“Take him, Riot!” she commands.
I clear my throat to hide the smirk burning at the edges of my mouth.
Riot lands a blow to Rhett’s gut and then a victory punch into his chin as the Hunter goes flying, landing just short of the scalding cage.
Grace spins, eyes and smile plastered wide. “We won!”
“Congratulations, my love.”
She presses herself into my side. “And Captain—” Grace whispers. “I commissioned you a new blade last week for your birthday.”
I pull away to look at her. “You’re too good to me.”
“You need a token of my love at your hip. Don’t feel too special, though. I got myself one, too.”
My grin widens. “Good.” I kiss her temple. “And Gracie—”
She runs her fingertips down my forearm. “Hmmm?” she hums at me.
“You can bet our entire fortune I’ll start over anywhere with you.”
Her lips part, and she unleashes a sparkling smile that has me starving for her mouth. “Your words have always been your best weapon, Kade.”
Rhett stomps over to the bars separating us, face bloody, and shoves his blond hair back. “Stop eye-fucking each other and let us out of this damn pen.”
CHAPTER 9
VEYA
Present Day
ISWALLOW AS THE HUMAN girl curls in my lap, trying to hide herself.
I keepeveryinstinct in check. Fangs. Hunger. Desire.Rage.
My insides burn, fighting my control. The smell of her pumping blood calls to the monster within.
I only have one thing left I can offer her.
A choice.
“Look at me,” I tell her kindly, keeping my hands fisted in my skirts, not touching her.
And I don’t rush her.
Nerian prances in place, feet tapping with his excitement beside us.
I ignore him and pray the gods tip fate in my favor and sway Nerian toward leniency if this doesn’t go how he wants it to. It isn’t my intention to start a war or overstay our welcome on the first night of our visit.
Second and Emmanuel already have palms on their weapons, though. I can’t blame them.
The girl sinks, her knees resting on the floor, and peers up at me, sheltering her breasts in my skirts.
She looks younger than twenty years.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. I need you to tell me what you want. Do you understand what I’m asking?” I say.
She nods, her greasy blonde hair glistening in the firelight, tears streaming from her sapphire eyes.
