“Aye,” he said softly, observing her. “It’s me.”
“You can’t keep me here.” It was an argument they’d had more than once. Her soft, Southern lilt—even when she was furious—was like a symphony to his ears. He could listen to her talk for hours. “Eventually I’ll find a way out. When I do you’re screwed. You’re going to jail. You’re going to rot behind bars. This is illegal. You’re crazy for thinking you can get away with it. Your face will be splashed all over the news!”
“We’re about to leave.” He continued speaking quietly, not wanting to upset her further. “I’ve come to take you downstairs.”
“Leave?” Contempt turned to suspicion. “Leave for where?”
“A special place.” It was the truth. He’d always loved the island. “Somewhere safe.”
“It’s not your right,” she hissed, her beautiful brown and blue eyes furious. “This is my life.” Pounding a fist to her chest, she snarled, “My. Life.” She lowered her arm, glaring at him. “You don’t have any say in it.”
Not your life. Your death. If allowed such a thing.
Never.
“That’s where you’re wrong, little one.” Sliding a hand into his pocket, he carefully removed the plastic shield from the needle and crossed the distance to her. “When it comes to you I have more of a say than you think.”
She tried to get away but there was nowhere to go. When he cornered her, she gazed up at him with terror in her mismatched eyes. “I’ll scream. I swear I will. I’ll bring the house down.”
“I won’t hurt you, Mo chride,” he promised, edging nearer to her. “Easy, lass.”
“You take it easy!” If she could have vanished into the wall he was certain she would have. “Stay back. Don’t come any closer.”
He admired her attempt to fight, although she didn’t stand any real chance. As a human she’d never match his speed or strength. He pinned her to the wall, preventing her from seeing the syringe. Before she could break into a full-fledged fight he slid the needle into her arm and pushed the plunger.
As she’d warned him earlier, she screamed. “No! You said you wouldn’t hurt me!”
“And I will no’. I’ll never harm you.”
He hated the way her anguish and obvious feelings of betrayal corroded his insides, eating away at him like battery acid. The sedative was strong and he only had to hold her for a couple of minutes before she rocked unsteadily on her feet. For the first time since he’d brought her to his home he was able to sweep her into his arms.
Christ, she felt so right.
Nothing was more perfect.
“Put…me…down.” Her words were slurred, almost impossible to make out.
“But I like having you like this. So close and warm,” he murmured against the shell of her ear. “You’re a sweet little armful. If I could I’d keep you this close all the time.”
The panther within loved the nearness, urging him to swipe his tongue along his female’s throat. It ached for the taste of her, wanting to lap at her skin. His cock went instantly hard, his fangs dropping of their own accord. She wasn’t aroused but he knew the first time he smelled a hint of her cream the beast would want to lick at her slit, discover exactly how sweet she tasted. Thankfully the panther also felt her pain and wanted to take it away. It knew she needed more than it could give her so it took a backseat. As long as he was able, he’d make sure the man and not the animal stayed in charge.
“Sleep for me, wee little creature.” With care he swept heavy strands of hair from her face. Like this, with her peaceful and resting in his arms, he never wanted to let her go. A surge of protectiveness and longing spiked through him. He’d attend to her. Give her good memories. Love her beyond measure. “When you wake up you’ll find a whole new world waiting for you.”
He strode from the room, carrying her with ease. She settled against him, her deep breaths telling him she’d fallen asleep. The guards stood aside but followed him as he carried his female down the stairs. He turned in the foyer and made the trek to the back of the house. The car would be waiting. Soon they’d travel to the airport and be on their way to paradise. It was beautiful at the island. The water was so clear you could see the sand. She could frolic and play or spend her days gazing up at heaven.
Whatever she wanted would be hers.
If it took everything he had, he’d make her happy. No matter how long it took. No matter if she hated him and would never give him her heart and soul. He’d gotten everything in order for the packs and the prides in the area. Diskant was going to have to hold his own for a while. This was his moment and he wasn’t letting anything else get in the way.
He’d finally found his female, the most important thing in his world.
God knows he’d done enough for everyone else.
Chapter Seventeen
Finally. Her injuries were healing.
Thank God.
Trey brushed the back of his hand across Sadie’s cheek.
At first the horrible gashes in her chest had kept filling and spilling over, covering the sheets in stains of vibrant red. He’d opened his mate’s pale lips, slashed his arm and dripped his blood into her mouth. She’d swallowed despite being out for the count. Certain she’d had enough, he’d taken a seat beside her.
Then he’d waited.
Each second had felt like minutes, the minutes in turn like hours. When the bleeding had stopped he’d put her in a button-down shirt Ava had provided, so he could inspect Sadie’s chest without shifting her body. She hadn’t healed as fast as she should have and it terrified him.
He never wanted to see her like this again.
If he had his way he wouldn’t.
“They’re asking about her,” Diskant said quietly. “We should tell them something.”
“How about fuck off,” Trey growled, not turning to look at the man. “Do you think that’ll do?”
“Trey, please,” Ava said, imploring him to listen. “You’ve gotten their attention. Do this right and we can work things out. They want to understand. Go to them and explain. You wanted to plead your case. Now’s your chance.”
“They can kiss my ass.” Whipping his head around, he narrowed his eyes and growled at Diskant. “And don’t even think about using your mind juju shit on me. You can wear me down but you can’t change my decision. We’re not staying. Fuck it. As soon as she’s well we’re leaving.”
Over the years Trey had been careful with his money. He wasn’t the richest man in the world but he had enough saved to find a place Sadie would love—a place they’d call home. Perhaps they’d venture to a distant location where no one would find them. There he’d keep her safe. He didn’t need anything else.
At least that’s what he told himself.
Grief kept rearing its ugly head. He didn’t understand it. The pack had hurt the woman meant for him. The only female he’d ever be given. But knowing he’d soon leave everything behind—no longer be able to turn to other wolves that understood and embraced him, a part of something much larger than himself—created an enormous divide in his soul.
Are you fucking serious? Think about what they’ve done.
Remember how they treated her.
The wolf tried to make him think logically. No one in the pack had behaved in a manner he wouldn’t have. If someone had brought a vampire to him and asked for his blessing on the mating he probably would’ve turned him or her away.
Right?
He shook his head. He didn’t know what he’d have done. Circumstances had changed. His opinion had drastically shifted when it came to mating and vampires. And it all made sense, didn’t it? After all he was mated to a vampire. That was enough to make the most arrogant and disagreeable bastard see the light.