Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)(63)

“Is he at my brother’s?”

“No.”

“And you’re not going to tell me where he is, are you?”

“He’s going to call you in a little bit.”

“Was it with the lessers?” When all Vishous did was continue to stare at her, her heart kicked into overdrive. She couldn’t bear for Butch to be involved in this war. Look what had already been done to him. “Goddamn it, tell me if it was with the slayers, you smug bastard.”

Only silence. Which of course answered the question. And also suggested that Vishous didn’t care whether or not she was pissed off at him.

Marissa gathered up her skirts and marched over to the warrior. Up close, she had to crane her neck to look at his face. God, those eyes, those diamond white eyes with the midnight blue lines around the irises. Cold. So very cold.

She did her best to hide her shiver, but he caught it. Tracked it in her shoulders.

“Scared of me, Marissa?” he said. “Exactly what do you think I’d do to you?”

She ignored that. “I don’t want Butch fighting.”

One black eyebrow cocked. “Not your call.”

“It’s too dangerous for him.”

“After tonight, I’m not so sure about that.”

The Brother’s hard smile made her take a step back, but anger saved her from a full-on retreat. “You remember that hospital bed? You saw what they did to him last time. I thought you cared about him.”

“If it turns out he’s an asset, and he’s willing, he will be used.”

“I don’t like the Brotherhood right now,” she blurted. “Or you.”

She started to go past him, but his hand shot out, grabbing her arm and jerking her close, holding her, though not hurting her. His eyes went over her face, her neck, then swept down her body.

And that was when she saw the fire in him. The volcanic heat. The interior inferno that was caged by all that glacial self-control.

“Let go of me,” she whispered, heart beating hard.

“I’m not surprised.” His reply was quiet…quiet as a sharp knife laid on a table.

“About w-what?”

“You’re a female of worth. So you shouldn’t like me.” Those glittering eyes narrowed on her face. “You know, you really are the great beauty of the species, aren’t you.”

“No…no, I am not—”

“Yeah, you are.” Vishous’s voice grew lower and lower, softer, until she wasn’t sure whether she was hearing it or he was in her mind. “Butch is a wise choice for you, female. He’ll take good care of you, if you let him. Will you, Marissa? Will you let him…take care of you?”

As those diamond eyes hypnotized her, she felt his thumb move over her wrist, shifting back and forth. Her heart rate gradually slowed to the lazy rhythm.

“Answer my question, Marissa.”

She swayed. “What…what did you ask?”

“Will you let him take you?” Vishous leaned down and put his mouth at her ear. “Will you take him inside of you?”

“Yes…” she breathed, aware they were talking about sex, but too seduced in the moment not to reply. “I will have him within me.”

That hard hand loosened, then stroked her arm, traveling over her skin warmly, strongly. He looked down at where he was touching her, an expression of deep concentration on his face. “Good. That’s good. The two of you are beautiful together. A f*cking inspiration.”

The male turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

Disoriented, shocked, she stumbled over to the library’s doorway and saw Vishous going up the stairs, his heavy thighs eating the distance with no effort.

Without warning, he stopped and snapped his head her way. Her hand fluttered to her throat.

Vishous’s smile was as dark as his eyes were pale. “Come on, Marissa. Did you really think I was going to kiss you?”

She gasped. That was exactly what had been going through her—

Vishous shook his head. “You’re Butch’s female and whether you end up with him or not, you always will be to me.” He started up again. “Besides, you’re not my type. Your skin’s too soft.”



V walked into Wrath’s study and shut the double doors, thinking that little chat with Marissa had been disturbing as hell on a variety of levels. God, he hadn’t gotten into anyone’s thoughts for weeks now, but he’d read hers clear as day. Or maybe he’d just hazarded a guess. Hell, more likely the latter. Going by those saucer-wide eyes of hers, she’d clearly been convinced he was going to lay his mouth on her.

Wrong. The reason he’d stared at her was because she fascinated him, not attracted him. He wanted to know what it was about her that made Butch lay with her with such warmth and love. Was it something in her skin? Her bones? Her beauty? How did she do it?

How did she take Butch to a place were sex was communion?

V rubbed the center of his chest, aware of a piercing loneliness.

“Hello? My brother?” Wrath leaned onto his dainty desk, all heavy forearms and big hands. “You here to report or make like sculpture?”

“Yeah…sorry. Distracted.”

Vishous lit up and replayed the fight, especially the final part when he’d watched a lesser disappear into the thin air, thanks to his roommate.