See me, p.30
See Me, page 30
I stood in the doorway of the cell that was basically a concrete floor and bars, when, suddenly, I knew someone, or something, was beside me. Slowly, I turned my head to see what had found me.
“Well, hello pretty.” He was too close, but I guessed he knew that by the grin he flashed, showing me his very large white teeth.
“Hello, Wolf.” I was going to handle this one with strength. I knew he was testing me.
He leaned closer and sniffed.
My flinch wasn’t too obvious. However, I did give him a haughty stare.
“Human,” he decided, “yet not.” He narrowed his eyes as he studied me for a moment. What the fuck did that mean? I took the opportunity to look at his face. He was beautiful in a masculine way. If I was an artist, I would be reaching for my sketch pad. He had a strong jaw and great cheekbones with striking gold eyes that stood out against his olive skin. His black hair was cut short, but it was still long enough on top that a lover could run their fingers through it.
“The Laird has honored me with a gift.” His smile communicated seduction and something else, a cruelness.
I took a step away. “I don’t know about that.” I measured the distance to the stairs, not that I could ever outrun a Lycan.
“You do not find me attractive?” He took a step toward me.
I backed up a few more steps. “I think you are mistaken.” I passed another empty cell. Where was Black? He hardly ever let me out of his sight. Where were my guards? I hadn’t seen one since we were dropped off at the front door.
“I’ve returned from a job, and a beautiful woman appears before me. How is that not a gift?” He had a trace of an accent that made his words sound almost musical.
I was starting to become afraid. I knew he sensed that because he showed me his teeth again. Where the fuck was Black? I wanted to yell for him, but I knew that was a sign of true weakness. Then the wolf would pounce. I needed to keep stalling. “I’m the Seer. I’m not some reward.”
He scoffed. “I’m to believe that Raider Black allows a Goddess’s Marked to wander to the cells unattended?”
I cursed my rare moment of adventuring. The last time had been when I was sixteen, and that afternoon had ended with me in the hospital. I tried to sound carefree. “I got bored waiting,” I said as I continued my backward journey.
“That is very unfortunate for you.” A different voice sounded too close to my ear.
I couldn’t even concentrate on his guttural voice and words, because he stunk. So badly, I wondered whether he’d ever bathed or wiped himself. I couldn’t gag, because a thick arm was wrapped around my throat, crushing me against the bars.
At that moment, all hell broke loose. I tried to pull his arm loose, which was pointless. He was a fucking Lycan and I wasn’t strong enough. As well, the dark-haired man was yelling and trying to loosen the man’s hold.
It was like the animal was trying to pull me through the space between the bars. The problem was that I was pressed flat against them, and even if I was able to turn sideways, I wouldn’t fit. Besides, I did not want to be alone with this guy. Glass’s training kicked in, and I tried to poke at the guy’s eye over my shoulder.
“Release her!” the beautiful man screamed at my captor.
Grayness was starting to form around the edges of what I could see. My panic sky-rocketed, because once I was out, who knew what these two men would do to me. I tried to yell for Black, but it was more of a rumble in my throat.
Suddenly, there was an explosion of sound, and the arm was gone.
I fell to the floor and as soon as my body could cooperate, I got to all fours and tried to take in a full breath.
I lifted my head and saw Black stuff a huge handgun into the back of his jeans.
He turned to the black-haired man and roared, “What the fuck just happened?”
I had to give the new guy credit, he was either incredibly brave or stupid. He glanced at the prisoner who was now on the floor of his cell. “You shot him,” he accused the Laird, “after I brought him back alive.”
“Why was he touching her?” Black took a threatening step toward the man.
“I thought she was a reward.” He did not cower.
Yes, he must have a death wish. Black’s expression turned ferocious, “You what?”
I might have I peed myself a little. I could feel Black’s anger and his wolf was ready to kill. I must have made a noise because the Laird looked in my direction.
“And you,” he started to make his way to me, “just what the fuck were you thinking, wandering off?”
I lost it. Too much had happened in a too short period. I’d been in so much pain last night that I thought I was being torn apart. Now, I’d done something stupid, and I’d almost died—again. I couldn’t take it. I crawled to him and wrapped my arms around his leg, resting my face against his thigh, craving his solidness. I swallowed twice, trying to control my tears. “I just wanted to see. I didn’t know anyone was down here.”
He rested his hand on the top of my head. “You could have died.”
“I know.” I held on tighter.
“She said she is the Seer.” The man had moved closer to us.
“Lore, meet Theodora Morrissey, our Seer, who seems to have a death wish,” Black said, his voice deepening.
I lifted my head to look at the man I’d heard about. He was some kind of spy. Mostly, the other guards whispered his name.
“I am Lorenzo Barducci.” He dipped his chin and then continued looking at me. “I apologize for earlier.”
I wasn’t sure if he meant his pursuit or the scuffle. “Neither one of us will ever forget our first meeting.”
Lore turned his attention to Black. “She jokes about being choked. Has she gone mad so soon?”
Black combed his fingers through my hair a little roughly, “No, she is sound. However, I am considering locking her away, so she doesn’t get into any more trouble.”
“Many packs do,” Lore said with certainty.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. I didn’t want to be locked away. I promised myself I’d try to do better.
“I know, baby.” Black picked me up as easily as he would a toddler and held me to his chest. He looked back at the prisoner. “How long do you think it will take him to recover?”
“A day or two?” Lore seemed to be studying the motionless body on the floor. “Depends on how much damage that bullet did.”
“Keep me updated,” Black ordered and turned toward the stairs.
I was shaking, probably in shock. I grasped his T-shirt in my fist and tried to get closer to his chest. I was so cold. “That, that was a big gun.” I couldn’t seem to express my thoughts in complex words.
I think he chuckled, or it might have been a growl. “I meant to do the maximum damage.”
“Thank you,” I repeated.
“He was going to kill you, Theo,” he said heatedly.
“I’m sorry.” I started to cry again.
“And ending up with Lore wouldn’t have been much better,” he cautioned.
“I’m so sorry.” I tried to say the words clearly, but my teeth were chattering.
I didn’t pay attention to the route he took, but soon, we were in his bathroom. It was even nicer than the one at Novus. It was done in a dark marble with a golden vein. The shower was huge, there was a double-sink vanity that spanned one wall. The hardware matched the marble’s vein.
He placed me on top of the vanity and started the water in the shower. Once that was done, he returned and grabbed the front of my tank top with one hand while resting his other hand on my shoulder. He ripped the shirt from my body with a tug.
“I can get undressed,” I announced because I hated that I had again messed up and needed him to save me.
“You can’t even stand up on your own, but I like that you’re feeling feisty.” He continued undressing me but didn’t shred any more of my clothes.
When he was naked, he lifted me into his arms again and stepped into his shower.
Later, I was finally warm and very sleepy in Black’s huge bed. He’d never bothered to turn on the lights and I had no idea what his private lair looked like. I was resting against his chest. “I really am sorry,” I told him for the hundredth time.
“I could have lost you,” he said in his rumbling voice while running his big hand up and down my spine.
“I’ll do better,” I promised.
“You have to, Theo.”
That didn’t sound like an order from the Laird but more like a lover’s entreaty.
I was so screwed.
* * *
I couldn’t breathe. I struggled, but the arm around me didn’t loosen. I was going to die.
I didn’t want to die. Help me. Somebody, help me. I started to kick my legs, but I couldn’t get free. Somehow, I found enough air to scream, “Black!”
“Theo.” Hands were shaking me. “Baby, wake up.”
I tried to slap away the hands. I needed to escape.
“Theodora,” his voice cut through the lingering effects of my dream.
I couldn’t see anything. The room was dark, but I felt his hands loosen their grip on my shoulders. “Bad dream,” I panted in explanation.
“Okay, you’re okay,” he assured me.
I turned to him and scooted closer to his bulk and warmth. After a minute, I said, “It was about earlier.”
“I got that,” he said in a low voice.
“I’m sorry I woke you up.”
“It’s not that late or early.”
“How do you know? It’s so dark in here.” I lifted my head from his chest. “You don’t even have a clock.”
“I can tell. I think it’s the pull of the moon,” he explained. “It’s midnight.”
I wasn’t going to fall back to sleep. Now, I was wide awake. “Did you eat anything after I fell asleep?” I wouldn’t have known if a parade had marched through the room.
“I didn’t leave you.”
Oh. When he was gentle and thoughtful, it made me feel funny. I wasn’t used to this side of him. I liked it. “Aren’t you starving?” A Lycan ate a lot and often.
“I could eat,” he said calmly.
“Where’s the kitchen? I’ll make you something.” I pulled away from him.
“Are you sure you’re up to that?”
“I’m a little hungry myself,” I admitted.
I felt him climb out of the bed.
“Can you turn on a light? I can’t see anything in here.”
“Yeah, give me a sec.”
The next moment, the room was illuminated in a soft golden light. I looked around. I’d figured out the bed was huge, but honestly, the entire room was designed for a giant. The bed could easily hold four men the size of Black. The furniture was a dark cherry wood, and it was all tall. The chest of drawers had to be close to six feet. The walls were a cream color, and the sheets were a mix of cream and burgundy. It was definitely a man’s room.
“Here,” he tossed something on the bed beside me. “Nobody should intrude, but you’ll be covered in case they do.”
I touched the cotton T-shirt. “I brought a bag.” I’d left it in his SUV.
“Put on my shirt, Theo.” Now, that did sound like an order.
I pulled it over my head and climbed out of bed. I made a quick stop in the bathroom, keeping the door halfway open per the rules. I hated this part, so I flushed continuously.
I washed my hands and took a long look at my appearance in the mirror. “Black,” I yelled.
He was behind me in two seconds. “What?” He was now wearing jeans but no shirt.
I pointed to my throat. “Look.”
He didn’t waste time looking at my reflection. He turned me to face him and used one finger to lift my chin. “What am I supposed to be seeing?’
“That’s the problem.” I turned to look in the mirror again. “There are no marks.” I cleared my throat and swallowed hard. “And my throat doesn’t hurt at all.” I glanced over my shoulder at him.
He pulled up the back of the T-shirt and ran his fingers over my shoulder blades and spine. “No bruising here, either.”
I felt my stomach drop. The Lady…she’d changed me.
He pulled down my T-shirt and our gazes met in the mirror. “Three hours ago, you were bruised, and your voice was hoarse.”
“I don’t want to do any weird experiments.” I grabbed onto his arm. “Black, don’t make me go through that.” I pictured Onyx gleefully breaking my fingers in order to see how quickly they would heal.
I could feel him thinking, considering the different outcomes.
“Black?” My voice cracked. The thought of their tests terrified me.
“For now, we’ll keep this development between us.”
It wasn’t the assurance I wanted, but I’d take it. “What about Lorenzo? Will he tell what happened?”
I sensed that he wanted to chuckle. “Few willingly interact with Lore. I don’t think he’ll share how he endangered the Seer.”
“Why is that?” My damn curiosity made my mouth run, again.
“Feed me, and I’ll tell you a little about my spy.” He took my hand and led me out of his bedroom.
His kitchen was fantastic. I could create in this workspace. Everything was top of the line. “Let me get this straight. You don’t cook, ever, and yet, all of this is yours?” I looked up from cutting the tender brisket I’d found in the huge two-door refrigerator.
He flashed a toothy grin. “I can hunt for my food.”
“So, all of this food,” I motioned to the pantry and the fridge, “is for when you have an overnight guest?” Okay, that sounded like I was fishing, but I was wanted to know about how he lived.
He tweaked my nose like I was a toddler. “Are you feeling jealous? Keeping the questions vague, when you really want to know about the other women I’ve had here?” He was giving me a closed-lip smile, like he was feeling smug.
I put down the knife with a clatter. “I’d say that it’s about ten percent wondering about other women. I want to understand how things work.” I picked up the knife again, but before I started to cut another slice, I pointed it at him. “And if there have been hundreds in that huge bed, then you’d better arrange to get a new mattress, mister, because that’s just gross.” I crinkled my nose.
He chuckled and reached for a bit of meat. “I think I like your jealous streak.”
I stopped again. “Really? I’m holding a knife.”
“That wouldn’t do any real damage, Theo.” He took another piece.
I frowned because we both knew I could never surprise him. I moved the remaining meat onto the china plate and pushed it toward him.
He hopped up and plunked his jean-clad ass on the counter top. “We should talk about earlier.”
I sighed. I knew the lecture was coming, so I started cleaning up. I wasn’t hungry after seeing what the Goddess’s latest gift had done. “I guess I thought that since you were here, I’d be safe.” I covered the roast and returned the platter to the refrigerator.
“You don’t think.”
I told myself to not get upset. “It’s hard to prepare for the unknown.”
“Are you trying to push blame onto me?” he asked slowly.
“No.” I returned to the counter space near him. “I let my curiosity get the better of me.” I swallowed because I hated this part. However, the Laird seemed to think I learned best when I had to list my transgressions. “I didn’t have a guard with me. I knew you were tied up with Council business. I should have been more cautious. You are right, I didn’t think.”
He stuffed the last of the meat into his mouth and chewed.
The other thing he did very well. He would make you wait for his answer or comment. The pause was designed to be nerve-wracking. I simply watched the muscle at his jaw’s hinge flex. “You do that so well, my Seer.”
That didn’t sound very complimentary. I narrowed my eyes as I asked, “What?”
“Your list. It flows from your tongue so easily.” He gave me an appraising look.
My stomach muscles tensed.
“I’m starting to think we must explore another form of punishment.”
I tried to sense where he was going with that thought. He was angry, but he was also teasing, I could see the sparkle in his eyes. Damn tricky wolf. “I made the list as I was getting the life choked out of me,” I muttered flippantly. It rankled that he was right about me not considering the outcome of my actions.
“I should paddle your ass for that,” he said, while sliding gracefully to the floor from his perch.
I know my eyes widened, but it wasn’t from fear. I was turned on, and he’d noticed. I tucked my hair behind my ear. “Okay…but you should know I’m not into any of the ‘Daddy’ shit.” I gave him a small, challenging smile.
His eyebrows drew together. “What the hell are you talking about?” He shook his head once. “Are you trying to get me off track?”
“No.” Maybe, I tried to look innocent. “I wouldn’t be opposed to a little spanking.” I took a step away from him, in case he decided to reach for me. “But I don’t have Daddy issues, and I refuse to play like I do.”
“Why do you keep talking about Daddy?”
Jesus, I really was going to have to try to explain. “Some men get off on it when their chick calls them ‘Daddy,’ and sometimes, they want them to dress up like little girls.” I scrunched my nose. “That’s way too weird for me.”
“It does not sound appealing,” he said in a very serious voice.
He cracked me up, but I didn’t laugh. I was still wide awake, and there was that huge bed to try out. I moved back to stand in front of him. “So,” I said, my hands moving to his hips, “about that punishment?”
His hand was under my T-shirt to cup my ass. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re going to think of it that way.”
I wrapped my arm around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss.
* * *
He was toying with me. Black had carried me over his shoulder to the bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed and shifted me so that I was face down over his thighs.
