Page 32 of A Velvet Kiss After Dark

"You must know this wasn't my fault. A thief stole my camera bag and shoved me into that so-called portal."

At this news, Kane stiffened. He believed her, every word of it, and he wanted nothing more than to twist that thief's head off his neck.

She blew out a long, slow breath. The unspoken expression on her face revealed she knew just how big of a problem this was. "I don't suppose this is actually a friendly mission you're on to help save some demon orphans?"

His brow furrowed, dark color staining his clenched cheeks. The muscles in his neck bunched so severely he couldn't force himself to shake his head at her question. Yet, a corner of his mouth tugged upwards, wanting to laugh. He clamped it back with sheer willpower.

"Or maybe you're on an aid mission to restore water to a drought-ridden country?" she asked.

Deep breath in, very long exhalation out. Kane opened his mouth, but no words came out. Gazing about sightlessly, he continued to force air into his lungs as sweat beaded down his chest in wet, sticky rivulets and matted his black shirt to his body.

"We need to talk about what's going to happen next." There, he managed an entire sentence and he did it all without shouting. As a matter of fact his voice came out decidedly quiet. Supremely impressed with himself, the icy sensation of dread eased a notch around his heart allowing him to breathe easier.

She nodded happily. "Couldn't agree more. It's best if we're both upfront about this. Why are you here? What is this place? Where are we, and who are these people?" She jerked a thumb toward the rest of the group who were cupping water into their mouths and speaking in low tones about their next plan of action. He should be there with them reconnoitering but this conversation was more important.

"We're in a realm of Hell to collect a relic for Alpha Zeke." No point in lying or disguising the truth. He'd ensure she wouldn't write about this experience—if they lived through it.

"What's the relic for and why does he want it?"

Forever with the questions . . . He fought the urge to shake her until the sand flew out of her hair.

"It doesn't matter what it's for or why he wants it." Even he didn't have the answers to those questions. "The facts are me and my team are here to collect it and return it to Zeke. We only have three days and no clue as to where we need to go."

"I see. And have any of you ever been here before?"

A brief shake of his head made her jaw fall open.

"You mean to tell me we're in Hell and not one of you are even experienced in this sort of thing?"

His tongue shriveled, yearning for succulent liquid water to replenish his dried-up taste buds. That respite would have to wait. "No, it took a powerful spell to unlock this gate. Now that we're here, we have a mission to do."

She began pacing in front of him, speaking in low, rapid tones, her eyes frantic. She cursed herself, this place, Alpha Zeke, but for some reason which surprised him, she didn't curse him. Did his beast truly not frighten her? Finally she stopped in front of him, defeated. "I made a huge mistake following you to the Arch."

He nodded enthusiastically. This he agreed with her wholeheartedly.

"I—" she looked around and once against crossed her arms. He could see the uncertainty flicker across her face. "I don't know what to do. What do you suggest?" She gazed up at him and he wanted to stay angry at her, to rail at her for chasing after him, but he recognized some of this was his fault. He'd stupidly revealed where he had a secret mission—to the one person curious enough to act upon it. Damn her and her absurdly dangerous inquisitiveness.

But he didn't do any of that. Couldn't, as a matter of fact. All he could do was stare down at her coppery hair, slicked across her forehead, neck and temples like flattened blades of hay in rain, and force his heels into the ground to keep form reaching for her and pulling her into his arms where he could gauge the pounding of her heart against his own.

My fated wife. She existed, he had her, and she was in more danger now than ever.

"I'll keep you safe," he vowed, earning a surprised glance from her. "Stay close to me at all times, and take this." He pulled one of his pistols out from his chest holder. He really had come with an arsenal of weapons. "You can shoot a gun, right?"

With a small smile, she hefted its weight in her small palm, eye-balled the sight piece, knocked the hammer back and forth and flipped the safety on and off. "Top of my class," she replied smoothly.

A surge of pride flared inside him.

Brusquely she shook her head and a dusting of sand flew out from her scalp. A deep breath escaped her, blowing across his heated neck, bringing other, even hotter thoughts to mind. Thoughts he had no business contemplating in a place like this.

"I may be small," she said, her shoulders straightening with determination. "But I'm quick to learn and a good shot. I'll stay out of the way and I won't cause any trouble." His dubious expression left her glaring at him. "You doubt me?"

"Doubt doesn't begin to cover it. You're not a fighter or a killer. You're a God-forsaken tabloid writer, Tabitha."

One thin eyebrow cocked in a measured space. "I know that. But I have other skills, too. I might be more useful than you think."

He huffed a breath and scrubbed his palm against the back of his neck where it felt like a band of army ants had begun running down his spine. However, only sweat came away on his palm. "I'd like to see them."

"Oh, you will, Kane Gunner. You will." The promise in her voice didn't lift his spirits, not even when she sent him a shocking wink and turned her back on to him to head back to the camp. It looked like their team of four had just become five.

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