Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(64)

“Not yet.” Nick gave him a feral grin. “You think I’m going to die here, in your sorry excuse for a home?”

“That’s precisely what’s going to happen. I’m going to kill you right under Prince Tarron’s regal nose, another perk of my revenge. I love sticking it to that pompous bastard whenever I can, and I’m going to enjoy dumping your body on his doorstep.”

“Really? You’re either ballsy or extremely stupid to make your home base so close to the prince’s stronghold.”

Nick’s gaze flicked briefly to Zan and away again. Heart racing, Zan listened, hoping the commander could wrangle a bit more information from Darrow.

“I’ve been here for almost a year, and he never suspected,” Darrow bragged. “We would’ve attracted too much attention if we’d moved into a regular home in some neighborhood. But nobody pays much mind to new tenants in a formerly empty office complex, especially if it’s in an area with some traffic.”

“Clever,” Nick mused without humor. Another glance at Zan sent the message: Tell Selene. Get us help.

“I thought so.” He gave the whip a loud snap, then nodded to his minion hovering nearby. “Turn him to face the wall and then get out of my way unless you want the same.”

As the rogue repositioned Nick in his chains and stripped off his shirt, Zan opened the mind link with his mate.

Baby? To his relief, she was waiting.

Oh, God! Honey, where are you? Tarron and his men, the Pack, everyone is looking for you and Dad!

Sweetheart, listen to me carefully. Darrow is holding us in a building he claims is very near Tarron’s stronghold. It sounds like this place is in the nearest town, in an area where there are other businesses, so their comings and goings don’t stand out too much.

All right. I’ll tell the others. Anything else?

He said they’ve been here almost a year, so check real estate sales or rentals. If there’s nothing under Darrow’s name, check under Owen Matthews or any name he might use for his holdings.

There was a pause. You don’t mean Secretary of State Matthews, do you?

Unfortunately, yes. He’s the head of the snake, always was. When he goes down, all of this stops.

Okay. You hang on! We’ll find this building and we’ll be there soon!

I will. I love y—

A scream shattered his thoughts, and quickly he shut down the connection. There was no way he could subject his mate to what was happening to her father.

He didn’t want to watch, but he couldn’t look away. Nick’s back was bowed, muscles bunched as he gripped the silver chains that had to be burning his palms. His head was turned to the side, dark hair falling over his eyes, and his teeth were gritted against the pain.

Darrow raised his arm, brought down the whip again. The rawhide struck Nick’s back with a horrible slap, wrapping around his upper shoulder, crossing down his back diagonally to his hip. A line was scored into his flesh, a deep furrow that immediately began streaming with blood. Crimson streaked down his flesh, into the waistband of his jeans.

Over and over again, the blows rained down. Zan held on to the contents of his stomach, though just barely. That is, until Darrow’s devious mind revealed Nick’s ultimate torture.

“Smell that?” He inhaled, then shivered with pleasure as he stepped forward. Trailed a finger through the red liquid and brought it to his lips. Tasted. “Delicious blood. Born shifters taste so exquisite, not even the finest red wine can compare to the full-bodied richness.”

“Get off me, you freak,” Nick hissed, yanking against his bonds.

“Don’t be so dramatic. After all, you’re going to love the next part.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Remember what I said before? Your mate loved what I did to her. . . .” Darrow moved close, into his captive’s back. Ran a palm down his shoulder and side, rested his chin at the crook of his prey’s neck as a lover might do.

Horror filled Zan to the core, and he fought in earnest not be sick.

“No,” Nick whispered. “Don’t.”

“Oh, yes. I’m going to feed from you, wolf. And you’re going to love every moment of it . . . right until you breathe your last.”

“You twisted motherf*cker—”

Nick’s words were cut off as Darrow struck, sliding his fangs into the curve of his captive’s neck. Nick cried out, his body tense . . . and then he relaxed, letting out a hoarse moan. It was a sound of defeat. Broken.

With a dark laugh, Darrow pulled their bodies together tightly, Nick’s back to his front, and began to feed slowly. With long pulls and the occasional lick, nuzzling his prey’s neck, then repeating. His captive sank further under the wicked spell, unable to stop what was happening. Past caring.

Seduced.

“You’re mine now,” Darrow murmured against his skin. “Say it.”

“I’m yours.”

“What do you want, wolf?”

“Drink from me. Take it all.”

“Patience. I’ll do as you wish. After we’ve enjoyed this fully.”

They moved together, vampire and prey, in a dark, ancient ritual that went back in history to the gods themselves. Zan knew, should help come in time to save their lives, even a man as mentally strong as Nick would find it nearly impossible to get past this.