Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #6)(43)

“Not without back up.” Salvatore grimaced. “I assume he’s bringing the crow pack with him?”

“Crow pack?”

“His Ravens,” Santiago hissed, the dark eyes cold with disapproval. “They are the Anasso’s personal guard and worthy of proper respect.”

Salvatore shrugged. “How long will it take them to arrive?”

“Four, perhaps five hours.”

“What’s your security?”

The vampire waved a hand toward the shelves of equipment. “Beyond the enchantments placed on the building, I have everything wired and fully monitored. There are also four guards on duty at all times.”

“No werewolves?”

Santiago’s lips curled. “I don’t trust dogs.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual, leech.”

“Not to mention the fact they shed.”

“Better than being a walking corpse.”

Danger prickled in the air and Harley took a sharp step away from both males, her hands planted on her hips.

“Either the testosterone level in this room is taken down a notch or I’m going to show you both what bad things happen when estrogen is let off the leash.”

Chapter Eleven

Salvatore’s lips twitched as he met Harley’s warning gaze, his blood stirring. Damn, but she was hot.

“I heard female Weres were more dangerous than the males,” Santiago murmured.

Salvatore nodded. “You should be near one during the full moon.”

The hazel eyes glowed with a rising fury. “Do you two want some privacy so you can enjoy your budding bromance?”

Santiago chuckled, heading toward the door. “I need to check on the staff before the doors open. So long as you stay in the building, you should be safe. There is food in the kitchen and drinks at the bar. The entertainment starts in an hour.”

The vampire disappeared, closing the door behind him.

“Entertainment?” Harley asked, her eyes abruptly widening as Salvatore roughly backed her against the wall and pressed his body against her. “What the hell?”

Grasping her hands, Salvatore held them over her head, his erection cradled against her stomach.

“You’re so damned sexy.”

“And that gives you the right to jump me like a…”

“A dog in heat?” he finished for her, burying his face in the curve of her neck.

“Yes.”

“I am a dog in heat.”

She shivered, the scent of her arousal spicing the air. “You’re also a king. Shouldn’t you at least make an effort to be civilized?”

He chuckled, his lips exploring the line of her shoulder. She smelled of soap and woman and smoldering desire.

“You still have your clothes on, don’t you?”

She stirred beneath him, her heat wrapping around him. “Salvatore, I’m not going to have sex with you in a room where anyone might walk in.”

“Then come to my room.”

“No way.”

His lips followed the plunging line of her tank top, lingering on the gentle swell of her breast.

“Your room then.”

She tried to swallow her groan of pleasure. “No…way.”

“Oh, there are ways,” he promised in low, rough tones. “An endless number of ways. We’ve already proven that with stunning results. All we need is a place.”

She shook her head in denial, but her ni**les hardened with unspoken invitation.

“Get over yourself, Giuliani.”

Pulling back, he studied her with a brooding gaze. He could hear the rapid beat of her heart, the rasp of her breath.

“Harley, your senses are as sensitive as mine. This mutual desire is one thing we can never hide from one another.”

“Wanting and doing are two completely different things.”

He pressed his erection against the curve of her stomach. “I’m painfully aware of the distinction, cara.”

For a blissful moment, Harley softened against him, her eyes fluttering shut as the persistent need pulsed between them. Unfortunately, he didn’t have time to get her naked before she was roughly shoving him away, crossing the room to stand near the door.

“Tell me what the zombie Were said to you,” she demanded.

Salvatore groaned, turning to lean against the wall as his body screamed with frustration.

“Zombie?”

“Zombie. Freak.” She shrugged. “Taxidermist wet dream.”

With a grudging effort, Salvatore wrenched his thoughts away from seducing his mate and dredged up his encounter with Briggs.

Better than a cold shower.

“Nothing that made any sense,” he rasped.

“Flaming psychopaths rarely make sense.”

“True enough.”

She tilted her head to the side, all too easily sensing the gnawing unease that plagued him.

“There’s something bothering you. What is it?”

Salvatore stiffened, battling the instinct to retreat from her probing. Harley wasn’t a casual lay to be ignored unless she was in his bed. She was the woman destined to rule at his side.

“He claims that he possesses the power to restore children to the Were.”

There was a startled silence as Harley absorbed the significance of his words.