Part 1 (2/2)
”Where the h.e.l.l did she get to?”
”Cool your heels, dude. She's in here somewhere.”
A whimper tickled Bella's throat. Clenched tighter by her captor, she winced. Now both his eyes were visible in the slash of light, warning, teasing in a darkly macabre way.
He wouldn't toss her out to the others, would he? She sought his eyes to find the answer to that worry, but he tilted his head to listen.
”Did she run out the other side? The whole place is wide-open. Check that exit, will you?”
A wide hand explored her body from her back and around to her chest, slowly, without sound. When he squeezed her breast, she bit away a scream. A swallow put back the bile rising in her throat. Now he pressed his hand so hard to her mouth, his finger lay across her teeth.
”So sweet,” he whispered in the calmest, most dreadful tone. ”Your fear arouses me.”
Woozy darkness toyed with her brain. Don't pa.s.s out. She had to stay alert.
Or would it be better if she didn't know how this night might end? Her life hadn't flashed before her eyes yet, so did that mean there would be only torture and pain?
Come on, Bella, she coached inwardly. Where's your usual cheery optimism? You are safe. Just remain in this man's arms.
Nausea coiled in her gut. When her leg muscles gave out, her captor tilted a hip into her to press her against the stacked pallets.
”Hold on, sweet,” he murmured. ”They may be hungry for your blood, but they can't scent a skunk in a garden.”
Hungry for her blood? Did that mean they were- No. Things-creatures-like that didn't exist. They were a gang of wild, drunk men out to torment a woman.
The fingers at her breast found her nipple. It hardened at his touch. She was not aroused. It was the fear heightening her reaction to every touch, sound and smell.
A hard pinch snapped her thoughts to the moment.
”Stay with the program, sweet,” he muttered. ”They're at the other end of the warehouse. They'll give up soon, I'm sure.” She mumbled behind his hand, and he pressed hard but then relented. ”Quiet. Or it's your funeral.”
When he took his fingers from her mouth, it felt as if they were still there. She wriggled her lips and opened her aching jaw.
”Cosmopolitans, eh?”
Startled at his suggestion, she realized he must smell the drink on her breath. But how could he? She'd had one during an afternoon meeting with a potential client. That had been six hours earlier. Of course, she hadn't eaten since.
”Wh-what are they?” she managed.
He shoved her head against his chest, which effectively m.u.f.fled her utterance.
”Vampires,” he murmured. ”And they're hungry.”
She'd gotten that impression the moment the one had flashed his fangs at her. This was so wrong. She didn't believe in vampires.
”They've left.”
She struggled, but he quickly clasped her wrists before her. ”They'll circle the building and roam the area. You're not safe yet, sweet, so keep calm. You can do that, yes?”
She nodded, conceding silently. He seemed willing to keep her protected and unseen, but why? For his own evil intentions?
”Mmm, but can I?” He again sniffed at her hair. A dodge of his head placed his mouth at her jaw. He licked it.
”I'm going to be sick,” she whispered, hoping it would dissuade him.
Footsteps slapping the pavement outside the window alerted her. Her captor again pressed her head against his chest, smothering her breath against the warm, rough-woven sweater he wore beneath the jacket. He held her so fiercely, she thought he might break a bone. One of her bones.
”Here, pretty, pretty,” came a voice from outside. A low whistle teased the evening air.
The sound pinched Bella's heart, like a stretched spring snapping to a coil.
He was right. They circled the building. How long would they prowl the area before giving up? Could she keep from crying out when in the arms of another man who meant her harm?
A low growl, which sounded more like satisfaction than warning, preceded the press of his leg against her hip. He had an erection.
The utter and sickening wrongness rent Bella's soul.
”Let's head back,” someone outside shouted. ”We'll find another.”
Bella's spine straightened, her hope lifting.
”Give them five minutes,” the man said. ”Then they'll be far enough off for you to run.”
”You'll let me go?”
”Of course. You don't think I'd take you right here in this dump?”
”You...you...” He'd said he'd let her go. The deal had been made. She wouldn't argue beyond it.
”I have your scent in my nose, sweet. No matter how far you run, I'll find you.” ”No, please. You've saved my life.”
”I've merely prevented you from getting raped and your neck torn to shreds. I suppose you do owe me, though.”
And she could imagine what he'd desire as reward.
”You impress me, mortal.” His grip on her loosened, but still his torso held her pinned against the pallets. ”Other women would have p.i.s.sed their pants in your situation. Are you so brave, or somehow beyond fear?”
She breathed through her nose, fighting her raging heartbeats. Her forehead dropped to his chest. So weak. Just...exhausted, and yes, beyond fear.
He'd called her mortal.
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