“No. Go inside.” He turned to leave.
“Wait.” She grasped his forearm, startling him. Nik stepped back. He didn’t like being touched. She hurriedly opened her small purse, scribbled something on a piece of paper, and pushed it into his hand. A tissue with a number.
“My name’s Olivia Montgomery. I’ll pay you whatever you want if you help me—”
“Olivia?” a cold voice snapped. “Why are you out here?” A tall, burly man in a suit stepped out into the garden and grabbed her arm. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Her expression smoothed into a mask, but Nik sensed her wariness. “I was only speaking to the guard—”
“He’s not mine.” The human shot Nik a deadly stare. “Don’t ever talk to my fiancée again.” As he strode indoors with her, she cast Nik a furtive, pleading look.
Hell. His life was screwed enough, and with the harsh rules governing Guardians, he couldn’t let himself be dragged into mortal troubles. But her despair stayed with him, and his conscience warred within him. If that male human was hurting her, maybe he could wipe out the man’s memories or something.
He called her two days later, only to find out she’d died the night before.
Her death was one he would always regret.
His mouth tightening, Nik dematerialized from the cemetery, heading to Tribeca. No way was he letting Shadow go anywhere alone, not until he destroyed the bastard hunting her.
* * *
Pain slashed her back. Shadow cried out, scrambling away from the man looming over her. Hands grabbed her, and she lashed out. Fingers closed around her throat—
“No-no!” she whimpered, scratching at her neck, feeling as if she couldn’t breathe.
“Shadow, wake up-wake up. It’s just a dream.”
Her teary eyes snapped open to more gloom. A blurry shape hovered over her.
“No!” She hit out with fists and kicks, trying to break free.He won’t hurt me again—
Her feet slammed him in the belly.
An oomph escaped him. His grip loosened.
Gulping back sobs, she scrambled off the bed and fell to her backside, pain jarring her bones. The dark figure followed.Oh, god, oh, god!
“Stay back,” she cried, scuttling away on her bottom until her spine hit the wall. Struggling to pull air into her burning lungs, she drew her knees up and hunched over them, arms wrapped around her legs, cowering away from the man standing a short distance from her.
Shadow, it’s me, Nik,a quiet voice coasted through her terror.I’d never hurt you, he whispered, his tone gentle, soothing her distraught mind.You know me, agápi. I’m your mate.
The heavy drapes drew back. Blinding sunshine illuminated the recognizable massive bedroom with the stone fireplace and weapons on the mantel, hauling her out of her old nightmare. Her gaze rushed back to the tall, muscled man opposite her with a towel slung low on his lean hips, water beading on his inked chest. “Nik?”
“Yes, it’s me,” he murmured, hunkering down, still keeping his distance from her.
A cry broke free, and she scrambled across, throwing herself at him. His arms came around her even as her momentum caused him to fall on his backside.
“You are safe. I have you.” His arms, his warmth surrounded her, comforting her. She buried her face in his cool, damp neck, shivers wracking her as memories hidden in her mind’s vault cracked open…
Don’t ask me that again, not unless you want the same thing to happen to you.The cruel words splintered her head, and the fog lifted.You belong to me now, Gemma. You’re nothing like her, but with that face, I can easily overlook your frailty.
Dread gripped her.“Never! You murderer—”
A crack echoed against her cheek, sending her head sideways, pain splintering through her skull.
Dear god, a sob broke free.
“Shadow, what is it?” Nik gently eased her from him, his gaze searching hers, worry etching groove in his forehead. “Talk to me, baby. I feel your terror.”
