The door had no button or lever to open it, so I stood there, waiting. Even without looking, I felt him approach, that broad, cool chest hovering behind me. When he leaned forward, his chest brushed my back, making me very aware of where we were touching as his arm curled around me to tap against the wooden wall twice. A panel slid aside, revealing a keypad.
He entered the code slowly, deliberately, his body pressing harder against me with every number he keyed in. With the way his heavy breath ghosted over my neck, I wasn't even paying attention to the code he was putting in. His presence pulled mein like a siren’s spell, daring me to lean back and let myself be enveloped by him and that delicious scent.
Grinding my teeth, I steeled my spine, refusing to bend.Hold, Nova. Don’t break.Show him how little he affects you.This was just another power play, oneIwas going to win.
“I’ll say this…” his voice slid against my ear, quiet and full of sin, “knowing you’ll probably hit me again for saying it, but you have the most intoxicating scent. Drives me half-mad. No one has ever affected me like this.” His ending words were breathless, like he didn't even know what he was saying, and my heart thumped.
Oh, he’s good. That damn male is gooooood.
The door slid open before I could respond, but I was glad since I needed a break from all this… heat. Instead, I came face-to-face with heat of a different kind. Zeth stood on the other side, hair disheveled, eyes wild, as though he was one heartbeat from tearing down the wall.
“Zeth—” I breathed, ready to step toward him, but Conrad’s voice coiled right behind me, dragging me back into his gravity.
“Oh, Zeth,” Conrad purred, “just in time. We were about to head out.”
I elbowed him sharply, opening my mouth to explain, but Zeth’s stunned reply had the words caught in my throat. “We?”
When I still didn’t say anything, Zeth’s fury-filled eyes cut to me. Pain peppered his gaze like I was the one betraying him, and I shook my head. I had to explain before this got out of hand.
“He has a lead on a location,” I told him quickly. “He’s going to take us to it.”
“Us?” Conrad’s voice pitched higher, incredulous, eyes snapping to me.
I bit the inside of my lip. This… was getting annoying. Ignoring both of them, I scanned the room behind Zeth. The ring was empty, and the crowd was at the cash-out station. A few women were lazily gossiping in their seats. The fights were over.
Walking around Zeth, I bolted for the stairs before the crowd surged for the exit, tossing back, “Come on, boys. We’ve got a guy to find.”
Two sets of footsteps followed close behind, but I didn't dare look back. Nope, I just kept facing forward until we got outside.
Conrad snapped his fingers at the valet, saying, “Get my car,” then turned that sharp smile on me. “It’s a two-seater, soZethwill have to take his car. I’ll text him the address.”
Zeth growled, the sound odd coming from a demon, but he’d practically been raised by wolves, so it made sense. He took a step forward, eyes burning at Conrad’s words. “You lead.We’llfollow.”
Before the situation could turn into another pissing match, I cut them off. “Zeth’s going with you, Conrad. I’ll follow.”
Zeth’s lips parted like he was going to argue, so I crossed my arms and lifted my brow. “It’s my car.”
His jaw moved from side to side before he glared at Conrad, who sent him an equally annoyed look. They were making it clear that they’d rather have their toenails ripped out and spoon fed to them than ride together, but that wasn’t my problem.Iwas in charge. End of story.
A deep green Chevrolet Corvette 3LZ purred beside my jeep, the color almost a match for Conrad’s eyes. Sleek and polished, it looked like the perfect counterpoint to my rugged, terrain-built ride, like they’d been bought as a set. One for the city, the other for the mountains. I didn’t know why that irked me, but it did.
Snatching the keys from the valet, I called over my shoulder, “Don’t lose me, or Zeth will kill you.”
Zeth bared his teeth in a grim smile. “I hope you drive fast, vamp, or it’s your funeral.”
Conrad sneered right back. “I’d never give you the satisfaction.”
Well, this was going to be fun.
I couldn't helpbut think that Conrad was either really worried that he would lose me… or he had a death wish.
He kept a sluggish pace the entire time, which drove me insane, so I could only imagine how Zeth was handling it in the passenger seat. The image was clear in my mind. Arms crossed, scowl carved deep, throwing Conrad hate at every single mile marker. The mental image had me laughing most of the ride.
Still, I hoped this little excursion hammered my message into their skulls. If they wanted to fight like dogs, I’d treat them like dogs. Let them swipe at each other until it was too much then yank on their leashes, making them heel at my feet. Wouldn't that be a pretty sight to behold?
Conrad turned off the highway early, winding us through back roads and skirting the edge of the city until we hit a dirt road thatled into a hidden trailer park pressed against the forest. It was a sharp contrast to the expensive homes and polished city center we’d left behind.
I rolled the windows down, letting the night air sharpen my senses. Gravel crunched under my tires, and the acrid scent of marijuana hung heavy.
