Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(123)

Dev had changed clothes and appeared oddly casual in sweats and a T-shirt that didn’t quite fit. He’d managed to slick back his hair and even in a jail cell, found a way to make my heart race. The only problem was the look in his eyes.

“Are you all right?” I wondered how horrible his night had been.

Dev got up and walked to the bars of the cell. He put his hands over mine. “I’m fine. I survived the night, as did you, and that’s all we can hope for. Now Trent, can you open this cell and allow me to hold my wife?”

“Damn it, Quinn, is this necessary?” The wolf growled back. “McKenzie will have my hide if I get caught. I’ve been undercover for six years. I’m not getting caught because you’re horny.” Trent’s accent made me think he was probably a Red Sox fan.

Dev’s eyes narrowed at the wolf and his mouth turned down. He was well and truly pissed off. He looked like he was about to start in on the much bigger guard when an idea struck him. “Sweetheart, why don’t you tell Trent there to open this f*cking cage of mine?”

I was beyond thrilled to discover he actually worked for John McKenzie, the alpha of the American wolf packs, but he still looked really mean. “I don’t think he’ll listen to me.”

Dev’s smile was arrogant, and I wondered what the hell had happened last night to put him in this mood. He was in full-on, f*ck-with-authority mode. He was spoiling for a fight or something else. He needed to be in control and he could do it one of two ways. He could tempt the big were in to a fight or he could dominate me for a little while. I knew which way I would go.

“What are your orders, Trent?” Dev asked.

Trent’s big, bulky shoulders slumped slightly. “You know what my orders are. I’m supposed to keep an eye out here. I report back to the Lieutenant and let him know what’s going on. I’ve been working my way up for years, and I’m finally getting close to the Council members. When and if the time is right, I’ll assassinate whoever I need to.”

“Lieutenant?” I asked. “Is the army involved?”

Trent shot me a rueful grin. “Sorry, ma’am. I’m afraid once a Ranger always a Ranger. John McKenzie was my team leader when we were in the Army.” His eyes softened. “I also knew your guard. Owens was a good man. I was very, very sorry to hear about his death. Please know we’ll avenge him when the time is right.”

I nodded and Dev squeezed my hand. He stared at the ex-Ranger and got back to his point. We had very little time. “Now, tell me what your orders have been since last summer.”

Last summer, we performed our ritual for the wolves. The babies had been born this spring. It was when Daniel had forged his alliance with the wolves.

Trent’s jaw firmed to a stubborn line, but he answered. “I’m to aid the King of all Vampire in anything he might need.”

“And?”

Trent growled a little. “And his queen.”

I smiled but tried to keep it sweet. “I’m sorry, Trent. I’m going to need this door open.”

And, because a good wolf always follows orders, Trent pulled out the key and opened the door. “Her Highness will have to shower and change clothes. Marini’s senses might not be as good as a wolf, but they’re damn fine. If he smells the Prince on you he’ll kill me.”

“I’ll be careful,” I promised, my hands itching to touch Dev’s skin and remind myself that he was here and alive and with me.

Dev’s mouth was on mine before Trent could quite get out of the way.

I heard his sigh even as Dev pulled me against his body. “You have exactly twenty minutes. I’ll be right outside. If I knock, you two better separate.”

I heard the door close and knew the wolf would stand right outside. He would hear everything and Dev wouldn’t give a shit.

“Take off your clothes,” Dev ordered, stepping back. His hands were shaking and his eyes haunted.

“What did he do to you, baby?” My stomach churned at the thought of what my green-eyed boy might have done to protect me. I’d been unwilling to give Marini what he wanted last night. Had he taken it out on Dev?

His smile was reckless and hid not a bit of his pain to me. “Nothing I can’t handle, lover. Now take your clothes off. Do I have to ask you again?”

I didn’t point out that he hadn’t asked me at all. I pulled my clothes off because whatever had happened to put that look in his eyes had been bad, and this was the only way he knew to handle it. He’d been powerless last night, submissive to someone else’s whims, and now he needed to get his control back. I was willing because he needed it and he would never, never hurt me.

Once I was naked and obviously willing, his stance relaxed slightly. The tightness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by hot anticipation. “I want you to step up to the bars of the cell, lean over, and hold them.”

I did as he asked, holding the cold bars in my hands even as the rest of me warmed up at the thought of escaping everything for a few minutes. I didn’t have to think about anything but pleasing my husband and letting him please me in return.

“Like this?” I leaned over and presented my backside in a wanton fashion that was sure to make his mouth water.

“That’s right, sweetheart. Now spread those legs for me,” Dev’s smooth voice said behind me. His hands ran across my back and rear, caressing me like I was made of silk. “You’re so f*cking gorgeous, my goddess. I’ll do anything for you.”