Trina M. Lee

by Alexa O'Brien Huntress Series Book 1-4 Box Set (Retail)

  “Rampage?” I frowned. “Look, Ky. I know you’re not comfortable with me all the time anymore, but I am still me. Please, don’t forget that. You’re my best friend. I need you to trust me. Have I ever given you a reason not to? Really?”

  She looked at me for so long before answering that I thought I would burst from the apprehension. Finally, she let her breath out in one long whoosh. “No. You’ve never done anything to hurt me or anyone else, but you almost hurt Shaz. And, I know you’ve come close to losing it on Julian. Is it really necessary to walk such a fine line? Arys has changed you in so many ways.”

  “And, you hate that, don’t you?” I didn’t mean to be confrontational, just honest. “You don’t have to like any of it, Ky, but don’t judge me by him. I am my own person, dammit.”

  “I know that, Alexa. Don’t get pissed at me because I’m agreeing with you now.” She rolled her eyes at me, and I felt like a moron. “Just … think things through before you act on emotion. That’s all. I worry about you.”

  I sighed, my eyes again drawn to the clock. “I know. And, I appreciate that. I’m not thinking straight. Ignore me.”

  “Done.” Kylarai smiled and winked a long-lashed eye. “Whatever you do, don’t be too trusting. And, I mean with any vampire, Arys or Harley. They are cut from the same cloth in many ways. Keep that in mind.”

  “Trust me, I do. It’s never so simple.” In an attempt to change the subject, I added, “Don’t say anything to anyone about Zoey and the guy that’s looking for her. Please.”

  “Not even Julian?” She pursed her lips, unhappy with my request.

  “No, not even him. I can only deal with one thing at a time. Let me get through tonight and then we will deal with it. Together. I promise.”

  She didn’t look happy about it, but she grudgingly agreed. Following me to the front door, she crossed her arms and watched me slip on my boots. I knew it was coming. I knew Kylarai very well. She was our little pack mother, always concerned, always the problem solver.

  “Are you sure I can’t tell Julian? I don’t like to keep things like this hidden. It could be important.”

  I laughed and reached to give her a loose hug. “Fine. Tell him if it will make you feel better. You can also tell him that nobody makes choices in this situation except for Shaz or me. He stays away from Zoey and keeps his nose out of it unless otherwise asked.” I felt bad for being such a bitch about it, but Julian couldn’t be trusted and the only one that didn’t believe that was Ky. “I’m sorry, Kylarai. You know I consider you my second in command, always. Not him. He’s nothing to us.”

  Kylarai was a pro at shrugging off the loathing that Julian, Shaz and I shared for one another. He’d dared to challenge Shaz for Alpha, and he’d lost. It didn’t make me like him or trust him, and I never would. As far as I was concerned, it was just a matter of time until he blew it with Ky. Then, he would finally be out of our lives. She was the only reason Shaz hadn’t run him out of town altogether.

  Julian didn’t deserve her, and everyone knew it, even him. She was in a place where she wanted to be happy, with someone she could identify with as a werewolf. Things hadn’t worked out between her and Kale so she’d settled for Julian. Yet, I knew that couldn’t last forever because Kylarai was a gem. She deserved better.

  “Be careful, ok?” She called to me as I headed down the walk to my car. “Don’t go in there without backup.”

  “Of course not,” I replied casually. “I have Kale on standby.”

  She nodded vigorously, raising a hand to wave. “Good. Call me when you get home so I don’t have to worry about you.”

  Backing out of her driveway still felt weird. It wasn’t that long ago that this house had been my home. I missed having the forest just beyond my backyard. It resulted in frequent trips to Kylarai’s throughout the week. I couldn’t hold off on shifting as long as some Weres could because Arys relied on it to ease the need he constantly carried. After what I’d witnessed inside him tonight, I doubted it was making a difference.

  The drive to The Wicked Kiss seemed to take no time at all. I found myself wishing it were further away. The twenty minutes in the car was just enough to stir the butterflies in my stomach. I was glad that I’d worn blue jeans and a sporty tank top, nothing overtly sexual or skin baring. I was nervous as hell. No way was I going to draw any more of Harley’s attention than I could possibly help.

  I paused to send a text message to both Shaz and Kale, telling them I’d arrived. Shaz was working but he’d wanted to know. Kale was supposed to check in on me if he hadn’t heard from me within two hours. Those were my terms. Kale had wanted to come with me right from the start.

  Walking into The Wicked Kiss had never been easy. This time, it was downright painful. Approaching the building alone, knowing who waited for me inside made me feel like someone should have been yelling, “Dead woman walking!” as I made my way to the doors. Of all of the stupid things I’d done, this had to be among the worst.

  My heart was racing before I reached the back door of the building. It was my last chance to change my mind and leave. Once I crossed the threshold, I’d made my choice. My conscience continually brought Arys to mind. I didn’t want to do anything to hurt him, but I had to focus on my needs, too. This wasn’t all about me, but I wasn’t on a leash, and God forbid that I should ever act like I was.

  The back door to the club opened before I’d laid a hand on it. The dim lighting inside illuminated Harley, and I sucked in my breath. I deserved everything I got once I walked inside. I knew it undoubtedly. Yet, when he stepped back to allow me entry, I went for it.

  “Look, I appreciate that you’re willing to speak with me, but this is all business. I just want to make sure that’s clear.” My tone was sharp, leaving no room for confusion.

  Harley looked at me as if I were a child playing grownup. He actually laughed as he ushered me along down the long hall. “Always a pleasure to see you, Alexa. Obviously you’re having second thoughts about being here.”

  The music booming in the front of the club could be heard through the walls. I imagined the many willing and not so willing victims out there, mingling with vampires as if it were the norm. My skin crawled at the thought. It was something I wanted to put a stop to. That clearly wasn’t going to happen any time soon.

  “Don’t worry about my thoughts, Harley. They are hardly any concern of yours. I’m not alone, so don’t get any ideas either.”

  “You still don’t get it,” he said, and I looked at him in surprise. “You don’t need backup. If anything, your backup needs you.”

  Unwilling to be seen in the hall with him by anyone that would talk to Arys, I quickened my pace. “Let’s just get on with it. I have places to be.”

  I pretended not to hear his low chuckle. I prayed that he had no idea how it made my insides quiver. The scent of fresh blood wafted from his luxury suite, and I came to an abrupt halt outside the door. He swept passed me, entered the room and turned back to me with a question in his eyes.

  From the doorway, I could see the wet crimson drops on the cream-colored duvet adorning the large bed. I half expected to find a body but if there’d been one, it was gone.

  “What’s with the fresh kill smell?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. I eyed Harley suspiciously. “I’m not up for tag teaming.”

  His jovial laugh had me glaring hard. It was useless. Rather than address my question, he studied me until I grew uncomfortable. “Your first mistake is neglecting your needs. Whether it be food, sex, blood or the rush of the kill, your needs define you. If you’d fed your own bloodlust, you wouldn’t be reacting so strongly to the scent of blood in this room. Now, come in here.”

  I didn’t budge. I suddenly felt uncertain. The aroma of human blood on the air turned my stomach even as it encouraged my hunger. I ignored Harley’s impatient gesture and took a hesitant step inside. I purposely did not close the door, and I did not intend to allow him to shut it either.

  “Di
d I come during meal time, Harley? I’d hate to interrupt.” I surveyed the room, but other than the spilled blood, nothing seemed amiss.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Just a little fun and games while I awaited your arrival.”

  “Look,” I said, direct and more than a little forceful. “I don’t trust you, and I don’t have any reason to. Let’s just get down to business. I’m limited on time.”

  “Are you ever going to tell Arys that you’ve been coming here?” He smirked and took a seat at the small table. Crossing his legs casually, he simply watched me.

  I scowled, refusing the chair he offered. “That’s none of your business. I am not here to talk about him. Got it?”

  “As you like.” Harley seemed far too amused by my irritation. That only enhanced it. “So, should we start with your short temper? It seems to me that will be the first place you go wrong.”

  Something occurred to me then, something about the way he said that. I raised an eyebrow, staring right back at him. “Why are you really willing to help me? Is it because you’re trying to screw me over or is it something else? Because I’m sure it can’t just be the promise of my blood.”

  He gave me a sadistic smile that instilled a sinking sensation within me. I so did not want to hear his response. I was rife with discomfort, and he loved it.

  “Well,” he clapped his hands together and shifted in his seat. “Since you mentioned it, there is something else. I’d like to alter the terms of our little arrangement, if I may.”

  I sighed dramatically and huffed. “Go on.”

  “I want an exchange of service. Mine for yours. I help you and you in turn, help me.”

  “I’m not killing for you.”

  “Why is that the first thing that you assume?”

  “What else would you want from me? I’m not really in the service industry, you know.”

  The smirk he wore never wavered. I was dying to slap it off his face.

  “Aren’t you? As far as I know, you get paid to kill your own kind.” His tone was flippant, and I knew an insult when I heard one.

  “And yours,” I spat back at him.

  “Which is exactly why I know you could do it, if it was ever needed.” Harley was beating around the bush, and we both knew it. I had half a mind to spin on my heel and head for the exit. “I want you to provide me with your lovely abilities, should I ever need them.”

  “Care to elaborate on that?” My stomach twisted with unease. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted. I wanted to hear him say it.

  “A man like me has his share of enemies, Alexa. Should I ever require some powerful backup, I want to be able to call on you. If I teach you about your power, I want access to it.”

  He watched for my reaction, and I knew he expected me to lose it. That was exactly what I wanted to do. It took all of my self-restraint to bite back the “fuck you” that threatened to spill through my lips.

  Taking a deep breath, I spoke through my teeth. “I don’t think so. You don’t have that kind of say as far as me or my abilities go. I’ll find someone else to help me. Somehow.”

  “It’ll be your choice,” his words came out in a rush. “But don’t forget … any danger that comes my way makes Arys a target, too. He is mine after all. And, as much as you might hate to hear it, I don’t plan on leaving this city any time soon.”

  “Why not?” Damn. I sounded far too disappointed. “Please don’t tell me you are staying on our account. Arys and I were doing just fine before you got here. Better, in fact.”

  Harley shoved his chair back and stood up. “Now, now. No need to be petty. My reasons for staying are none of your concern.”

  “It is if you’re knowingly attracting trouble.”

  He chuckled then, slowly crossing the space between us. My nerves were already frazzled. Each step he took stirred my wolf, and I grew defensive.

  “Any trouble that finds me will in turn find you and Arys. Don’t tell me that you’re so ignorant to that fact that you would endanger yourself and your loved ones. Honestly, I fear no one. Yet, if trouble comes knocking, don’t for a moment think it won’t end up on your doorstep, too. As much as it may kill you to believe it, you are linked to me by blood and power through Arys. Think carefully about what I’m asking you.”

  Another step brought him within touching distance. I sucked my breath in and held it, afraid to say or do something I’d regret. I hated that he was likely right. I was tied to him through Arys. As much as it ate me up inside, it was something I had to think about on a deeper level.

  Slowly exhaling, I struggled to remain calm. He was just a step away from invading my personal space. Being in the same room with him was enough to ignite a response within me. When he was two feet away and exuding that heavy, inviting energy, it was damn near impossible to resist him. It fed my hunger and stoked the flames of power waiting inside me for the right touch. I swore softly. Between the bloodlust and the power hunger, my resolve was fading fast.

  “If you bring trouble to my town, I will drive you out of here. Even if it means ripping your heart from your chest with my bare hands.” The words were a struggle, but I meant every one.

  Ignoring me, Harley held a hand close to me, touching my aura but not my body. Lucky. I glared at his hand, ready to bite his fingers off.

  “You are your own weakness,” he said thoughtfully. “If you weren’t so stubborn, you would have a substantial amount of control over your power … and your hungers. You need to leave.”

  That was surprising. “What?” I asked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly. I shivered as I felt the growing energy between us ripple. He was vibing off me as strongly as I was reacting to him.

  “You shouldn’t have come here with the bloodlust plaguing you. It causes your entire metaphysical being to be compromised. That in turn speaks to me, calls to me. You have no idea how powerful your allure is.” As he stroked a hand along my aura, it created a fluttery sensation in the pit of my stomach.

  “I don’t need blood to live. I’m not like you.” My mouth was dry, and the words came out breathy and soft. It sounded like I was trying to convince myself rather than him.

  “A useless argument.” Harley moved in a slow circle around me. The feeling of his energy touching mine grew, and I had to focus hard on staying calm. “Can’t you feel it? How easy I could have you.”

  Adrenaline flooded me, and my heart increased its pace. Again, I was reminded of how stupid I was for coming here, trusting him on any level. He stopped directly behind me, blocking the doorway. I tried to respond, but the words wouldn’t come out. I gasped for breath, feeling like the air had been sucked from my lungs.

  “Please, don’t.” It was all I could manage. His power was magnetic, drawing me to him in unnatural ways. I was caught in the middle of the turmoil, fighting to deny the many urges that taunted me. Why did giving in have to be so wrong?

  I gasped when he touched me. His hands were warm from his recent feed. It was like being zapped with electricity. The crackle of our power meeting was startling. Like the last time Harley had physically touched me, I ached for more of him. I knew it was the illusion of his power. His touch was meant to stir the wanton desire coiled deep inside me. Yet, I wasn’t supposed to react like every other victim he claimed.

  Harley ever so slowly slid his hands down my upper arms to my elbows and then to my wrists. His fingers wrapped around each of my wrists in a grip that was sensual and commanding but not controlling or binding. My resistance continued to fade. This was all kinds of awful. He was taking me down faster than he had the time I’d been here against my will. If I’d learned anything from Harley, it was that I was a weak fool with a lot more to learn than I’d thought.

  “Consider this your first lesson, lovely lady,” he murmured low, his lips close to my ear. “Your power is your weapon, no different than fangs or claws. Weakness is your first enemy. Don’t ever walk into battle unprepared unless you’re ready to die your mortal death.”

  I sh
uddered, and though I longed for it to be disgust, it was pleasure. I found some solace in the fact that I was bonded to Arys. Harley couldn’t bind me or kill me. However, that only ruled out two of the things he longed to do to me. There were many others.

  His grip tightened around my wrists until my heart pounded. I knew I had to pull away. I could throw him off me with no more than a thought. I didn’t do it simply because I didn’t want to. He held me under his thrall, and I didn’t want to fight it. Fuck that. I had to.

  “Tell me, Alexa, do you want me to stop?” He released my wrists suddenly. With one hand he entwined his fingers through mine, sending a shock of power through me. I was ready to melt into a puddle at his feet, just that fast.

  With his other hand, he swept my hair to the side so that it no longer hid my neck. Alarm bells went off inside my brain. My voice was steady, but my knees were weak. “Yes. I want you to stop.”

  It was partly true. I really did want him to stop. He’d once told me that I was more powerful than he was. The difference was that he knew how to use his and very well at that. His abilities were rooted in desire and pleasure in its many forms. It came second nature to him. I longed to control myself with such ease.

  “Then stop me.” He nuzzled my hair, deeply inhaling my scent. He groaned, and I knew that it wasn’t only my control being tested now. This could get messy.

  I concentrated hard on pushing him away. I felt his resistance like a brick wall behind me. He chuckled at my failed attempt. The touch of his fangs against my bared neck was as heavenly as it was horrifying. I was definitely afraid, and still, a part of me wanted him to bite me. Harley’s bite was powerful, almost as intoxicating as Arys’s. This man knew the taste of my blood, my essence. It couldn’t come to that again. I was stronger than that.