Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Go ahead,” he said, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “Throw it. I dare you.”
Chilled by the ice in his tone, she dropped back into her chair. “I wouldn’t give you the satisfaction.”
“Smart girl,” he said softly.
She still wanted to hit him. “Why didn’t you tell me that was your decision? You both let me think that I’d convinced you.”
“I didn’t want to worry you.”
Her chin lifted. “I don’t need protection from reality.”
“Fair enough.” Then his tone shifted, sharper now. “Forget about Virus 27. No one is taking that. Do you understand me?”
He’d been eavesdropping? Lyrica’s breath hitched as his words rolled over her, heavy and unyielding. Her pulse quickened, a strange mix of fury and desire leaving her both breathless and off balance. “Fine,” she bit out. “I get it.”
“Good.” He glanced at his watch. “I have business. Be here when I get back. We’ll discuss this mating.”
“Oh, great,” she said sarcastically. “I can barely wait.”
When he left, the tension in the room dissipated, but her anger simmered just beneath the surface. If Vero thought he could dictate her every move, he hadn’t read her accurately from the beginning. Grabbing her coat and boots, she marched toward the door.
He might have wiped memories, but he wasn’t going to stop her from helping someone who needed it. Whether he liked it or not, she had her own mind—and she wasn’t altering her life for anybody. Plus, she had a nice anti-immortal gun in her pocket that she’d borrowed from his bedside table.
She stepped outside, her breath fogging in the freezing air. It was a good thing she knew how to drive a UTV.
Chapter Thirty
Vero ran into Silas after he headed into the building that housed the below-ground cells. The scent of fresh pastries greeted him as Silas leaned against the wall, casually munching on one.
“What are you doing here?” Vero asked, his tone sharper than intended.
“I’m on guard duty,” Silas replied through a mouthful of pastry, then gestured to the flaky treat. “That new chef who arrived last week? Really good.”
Vero shook his head. If nothing else, Silas didn’t hold grudges. “Hey, about your time in the cell below—sorry for that.”
Silas waved a hand, brushing the apology aside. “Don’t worry about it. I know you had to check every suspect, and I was the only one who’d left camp. Still, you know me. I’d never kill anyone, especially not a human female.”
“I know,” Vero said, meaning it.
Silas studied him, his reddish eyes narrowing before widening in surprise. “You look different. Smell different.” His jaw dropped. “Wait a second. Did you mate? With Lyrica? Congrats, Prince. She’s a doll.” He grinned and smacked Vero hard on the arm, almost making him growl.
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Vero’s voice stayed even, but his gaze probably warned Silas to tread carefully. “I’m keeping it quiet for now. She’s human—she’s not used to our ways.” The words sounded lame even to him.
Silas nodded with a knowing smile. “Yeah, females can be tough. Takes a while to get them used to how we do things. Don’t worry—I won’t say a word. But, uh, you should know, she’s all over you. I could smell her as soon as you walked in. It’s not exactly going to stay a secret.”
“Good to know,” Vero muttered, eyeing the other male. Silas didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, cheerfully finishing his pastry. If there had been anything unusual about the mating bond, Silas would’ve mentioned it. He would’ve asked questions. The fact that he hadn’t eased some of the weight on Vero’s chest.
Good. For now, no one knew about the demon blood. The mark on his hand had faded slightly, but he still wondered if there was a way to cover it completely. Maybe even remove it. He’d have to look into possibilities.
“Can I help you with anything?” Silas asked.
“No. I’m here to talk to the prisoner. Geoff.”
Silas’s expression darkened slightly. “Right. I took him breakfast earlier. He bitched about it the whole time, called me a traitor for following Paxton. Guy’s got a real problem with the whole half-demon issue.”
“Yeah, a lot of people do,” Vero said grimly. “Did he say anything useful? We need to figure out what that circle with the slashes means.”
“Nah. I tried to buddy up to him, ask a couple of questions, but he didn’t fall for it. The guy’s not stupid.”
“Didn’t think so.” Vero clapped Silas on the shoulder. “Thanks. You can head out if you want.”
Silas hesitated. “You don’t want me to keep an eye on him when you leave?”
“No,” Vero said flatly. “There won’t be a need.”
Silas’s humor faded, his tone turning sober. “Got it. Well, I’ll see you later. Need help with anything else? Lyrica?”
“Jonathan and Lukas are watching Lyrica anytime she leaves the lodge. I’m covered. You can get back to the helicopters or help unload the new ones we brought in today. Headquarters is setting up the new computer hub.”