Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(24)

Moira breathed out. “Okay, good. That’s good. Stay low for a few hours, until we make sure the locale is safe.”

Simone nodded, her adrenaline still flowing. “I understand.” Some of the attackers might still be searching the cemetery. “The Guard is on the issue?”

“Aye. We’ll have all of the attackers in custody by morning.” Moira cleared her throat. “Bear is furious his hair was burnt. The man is rather vain.”

Simone winced. “It appeared that the attackers were aiming for Bear and not for me.”

“I’m not sure. It seemed as if they wanted to take all of us out.”

“No. Bear has mentioned other enemies, but he won’t tell me who they are. See if you can get the truth from him.” Were there rogue shifters in the area after Bear? If so, why wouldn’t he ask for help? Even as the thought crossed her mind, Simone mentally shook herself. Bear would never ask for help. “Tell Bear to stop being a dick.”

Moira snorted. “I’ll tell him, but he’s looking rather pissed off right now.”

“How is Brenna?” Simone kicked mud from her heels.

“She’s fine, but Tori is seriously freaked out.”

Simone caught her breath. “Does the Guard know she saw us fight?”

Quiet ticked by for a moment. “I’m not sure they’ve put it together, and we’re being deliberately vague. Hopefully we’ll get her back to the States without mishap.”

Oh God. Simone exhaled slowly. If the Guard knew Tori had seen them use powers, then she’d be in definite danger. No human could know about the immortals. “We have to protect her.”

“Aye. We will. Destroy the burner phone, and call again tomorrow morning. I’ll have a plan then.” Moira clicked off.

Simone swallowed and dropped the phone, stomping it into several pieces. Finally, she turned to face Nicholai. He leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed, his hair damp. Scruff lined his strong jaw, and a purple bruise marred his right cheekbone. His tie was gone, his dark shirt was in tatters, and his pants were covered in mud. Even so, a tension spiraled from the demon. “We, ah, just have to lie low for a few hours until the cemetery is cleared,” she murmured.

He didn’t move.

Her hands fluttered together. “I’m sorry to get you all mixed up in this mess.”

“Come here, Simone.”

She blinked. Heat slid through her like a fine wine. That voice. Sometimes, late at night, she remembered that rough voice. Panic competed with the heat, and she spun around to open a cupboard. “I’m freezing.” That’s why her voice shook. Aye. She was cold. Regaining her composure, she drew out two glasses and a bottle of decades-old whiskey. Splashing plenty into the glasses, she took one and held it out to Nick.

He crossed the room and accepted the glass. “Slainte.”

“Slainte,” she returned, clinking her glass with his. Tipping back her head, she shot the entire glass. Fire exploded down her throat and into her stomach, billowing out to warm her limbs. “Better.”

“Yes.” He refilled their glasses and clanked again.

She tossed back the whiskey. Instead of calming her, as she’d hoped, the alcohol increased her awareness through a heated haze. The demon studied her, his gaze direct and knowing. Her damp clothes suddenly felt restrictive and much too tight.

“You’re wet, Simone.”

She jerked and then realized he was talking about her hair. Her hand trembled when she brushed the mass away from her face. “I’ll dry.”

His lip quirked. “Want help?”

Her system went into overdrive, and she sought any bit of normalcy. A low chuckle escaped her, and she gestured around at the intimate apartment. “This is convenient.”

“There isn’t a damn thing about you that’s convenient.” He reached out and ran his knuckle down her cheek.

The touch was gentle and reverent, but an uncoiled tension filled the air around them. She cleared her throat. “Did you mean what you said? That you never thought we were over?”

“Yes.” His exploration continued down her neck and across her upper chest, that dark gaze following the path of his fingers. “My mission this last century was dangerous, and I figured I didn’t have much chance of surviving, even if I succeeded in changing the demon leadership. Letting you go made sense at the time. Now I find out I killed your father. I am sorry for that, Simone.”

“You killed him to save me,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “I didn’t know him, and those brief moments with him were enough to realize I didn’t want to.” The first time they met, the bastard had shot her.

“Aye,” Nick said.

Emotions, raw and real, ripped through her. Just standing next to Nicholai Veis softened her thighs, hardened her nipples, and created an ache deep inside her only he could satisfy. “My father, like many shifters, was crazy, and you saved me.”

Nick tucked two fingers in the neckline of her top and drew her forward. “Then you owe me.” He lips met hers, gentle and seeking, all heated power.

She moaned and stepped into him, tilting her head, taking him in. He kissed her, and his rough, unshaven chin rasped against her skin in delicious friction. Finally, he released her. “Is this going to happen?”