Shades of Darkness (Redemption Series)

by Price, Melynda

  Haden impatiently waved his hand. “Tomato, tomotto. Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? You’re starting to bore me. So here’s the DL, Liam. I am willing to do you the very gracious favor of getting Mitch out of Olivia’s life—for good.” He leaned toward Liam as if he were about to whisper a secret and said, “I think we both agree he’s real douche bag material. Olivia’s way too good for him. Honestly, I can’t believe you let that go on as long as you did. But who am I to judge?” He leaned back, raising his hands defensively.

  Not that Liam considered it for even a minute, but he still found himself asking, “Out of her life for good, how?”

  Haden shrugged. “I’ll kill him, of course. Honestly, it’ll be my pleasure, and think of the benefit. Mitch will never bother Olivia again, and you get to keep your precious wings from getting soiled.”

  “You do realize that in the eyes of the High Court, conspiracy to commit murder is the same as actually doing it yourself, right?”

  “Oh, please, just turn the other cheek.”

  “That’s not what that scripture means.” Liam leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and scrubbed his hands over his face, digging deep for patience. He had one of two options here, fist-pound the guy or play along with this bat-shit crazy Nephilim. Unfortunately, option two seemed the most likely way he was going to get his answers.

  Haden chuckled. “Got you thinkin’ about it, though, didn’t I?”

  “And you want what in return?”

  “The stone, of course.”

  “I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me why you want it so badly.”

  Haden shook his head. “Sorry. Let’s just say I’ve got a few power players on my shit list and I need it to wipe the slate clean.”

  “I can’t give you the stone, Haden, and Olivia doesn’t have it anymore. She doesn’t know where I’ve hidden it, either, so don’t even bother trying to get her to tell you.” That was true. Olivia didn’t know where the stone was inside the Grotto. It concerned him when Haden showed no response to his declaration, and then he realized why. The bastard didn’t believe him. He turned to face his enemy and said, “Look at me, Haden. I’m going to tell you something, and I rarely ever talk about myself, so listen up.”

  Now, this got Haden’s attention. A tawny brow shot up as he cocked his head, pinning Liam with those hateful pale green eyes.

  “I can’t lie.”

  Haden laughed, looking truly amused, which hadn’t been Liam’s intention. He resisted the impulse to drill that bastard right in his smug face. “I’m not kidding, Haden. Ask me something you know I wouldn’t tell you.”

  His grin widened. “Now this is going to be fun.”

  “I’m not trying to amuse you.”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  “So that when I tell you what I have to say, there won’t be any doubt in your wacked-out mind that I’m telling the truth.”

  “Fair enough.” He tipped his head back and closed his eyes as if thinking hard. “Umm… All right, I got one.” There was something unsettling in Haden’s eyes when he looked back at Liam and asked, “Are you in love with your mortal?”

  He didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

  “Do you realize the damage I could do with that information?”

  “Yep. And do you realize the damage I will do to you if you tried? Just because I can’t kill you doesn’t mean I won’t make you wish I could. Now, listen up. Olivia doesn’t know where the stone is, and if you don’t stay away from her, I will violate Universal Law and I will destroy you.”

  “You’d fall for her?”

  It irritated him that Haden looked so amused by the prospect. “I did it once. I would do it again.”

  “Now, that is a story I’d love to hear.”

  “Too bad, I’m not telling it.”

  “Maybe another time, then… I tell you what, in the spirit of honesty, I’ll lay a little bit of truth on you, Warrior. Mitch is pissed off as hell that you’ve stolen his woman, and he wants you dead. I’d even go as far as to bet he’d make a deal with the devil himself to see that happen. You may want to rethink my offer before all this goes down. Oh, and by the way, he spent the night with your female.”

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Thwap! Olivia’s eyes shot open and she sucked in a startled breath against the weight on her chest. Disoriented from sleep, she looked down to see an arm flopped across her breasts. Following the appendage, her hand flew up, muffling her startled gasp. Holy shit!

  Lying beside her on the bed was Mitch—completely naked and passed out in a spread-eagle sprawl. How could she have fallen asleep? How could she have slept through Mitch climbing in bed with her? What time was it? Oh no, Liam!

  Olivia leapt out of bed and stumbled back a few steps. Mitch didn’t move—not even an inch. He was completely dead to the world. “Mitch!” she hissed, “wake up!”

  Nothing.

  “Mitch!” She tip-toed around to his side of the bed and poked him in the foot with her toe. “Mitch, you’ve gotta wake up before Liam gets back!”

  “He’s already back.”

  The echoing response from the doorway stopped Olivia’s heart cold. Oh God, no! She knew how bad this looked. Spinning around, she saw Liam turn and walk away, his brisk clip marching right toward the door. “Liam, wait!”

  He didn’t stop, didn’t look back. Olivia ran after him, her heart slamming inside her chest—dread choking her. She caught ahold of his wrist as he reached the door and jerked him to a stop. That was a mistake. Searing heat scalded her palm and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out.

  He shook her hand loose and growled, “Don’t touch me, Olivia.” His voice rumbled with barely controlled rage, making the fine hairs on the back of her neck prickle. She wondered if he said it to warn her she would get hurt, or if he truly didn’t want her touching him. The amethyst glow of his preternatural glare hinted the latter might possibly be the case.

  “This isn’t what it looks like,” she pleaded.

  “Really? Because it looks like your fiancé is lying naked in our bed!”

  She’d never seen Liam so pissed. Not that she could blame him. She knew it looked terrible, but yet a part of her was heartbroken that, despite what it looked like, he didn’t trust her—didn’t believe her. “He’s not my fiancé!” She reached for him again, and he effortlessly dodged her touch.

  “Does he know that, Olivia? Somehow, I’m going to guess that answer is no.”

  “I didn’t sleep with Mitch, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  “Do you want to know what I’m thinking, Olivia?”

  Suddenly she wasn’t so sure that she did.

  “I can’t do this anymore—”

  “Liam…” She couldn’t breathe.

  “I’m not any good to you like this, Olivia. When Haden offered to kill Mitch, I shouldn’t be considering it.”

  “Did you?—consider it?”

  “Not until about two minutes ago, but now I think it’s a bloody good idea! Look, I can’t keep you safe and be caught up in the middle of this—”

  “What are you saying?” Olivia feared she knew. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to hold it together. Liam looked over her head, refusing to meet her pleading gaze. She could tell the moment his eyes locked on Mitch, because the jade color surged forth, competing with the amethyst hue of his rage.

  “If you want to be with him, then be with him. If you don’t, then for crissake, tell him. Either way, it’s none of my business. I’m your guardian, Olivia, not your lover. You don’t owe me any explanations.”

  His words stung like a slap across her face. In a knee-jerk response, she slapped him back, her hand cracking across his cheek. He didn’t even try to deflect the hit, which only made her pain and anger burn hotter. “Get out!” she yelled, pointing to the door.

  And to her horror—he did! Liam turned around and marched out the door without looking back. As if caught up in the gust of his departure, i
t slammed shut with a loud bang, cutting her off from him.

  “Sounds like that didn’t go well.”

  Olivia spun around to find Mitch standing in the doorway of the bedroom, arms crossed against his chest. He wore only a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. The corner was carelessly tucked against his hip. Any sudden movement and the white terry cloth would be lying on the floor. The smug, cocky grin painted across his face was her undoing. Where she once saw an attractive, charming man with a well-conditioned body and equally sharp mind, she now saw a manipulative, arrogant, deceitful jerk. In the space of five seconds, Olivia completely lost it.

  “Get out!” she yelled for the second time, pointing her arm toward the door just in case he didn’t know the way.

  Pushing away from the doorway with his shoulder, he swaggered toward her. He held his hands up. She wasn’t buying the defensive gesture for one second. Liam was right. Mitch was nothing more than a self-serving asshole that cared more about his ego than he did her.

  “You son of a bitch!”

  He stopped a few steps shy of her. “Whaaat? Why are you pissed at me?”

  His puzzled frown didn’t fool her. “You climbed into bed with me, Mitch! Naked! You knew I was asleep, and you knew he would find us together!”

  Mitch scowled, his icy blue eyes taking on a sharp edge. “I was drunk, Olivia! I passed out! What the hell do you want from me?”

  “I want you to get dressed for starters, and then get out! Go home, Mitch! Before you get yourself killed—”

  “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  “Oh, yes you are! This is me officially breaking up with you. Liam was right, you don’t even know me! Don’t you get it? I see demons—they’re everywhere, Mitch. Do you have any idea what that’s like? I walk around every day, pretending that I’m normal and that I don’t see them, because I know the second they realize I can, they’re going to try to kill me. Every second of every day I have to trust that angel,” she pointed to the door Liam had just stormed out, “is there protecting me. For just one second, can you even try to imagine the faith it takes for me to walk out the door every morning? Liam is my life, Mitch! Without him, I’d be dead by the end of the day! We share a bond I can’t even begin to try to explain to you. I’m sorry I never told you the truth about myself. It wasn’t fair to you, but then, it sounds like you haven’t exactly been honest with me, either. But I’m going to be completely honest with you right now. I can’t marry you, because I am and forever will be in love with Liam. I am so sorry, Mitch.”

  He stood there a moment, his expression inscrutable—and then he erupted. “You’re sorry?” he growled. “You’re sorry!” His eyes narrowed. His bare chest rose and fell with panting breaths of rage. “I risked my life for you and that’s what you have to say to me? ‘I’m sorry!’”

  Of all the asinine things for him to say… “I never asked you to come here!” she shouted back indignantly. “In fact, I specifically told you not to follow me! I said it wasn’t safe! Clearly, you’re beyond being reasonable here, and I’m done trying to explain myself to you. I want you to get dressed and get out!”

  Perhaps it was harsh, but to give him any hope of reconciliation would only delay Mitch’s departure. He needed to leave, and she needed to find Liam before it was too late, before he found Cale and Rhen, ended this, and left her—again.

  She turned away, and Mitch grabbed her arm, halting her retreat. His fingers bit into her arm as he growled, “Where the hell do you think you’re going? We’re not done here.” He jerked Olivia toward him, and she tripped, slamming into the wall. Her shoulders connected first, followed by the back of her head.

  Small bursts of light momentarily blinded her, when the door suddenly flew open, rattling the wall she was pressed against.

  “Oh, I think you’re done here.”

  She recognized that voice, but it wasn’t Liam’s. The menacing growl lacked his smooth, rich cadence. The undeniable edge of malevolence sent goose bumps prickling up her arms. With blurring speed, Mitch’s grip was ripped off her arm and the crash vibrated against her back as Haden slammed Mitch against the wall beside her. Haden’s forearm barred his throat, locking him in place.

  Now free, Olivia stumbled away, looking up at her “savior” in wide-eyed shock. Haden spared her a brief, sweeping glance. The set of his hard jaw and scowl of his tawny brows were nothing new, but for the briefest moment, something indescribable and…disturbing flickered in those pale sea green eyes. It was gone as fast as it came. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she imagined it. Then again, the fact that Haden had “saved” her from Mitch’s scornful wrath was, in itself, unbelievable.

  “Get out of here,” he barked at her.

  There was no hint of kindness or affection in his command. No, she definitely must have imagined it.

  “Now, Olivia!”

  His snarl set her feet into motion. She swiped the keys off the counter and bailed out the door to go find Liam. She didn’t doubt, for one minute, that Haden wouldn’t hesitate to kill Mitch, and knew she was helpless to stop him. The only thing she could do was find Liam and pray she wasn’t too late.

  Just because she didn’t love Mitch didn’t mean she wanted him to die. It was her fault he was here in the first place, and if anything happened to him, she’d blame herself. Barring the fact that she was sporting a headache, courtesy of his foul temper, she didn’t honestly believe Mitch would ever intentionally hurt her. He was obviously upset she was breaking up with him, which was totally understandable, and he’d become a bit too emotional. But she hadn’t truly thought he was going to harm her.

  What made absolutely no sense was why Haden would give a shit either way. He’d done the same to her and worse over that stone. In fact, she was still sporting the bruises on her neck from his fit of rage.

  “Liam!” She ran down the hall, racing for the lobby. Please be here, please be here! Reaching the balcony, she stopped, scanning the foyer below. “Liam!”

  People stopped and stared, but none of them were him. He was gone! She raced down the stairs two at a time. People parted like the Red Sea as she dashed through the lobby and out the front door.

  ***

  Crack! “I said get me the stone, not beat the shit out of her!” Haden nailed Mitch with another punch. This one was a kidney shot that effectively brought the bastard to his knees.

  Mitch spit a mouthful of blood on the floor at Haden’s feet. “What the fuck do you care?” Reaching across his stomach to splint his side, Mitch staggered to his feet, shooting Haden a hateful glare.

  That was a good question. Why did he care? He shouldn’t—he didn’t. Maybe he just didn’t want Mitch burning his bridge to the stone. Yeah, that was it. Liam nearly had him convinced he couldn’t lie. He vowed the female didn’t have the stone—that she didn’t know where it was, but then, what kind of a fool would he be if he didn’t check it out for himself. For Olivia’s sake, he almost hoped the angel was telling the truth.

  When Haden entered her room, he hadn’t expected to find Mitch slamming the female up against the wall. The instant reaction to intervene had caught him off-guard, and even now, the possessive burn in his veins unsettled him. He’d felt a similar impulse once before where the female was concerned—the first time he’d seen her in that bar, and a particularly nasty breed of demon had wanted her for himself. But the urge had been weaker then and he’d dismissed it as one too many gin and tonics.

  “I don’t care,” he denied, “except who do you think her guardian will come after when he finds her banged up?” Haden waved his hand as if to say “Hello? Think about it, dumb ass.” “If I want her hurt, I’ll do it myself,” he grumbled.

  “She doesn’t have the stone.” Mitch wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, casting Haden a wary scowl.

  “So I’ve heard.” Haden arched his brow in interest and folded his arms across his chest, leaning his hip against the kitchenette.

/>   “It’s at a place called the Grotto.”

  Fuck… “And you know this how?”

  “Because she told me.” Favoring his left side, Mitch gingerly gimped toward the bedroom, and disappeared around the corner.

  So the angel had lied. Big surprise there—had he really expected more from the warrior? Disappointingly, he realized—yes. It would have been nice to know there was still some ethical code of honor somewhere that someone lived by. He had to hand it to the angel, he certainly was convincing. And since he’d lied about the stone, had he also lied about being in love with the human? No, that had been true. Salting his lies with truth was the seasoning that had made his deception so palpable.

  Mitch came out a few minutes later wearing clothes, which was a bonus. In fact, he’d like to know how they’d gotten off in the first place. He hadn’t figured Olivia for a whore, perhaps he’d figured wrong. No doubt, Liam was righteously pissed when he showed up this morning and found those two together. The thought of it rankled his own nerves just a little bit—which made zero sense.

  If he wasn’t entirely sure he wouldn’t need Mitch later, he’d kill the bastard right here and now. The urge burned in his veins like an itch that needed scratched. But given the dawning details of Liam’s clever deception, he may end up needing Mitch, after all.

  “So did Olivia tell you exactly where the stone would be in the Grotto?”

  Mitch shook his head and winced as if the movement rattled his still pickled brain. “She didn’t specifically say.”

  “Of course she didn’t. And given the fact that you just Bobby Browned her, I’m pretty sure she isn’t going to tell you anytime soon.”

  “Perhaps if you hadn’t tried to OJ her, she would have told you herself.”

  Haden’s teeth ground together as he bit back a response. This stupid human had no idea how close he was to meeting his maker. One more word, just one more word… Cocky little bastard.