Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(38)
She glared at him, no doubt pissed as hell with his attempted intrusion into her brain.
He glared back. “Councilwoman Northcutt? I’d like to interview you as part of my investigation.”
“My statement is in the files,” Viv said calmly, all but daring him to call her on the fear.
Simone’s eyebrows arched down, and she tilted her head to the side. “What’s going on?”
The remainder of the Coven Nine looked on, a couple of them seeming to realize that something was up.
“Nothing,” Nick said, turning toward the smooth wall. “I’m finished with this place for now.”
The gavel smashed down. “Adjourned,” Viv all but spat.
The present members of the Coven Nine all left with varied looks of irritation and amusement on their faces.
Simone swept down toward him, her skirts brushing the floor. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she hissed.
“They just wanted to rattle either you or me, and I’m not in the mood for it.” He shrugged and grasped her arm. “Let’s go through the files. Your stupid trial starts tomorrow.”
“Stop with the sarcasm.” Fire flashed from her shoulder and burned his hand.
He released her and gave a low growl of warning. “I wasn’t kidding about the foreplay.”
She huffed and opened the wall, hustling down the carpeted tunnel. “Do me a favor and take a step or two off the red, would you?”
Funny. He followed her, taking measure, memorizing the tunnel and its alcoves. They reached the rear of the ancient church where the motorcycle attack had taken place, and he wasn’t surprised to see Guard soldiers fanning out from the area.
He had several bikes stored in Ireland, and he’d ridden with Simone on the back of one to the hearing. Not for a second had he thought the bike wouldn’t be right where he’d left it, considering the Guard soldiers all around. He reached the bike and held a hand out for Simone to jump on behind him. She did, her arms wrapping around his waist.
Now, didn’t that feel good.
He glanced over his shoulder. “Why does your mom dislike me so?”
Simone leaned her chin on his shoulder, putting their lips in very nice proximity. “I think she wants me with a purebred witch, considering my lineage. She also knows I want to lead the Nine, and ambition is everything to her. And, well, our last breakup left me a bit bereft, I’m afraid. As a mother, she probably doesn’t want to see that happen again.”
Bereft? If Simone was willing to reveal that much vulnerability, she had to have been much more than bereft. Suddenly, his chest ached, and his earlier humor dissipated. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“The past is over, and so long as you understand I’m not going back, we’re good.” She leaned in and brushed a kiss across his mouth. “There’s no reason we can’t enjoy each other right now.”
“I know that you’re not the same girl you were, and to be honest, I like the badass woman even better.” He smiled against her, surprised by how little she knew him. “I plan to enjoy you to the fullest, but if you think this is casual, think again.”
She drew back. “Nick, I—”
He half-turned and captured her mouth, not caring whether the soldiers saw. The kiss was hard and forceful, because he was done holding back. Finally, he raised his head, gratified to see her eyes cloudy and her lips a pretty pink. “Simone. In case you need it spelled out, I’m making a claim.”
Her eyes darkened to a mysterious midnight he couldn’t read. “I’m not the type of woman who is claimed, Veis.”
“Ah, bunny. You’re exactly the kind of woman who needs to be claimed, and anybody not up to the task would bore you immediately. Let me be perfectly clear that I’m up to the task.” Hell. He was probably the only male on earth who could claim her, the only one with the necessary power, spirit, and brains. “Look at it as an adventure, or look at it as something you want, but either way, you will be claimed.”
The flush across her face deepened with anger and something more. Need.
He understood her. She was fiercely independent and had never been able to rely on a male before, which made his path not only more difficult but entirely worth it in the end. She wanted to trust and belong . . . and only late at night, under the covers, did she let that craving slip with him. He’d bet his last stock market fund that she’d never even hinted at her vulnerability with another male.
Whether she knew it or not, she’d made her choice.
Turning around, he gunned the motor and roared out of the quiet parking area, speeding across Dublin. Rain pummeled down, leaving the cobblestones quiet and wet.
They really should invest in helmets at some point.
A silver Escalade kept pace, no doubt the Guard. He didn’t require their assistance, and he sure as hell didn’t want them knowing the location of his safe house. He angled a command over his shoulder. “Hold on.”
She nodded and tucked herself into his body in a display of trust she probably didn’t realize she’d shown. Something in him, an awareness deep and dark, roared in a sense of possession.
He was tired of quashing part of himself; the second he’d taken her in the alley, he’d unleashed his true nature, and there was no bottling it up again. Even if he wanted to, which he did not.