The Darkest Kiss (Lords of the Underworld #2)(66)

"Which is why you're chained and not dead." Fully dressed now, she approached the bed. His clothing bagged on her, but she had never been more beautiful.

He lunged for her, hoping to grab on to her wrist, but she danced out of his reach with a laugh. "You deserve this, and you know it. Take the punishment like a good boy."

"Anya," he said again, trying to sound composed. He didn't. If his voice had been a sword, she would have been hacked to pieces.

Staying out of striking distance, she pinched the edge of the comforter and tossed it over his erection. "There. Your modesty can be preserved."

Even then, he wanted her. Ribbons of hair streamed around her and she was staring at the blanket with longing, as if she wanted to be the one draped over him.

"Anya - "

"Get rid of Defeat, and I'll come back." With that, she disappeared.

His head fell against the pillow. "Damn this!" He slammed his unfettered hand into the headboard behind him.

Strider burst into the room, two blades upraised. "Ready or not," he said, "here I come." He glanced at the damaged chamber and then the chains. "What the hell happened? House is a mess, too."

"Put those away," Lucien said, motioning to the weapons with a tilt of his chin. "Anya and I had a little fight."

All hint of concern left Strider's harsh features. "And then you decided to play a game of bondage? I dig." He laughed. "I didn't think you were into that kind of thing."

"Shut up and get out of here. She won't come back until you do."

"Hell, no. I'm not leaving." Strider plopped onto the side of the bed. "One, I want to witness the fireworks. Two, I'm not leaving you helpless. We may not have been in touch these past few centuries, but that doesn't mean I don't have your back now. Just don't get any ideas. I don't swing that way."

Lucien kicked him in the chest, sending him to the ground. "Strider." He covered his face with his free hand. "Gods, this is humiliating." Had Reyes or Paris been the ones to find him, it would not have been so bad.

"You want popcorn or something?" Strider asked, darting to his feet with a grin.

"I want you to leave."

"Uh, no."

"I'm not helpless. And she won't hurt me. She could have already, but she didn't."

A pause. A sigh. "Fine." Strider strode from the room.

Lucien thought the warrior meant to leave the home completely, but Strider returned a few moments later holding a small black cell phone.

"This little baby has camera and e-mail capabilities." Wiggling his eyebrows, he snapped a few photos of Lucien on the bed, making sure to get the chains.

"Stop," Lucien growled.

"Uh, again, no. Now make love to the camera for me. Good, good. The angry sex look is perfect. Man, this is one for the scrapbook."

Lucien glared at him. "Some men fear my anger."

"Hate to break it to you, Death, but I don't think they will when they see you attached to a headboard, a blanket tented over your lap."

Heat infused Lucien's cheeks. "I will pay you back for this. You know that, don't you?"

Strider suddenly sobered. "Don't challenge me. You know I am Defeat's keeper, and I'll do anything - even kill my own mother if I had one - to win a challenge. I can't stop until I do."

Lucien threw a pillow at him. "Then put the camera away and leave."

Smiling again, Strider finally did as ordered. Well, one order at least. He stuffed the camera in his pocket. "So, hey. Have you seen Paris?"

"No. Why?"

"He took off earlier to do some shopping, and I haven't seen or heard from him since."

"He's probably with a woman. Or two. I wouldn't worry about him. Knowing him, he'll want to be at top strength before he joins the search, which means he might be a few days behind us. He has needed even more sex than usual lately."

"Apparently he's not the only one." Strider leered at him. "Gideon will be ticked if Paris left without him. Guess I'll have to let the boys work it out. I've got a plane to South Africa to catch. I'm eager to start looking for little Miss Hydra and whatever treasure she's hiding."

"Did you call Sabin?"

"Oh, yeah. He's excited as hell. Says they haven't had any luck at the Temple of the Unspoken Ones, even with several blood sacrifices, but he senses that something is there and doesn't want to leave."

"Good." Hopefully someone would find something sooner rather than later. "I have not had a chance to flash to him." His mind had been too consumed with Anya.

Strider's phone gave a loud beep. The warrior withdrew it and flipped it open, grinning. "Speaking of Sabin, I already e-mailed your picture to him and he just replied. He thinks you look real good like that. Says you should pose more often."

Lucien fell back, banging his head against the board. The chains clinked. "Get out of here. Anya and I have something to settle."

"Man, you are one lucky son of a bitch. I'd like to settle something with that delicious cupcake."

Lucien's eyes narrowed, rage sparking to life. "Do not talk about her like that."

Strider blinked in wonder, but left it alone. "I'll stay close until I know you're free. See you around, Death. Have fun." He strode out of the room, then out of the house, the door closing behind him with a snap.