The Way You Bite(17)

“There’s no reason for you to ever meet him.” He touched both sides of her forehead and closed his eyes.

Oh no. Not this. She hated his mind-meld, memory-reading ability. Her mind screamed Escape! yet her body wouldn’t comply. She was drowsy, as if drugged and floating in a dream. Through a haze, the events of the evening slow-played in her mind, leading right up to the present.

Ambrose released her head but kept her in a tight hold. A rush of air past her ear whispered a single word: “Intriguing.”

“This might put a big kink in our plans.”

She caught his thought. There was more than the two of them going on here.

“What are you going to do?” she asked. Icy terror whipped through her body. How much had he picked up of her attraction to Lexan? Would he care? Aside from that, if he told Dominic about any of this or of her helping other wolves, she might be marked as a sympathizer and slated for punishment, maybe even death.

“You need to leave. Dominic plans to start the treatment tonight or keep you detained until tomorrow to start it,” Ambrose said.

“I’m not doing it. If you want an heir, then we can do it the old-fashioned way and get in a bed. Drug free.”

“An interesting proposition. I like you feisty, but Dominic won’t. He’s been consulting with my father. They want our families united and think an heir is the right solution.”

“Then why don’t they set a marriage date?”

Ambrose shrugged.

“You want to do it this way, too. Do this and I swear—”

“You will not threaten me.” He pressed her against the wall and wrapped a hand around her throat, one of his sharp nails digging deep into her neck. His eyes dilated and glowed, a signal of arousal. This was the only time he got even marginally interested in her—when she pushed him to violence. It did nothing for her other than make her want to fight harder and run away faster.

He said, “I’ve given you leeway to do whatever it is you do for human pets. We’ve put on a decent front to the world that we’re well on our way to marriage. It’s bloody humiliating to have my future wife working. Most think it’s some sort of modern male feminist crap. Interestingly, it’s playing fairly well among the female royals. You let slip a single word of my other life and I’ll make sure you don’t survive the treatment. Many don’t.” He smoothed her hair and traced a solitary finger over her lower lip, even though his grip on her neck didn’t ease. “You’re too smart not to see the utility of this method. I think it’s for the best, but I prefer it not start right now. I have affairs to attend to out West this week. The treatment must be scheduled at a time of better convenience. Tell me you understand the advantage of this.”

She nodded. She understood his point, not that she wanted any part of it. “Are you going to turn me in as a wolf sympathizer?”

“I’m not from this country and not subject to its rules of war. My family is not officially at war with wolves right now. Once you are with child, I will remove you to Italy where you will be safe.”

She’d never move to Italy, where restrictions on females were a zillion times worse than in the States. Her freedom plan may have to take effect now. “I don’t sympathize with wolves. They murdered my mother. They keep showing up and taking advantage of me at work.”

“Yet another reason you’re going to quit.” He leaned close. “Go to your apartment. Gather your things and move to my country house tonight or at least by early tomorrow. You will not return to your job. Avoid vamps. I will speak with Dominic about timing.”

She didn’t move. “What are you going to do about the other stuff? About the werewolf king?”

“I shall find out Lexan’s purpose. He hasn’t been in the States for more than a few days. For some reason, he’s targeted you. I know not if this is about me or if it’s vengeance that drives him.”

“Vengeance for what?”

He smiled a chilling upward turn of his lips. “Trace had a little tête-à-tête with his wife before Lexan divorced her.”

“What? I don’t believe you. Trace and a wolf? Impossible.”

Ambrose didn’t lose his smile.

“Okay, oddly possible. Does Dominic know?” She thought she knew her brother well. Perhaps, not so much.

“Your brother slept with that female wolf off and on, and right beneath Dominic’s nose until she had an unfortunate car wreck a few years ago. I’m not entirely certain Dominic knew. It might have been Trace’s roundabout way to hurt his father. Or, maybe, Dominic did know and instigated the crash. Perhaps he let it go on because some twisted part of his mind liked knowing his son hurt Lexan. Although, I’m pretty sure Lexan lost interest in what his ex-wife did long ago.”

“Then how do you know about Trace?” This couldn’t be true. Trace led the Termination Squad. She pulled against the pressure Ambrose applied to keep her still. He didn’t release.

Ambrose’s attention lay on the wedding party milling around the head table. A cunning smile played at his lips. “It’s my business to know all of your family’s dirty secrets.”

“I detected no malice from the king. He got shot and needed help.”

He smoothed a hand against her cheek. “You are so naive. So young. It’s almost adorable, if it wasn’t so stupid.”