Beyond the Darkness. Alexandra Ivy

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СКАЧАТЬ he was on his feet, his raven hair tumbling about his lean face and the golden eyes glowing with anticipation.

      “I’m a predator.”

      Like that was some sort of secret?

      The man reeked of danger.

      “And?”

      “And there’s nothing I enjoy more than the chase.” He smiled, his teeth startling white against his bronzed skin. “Well…almost nothing. I have a feeling that on this occasion, the capture is going to be even more satisfying.”

      Prey? Her eyes narrowed. “You’re an idiot if you think I’m some sort of helpless female that’s yours for the taking.”

      “I wouldn’t want you if you were helpless. At least not unless you were in the mood to be at my mercy.” He reached to stroke a brazen finger down the low scoop of her sports bra. “You might enjoy a night in my handcuffs.”

      “Yeah.” She slapped his finger away. “About as much as I would enjoy having my eyes gouged out.”

      His smile widened. “I’m going to enjoy teaching you just how many pleasures are waiting for us.”

      With short, jerky steps, she moved to glare at the door across the room.

      “For God’s sake, now is not the time or place for this.”

      He moved to stand directly behind her, the heat of his body searing her back.

      “Then when is the time?”

      “How does never sound to you?”

      “Unbearable,” he breathed into her ear.

      Harley wrapped her arms around her waist. It was either that, or wrapping them around the edible Were. Damn him to hell.

      “Can you control Caine even at a distance?” she demanded roughly.

      There was a taut silence, then with a faint sigh Salvatore moved to stand at her side, his profile hard.

      “Not with you…” He sharply cut off his words, sliding a covert glance in her direction. “Not at the moment. The silver disrupts my powers.”

      She frowned, wondering what he was hiding from her.

      “He won’t be stupid enough to get that close again.”

      “He’ll be back.”

      She rolled her eyes. “So now you’re clairvoyant?”

      “There’s no need for clairvoyance. Caine’s kept me alive for a reason. Eventually that reason will force him to return.”

      “It won’t help if he’s not already in your power. He’ll just tranq you or fill the basement with gas like he did before.”

      He grasped her shoulders, turning her to meet the power of his golden gaze.

      “Harley, one way or another, I promise you that we’re going to get out of here.”

      “And you’re never wrong?”

      “Never.”

      “Arrogant.”

      He flashed that devastatingly sexy smile. “Confident.”

      The fact that she couldn’t simply laugh at his egotistical boasts pissed her off. The conceited beast would get them out just to prove her wrong.

      She pulled from his grip and eyed him with suspicion.

      “You know the Were who’s helping Caine?”

      His smile faded, his expression suddenly grim and forbidding.

      “Si.”

      “I’m assuming from your tone that the two of you aren’t BFFs?”

      “He was my greatest competition toward claiming the throne.”

      Harley lifted her brows. “Is there really a throne?”

      “Of course.” He seemed startled she would even ask. “It’s a massive wooden chair with a lot of gilt and velvet cushions. It’s also bespelled so that only the true king can sit on it. It helps clear up any doubt as to the next heir.”

      She grimaced. No doubt there was also a big, gaudy crown with a lot of flashy jewels.

      “And your contender’s ass wasn’t royal enough to fit?”

      A feral smile curled his lips. “He wasn’t in the mood to try after I ripped out his throat.”

      “Nice.” Harley tossed her head, hoping he didn’t notice her tiny shiver of alarm. Salvatore Giuliani would make a very bad enemy. Something to remember. “It’s no wonder he’s chummy with Caine. They both hate your guts.”

      “Actually, it’s more than a wonder. It’s nothing less than a miracle.”

      “Why?”

      “Because, after I ripped out Briggs’s throat, I cut off his head, carved out his heart, and burned his carcass.” The golden eyes flashed. “He should be dead.”

      “Yeah,” she breathed unsteadily. “You’d think.”

      Salvatore watched Harley grimace, belatedly realizing that it might not be the best strategy to reveal just how brutal he could be when the occasion demanded. Not if he was to convince her that her only hope of safety was in his hands.

      Then he shrugged. Unless Caine developed the ability to think with his brain instead of his ego, Salvatore was going to have to kill him. And anyone else who threatened Harley.

      Perhaps it was best she knew the truth from the start.

      As if coming to the same conclusion, Harley breathed in a deep breath and met his gaze squarely.

      Brave and tough.

      Just his kind of woman.

      “Have you considered the possibility that maybe the Were who’s tag teaming with Caine isn’t Briggs?”

      Ah, if only it were that simple.

      “No, the description fits too perfectly.” Salvatore shook his head in disgust. “Cristo. I should have known his death could not be so simple.”

      Her sharp bark of laughter echoed through the cell. “You did everything but eat his carcass for dinner. That isn’t simple by anyone’s standard.”

      “Not for most Weres, but I already suspected that he was dabbling in magic.”

      She took a sharp step backwards, her expression oddly wary. “Weres can do magic?”

      His smiled with rueful amusement. If he could do magic, he wouldn’t be stuck СКАЧАТЬ