Klonis let out an angry howl. “You can’t do that!”
Malin ignored him and pulled me up until I stood on shaky legs. As if Klonis didn’t exist, he said calmly to me, “You weren’t gonna win that one.”
Klonis, breathing hard, stood and said, “I’m taking him back to the ranch. Clearly he’s a behavioral risk.”
Malin turned. “Do I get a refund?”
Klonis blinked. “Of course.”
Malin turned to face me again. “Your choice.”
Klonis blustered. “It’s not his choice.”
I frowned up at him. My choice? Nothing was ever my choice.
“It’s not his choice. I make the decisions,” Klonis repeated.
My anger had burned up quickly making my voice come out trembly. “I don’t want to go back.”
Malin shrugged, eyed Klonis and said, “There. You have it. He doesn’t want to go. And I have a contract with you. I’ve got him for the night.”
Klonis straightened his shirt, let out a hiss and said, “Fine. Have the little shit back by eight a.m. tomorrow. Don’t be late. And if he assaults you, we’re not liable.”
To my utter shock, Malin laughed. “Not in the least worried about that. Are you?”
Klonis scowled and pulled open the door with so much force it threatened to come off its hinges. It banged shut behind him.
The laughter abruptly stopped and Malin said curtly, “Get dressed.”
I had no other choice. Yet a big part of me wanted to obey this man, that given a choice, I would easily do whatever he said.
I hadn’t been in the pool and didn’t need a shower. So right there, right in front of him, I tossed off my robe and stripped off the trunks. I didn’t look at him as I handed them to him. I focused on my own clothes, getting into my jeans, shrugging into my t-shirt and sandals. I heard a click of Malin’s designer case and saw that Malin had opened it. He rolled up the trunks and set them inside, then brought out a comb and ran it through his wet hair. It was already drying on the ends and lay perfectly against his shoulders. He smelled like lavender shampoo. My favorite. I used to use it back when I lived in a pack. At Brimstone, we washed with unscented generics. It was thoughtalphas would want us more and pay higher if they could scent our natural omega pheromones.
When I was done, I stood watching him, waiting. The way he moved his arm and tilted his head back was almost graceful. His hair was slick now, as if he’d put something in it while it had been completely wet. His jacket perfectly outlined his frame.
Malin turned his head, his dark eyes lasering right into mine as if daring me. To do what? I didn’t know.
“Ready?”
I rapidly nodded.
He opened the door and I followed him down the hall.
5
Malin
We came all the way down the driveway to my red Lamborghini. I clicked my fob and the gull-wing doors opened on both sides. Cassius got in, his mouth hanging open in awe.
I heard him say softly, “I’ve seen this type of car only rarely where I grew up but never up close.”
I slid in on the spongey black leather. The seat hugged me like a long-lost lover, but my pants felt awful. I hadn’t had a chance to dry them. It didn’t matter. I planned to go straight home. I pushed a button and the doors levered closed. “Do you like it?”
“Yes, sir.”
The engine started up with a power that rumbled through me. I never tired of it.
We left the property quickly and once on the road I accelerated. Cassius seemed to relax the faster I went.
