Page 49 of The Immortal's One
And when I realize just how desperately Des wants to withhold those answers, the urge to push for them becomes unbearable.
“She has every right.” Bella’s voice is steady and defiant, unfazed by Des’s fierce declaration. “And you know it.”
He scowls, stalking into the room. The muscles in his arms and chest flex as he walks, and I can’t help but notice how the knot in my stomach tightens with each step he takes. He’s so intense, and it’s oddly…hot.
You’re so messed up, Darcie. Hekidnappedyou. Stop checking him out.
My eyes snap up from admiring his thick thighs when he stops walking. He leans forward to grip the back of the sofa, glaring in Bella’s direction. “You are letting wishful thinking dictate your actions.”
His voice is low and controlled, like a man used to being obeyed. A sharp tug urges me to move closer. I plant my feet on the ground.
How is it that someone who makes my stomach twist with fear can also give me the strangest sense of safety? It doesn’t make sense.
Thane steps forward and wraps an arm around Bella’s shoulders, drawing her closer as if to shield her from the storm brewing between her and Des. Meanwhile, Lome sits in one of the plush chairs across the room, crossing one leg over the other as though he’s settling in for a show.
Déjà vu hits me like a freight train.
I’ve seen a scene like this before…
“Be reasonable, Des,” Thane’s voice cuts through my confusion. “From what you told me, it’s clear others know of Darcie’s existence. Her life is at risk, and she deserves to know why.”
Cold sweat rolls down my spine.
Des’s hazel eyes blaze with fury. “The only reason others know about her is because you and Lome decided to pay her a visit this morning and led Evetta right to her.”
What?!
Lome joins the conversation. “Don’t be obtuse, Des. You know it was only a matter of time before someone found her. We’re just lucky we got to her first,” he chides.
“You are wrong.” Des’s nostrils flare, and his hands dig into the sofa. “Twice now, your actions have led to her being attacked. It isyourfault she is in danger.”
Twice?!
Thane huffs with a satisfied smirk. “I thought the attack at the mortal club was committed by humans who have no association with our kind.”
Even from here, I can see the muscle feathering in Des’s jaw. “I’m not above admitting I was wrong, but the fact remains, whoever hired those humans to hurt Darcie did so because you drew attention to her.”
“Then it’s a good thing we were at the club to stop them.”
“You’re missing the point,” Des growls at his brother. He flings a hand over at me. “Your interest in her has made her a target. Now, our enemies will come for her, and it is all your fault.”
Heavy silence settles over the room.
My heartbeat accelerates as I try to figure out what the hell these people are talking about.
Mortal club?
Humans?
Another wave of déjà vu crashes over me.
A gasp rips from my throat.
Men stepping out between shadows… Meaty hands holding me down… A heavy body pressing into my back… Des and Thane standing over me after they dispatched the thugs who attacked me, then listening to them argue about me being or not beingThe One.
Memories—truememories of my night at the Portlandclub with Kayla assail my senses. The pain in my ribs radiates through my body all over again. The fear of not knowing what will happen to me after I'm taken floods my veins with ice.
I stumble back and bump into a round table. All eyes in the room focus on me.
