers, and climbed back in the bed. He stood as soon as she was settled, turning off the lamp and heading for the door.

  “Demon.” He paused out in the hall with the door almost closed.

  “Yeah Baby?” The tenderness in his voice made Clyties raw eyes tear up again.

  “Thank you for rescuing me.” She hugged a pillow to her chest. “He would have killed me if you hadn’t shown up when you did.”

  He came back into the room and knelt down on the floor until they were back where they started before her shower. “I know I fucked up Baby. I fucked up and you were hurt, nearly killed. You were kidnapped by the bottom feeders of the shifter world, nearly raped by that piece of shit Clancy and now you probably want to get away from me and mine as fast as you can sprint out of here.” He swallowed hard, pain graphic on his face. “I won’t keep you Clytie, not if you want to go. Just get well first, that’s all I ask. Give me a little time to make you safe. Then we’ll move you back into your place and you won’t ever have to see me again.”

  She studied his face, with all that had happened the man she loved was still there. Brutal scar and howling wolf tattoo included. He had a healing claw mark down the side of his neck directly over his wolf that he must have received saving her life. She reached over and petted her hand down his scarred face. “Can you do something for me Demon, well three things really?”

  He braced himself thinking she was going to evict him summarily, but he gave the only answer he could. “Anything.”

  “In a month or two when this whole incident is behind us will you change for me? I bet you make a beautiful wolf.”

  Demon forgot to breathe; afraid he would do something unmanly like burst into tears. He held her hand against his scarred face then kissed her palm. “I can do that. What else?”

  “You can stop blaming yourself for the actions of a psychotic rapist. You tried to keep me safe, and you rescued me when I needed it. You came for me. You killed that bastard.” She leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his scarred cheek, her harsh tone at odds with the softness of her touch. “I knew you would.”

  He closed his eyes briefly then with a deep exhale he leaned in to kiss the bruises on her forearm. “I’d kill him again if I could. Forgiving myself for letting you be hurt is harder. It might take a few years. What else?”

  “I need you to hold me.” Her voice broke under her emotions. “I’ve had a rough couple of days. I want to sleep without nightmares. I think I’ll feel safe enough to sleep if you’re with me.”

  This time Demon couldn’t stop the tears as he climbed into bed. Careful not to jar her he spooned up behind her until he could bury his face in her shoulder and breathe her in. “Go to sleep baby, I’ll be right here.”

  “You promise?”

  “You had your chance to get rid of me. You blew it. Now you’re stuck with me.”

  Clytie pulled his arms in closer hugging them to her chest and drifting off with a sigh. “Good.”

  Epilogue

  The champagne glasses tinkled throughout the room, people milling, murmuring in soft voices. Clyties art was hanging in strategic spots to catch beams of light from different angles. The white walls and specially prepared lights made the translucent wax glow from the inside out. Demon had been dragged off by Ben and Mac at Marion’s request. The Art Director seemed to think the clients would be more likely to approach the Artist if a seven-foot tall crazy man wasn’t giving them the evil eye and growling at any male that came within three feet of her. So Clytie was standing alone in a little black dress Demon had threatened to rip off her later. She stood beside the only piece of art in the room that was not for sale and answered questions on technique and the properties of wax whenever anyone stopped to talk.

  When she had worked “Wolf Dreams” from the wax that first day she had been thinking of Demon and his wolf tattoo. It was supposed to be symbolic. Of course, now that she had seen Demon shift to his beautiful black wolf it became more a private irony. Every one of his pack mates had tried to buy it, and it had become a private war between them to bid for it whenever they saw Clytie.

  Lucas Gibbs, the scary man who ran a handful of security companies including Demons didn’t bother with the competition. He just told Clytie he would meet any price she cared to throw out there. Good to know.

  “That’s it.” Marion gleefully announced as she danced up to Clytie. “Everything is officially sold.”

  Clytie blinked, “You are kidding?”

  She was practically rubbing her hands in happy greed. “We even had a bidding war over your “Cerulean Seas” but that ended right quick when a patron, who wishes to remain anonymous, tripled the price and paid in cash.”

  “Marion did you invite Wise guys to my show?”

  Marion snorted out a laugh. “Don’t look at me. Quite a few of the people buying came with you.”

  Oh, no. If Demon had goosed the guys to buy my art, I will kill him.

  “Your lovely friend Mr. Gibbs bought three pieces for his office and has requested first look on anything you produce in the future.” Marion flicked away an imaginary tear. “I’d like to have his babies.” Marion was a spry fifty-four and about to celebrate her twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

  Clytie was still laughing when she saw Sarah across the room. It made her catch her breath. “Excuse me Marion I see my sister.”

  “No problem, I’m just going to go count my money while I cackle like Ebenezer Scrooge.”

  “Sarah?” Her sister looked good in a peach silk sheath dress, her auburn hair up in a sedate twist.

  She looked overwhelmed when she turned to face Clytie. “I can’t believe this is all your work. It’s stunning.”

  That made Clytie sad. “I’ve shown you my work before.”

  “Yes but it didn’t look like this.”

  It looked exactly like this. Some of the pieces Sarah was ogling were the same ones Clytie had tried to share with her sister before she realized Sarah had no interest in her work.

  “I mean, Jordan tried to tell me after she went to your first showing but I thought she was exaggerating.” Sarah took a deep breath and turned back to Clytie. “I owe you an apology. I should not have belittled your art.”

  Clytie waited but Sarah was finished. No apology for the way she treated Demon? Or how about when she called Clytie a slut and told her, she was throwing her life away?

  She wanted to cry, but instead she faked a smile, “I’m glad you came.” She pointed out the buffet table. “Jordan and Boone are at the troth. You should get some food before there isn’t anything left.” Between the teenagers and the shape-shifters, prowling the room it was not an exaggeration.

  “They’re here? Sarah narrowed her eyes “They told me they were going to the movies.” She was getting ready to march over there when Clytie spoke fast.

  “They probably are. They said they were just stopping by for a minute.” She gave her a hug. “Make sure you have some champagne.”

  Watching Sarah walk away, she knew it was never going to be the same between them. Something had been broken and it just wasn’t fixable. It made her feel lonely.

  Strong arms circled her from behind, and a nose nuzzled into her hair. Clytie smiled. Well Demon took care of that funk. Lord the man made her happy. “You better stop that my boyfriends going to get jealous.”

  Demon squeezed her a shade too hard making her giggle. “Very funny.”

&
nbsp; Clytie turned in his arms to face him. She had to crane her neck to glare into his eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t put your friends up to buying my art.”

  “Put them up to it?” He growled looking aggrieved. “They’re like locusts stripping the walls before I can get to it. Do you have any idea how much I offered for “Cerulean Seas?” He cuddled her closer even while he still mumbled to himself in disgust. “Tricky Damn Cat.”

  Clytie realized her mouth was hanging open and snapped it shut. “Marion said the buyer was anonymous.”

  Demon snorted. “Thinks he’s being clever. But that particular move has Eli written all over it.”

  “Demon, you do know that all you have to do is tell me you want something and it’s yours.”

  “Bullshit. I told you I wanted to buy “Wolf Dreams” and you turned me down.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Because you wanted to buy it. I’m saving it for your birthday present. It’s going to be a surprise.” She patted his arm. “Don’t forget to be amazed.”

  “You’re giving it to me?” He looked flabbergasted. “For my Birthday?”

  “Yep, I asked Ben and he said it’s next month so all the guys are going to come for a barbecue. I know how you guys like any excuse to eat red meat.”

  Emotions crowded around his eyes until one beat out the rest. Clytie felt her pussy heat beneath that look and had about a second to think Uh-Oh before Demon pulled her out of the room past all their guests and pushed her up against the wall in the empty vestibule.

  He palmed her ass and pulled her up within easy reach. She was wrapping her legs around his waist before it occurred to her how inappropriate this was.

  “Demon, I don’t think…” But his mouth was on hers and like every other time he touched her she lost her mind.

  “They’re at it again.” Ben said when he walked out and saw Demon kissing Clytie against a wall.