Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 72056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I don’t say this, though. I don’t want Blaze knowing any more than he already does.
“Princess,” Rogan says, “this doesn’t concern you.”
Doesn’t it? I have no idea, but I know I’m not leaving without some answers. I waltz in and plunk down in one of the leather chairs across from the desk. “So this is your office on the main level.”
Neither Rogan nor Blaze replies.
A few seconds pass. Then, “We’re done here,” Rogan says to Blaze. “I’ll be in touch.”
10
Blaze leaves the room, but not before giving me a snide smile.
“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” I say brightly.
He scowls as he closes the door behind him.
Just Rogan and me now.
And all I can think about is his carotid artery beckoning me.
“You can lie to me if you want to, Rogan,” I say, “but you’ll never convince me that asshole was not one of the men who attacked me last night.”
He pauses a moment, rubs his forehead. “I’m not going to lie to you. He was.”
“Good. Now you want to explain why you’re doing business with the guy?”
“He’s on my payroll.”
“Ah… So you pay men to beat up women. Nice.”
He shakes his head. “Of course I don’t. What kind of a man do you think I am?”
I slap my hands down onto his desk. “That’s just it, Rogan. You’re not a man, are you? You’re a fucking were. An alpha. I’ve got to tell you. I mean, sure, we’ve only fucked twice, and I don’t labor under any delusion that I know everything about you, but I never thought you’d condone violence against women.”
“I don’t.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“You weren’t attacked because you’re a woman.”
“Oh, thank God! That makes it all better.” I roll my eyes.
“You were attacked because you’re the heir to the vampire king.”
“So you condone violence against the vampire king’s progeny.” I shake my head with a sarcastic chuckle. “Good to know where you draw the line.”
“This isn’t a joke, princess.”
“Trust me. I’m the one who got beat up. I know it’s not a joke.”
“To hear Blaze talk, you held your own pretty damned well against three trained assailants.”
I’m oddly flattered. “Bummer I wasn’t an easier target.”
“Still, you did require saving.”
“I was standing. I was ready to fight.”
“I don’t doubt it. But they would have bested you in the end. Your skills are excellent. You could have taken one of them. Maybe even two. But not all three.”
“As I said, you came riding in on your white horse, so I guess we’ll never know, will we?”
“We know,” he grits out, his eyes narrowed in anger. Or is it passion?
Yeah, we know. I wouldn’t have lasted. I put up a damned good fight, though.
“I want the truth, Rogan. Who the hell is Blaze? And why did he take part in that attack last night?”
“As I said, he works for me. Nothing else is your concern.”
“Since he tried to take me out, I think it’s very much my concern.”
“I’m sorry for that,” he says gruffly. “It won’t happen again. You want to tell me how you got back here in the first place?”
“I don’t think I do.”
“Let me rephrase that. How the hell did you get back here?”
I smile, making sure my fangs show nicely. “I flashed Daddy’s credit card.”
“Nice try. Your pupils, remember? Don’t lie to me, princess.”
“I made a suggestion.”
“I see.” He moves out from behind his desk, his stealth so…wolflike. “You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
I bare my teeth. “Fucking ravenous.”
“I might be persuaded to give you what you crave.”
“I might be persuaded to let you think you’re giving it to me when I’m actually taking it.”
“For God’s sake, princess. Do you give your father this much trouble?”
I laugh. Really laugh, from the gut. “I’m sure he’d tell you I’m way more trouble than I’m worth.”
“Are you?” He grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks on it just hard enough to make my scalp tingle. “Why did he send you here? And I’ll know if you’re lying.”
He’ll know if I’m lying. Good enough. So I won’t answer the question. I can’t. If I tell him, he’ll destroy any evidence I might be able to find.
I press my lips together.
“All right. I can play this game. But you already answered my question, princess. Now I know he sent you.”
“Got me,” I say, straining against his hold.
“I feel I should warn you, princess.” He pulls subtly at my hair again. “Daddy isn’t who you think he is.”
“Are you serious? I’ve no love for the man. I know exactly who he is. He’s vain and manipulative and a genuine pain in my ass. A classic megalomaniac.”
He loosens his hold on my hair. “But he’s your king.”
I nod. “He is. And the asinine gene he gifted me with makes me come when beckoned and do his bidding.”
“I’ve often been grateful that we weres aren’t genetically bound to follow the orders of our high alphas.”