“He’s fine now,” Isobel said. For God’s sake. She had engineered her boy to survive. A simple knife wouldn’t take him out, and it was time to stop coddling the sheriff. If he wanted in, he needed to grow a pair. “I just spoke with him, and he sounded perfectly fine.”
Elton shoved away from the door. “You just spoke with him.”
“Yes.” She tilted her head to the side, studying the bulging in that vein. Maybe she should do an MRI of him. “He stole your phone, dear.”
Cobb’s mouth tightened until his jaw really had to hurt. “And you’ve been talking to him. Did you even try to track the phone?”
She rolled her eyes, unable to stop herself. “They disconnected the GPS, and as you know, it’s a satellite phone. So I can’t trace it.” Good thing he had muscles, because he didn’t come close to having brains. Oh, there was a darkness in him that called to her, one that heightened orgasms. But really. It was time to employ strategy, not emotion. “I did, however, leave a message across Noni’s back.”
That earned his full attention. The vein stopped bulging. “You cut her?” His voice roughened and went breathless. A quick look confirmed his penis had hardened against his jeans.
A thrill ran through Isobel. There was that edge of his that kept a woman like her intrigued. “No. But I did use dark marker all across her bare skin.”
He half lowered his lids. “You did?”
“Yes.” Her smile felt a little catlike, so she softened it. “Told him he’d have to sacrifice himself.”
Cobb frowned, studying her. Expressions crossed his square face—lust, satisfaction, and curiosity. “So he comes home. Back to us.” His gaze narrowed, and he moved closer to the desk. “He’s always been your favorite. Why?”
“He’s brilliant.” She waved the issue away. Knowledge was power, and she couldn’t allow Elton to have any over her. He could never know she’d donated her own eggs to create Denver. “There are more experiments to do on him.”
“With pain?” Elton said slowly.
“Sure. Why not?” This cat and mouse with Elton shot energy through her.
He planted his hands on the desk. “Wait a minute. You don’t want me to kill Denver to avenge my brother, but you’re willing to give him pain?” His head snapped up.
“Sure.” She sighed and uncrossed her ankles. Her son would be able to withstand any pain or torment. Her designer heels clicked on the desk. Her nipples hardened.
Elton leaned toward her as if pulled. His brows drew down into a fierce line. “You know Heath and Ryker won’t allow Denver to sacrifice himself.”
“Denver is smarter than those two, and he’ll figure out a way. Or we’ll capture all three of them.” She moved one leg far to one side, effectively spreading her legs on the desk.
Elton’s gaze flared.
Yes. No undergarments. Her breathing sped up. She scooted her buttocks forward on the chair, giving him an even better view. “Understand?”
Elton didn’t look back up. “Um, yeah.”
“Besides, just think of the punishments I could create for Denver defying me. How badly I can make him regret running from us.” Wetness instantly coated her thighs. Her boy would be back in line and training as an obedient soldier in no time. She’d break him first.
Elton’s nostrils flared, and he moved around the desk, grabbing her leg and swinging her chair around. He grasped her other leg and spread her even wider, stepping between her knees and holding her ankles with his strong hands. “Your only leverage is that baby down the hall.”
“I know,” Isobel said, reaching for him. God, she hoped he was still angry with her. “Just imagine what I could do to break Denver for good.”
Then Elton was on her.
CHAPTER
31
Noni stumbled out of the bedroom, her head still cloudy. Her toes burned even in the thick socks Denver had left on her. She lifted her nose. Coffee. There was coffee near. She was almost to the carafe when she noticed two women sitting at the table, both eating cereal. Her stride hitched. “Hi.”
“Hi.” The first woman had black hair and sapphire blue eyes. “I’m Zara, and this is Anya.”
Anya was a stunning redhead with tired green eyes. “Morning, Noni.” She pulled out a chair. “Sit.”
Noni blinked and took the seat, gratefully taking the mug of coffee Zara handed over. She couldn’t quite grasp a thought, so she got right to the one that made the most sense. “Where is Denver?”
