Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(27)

He stilled and moved into her, backing her right into the brick again. “Not in a million years. There is nothing certain about you, little bunny.” He tried to yank her bustier up to cover the tops of her breasts and then gave up. “I just knew we weren’t finished. Not by a long shot.”

But what did that mean? She shivered in the sudden cold and rubbed her aching neck. “You bit me.”

“Yes. Plan to do it again, too.” His teeth flashed in the darkness.

A shimmer took her abdomen. Sex was one thing, fangs another. A demon mated by biting, sex, and a brand from their hand . . . as did witches. It was a good thing they’d both kept their hands from branding each other. She wasn’t one of those women who would end up mated without a lot of thought first. Not that he had offered. She needed time to think about what she wanted, and right now, she mostly wanted to survive the next month or so. “We have to get to a safe house.”

“Mine this time, not yours.” He took her hand and strode down the alley, leading her around mud puddles and rubbish bins.

“You have a safe house in Ireland?” She hustled beside him.

“Yes.”

She shook her head. “Demons aren’t exactly welcome in Dublin, as you know.”

He turned and lifted her over a sprawling mud puddle. “I know, but Dublin is your home. I have safe houses everywhere you own a home or business.”

Humph. Her heart hitched. She blinked against the rain, her mind spinning. “What exactly do you want from me, Nicholai?”

His deep chuckle echoed off the buildings bracketing them. “I want everything, Simone. And this time, I’m going to keep it.”





Chapter 10


Nick finished scrambling the eggs in the spacious steel and granite kitchen, feeling more settled than he had in eons. It was well past midnight, but finally, he had Simone in a safe place. He whistled softly, dishing up two plates and placing them in the cozy breakfast nook facing the tumultuous Liffey. As rivers went, he liked this one. Moody and mysterious, it had always called to him.

His phone buzzed again, and he ignored it, but he knew Zane well enough to know that the demon leader would not take the hint and go away. He thought about the past.

Nick had followed fate’s plan and helped Felicity escape her brother and demon headquarters. Then when the vampire she’d mated was killed, and she had nowhere else to turn, he’d talked Suri into letting her come home. Sure, Suri had planned to kill Felicity and her three boys, but Nick had manipulated the hell out of him with thoughts of heirs and futures.

Even now, he could remember the day a wounded Felicity had returned home.

She’d sat in the office with Suri, while Nick had remained outside with the three boys. The oldest one, a kid about twelve, had furious green eyes and an already strong build. “I’m Zane.”

The name alone sent an awareness through Nick that had to come from fate. “Nick.”

The kid’s hands had clenched. “My mother is afraid of her brother.”

“She should be,” Nick said, going on instinct and telling the kid the truth.

“What about you?” Zane studied him, way too much understanding in his young eyes.

“My job is to protect you and your family.” The words came out like a vow.

Zane lifted his head, while his younger brothers looked on. “Is that a promise?”

Nick had nodded, his chest filling with a purpose that was no longer so f*cking dark. “It isn’t going to be easy, kid, but yeah. That’s a promise.”

Through the years, they’d become friends. Hell. They’d become family.

Nick was jerked back to the present by the appearance of Simone in the doorway wearing a pair of his sweats, rolled up several times, and one of his faded T-shirts. Her thick hair curled down her back after her shower, while her skin glowed from the heat and lack of makeup. She was stunning.

She gestured toward the food. “You’re all domesticated now?”

“I can scramble eggs for a late supper.” He pointed to her chair while reaching for orange juice. “Sit.”

She gave him a look but still sat, grasping her fork to eat a few bites. “Not bad.”

“Thanks so much.” He poured orange juice along with coffee. “Eat something, and then we’ll grab some sleep. I contacted Moira, and she’s bringing the evidence against you here; nobody else knows where you are.” Keeping his voice as undemanding as he could, he continued, “I’m arranging safe transport for you out of the country. I can fight the case here as your representative, and if we don’t win, you’ll be safe.”

Her fork stopped halfway to her mouth. “No.”

He dug deep for patience. “It’s the safest course of action. Moira said the evidence is truly damning.”

“I don’t care. There are several projects I have to conclude while I’m here. I’m a member of the Coven Nine, and as such, I’ll follow our laws. Plus, I just gave my word in chambers that I wouldn’t leave, remember?” She sipped the coffee, and her cheeks colored. “I have to believe in our system, and I do. The more important question right now is who has gone to such lengths to harm me . . . and why.” Her eyes darkened.

It hurt her. That somebody would want to ruin her, maybe see her dead. The woman had been raised by a single mother with a stunning ambition to rule. No father anywhere, and the first man she’d trusted, Nick, had broken her heart. Then she’d finally met her father, and the * had shot her.