Page 42 of Twisted Desire

“I can do it,” he says softly. “You take the girl to the car. Aaron will help you.”

I arch a brow at him. “Don’t be so sure of him, Nikolai.”

A muscle in his jaw ticks. “He’ll help you,” he repeats, “because you’ve made sure of it.”

I look away when heat rushes my cheeks.He heard me compel Aaron.“What about Robyn?”

“We’ll take her with us,” he says. “After the others are dealt with, we’ll meet you at the car.”

I press my mouth closed, afraid I’ll say something and make this shit-tastic situation worse.

“Okay, Skylar?”

“Sure,” I say without looking at him. “Let’s get this over with, please.”

“Please?” he echoes with a short laugh. “That’s new.”

My eyes narrow sharply, and I jab him in the side. “Not the time, Sterling.”

He meets my dark gaze, his glimmering with amusement and promise. “Later, then.” He might be losing his mind over his not-dead son, but at least he still has his wit. We can figure everything else out once we get out of here.

The fae on the table stirs, and then her eyes fly open, filled with terror and panic.

I rush forward, helping her up. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re fine.”

Her wild eyes meet mine, pleading and scared.

“Breathe,” I tell her in what I hope is close to a calming voice. “Just breathe. Everything is going to be okay.”

“Sky—” Nik starts.

“I know,” I tell him.

The fae is human. Her transition was successful.

Helping her off the table, I slide my arm around her waist and encourage her to lean on me. We exit the room quickly and make it halfway down the hallway before the girl starts sobbing.

“I know shit is scary right now, but we have to go. You’re safe now. We’ll figure this out. I promise.”

Her watery gaze meets mine and holds it as tears slide down her cheeks, but she finally nods.

“Good.”

We keep moving until the guards on the floor come into view. Fucking brilliant—they’re awake.

“Aaron,” I shout. “What the hell?”

“What was I supposed to do?”

“Uh, keep them unconscious,” I snap. “Here, take the keys, and get her into the car.” I toss him the key ring and shift her from my supportive arm to Aaron’s, then meet his gaze. “Don’t pull anything stupid—don’t drive off. Get her secure, and then park your ass in the back seat.”

With a sharp look of disgust, he and the girl head for the exit.

Turning back to the pile of humans on the floor, I let out a heavy sigh. “You guys are a pain in my ass, you know that?”

A couple of them groan, probably in more pain than they could’ve ever imagined. Satisfaction shimmers through me, but I push it aside. We have a job to do, and the sooner it’s done, the sooner we can get the fuck out of here.

I walk toward the group and kneel in front of them. “Now,” I say, ensnaring their gazes, “here’s what’s going to happen.”

---