She shivered and cleared her throat. “I had everything under control. Why did you send those soldiers in?” she asked.
Niall frowned. “You obviously do not have it under control. You needed backup, and even they didn’t help. Where are you?”
“No,” Logan said, holding up a hand. “Don’t say a word.” If she gave their location, the Fae would be able to jump right into their space. “One hint, and I shut this conversation down.”
Niall focused on Logan. “What do you want?”
That was a good question. “I want to know where my brother is.”
Niall just looked at him. “Your brother is safe.”
“Not good enough. Also, tell me why you sent forces to kill me. Then I want to understand why you’re so afraid of the Seven. Finally, I want to know how you created your tracking dust and tactile gear.”
“No,” Niall said.
Mercy sighed. “Listen, Niall. They’re well trained, and it makes a lot more sense to work with them than against them. To at least try to reason with them.”
Logan looked past the computer to where Ivar and Adare were, out of range. Ivar read a handheld scanner, and he shook his head. No trace so far. Apparently the Fae had decent cyber defenses as well. It was impressive, considering they’d abandoned this universe for another. They must’ve been advanced even before they left. “I haven’t called in the Realm yet, but I will if you don’t turn Sam over,” Logan said.
Niall shook his head. “The Realm doesn’t concern me.”
“Then you’re a moron,” Logan drawled. “Your fifty members can’t take on even a fraction of the Realm. Don’t be stupid.”
Niall cut Mercy a look. “Apparently my mate has been talking. If you’ve hurt her in any way, I’ll rip your guts up your throat and eat them for breakfast.”
Logan could appreciate the sentiment—if the guy hadn’t been clueless enough to let her plunge headfirst into danger. “She’s fine. For now.”
Niall growled almost as low as any demon. “Was that a threat?”
“Yes,” Logan said easily, wrapping his hand around Mercy’s bicep while ignoring the odd flare of pure irritation cutting into him from Niall’s claim of mate-hood. “If you know anything about me, you know I don’t bluff.” Not true. Not even slightly true.
Mercy tried to jerk free, but he held her tight. She rolled her eyes. “We could just have you both whip them out and compare right now, or we could try to reach a compromise,” she snapped.
The Viking snorted in the living room, his lips twitching in almost a smile. He read the scanner and again shook his head.
Logan looked down at the defiant pixie. “The only one getting whipped is you, if you don’t quiet yourself.”
She stared up at him and her lips parted slightly. Then she snorted. A soft chuckle tumbled from her chest. “You are so full of it.”
Anger caught him so quickly his breath heated until his throat burned. “Fine.” Grasping her other arm, he lifted her easily off her feet and carried her into the bedroom, slamming the door shut hard enough to crack the frame. Niall yelled her name as they went, his voice coming through the walls.
Logan set her down.
Her dark red hair settled around her slim shoulders. She shoved him with both hands in the gut, her eyes flashing yellow and back to blue and green. “What in the hell are you doing?”
He shook his head and reached for his belt, unbuckling it and ripping it free.
She blinked. Her head jerked back. Then she retreated several steps, her hands going up to ward him off. “Whoa. Wait a minute.” Every muscle in her body visibly clenched.
“You are not getting me,” he muttered.
“Um, okay.” Panic had her looking like a doe about to bolt. “Keep your clothes on,” she said.
He gathered the heavy belt in his hands, his gaze on her. Did the woman really think he’d use a belt on her? Good.
“Your pants might fall off,” she croaked. “Put that back on.”
“I’ll risk it.” He grasped her wrists and jerked her toward him. She struggled furiously, but he ignored her, securing her hands together quickly. “My brother is in danger. You’re all the leverage I have, and your open defiance in front of that jackass isn’t helping anything.” He had to drag her over to the iron headboard to finish securing her.
