Vengeance (The Captive #6)(62)
Tempest cautiously poked her head around the corner of the couch. The heavy footsteps thumped down the wooden stairs, causing them to shake beneath the weight of whoever descended. They were in the far corner of the basement, tucked away behind the couches and stacks of furniture, but she felt as exposed as she would if she were standing stark naked in the center of the room.
Would they be scented? She wondered frantically as William’s arm tightened around her, and the feet stopped in the center of the stairs. The scent of mildew was stifling, but was it enough to cover the odor of what had occurred between them? A single bead of sweat trickled down her temple and onto her cheek. Frustration and apprehension made her belly twist; she gritted her teeth together as she fought the urge to scream.
The feet continued onward until legs, thighs, and finally a chest emerged. She knew it was Kane before she saw the back of his nearly bald head, but then she felt she’d know who it was the second the door opened. Kane turned toward the window they’d climbed in through, walked four feet forward and grabbed a blanket from a stack of boxes in the corner. Beside her, William remained immobile, but she could feel the tension vibrating his muscles.
Please stay with me, she implored, but she fully expected him to launch to his feet and bolt across the basement at Kane. Instead, he remained beside her, his eyes the color of rubies once more. He didn’t look at her when she slid her hand onto his.
Kane turned away and climbed back up the stairs. Her shoulders sagged when the door crashed shut again. Beside her, William bowed his head and took a deep breath. He shuddered; his fingers unfurled from where they’d dug into the floor.
He leaned against the sofa; his head fell back as he took another breath. She sat and stared at him, unsure of what to say or do. She’d given herself to this man, someone she didn’t really know, but loved and trusted. A man who was as violent and savage as he was kind and caring, whose reddened eyes turned back to blue when he took hold of her hand.
She had no idea what would happen when they walked out of this room, but she believed that because he hadn’t gone after Kane now, he wouldn’t snap and do it later. That was what she told herself anyway, but she knew there was no guarantee.
She couldn’t shake the hideous feeling that one, or both of them, would not be making it out of this town alive.
CHAPTER 21
William kept hold of Tempest’s hand as he edged his way carefully up the stairs. The front door had opened and closed a half an hour ago; some laughter from the children had been heard since then and what sounded like a ball bounced across the floor. All things he didn’t think would be happening if Kane and his cohorts were still upstairs.
Tempest stayed close against his back, the heat of her body warming him. Her wintry scent was still emblazoned on his skin and in his nostrils. Soothing him even as he longed to throw open the door, rush into the street, and beat Kane to within an inch of his life before tearing his heart out.
He wasn’t entirely sure what had happened between the two of them. He’d stayed away from women since his change because he’d been uncertain if he could keep himself from harming them, but when he’d been touching her and kissing her, he’d known nothing but peace and a feeling of belonging so strong, he’d never known something like it could exist. He’d had no concern over hurting her; he’d simply known he never would have. He’d die to make sure no one ever hurt her. He would not lose her.
He had to be more careful, he’d let his guard down, he’d forgotten where he was and what was going on when he’d been with her. If Kane had come down those stairs five minutes earlier, they would have both been captured and most likely killed. He could never take that chance with her again. She’d come to mean more to him than any other woman he’d ever known in the short time they’d been together, and he didn’t intend to ever let her go.
Glancing back at her, he met her troubled eyes as she hovered by his shoulder. No, he definitely wouldn’t let himself be distracted in such a way again. No matter what it took, he would keep her protected and safe.
Grabbing hold of the doorknob, he turned it to the side and opened it a centimeter. He kept his crossbow before him as he nudged the door open further with his toe and poked his head out. No one moved on the other side of the door, but voices drifted from down the hall. Tempest stepped out beside him; her hand clamped around his as her gaze traveled up and down the hall.
She gestured toward the back of the house and turned away from the voices. Walking with her, he followed her into a dining room. They had just stepped inside the room when a boy walked in from the other side. William jerked the crossbow up and aimed it at his heart.
The boy froze, his eyes widened as a startled, “Ugh,” escaped him.
Tempest leapt forward and threw her arms up in front of the child. “No!” she hissed. “It’s Abbott. He’s a friend.”
Tempest drew the boy’s attention from him when she spoke. A radiant smile lit his face before he threw his arms around her waist, rocking her back a step. “Tempest!”
“Shh,” she whispered, enveloping him in a hug. “The children can’t know we’re here. It could put them in jeopardy, and they’re not very good at keeping secrets.”
“Sorry,” he whispered back sheepishly. His gaze flew nervously to William before he focused on her again. “I’m glad you’re safe.”