Page 21 of Curvy Hostage Mate
“Where’s Rose?” I asked.
“Once Declan got word they were here, he sent her home,” Jackson muttered. “He didn’t want… well, you know.”
If I’d had any doubts as to who was inside Declan’s office, that eliminated them. “And I’m guessing Will is with Kendra?”
“The second Will found out, he refused to leave her side,” Jackson confirmed, still keeping his voice low. “He didn’t want her unprotected whilehewas around.”
I couldn’t blame him. I hadn’t liked leaving Morgan on her own, but there hadn’t been many options. “How many did he bring?”
“Just two besides him. Enough to show strength without it seeming like an all-out attack.” Jackson shot me a look. “Please tell me you didn’t do anything stupid.”
“If I did, it would be a lie,” I muttered, earning a frustrated sigh from Jackson.
“Just keep your cool,” he ordered before holding the door open for me.
I strolled into the room, where Declan stood behind his desk, watching a broad-shouldered male I recognized in a second. Cain turned when the door opened.
“Is this the one we were waiting on?” Cain asked.
“Yes,” Declan said.
Cain looked me up and down with mild interest. “I don’t believe we met the first time you trespassed on my territory,” he drawled, sounding almost conversational.
We had, but only briefly. I decided not to argue with his assumption, though.
“What exactly do you want?” I asked.
He gave a derisive snort. “To start a book club, of course. Don’t play games. You know what I’m doing here.” He marched toward me, close enough to be within striking distance. Declan gave a soft warning growl that Cain ignored, his eyes rooted on me. “I want my mate.”
“You mean your slave?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Slave? Mate? Whatever you want to call her. She’s mine.”
“Pretty sure that’s not how things work,” I said. I kept my hands pinned to my side. Even then, I could feel my fingers twitching, wanting to curl into fists. It took all of my self-control not to lunge at him and tear him to shreds.
He gave a revolting grin that showed sharp, crooked, and yellowing teeth. “So you don’t deny that you have her?”
“Pretty sure that would be a waste of time and breath,” I said, folding my arms. “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t know that. That doesn’t mean you’re getting your claws anywhere near her.”
“I will,” he said. The casual confidence and smug air sent shivers down my spine, even as I forced my face to remain impassive. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
I snarled, taking several steps forward until I was just in striking distance. Declan let out a soft growl of warning to me that I ignored.
“Leave now before I tear out your throat,” I warned.
Cain let out a derisive scoff that somehow still managed to sound smug. “I’m here to make a deal with your boss. Not you.” He turned to Declan. “You need to get better control over your men. Seems like they’re inclined to run all over the place and do whatever they want. I thought you spec-ops boys were supposed to be disciplined.” He grinned, showing razor-sharp teeth. “I can give you a few pointers if you’d like.”
Declan had always been the most level-headed of all of us. He kept a steady gaze on Cain, his face inscrutable.
“Why don’t you tell us exactly why you’re here, and we can save the lessons for another time?” Declan said. “Because I can’t imagine you came here thinking we would just hand over a girl without some sort of leverage you think you have. I would like to hear what it is.”
“I know two of your men are in the Underside,” Cain said. “Trent and Nolan, aren’t they?”
Silence filled the air. Declan glanced at Jackson, then at me, then back to Cain.
Cain tutted as he lounged in his chair, kicking his feet up on Declan’s desk. “There’s no need to be coy, gentlemen. They hid themselves well. But they didn’t know I have witches who monitor any sort of communication between the Underside and the outside world. It’s a precaution, you know.”
Which explained why I hadn’t heard from Trent and Nolan in a few days. I was honestly surprised Cain hadn’t killed them yet after everything Morgan had told me. Letting them live and wander around didn’t seem like his style.
