ra's

in my chest. I had no fucking clue where the exit was. I had seco

I'm going to let yo

is hold. He pinned me to the floor in a heartbeat, his weight pressing me down. His legs straddled my hips, his grip

oving the thought a

upid, but I didn't think-" He cut himself off, his jaw flexing. His grip tightened. Then, he exha

a smooch, lover boy," I snapped, f

second, I thought he might actually kiss me again. Somewh

to you like a rational human being," he grow

a prickling sensatio

y distraction.

sliver of space, but I took it. His fingers still encircled my wrist in a vice gr

o let me up or n

deciding,"

me

His grip was still firm-strong. But there was a diffe

id half-if I backed out now, I'd have to return the money and break th

xpression into something unr

ted. "Help

ng my

rp and assessing. "Your niece?" His

did lightly. But I had no choice. His body was too close

o," I admitted. "And your

cked. "Your ni

d dryly. "I woul

ossible. The magic back from t

ntinued. "But that doesn't mean

g moment. "How do you know

ou didn't claim they weren'

o have to take my word on it. My niece is one of many kidnapped wom

o do everything for your family, but how does that explain

ve stung. But it did. I f

e leader. All the blood spilled by your

"The blood of your father su

What do you know

n who left a trail of bodies in his wake

" he hissed. "Nothing about

u any differ

voice softened. "Stay. And I will do whate

my hea

d to tell him

h hitched. His fingers brushed my chin, tilting it j

o hate thi

toes. Kalix groaned, loop

this didn't h

was dan

I was th

upposed to