Page 89
He sucked in a deep breath, forcing himself not to pass out as he focused on Eden. She was so damn brave, always fighting, and always fearless. “Get on your knees,” she said to Madrie.
His eyes glittered with rage, but he didn’t move.
“It’s not nice, is it, when someone demands something of you? When you feel powerless and your life is about to end,” Eden said. “Your work is a disgrace. You use terror and violence to get what you want. And you have a cargo full of prisoners.”
“They’re only animals.” Madrie sneered at her.
Eden bared her teeth and growled. “They’re so much more than that. Now, unless you want me to turn you into Swiss cheese, get on your knees.”
Blaze tilted his head. He had no clue what Swiss cheese was but couldn’t imagine it was anything good if Eden was using it as a threat.
Madrie slowly sank to his knees.
“Good boy. Now, my partner thinks you should die. But I want you to face punishment and have everything you’ve got taken from you. And I want you behind bars for the rest of your miserable life. It’ll be a lesson to anyone else dumb enough to steal from our sanctuary. If you take what doesn’t belong to you, it comes back and bites you hard on the ass.”
“Screw that. I’m not going to jail. Just shoot me,” Madrie said.
“No. I’d rather see you suffer behind bars.” Eden looked around. “That’ll do.” She grabbed some cable from the corner of the room, and went to secure Madrie’s wrists.
He threw himself back, slamming into Eden and knocking her off her feet.
Blaze lurched onto his hands and knees. He’d help Eden, even if it was the last thing he did.
He blinked as something gray and furry shot out of the sling around Eden’s chest and flew through the air. It landed on Madrie’s face.
“What the hell?” Blaze stared in disbelief as Nipper savaged the Pecket’s cheek.
“Aww. You’re such a sweet fur baby.” Eden righted herself and marched over.
She ignored Madrie’s howls as she tied his hands and feet together. Only when he was secure did she hold her arm out for Nipper to climb onto and stop him from chewing off Madrie’s face.
“I thought they killed Nipper,” Blaze said, still on his hands and knees.
“They almost did, but he’s a tough little guy. I found him in the cargo hold when I got out of the cage,” Eden said. She bit her bottom lip and took a step toward him. “How you doing?”
Joy ricocheted through Blaze. He was captivated by his amazing warrior woman. “Still alive. How did you get out of the cage?”
Eden settled Nipper back in the sling, stroked his head, and then eased him onto her back. Only then did she look back at Blaze.
The intensity in her eyes had his heart thudding. Every time she looked at him like that, his cock got rock hard.
“Blaze! I thought I might be too late.” She ran over, wrapped her arms around him, and landed a bruising kiss on his lips.
It was messy, frenetic, and sexy as all hell as she kissed the life back into him. Her soft body pressed against his, a groan coming from deep at the back of her throat.
His tongue crashed into hers as he held her tight, and his body thrummed with desire. It felt so damn incredible to have Eden this close. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Eden pulled back from the kiss. “Are you good? What do you need? We have to treat your injuries.”
He yanked her back to him. “I couldn’t be better now you’re here.” He ran his hands down her sides, reveling in her sweet curves and warmth.
She shuddered under his touch. “But you’re hurt.”
“I can only feel you.” A need Blaze had never felt before fired through him. He kissed down Eden’s neck, grazing the skin with his teeth and making her arch against him.
He’d wanted her for so long. Yearned for her in a way that hadn’t felt natural. But this was the most natural thing in the world, to have the woman he’d die for in his arms, losing herself to him. It’s where she belonged.
She was his.
