There are times when you know it’s going to be a shitty day.The only option to handle such a day is to stay in bed and ignore the rest of the world.Today is one of those times I should have stayed in bed.Dammit.This meeting should have been avoided.I swallow hard and try to control my emotions.
Which is very hard to do when the intense feeling rippling through me feels like an alarm to let my body know of the monumental presence of my fated mate.Something I’ve been trying to avoid ever since the havoc started when his sister was arranged to marry my brother.
Our families are linked together through our ancestors, whether we like it or not.His family are Neptune’s descendants, I’m a Salacia descendant.Our fate is undeniable and yet my brother has started a war between our families which has resulted in bloodshed and plain murder on both sides.
Unable to resist, I glance in the direction of the pull I’m feeling and my gaze collides with silver eyes.A shudder runs through me, and it feels like an electrical surge running up my spine and warming me from the inside out.Ugh.So much for avoiding my fated mate because our bond just sparked and now it’s impossible for us to ignore one another.
The homicide detective is oblivious of the hostility and unwanted feelings crackling in the air between us when Nathan steps closer and says, “Fosca Decimus, this is Sevrin Britton, the owner of this beach resort.Sevrin, this here is our medical examiner.Fosca, what do we have?”
Tearing my gaze away from Sevrin, I tell Nathan, “Riger mortis in the hands and jaw indicates the man died around three or four hours ago.The bruises and abrasions are consistent with a fall.”I glance up to the balconies of the apartments of this beach resort, and back at the body.“However, there are three wounds at the back of his skull which resulted in a depressed fracture.They don’t look like they came from a fall, they look like blunt force trauma from tremendous pressure.Autopsy is in two hours.”
“So, the guy didn’t get drunk and fall from his balcony?”Nathan questions.
I grab my bag and repeat, “Autopsy is in two hours.”
“Fine,” Nathan huffs.
“Dave will handle everything,” I tell Nathan and as if on cue, Dave rushes toward me.
It only takes a few minutes to update Dave and give him instructions while Nathan talks with Sevrin.I’m about to leave when Sevrin suddenly steps in front of me.
“Where’s your brother, Cassia?”His voice is low and menacing.
The urge to snap at the man not to call me Cassia is high.On the other hand, I don’t intend to get close and personal with him any time soon so there’s no reason for him to call me by my middle name.I ditched Cassia when my brother, Cassius, went rogue, it reminds me too much of the asshole.
I grip my bag a little tighter than necessary.“Why don’t you let me know once you’re able to find him.”
When I sidestep to move around him, he anticipates and blocks me once again.“Did you plan this?Think you can link us together and I’ll turn belly up to follow your fuckin’ orders?Think again, bitch.”
Slowly, I let my gaze wander over his body.He’s wearing a denim vest over his naked chest.Abs on display, and a scary looking tattoo on his pecs.His dark pants show the outline of his muscled thighs and on his feet are biker boots.I’m aware this man is the president of a motorcycle club, and it says so on his pecs.
We’re complete opposites, not just outer appearance with him in the rough biker look while I’m wearing heels, and a polka dot pleated Prada dress.I work with law enforcement while he balances the fine line of outlaw.It makes me wonder if people he kills will end up on my table now that I’ve relocated here.
“Well?”Sevrin snaps, and I could kick myself for letting my mind and eyes wander.
“You might have been trying to avoid running into me, but so have I.Clearly, we both failed.Now, let’s agree to avoid one another for as long as we can.”I take a step closer, careful not to touch him.“And Sevrin?It’s Fosca.Not Cassia, not bitch...Fosca.”
This time I do manage to step around him, but stop when he growls, “Why did you come into my town,Cassia?”
The way he pronounces my name like he’s tasting something foul makes me want to punch his throat.Instead, I take a deep breath to let all the scents coming from him filter through me.Finding something, I decide to lash out in another way.
I face him and tell him with a sassy smile, “Why don’t you do us both a favor and knock up a human.I hear it’s the easiest way to break a fated mate bond indefinitely.”Letting my gaze hit his forearm where the trace of a human female is, I add, “You don’t seem to have issues with having them touch you.”
His silver eyes flare along with his nostrils.Thunder rumbles above us and my smile becomes genuine.I’ve struck a nerve by the way he’s creating the storm brewing above us.It’s been a while since I’ve encountered another supernatural like me.The familiar hum of power is strong, but not as strong as mine.It’s also a reminder of the disastrous result my brother caused.
“Careful, Sevrin.Our bond isn’t severed, so you can’t kill me without taking your own life.Besides, your resort is already dealing with one dead body.There’s only so much death a business can take before it goes bankrupt.”
He takes a menacing step forward and is standing really close.Yet, like me he makes sure not to touch, because touching skin-to-skin will strengthen our bond.
“You’re the one who should avoid potential danger, Cassia,” he snarls.
Usually, I’m perfectly capable of controlling my emotions.Though, this man pushes buttons I didn’t know I have.Without thinking I create an electromagnetic force field to shock his stupid ass and simultaneously snatch his wrist to keep him in place to blast him twice.It’s the only way I know how to use my powers.
Only, he gets hit by the first wave because I grabbed his wrist.Shit.Skin-to-skin causes our bond to become physical.His smile makes me realize I walked right into his trap.We might not have been able to kill one another without losing our own life, but hurting him with my powers was possible...until now.
“You’re an asshole,” I snap and drop my hand.
“Damn right.”His grin stays in place.“Tell your brother I’m coming for him.”
