“I’m well aware of how Vincent was.” Kat cut in. “Wait . . . was? Why’d you say ‘was’?” She scowled at him.
“Why do you think? Acting dumb doesn’t become you. I led the Raaka in this city many generations ago, and now I’ve come to claim what was mine once more as Cyrus has asked. The Raaka need a man who knows how to lead, not a man whose only interest is to take Julian down. A man who needs a woman by his side who is just as smart and strong. A brute like Vincent was too stupid to know you need a strong woman to stand by you, not destroy one so she turns against you.”
“Well we can agree on the stupid part. I am aware of how you Raaka treat women. But I am not Raaka, nor do I plan on being one. I don’t understand your clan’s big obsession with me, but you might as well give it up. So not happening.” Kat smirked.
Cameron smiled. “I can promise you they would never hurt you—especially now that I’m in charge—I would never allow it. I know you feel like a Raaka at heart. Do you know what it would be like to share a part of me? Part of us? You would have strength like no other. Nobody could hurt you.”
He pointed at the clan behind her and she followed his direction. The entire group of Raaka watched them. “Those men over there? They would be yours.” When Kat returned her attention to Cameron, he grinned. “They like you. That isn’t like them. Look at the way they look at you. You can feel it, I know you can. They are your family, they would protect you with their lives. They would fight for you, kill for you, anything you wanted. We both know that excites you.”
Kat looked at him and tried to hide the hint of excitement she did feel when those words sunk in, they would kill for you. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t want to share a part of you or any other Raaka or thing. I am who I am. And who I am does not want who you are. Or . . . what you are, I mean. You should leave because I don’t want to talk to you anymore. I don’t like you right now.” She crossed her arms.
“Right now? So there is hope—” Kat went to object, but his dark grin made her realize she’d already admitted what she felt. She rolled her eyes. “See that is the difference between him and I. I have class. You ask me to go and I will. For now. But—”
Cameron got out of his seat, walked around to the back of her seat, and placed his hand on her shoulder, leaning down to her ear. His other hand touched her ever-so-lightly on her collarbone. His finger pressed against her chin to keep her ear near his mouth, like he possessed her. Whispering in her ear, he told her, “I will not stop. You know what is right in your heart. Trust your instincts. They tell you that you belong with me. I will have you.” Kat’s breathing quickened with the voice and the words in her ear. Cameron’s mouth was right next to her face, his breath warm upon her ear, causing her body temperature to rise as his powerful scent overtook her.
He wanted her to listen to her instincts? They told her if she turned a little more to face him—
“Can I help you?” Julian asked, a low growl echoing through the entire club.
Twenty Seven
Fear washed over Kat. Another growl rumbled through his chest, and Julian’s eyes were glowing yellow in anger. Cameron’s hands slid off her while he replied, “Only chatting; weren’t we, Kat? No harm.”
Julian’s dark gaze moved to her, waiting for an explanation.
Kat nodded, “Yes. He was leaving, I believe,” she replied, calming down.
Julian’s eyes returned to normal while he extended his hand. “Come with me.”
Kat slid her fingers into his strong grip without hesitation. She glanced back at Cameron as Julian led her away.
“I will see you around,” Cameron told her, holding no allowance for doubt in his words.
She watched after him and looked at the Raaka clan as they rose as one to follow him out. A lot of them turned to nod her way. Elation swept over her with the small gesture and the wink that one of them gave her.
Julian led her over to a booth in the back corner of the club with his hand on the small of her back. That touch always managed to make her want to give him anything he wished.
Sitting across from him, she was conflicted. A part of her wanted to get up and leave, but another looked into those gorgeous eyes—sparkling at her—and wanted to beg him to take her away.
Julian watched her for what seemed like an eternity. “I am glad you came. I wasn’t sure you would. I thought you would ignore it.”
She snorted. “You didn’t exactly leave a name. How was I to know it was you? I was curious.”
“You knew it was me.” Switching topics, he gave a slight turn to look at where she and Cameron had been sitting. “You need to stay away from him,” he threatened.
“You’re not the man I thought you were. Why should I trust you? You disrespected me and now you assume I’ll do as you say without question? As though I have no mind of my own. You almost sound like Vincent.” Kat leaned back, crossing her arms, trying hard to prevent herself from reacting to his presence.
Julian watched the movement, gazing at her chest, long enough for Kat’s body to feel the weight of his look as though it was his hands and mouth. Her heart skipped a beat in response and her face warmed. She shifted in her seat.
“I am asking—not demanding—that you listen to me. I find it difficult to believe you don’t trust me.” His gaze moved from her mouth, up.
Kat licked her lips, feeling parched, “Yeah, well, that isn’t my point—”
The sorrow in his gaze conveyed what he felt. “I am sorry. I told you, I should have left.”
“Do you regret what happened? You think it was only you? You think I wasn’t told over and over what kind of man you are, Julian? That is all I hear,” she said. “You don’t know Julian, ‘Julian isn’t the man you think he is.’ You know what I say to everyone? Maybe, just maybe, I know the man you are. Maybe there were two of us in that room and I am an adult—”
“I never said I regretted what happened. Don’t turn my words around on me. You know perfectly well that is not what I meant—”
Kat grabbed the edge of the table, trying to keep her voice—and temper—under control. “As once you’ve said, ‘don’t interrupt me.’ Julian you hurt me, plain and simple. How am I to take it?” She leaned back, awaiting an answer, eyebrows raising.
“I should have handled it differently. I didn’t leave you because I ran out on you. I genuinely had to attend to some business. I did not realize how it may look at first and did not mean to make what happened seem trivial by my actions. It was only after that, that I did not know what I should say.”
“That doesn’t sound like you. You’re a man who knows exactly how to explain, and express, himself.”
A look of adoration entered his gaze. “Except when it comes to you. With you it seems I act like a stupid man. One could even say passionate.” The corner of his mouth curved upward.
Kat fought the urge to smile as memories of that night enveloped her. “Passionate? Yeah, that’s one word to describe it. What now?”
“I have been around much longer than you, Kat. I am older than you may think.” Julian let out a deep sigh. “We both know it can’t happen again. I cannot always protect you. There are ways of my people that are hard to explain. I care deeply about you and haven’t met anyone who made me feel the way you do. That is not in question.”
Almost in a whisper she mocked him, “Care about me? We both know it’s more than that—”
“Please, don’t.” Julian interrupted her, “It cannot last. I will never age. How would you explain that to your friends and family? I will never get wrinkles. I will never change. You will age and you will die. We are from two different worlds. One in which I am prince and must hold true to the ways of our kind.”
He looked haunted, but what he said was true and she knew it. She hadn’t thought about it until Julian spoke the words, but he was older and didn’t show it. He would grow older and not change, but she would. And how would she cope? She understood everything he was sayi
ng to her, but she didn’t care. She found someone who made her feel unlike any other. Why did she have to be without that?
“You know that’s selfish, right? That’s all it is. I understand there are rules for your kind. I understand I will grow old die and you will only age. But that doesn’t mean you couldn’t die tomorrow like the rest of us. That doesn’t mean you should throw away what we have. And it certainly doesn’t mean you can make my decision for me.”
Julian watched her with nothing but patience as if he had all the time in the world. “That is in a way, selfish. I understand that. Kat. . . .” He didn’t seem to have the words to convey what he wanted, so he stuck with watching her for a moment, without speaking.
At the look she saw in his eyes, her heart fell. He didn’t want her to go. He wanted to explain things to her more, but she hurt. Her heart hurt, her soul hurt. She couldn’t stay there anymore. She was on the brink of tears.
“Julian,” she leaned across the table and whispered, choking back the tears, “make it easy for me and tell me you don’t love me.”
“I do love you Kat, I could never lie about that.” His hand reached to touch the side of her face, but she leaned back before he could.
Kat rose out of the booth, telling him, “I can’t get over you, and I can’t let you go, because I love you too.” Before Julian could respond or grab her, she rushed from the booth. Kober brushed past her on her way out and she managed a smile for him.
Kober sat down across from his friend, knowing what happened without being told. “You had to do it, Julian. She has to stay away.”
“Cameron was talking to her.” Julian growled. He glared at the table where Kat and Cameron had sat together. Anger rose again at the thought of Cameron’s hands on her.
“Do you know what it was about?” Kober asked, diverting his attention on purpose.
“What do you think?”
Kober’s eyebrows rose, “I did not know he was back in town.”
“I only recently found out. Seems he believes he needs to take over all of Vincent’s affairs.” Julian clenched his fist. “I am going to have to explain the situation to him.”
Kober watched Julian. “Julian be careful. You are allowing yourself to be far too concerned with the girl. I understand your need to protect her and explain everything to Cameron, but you must remain careful.”
“Kober I. . . .” Julian glanced at the table where Kat had sat, letting his thoughts wander before getting back on track. “I need to speak with Cameron. Bring him to me so I can help him to understand.”
Kober glanced at the table Julian glared at, and back to his friend. That wasn’t what Julian was about to say, but he decided not to push. Instead, he focused on what Julian did say. “I will see to it he does.”
Twenty Eight
Kat had went home that night in tears. She couldn’t stand the pain Julian had caused her and didn’t know what she was supposed to do. Julian had wanted to continue their discussion, but what was she to do? Stay and listen to him continue and tell her how wrong they were for each other? Stand by while he decided her life plans for her?
She couldn’t do it. No, she wouldn’t do it.
Julian sent her roses with a card telling her whenever she needed to talk, he’d arrange a time. But would she? She didn’t know. He wanted to be together as much as she did, but everything he’d said to her, she did understand. Neither of them could afford being with the other. Not in any way, shape, or form. Wasn’t it better to cut it off?
Having the day off from work was a treat for Kat. She could get a lot of things done around her condo, like cleaning, laundry, even managing to engage in a small conversation with Daryl as she’d come through the lobby earlier from buying groceries. She couldn’t say it was a conversation like they used to have, but it wasn’t too hostile.
Kat was reading on her couch in her lounge pants when the intercom to her condo buzzed. She placed her book on the nearby table and walked over. It was Daryl’s face on the small TV so she picked up the receiver to reveal her face to him and answer.
“Yes?”
“Sorry to bother you miss,” Daryl spoke into the camera. “Some flowers were dropped off for you.”
Kat rolled her eyes. Julian again.
She’d already received pink roses earlier in the week and she’d told Daryl to get rid of them, she didn’t want them. No, she hadn’t read the card that time and didn’t plan on reading it this time either. She didn’t need to hear what else Julian had to say. It hurt too much.
“Daryl, as I told you the last time, just get rid of them. Please do that if I receive any more roses.”
Daryl looked confused, “These aren’t roses, Kat. I’m not sure what these are, but I know they aren’t roses.”
“Get rid of them.” Kat hung up the receiver as Daryl started to ask if she was sure.
Kat headed back into the living room and grabbed her book, sitting back down on the couch to continue reading.
****
A few hours later when Kat prepared dinner, someone knocked on her door. She froze in the middle of her kitchen. Her mind flashed back to the night she was kidnapped, and her instincts told her not to answer the door, even caused her to check behind her.
When someone came around on a normal day, Daryl called up to announce their arrival. She wasn’t expecting anyone. If she didn’t give the okay and wasn’t expecting anyone, they didn’t get past the front desk. Granted, that was also before Daryl had been Awakened, but since their conversation, she trusted him enough to stick with that part of his job.
Whoever was at her door kept knocking. They would pause, then come again. Kat stayed out of view. Eventually, she was sure they’d take the hint and leave; but they weren’t, and she wasn’t sure what to do. Should she answer it? What if it was Julian? What if it was someone who wanted to hurt her?
The knocking ceased and she assumed they left. She released the breath she didn’t realize she held tight and relaxed, going back to prepare her dinner.
A few hours after Kat finished her dinner and prepared for bed, she went into the living room to turn off the lights. The knocking came again. She froze.
This is ridiculous! I can’t continue to hide in my own condo. She stormed over to her intercom and smacked the button for the door camera. She saw what she figured she would, two men in suits. But these weren’t typical men in suits, they knocked on her door at 11 pm at night.
The men standing outside her door were Raaka. Their whole attitude was the biggest clue. The other being that she recognized one of them. The one pounding was tall, dirty blonde hair.
Continuing to knock on the door, Kat figured they wouldn’t come in if she didn’t open it. She was also hoping someone was still outside protecting her should she scream loud enough.
“We can hear you in there, Kat.”
Knowing they’d hear her, she told them without raising her voice, “Go away. I don’t want anything to do with you. Vincent is gone, get over it, move on.”
They figured out she was looking at them through the camera and turned to look into it. How they knew it was there was beyond her. “We can’t leave until you open the door, Kat. We’re not here to hurt you. We can assure you if we wanted to get through this door, we’d already be through. Open the door so we can talk to you. We have a present for you.”
Kat snorted before answering, “Don’t think so. Leave.”
One of them looked like he was torn between leaving and staying. “Five minutes, then we’ll leave. Otherwise, we will stand out here and knock on your door the entire fucking night.”
“Except you can’t. I will call the cops. If I can’t get them to come, you know who I can. Get. Lost.”
The familiar faced man took a step closer to the camera, showing his frustration. “It’s agreed, all of us want to be somewhere else. Open. The. Fucking. Door.” He battled his fist into the door, causing it to creak on its hinges and splinter. Great, now she had a door to fix.
&nb
sp; Kat stood there for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of opening versus not. The man growled her name. She shrugged her shoulders, remembering Cameron’s promise to her she was safe.
“What do you want?” Kat crossed her arms after opening the door.
Blonde man looked her up and down. “Attractive.” He smirked.
“You know you want me. Shutting the door—” Kat replied, grabbing the edge of the door.
“We are here on Cameron’s orders.” The other one jumped in, placing a hand on the door, forcing her to keep it open. Light brown scruffy hair, more wide than tall, but definitely not fat. The clothes hugged him too well to hide fat. He looked like a wrestler. Shorter than the one in front of her who definitely stood out. Had a schoolboy look to him that was quite adorable.
Kat looked at him with the mention of Cameron’s name, noticing there was a third man with them. Black haired boy held a vase full of wildflowers—including sweet peas and honeysuckle—two of her favorites. His eyes were the most brilliant blue she’d ever seen. She giggled at how miserable he looked having to hold onto the vase. He didn’t appreciate the giggle.
“How cute. You wanted to bring me flowers in the middle of the night. No, wait. For you people it’s probably still early, huh?”
Black haired boy shoved the flowers her way. “Here. I’ll be by the goddamn elevator.” He grumbled, storming off.
“Seriously.” Kat huffed, looking back at the other two. “You said Cameron sent you?”
“Yes. He told Jake—” he pointed toward the heart breaker who’d stormed off, “—Max and I, we were to hand deliver the flowers and message this time. You haven’t responded to any of the flowers sent to you.”
“Your name?” Kat asked the tall, dirty blonde haired guy. His hair was style with precision, but combed also to look finger friendly and messy. Up close, she could really take him in. His eyes were so dark, she almost didn’t notice how green they were, but when he’d looked toward Jake, the light caught them and illuminated the color. Chiseled jaw with a bare touch of hair around it, very pronounced full lips, his gaze cut through her and held her in place when he turned back.
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