It was then he realized she loved him.
Because she hadn’t killed him, she hadn’t even tried.
He rewatched every second of video feed of her and found she’d never even made a single fucking attempt. His ship was dry of resources, having pushed it past its limits so he could get to Elyria sooner. All he could do was watch old footage of her.
No wonder she fought me.It all made sense.
But going after Raphael? That was suicide.
His ex-boss’s laughter filled his audio.
Hysterian hadn’t been in the presence of Raphael in almost a year. The fat bastard was enjoying his usual power trip—the birthday notwithstanding—having his guards bring him women to worship him orally.
It was Raphael’s kink. He preferred women’s mouths over their cunts. He got off on beautiful girls kneeling at the altar of his ego. The younger the better.
And Alexa was in line.
Hatred washed over him. Raphael was untouchable, even for someone like Hysterian. His ex-boss had way too many powerful contacts, knew far too much information, had more money than God. He also had a very rare and expensive shield around his body. One Hysterian partially designed...
But if he touched Alexa, none of that would stop Hysterian. If Raphael hurt her, the devil wouldn’t be able to hold Hysterian back. Death would be the last mistress to lick Raphael’s dick as Hysterian blasted his ex-boss’s brains all over his fucking cake.
Hysterian sensed his pupils brightening and adjusted his illusion to hide them. If Alexa got wind he was here, she might run. He wasn’t going to risk it.
As he stormed through the throngs of dancers, the bartender slid Alexa a drink. Hysterian pulled out his gun, switching off the safety.
She shook her head, denying the free offering. Good. He wouldn’t have to kill another tonight. The bartenders drugged all the drinks. One sip and Alexa would be giggling, horny, and high, a pretty little naïve offering, ready for any of the countless men to descend upon. They could have any other woman, just not Hysterian’s.
One of Raphael’s guards moved toward her.
Hysterian pushed through another group of dancers.
The guard led Alexa to Raphael.
Hysterian’s systems thundered. He shoved the throng of clubbers out of his way.
Alexa reached under the lip of her dress. Hysterian saw the gun just as she yanked it out and aimed it at Raphael.
“No!” Hysterian shouted. He sprang the rest of the way across the room just as a shot was fired, his boots cracking the floor upon landing.
An ear-splittingboomblasted through the club, stunning the dancers out of their revelry. One of the guards slammed into Alexa, forcing her to the ground. Hysterian’s illusion dropped.
He yanked the guard off her, wrenching his arm. The guard screamed as Hysterian kneeled and picked up Alexa’s shaking form. Others aimed their guns, running to the scene.
“Stop!” Raphael bellowed, making the entire nightclub pause. “Hysterian, is that you?”
Hysterian rose and faced him. Raphael shimmered as the invisible forcefield around his body settled back into place. Alexa’s bullet never even got within a foot of the fucker.
Hysterian scowled. “Raphael.”
Alexa was stone cold and still in his arms. He didn’t dare look down at her.
Raphael yanked up his pants and laughed, clapping his hands. “What a surprise!” He spun, looking wildly around. “Who set this up? This was fabulous!” The angels glanced at each other uneasily. “Come on! This couldn’t all be Hysterian’s work.” Raphael turned back to him, cheeks flushed. “What a fine little actress you have,” he said, eyeing Alexa with newfound interest. “She is for me, right?”
“Hysterian?” Alexa said, so low it was barely audible. “Kill him.” The order was a tickle in his ear.
Hysterian’s eyes glinted.
How could he deny her? He’d hurt her so much, finishing the job was the least he could do.
