Page 101 of The Demon's Fire
“Rein.”
Okay. The guy was every bit the warrior Nico had imagined. He was in control. He was pissed. Nico knew why.
“I’m also Braelyn’s mate. You remember her?”
Nico shrugged. “If it’s any consolation, I got knocked on my ass right after I kissed her. Ten stitches along with a concussion. Of course, she didn’t do the ass knocking. She also didn’t respond to the kiss.”
Twisting toward Sabine, Nico explained his side of the story. “In my defense, you probably already know what an obnoxious asshole I can be. My team and I, including Braelyn, had just returned from a raid where we got the guy responsible for making knock-off portal jumpers. Unfortunately, he slit his own throat. A bunch of us celebrated at a bar. Natch, I drank too much. I was high on adrenaline. The kiss didn’t mean anything.” He had no idea why it was important for Sabine to understand the mouth action was meaningless, but it was.
“Why would I care?” Sabine crossed her legs, her boot bouncing, contradicting her words.
A scowl stayed planted on Rein’s face despite his conciliatory remark. “Water under the bridge. Besides, she’s clearly mine.”
Rein’s possessiveness didn’t stop him from doing his job as he laid out the situation for Nico. “Cerberus is the problem now. He’s kidnapping humans with Blood Coven ancestry.”
“Yeah. Hence the blood tests,” said Nico.
“Yep. And as Sabine’s already told you, you won the lottery. We’re gonna keep you under wraps here at the stronghold, not knowing what the madman has planned. Course, bet your balls it’s big.”
“Am I the only one you’ve found?”
“No. You’ll meet Margo,” said Sabine. “She’s staying on your floor with her mate, Chay.”
“Oh, good. Maybe we’ll start a sewing circle. What am I supposed to do here? Twiddle my dick? I’m not a patient guy.”
“We haven’t thought this out yet what with the Alliance’s CLO and Kole out of touch,” said Rein.
Hmm. That was news.
Braelyn’s mate plopped his boots onto the desk. “But I see the point. It would be hard for me to hole up with nothing to do.”
“No doubt.”
“Despite the boredom, it is what it is.”
“How about I join you guys? And gals, sweetness.” Nico eyed Sabine, flashing his sexiest grin as he brushed his hair off his forehead.
“Out of the question.” Rein’s growl left no doubt he thought Nico’s idea was a shit one.
“Trust me. I won’t stay caged up. I’ll be out of here after a few days. Let me go on missions with the Firebrands. At least I’ll be under your thumb. It’s the only way I’ll stick around short of you locking me in a cell, which I don’t think you’re willing to do. Bad for Alliance-Firebrand relations.”
Rein scrubbed a hand across his jaw. A long silence followed while he studied Nico like a bug with its wings pinned. “We’ll try it. Sabine, this sonofabitch belongs to you. Keep him safe. When he’s not glued at your side, he’s at the stronghold. Show him around. Give him his pick of suites if he doesn’t care for the one he’s in.”
Sabine jumped out of her seat. “Hell, no. He’s an obnoxious idiot who won’t follow orders.”
Shadowing Sabine? Things are looking up.
Maybe she could keep him safe in his bed. He pictured her long, athletic legs squeezing his hips, his hands caught in her hair, and his cock buried deep.
I hope I packed condoms. I was in a bit of a haze as I left.
“I’ll gladly follow your orders, Captain Sweetness. Consider me all over your tail.”
She glowered at Nico, sweeping her hand toward Rein. “See what I mean? Obnoxious idiot extraordinaire.”
“I don’t recall seeking an opinion, nymph.Gahya. Kole better get back soon.” Rein eyed Nico. “She outranks you on Scath. Obey her or your ass is mine. Better yet, Sabine, you have permission to beat the shit out of him. Squash his gigantic ego. Just be sure he lives.”
Now Nico pictured Sabine on top, holding him fast to the mat in a gym. That worked, too.I am such a sick fuck.He shifted in his seat and hoped the bowling ball in his pants didn’t show.
