But, his searching eyes didn’t miss the shadows in the dark eyes and the tension that hummed around her.
She was anxious to return to her child and suspicious he intended to halt her.
A well-founded suspicion, unfortunately.
Every damned demon in the world would soon be on the hunt for the latest, greatest hope to return the Dark Lord. Either for the glory of returning their god, or to destroy the potential threat.
Tane wouldn’t allow Laylah to be standing in the firing line.
“Trick you?” he said with a stab at innocence.
Her chin jutted, not buying his pretense for a minute. “I’m not handing over the child.”
He swore in frustration. He’d hoped to avoid an outright confrontation.
“What choice do you have, Laylah?” He planted his hands on his hips. “You aren’t a fool.”
“That’s open to debate.”
He ignored her muttered sidebar.
“You’ve been outed, my sweet. Far too many demons now know that there’s a mongrel Jinn on the loose with a child that has the potential to resurrect the Dark Lord.” He cupped her face in his hands, holding her gaze as he sought to make his point. No matter how ruthless he had to be. “There’s nowhere you can hide the baby that it will be safe.”
Fear flashed through her eyes before she was stubbornly hiding it behind her ready temper.
“If there’s nowhere safe then why would the vampires want to get involved? Or can I guess?” Her eyes narrowed. “As soon as I’m stupid enough to reveal where the baby is hidden you’ll turn the both of us over to the Commission. Tell me, Tane, do you get a bonus for a package deal?”
“You must have an addiction for playing with fire,” he warned, his voice soft.
“Just the opposite.” She knocked away his hands. “All I want is peace and quiet and a place where I can keep the baby safe.”
He clenched his teeth. He wouldn’t let that hint of wistful yearning tug at his heart. “An impossible dream.”
“Perhaps for the moment, but eventually I’ll manage to provide us with a home. I’m not helpless.”
His lips twisted in a humorless smile. “I’m painfully aware of your powers, but I’m not willing to turn a blind eye to the dangers that stalk you. I’ll bet my favorite Rolex that Marika and her mage are in search of the child.”
Without warning she turned on her heel and paced across the office, her beautiful features set in lines of grim determination.
“No, they’re looking for me,” she corrected. “I’m the only one who can touch the baby. They need me.”
Fear feathered down his spine.
“Stop right there, Laylah.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “What?”
“I’m beginning to recognize that expression.”
She abruptly returned to her pacing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
With a blinding speed he was across the room, yanking her around so she wouldn’t miss his don’t-screw-with-me frown.
“You’re hatching some insane scheme and I won’t allow it.”
“Won’t allow it?” The air filled with dangerous prickles. “I ought to fry you just for being an arrogant ass.”
“And I ought to lock you in the nearest dungeon.” With an effort he loosened his grip on her arm, leashing his Neanderthal urges. “Laylah, you aren’t going to make yourself bait.”
She paused. Perhaps weighing the pleasure of zapping him with lightning against the less lethal, yet more terrifying delight of trapping him in the mists between worlds.
“It will only be long enough to lead Marika and Sergei away,” she at last broke the silence. “Once they’ve lost my trail I can return to collect the baby and disappear for good.”
His power blasted through the room, knocking priceless first editions off the shelves and making the lights flicker.
“Is that supposed to be a joke?”
She paled, but held her ground. “I’ll admit it’s not the best plan …”
“It’s a suicide mission and you know it,” he snapped.
“There’s no need to be so melodramatic. I’ve survived on my own for a long time.”
“Shit ass luck that’s bound to run out eventually.”
She sucked in a furious breath as she surged onto her tiptoes and stabbed a finger into the center of his chest.
“I wasn’t asking your permission, He-man.”
He grasped her arms and lifted her until they were nose to nose. Glare to glare.
“Then obviously you’ve forgotten you’re my prisoner. You’re not going anywhere.”
“Don’t you have that backward?” she ground out, drowning him in the delicious sensation of heat and furious woman. Even when she was frustrating the hell out of him the image of spreading her across Styx’s desk and thrusting deep into her body was searing into his brain. “You’re in my power and I command that you let me go.”
He claimed her lips in a kiss of blatant ownership. “Checkmate.”
Her lips softened in a brief moment of madness, then she was pressing her hands against his chest.
“Tane …”
“No Laylah, you won’t be charging off alone.” He returned her feet to the fancy carpet, but he held onto her arms, unable to let go. Dammit. There weren’t any good choices. Not so long as the Commission considered her a danger. What he needed was time to convince the damned Oracles this female was not a threat. And more importantly, the ability to keep her from getting herself killed before he could do it. “There’s nowhere you can go that I won’t follow.”
She frowned at the harsh warning in his voice. “Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Chapter 12
It was his simple honesty that stole her breath.
Along with her higher brain functions.
I don’t know …
She could return the sentiment.
The damned vampire had her so twisted in knots she didn’t know if she was coming or going.
One minute she wanted to zap him into a little pile of dust and the next she wanted to back him against the nearest wall and do wicked things to his hard, perfect body.
Lost in the honey gaze, Laylah nearly came out of her skin when Styx’s voice boomed through the intercom.
“Tane. I need you upstairs.”
Tane stiffened, his grip tightening on her arms.
“Not now,” he growled.