Page 90 of Bonds of Pain
“I’m happy to tell that asshole to fuck off and take you back where you belong,” he insists.
I give him a wan smile, wishing I could let him do just that.
Thane waits just on the other side of these doors, held up in the harem atrium by Perkins, who refuses to let him any further without the assigned escort. The harem mother has apparently already lodged multiple complaints about the presence of an inquisitor in her domain, the last of which was sent to Logan as a voice message at maximum volume.
With a bitten off curse, Poe reaches for the doors. “I’ll wait right here. That damn doctor has exactly one hour before I come looking for you.”
I give him a wan smile as I step through the doors. His concern would be touching if I could allow myself to trust it.
An image of Cillian’s face as I took him down my throat flashes through my mind, a performance made possible by the blush that blissed me out too much to question my own urges.
The distraction of it is enough to steel my spine.
There isn’t anyone here worth trusting.
Dr. Sionis Thane waits for me in the center of the room. His dark suit and coat are completely incongruous in the antechamber full of pastel-colored tufted furniture with flowered wallpaper and gilded molding.
Thane stands in the center of the harem’s antechamber, a dark smudge against the pastel decor. His eyes lock onto mine with predatory focus.
“Lady Maya,” he greets with a bow so perfect it feels like mockery. “How gracious of you to join me.”
Perkins hovers nearby, wringing her hands. “I’m so sorry, Your Highness. This is an absolute travesty. The harem is a sanctuary, not a place for interrogations.” She shoots Thane a venomous glare. “I have lodged a formal complaint and will continue to voice my objections.”
“It’s fine, Perkins,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “You can return to your duties. I’ll handle this.”
“But—“
“Please.” I touch her arm gently. “I’ll be fine.”
Once Perkins reluctantly retreats, I turn to face Thane. My smile drops from my face as I give him the deliberate once-over of a haughty Omega bonded to a powerful Alpha when presented with a lesser male.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say, in lieu of a greeting.
His eyebrows go up for a split second, obviously surprised at the show of disdain, before his expression returns to the neutral mask.
“We’re all confidence today, I see.” Thane gives me a predatory smile. “Proximity to the throne must suit you.”
Confident is the last thing I feel. But the fear that once paralyzed me at the sight of him feels distant, dulled by the shame and confusion of last night’s drug-fueled encounter. What’s one monster when I’m living with four of them?
“What do you want from me?” I demand, once Perkins has left the room.
He raises an eyebrow. “Whatever do you mean?”
“You obviously came here to get to me. I want to know why.”
Thane laughs, the sound sharp and cold. “My dear, you flatter yourself. Do you truly believe I’m here solely for you?”
I glare at him. “Oh, I see. I must have imagined that attempted kidnapping.”
“I take advantage of opportunities whenever they are presented to me.” He walks in a slow circle around me, appraising. I resist the urge to spin to face him as he circles behind me. “Like the opportunity I have today to have you assist me in my investigation. You can’t imagine my eagerness when the king offered your…services.”
The emphasis he places on the word services makes my skin crawl. “I’m here as your escort, nothing more. And one word from me will have Perkins boxing your ears and tossing you out on your ass.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Thane stops directly in front of me, expression appraising. “And I assume that scowling Alpha who left you at the door would jump to your defense as well.”
“Something like that. You’ve already used up a quarter of the hour Poe is allowing before we’re done.”
“Ah, those protective Alpha instincts are so droll.” He studies my face muck too closely for comfort. “Are the other members of Logan’s pack equally protective?”
