Page 61 of Kai's Hunger

Dad cleared his throat. “That might not be so easy. I have a feeling the other facility is more secure. The guard said Patterson’s been working on the place for six months, getting it ready for something big.”

When we hit the driveway leading to our compound, Creeg spoke into the phone, “we can pick your brain about Patterson later, Dad. First I think you should head home. I need to run some tests on you too.”

Father smiled. “She’s tough, Kai,” he praised. “Not many humans could handle what she went through.”

I watched Lily sleep. “Patterson will pay for touching her,” I promised, allowing the rage to filter into my voice.

“Kai,” my father said, gaining my attention. “You have her back. Focus on that.”

“And the waiting is over,” Wyatt added. “You need to make the exchange.”

“Speaking of exchange,” my father said. “She was able to link with you. That’s one hell of a bond, son.”

I smiled. “The minute she wakes, she’ll hammer me with questions about that.”

“I suggest you take her to the cabin,” Father said. “Complete the mating there. In private.”

“Please do,” Miggs groaned. “The rest of us don’t need to be privy to that.”

Wyatt glared at Miggs in the rearview mirror. “Shut up for once in your life.”

Creeg ended the call. Neither of us said anything else. The only thing that mattered to me was Lily. Suffering through Patterson’s torture would take years to work through. That it was because of me, my kind, would surely send her running. The thought of never seeing her again, never holding her close, never tasting her soft breath against mine was not an option. Wherever she went, I would follow. I had no choice.

Chapter Eleven

Lily

I saw Patterson come toward me. The gleam of a metal scalpel clutched in his left hand sent shivers running through me. With each step, his twisted smile grew wider, until I could see his perfectly white smile. As the razor-sharp edge touched my cheek, I screamed.

“Lily!” a voice shouted as if at the end of a long tunnel.

I calmed my breathing and listened more closely, warmth spreading through me as the voice spoke again, gentler this time. I recognized the deep baritone. Kai. My mind conjured up an image of him and it calmed me. My lids fluttered open, slowly allowing the room to come into focus. Creeg’s clinic. Not the cold, dank prison. Not Patterson’s awful, clammy hands. Kai’s large, calloused palm rested against my cheek, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Lily?” Kai murmured, his index finger stroking absently.

I looked him over. He had dark circles around his eyes and his shirt was torn at the neck. Dirt smears down the front completed the look. “What happened to you?”

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