Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
“Nah, it’ll be more fun to have her stick around. She likes to pretend I don’t exist. But you can’t pretend someone doesn’t exist if they’re being paraded in front of your entire lair, can you?”
Her impish grin made him smile. “You have a lot of Jolene in you.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should. Your grandmother is strong and a good Prime.” He took a swig of his gin and tonic.
“So…you can crash right through people’s mental shields and invade their minds.”
He could see that it concerned her. “Even if your shields weren’t impenetrable, it’s not something I would ever have done to you. You never have to fear that I’ll harm you.”
“Because you’re one big, cuddly bear, right?”
“Cuddly? Definitely not. But you’re my anchor, you’re safe with me.” He took another drink of his gin and tonic. “Have you thought any more about attending the conference with me in New York?”
“So you can introduce me to all the other Primes as your anchor?”
“The sooner your importance to me is well-known, the sooner you’ll be considered untouchable.” And the sooner people like Silas and his friends would think twice about bothering her to ‘test’ him.
“I don’t see the point in you introducing me to everyone.”
“I’ve already told you, whether we bond or not won’t change anything. I’ll still be in your life. I have rights to you that no one else will ever have.”
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Knox turned his head to see three of his sentinels striding into the room. He knew them well enough to sense something was wrong. Rising, he asked, “What is it?” When Keenan slanted a glance at Harper, Knox assured him, “You can talk freely in front of her.” One way to get Harper to trust him would be to show her that he was willing to give her that same trust. “Harper, you already know Levi. This is Keenan and Larkin, two of my sentinels. Keenan, Larkin – this is my anchor, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed.”
The moment Keenan’s hooded, blue eyes met hers, waves of need assailed Harper, bringing her senses to life. Incubus, she knew. Like succubae, they oozed sex and stirred a person’s lust with a mere look. Still, it was nothing compared to the effect that Knox had on her body.
Keenan was what someone might call cutely hot with his boyish face, adorable smile, and tall, defined body. Larkin was, in a word, stunning. She had a warrior-type figure, and her wide eyes were an unusual blend of gray and green. She was also the female who, with Tanner, had escorted Harper to Knox’s office in the Underground. Harper wasn’t sure what breed she was.
“A whole building of strays has gone missing,” revealed Keenan. “You know how they sometimes group together for protection, right? Well, every single stray in that building has gone.”
“Where did this happen?” asked Knox.
“In a neighborhood close to where Harper lives.”
Knox stiffened. “No witnesses? No sign of foul play?”
“None,” said Larkin, lounging on one of the sofas. “They just disappeared.”
Harper spoke. “Strays have been going missing?” Knox merely nodded, his gaze suddenly burning with intensity as it focused on her. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Your current address isn’t a safe place. It’s in a high crime area.”
“I’m aware of this. But you say it like this makes me a special case. Lots of people live in that area and similar areas.”
“Their lives aren’t important to me. Yours is.”
As understanding hit her, she shook her head. “Hell no, you are not setting me up in another apartment.”
“You heard what’s happening. Strays near you were taken. I know you’re not a stray, but you can’t deny that it would be better for you to be in a more secure building in a safer area.”
“You installed a security system at my building, remember?”
Keenan suddenly spoke to Harper, wonder in his voice. “You’re not an imp, are you? I figured you were the same breed as the rest of your family.” He studied her closely as he and the other male sentinels took a seat. “What are you?”
Harper didn’t answer, too intent on making Knox see reason. “A better apartment doesn’t equal safety. People from all walks of life are targeted by criminals.”
“Moving away from there would dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted. If you’re worried about rent, don’t. I own the building I have in mind for you.”
“Of course you do,” she muttered. “I’m not accepting any grand shit from you.”
“Is this about pride? Pride won’t keep you safe, Harper.”
“Come on, tell me, what are you?” Keenan begged her as he pulled a flask out of his jacket.
Again, she ignored him. “I can protect myself just fine. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”
The reminder that she’d pretty much raised herself didn’t lessen Knox’s frustration. Just as agitated, his demon pushed to the surface – making Knox’s eyes bleed to black for a second. Knox pushed it back down. “I don’t doubt that you’re capable of protecting yourself. But those strays were probably capable of it too. Yet, they were all taken.”