Zane slowly stood to look down at the dangerous leader. “Once my mother is safe, I’d like to put her in the ring with you.” If provoked enough, a female demon could easily take a male. Even Suri.
Suri’s head jerked up. “I never should have let you live.”
Zane flashed his fangs. “Yet you did, and now you need me.” Nobody else could get close to Janie, and Suri thought he had Zane where he wanted him. “For now.”
Suri growled low. “For now.” He glanced at Nick and then back to Zane.
Shit. He couldn’t get a clue Zane and Nick were working together. Zane snarled. “When this is over, I’m done being your puppet. My family and I are out of here.”
Suri snorted, disbelief twisting his lip. He’d never believe Zane didn’t want to rule. “Just get the job done.”
Zane nodded and headed for the door. “That’s my plan.”
Janie heard rather than saw Zane drop out of nowhere this time. She sat on the rug before the fire, her legs crossed, her eyes closed. “Back so soon?” she asked, keeping her face to the flames.
“Yes,” he groaned.
A chair scraped across the wooden floor. “Try to be quiet,” she whispered.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Meditating.” She’d needed to clear her head and possibly reach out. Zane was ticking her off, and contacting Kalin seemed foolish. Although, she could contact him just for information and not reveal her location or current situation.
“No.” Strong hands slid under her arms and jerked her up.
She gasped and spun around to shove Zane. “What are you doing?” Her eyes flipped open.
His lids half-lowered, giving him a sexy, dangerous look. “No meditating.” Even with the fierce growl, he couldn’t mask the paleness under his fine skin. A dark shadow covered his jaw and contrasted with his colorless face.
Janie frowned. “What is wrong with you?”
“Tired,” he slurred. “Shouldn’t have jumped so many times.”
No way could he teleport her out of there right now. She sighed, wanting nothing more than to hold him tight and offer comfort. But she knew better. “What do you need?”
“Sleep.” He grasped her upper arms. Even weakened, his hold was unbreakable. “Did you eat?”
“Yes.” She shuffled her feet. A part of her wanted to thank him for the food he’d left, while the other part still wanted to kick him for kidnapping her. “Thank you.” Damn it. Good manners always won.
“Welcome.” He turned and led her over to the bed, his normally graceful gait lurching.
She struggled. “No.”
“Yes.” He shoved her down and crawled up to spoon around her. “Just sleep.”
It was like being wrapped by a bear. Heat cascaded along her back until he jerked her into his hardness. God. The man was a brick freakin’ wall. With a pleased murmur, he tucked his head against her neck, one arm firmly around her waist and one leg tossed over hers.
Her butt settled pressed against a defined erection. Desire blasted into her and stole her breath.
His hand flattened out, spreading across her entire midriff. Holding her close.
“Janie?” he whispered against her nape, his breath warm.
A shiver wound through her entire body. Her nipples peaked, and her abdominal muscles clenched. “What?”
“I’m sorry I’m not who you thought.” His lips moved against her skin.
She forced instant need down along with a definite groan. “I like who you are.”
