“What are you doing here?”she snapped.Her gaze darted to Tawera.He wasn’t moving, hadn’t made a sound.
Ari growled, full of masculine posturing.Superiority.He backhanded her before she could evade him.“Who is he?I turn my back, and you’re shacked up with another man.You belong to me.”
Her nostrils flared, bravery stepping up and firming her spine.Anger burst through her.Fury.She’d let him do this to her before.No more.She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, stared at it for brief seconds.Her head lifted, and she punched him back, not holding back her taniwha strength.“I don’t belong to anyone but myself.I choose who to spend my time with, and you have no rights over me.”
Ari rocked on his feet, gaping at her as he flexed his jaw.His eyes took on a strange glow.“You know, that’s the first time you’ve shown a bit of spark.I was beginning to think I’d imagined your special powers.”
Nyree lifted her chin to frown at him.“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”Why wasn’t Tawera moving?The collision with the door shouldn’t have knocked him out, given his taniwha status.
“I followed you,” Ari said.“Thought you were cheating on me.Imagine my surprise when you, your mother, and sister transformed into dragons.”
“Taniwha,” Nyree corrected, lifting her chin.
Ari’s eyes narrowed.“You’ve changed, and not for the better.”
Nyree sniffed.Talk about a prince.Not.“You haven’t changed.You’re still a bastard,” she snapped.
Ari lunged and struck her again, darting out of the way with a nimbleness that belied his size.
Nyree’s jaw ached from the first blow, and now her shoulder pulsated in concert.Bastard.If it weren’t for her healing abilities, she’d be feeling a lot worse.She eyed Ari with more caution.She’d forgotten how quick and vicious he could be.Even as she thought this, he turned his gaze to Tawera.
“Who is this?Your new boyfriend?”
Nyree ignored the question.“They’re searching for you.Have you considered the other passengers?The inconvenience you’re causing everyone?”
“Shut up and answer my question.”
Nyree edged away, out of Ari’s reach.If he followed her, he’d be farther away from Tawera.“What do you hope to gain by this?We’re miles from anywhere.It’s not as if you can take me onto your cruise ship.They’ll notice a new passenger.”
Ari pulled a gun out of his jacket and pointed it at her.“Answer my fuckin’ question.Now!Who is he?”
“My friend.”
“Are you sleeping with him?”
Nyree stared at Ari while her mind worked busily.When would Tawera move?Given his taniwha heritage, an injury shouldn’t have disabled him this much.
“Are.You.Sleeping.With him?”Ari gritted out, his face contorted and the gun still pointed in her direction.
“We’re not together any longer,” Nyree retorted, stalling for time.Had Tawera moved?Yes, he had.Relief filled her.At least he knew what a gun was because they’d watched a cop movie on her tablet a few days ago.“It’s none of your business what I do.”
“You’re mine until I’m done with you,” Ari gritted out.
Keep him talking.Appeal to his vanity rather than riling him any further.“What’s your plan?”Nyree asked.“I take it you want me to come with you.I can’t board the ship because their security people will notice.”
“Do I look stupid?Of course, I have a plan.”
Nyree sucked in a breath, trying to behave as naturally as she could with a gun pointed at her.Tawera had vanished.She hadn’t heard or seen him leave, but he moved like the ghost he’d once been.What did Tawera intend to do?Her gaze took in the splotches of blood where he’d been lying.A few spots headed toward the doorway.Had he slipped outside?Gone for help?She wished she knew.
“What are you staring at?”Ari spun without warning and fired a shot at the spot where Tawera had been lying before he registered Tawera’s disappearance.“Where did he go?”
“I don’t know.I didn’t see him leave.”
Ari fired a shot in Nyree’s direction, and she ducked instinctively.
He laughed.“I’d never shoot the golden goose.”
“What are you talking about?”
