Joseph glanced between him and Simone, and for a second, Killean feared he’d given away too much when it came to her.
“You really have a thing for this girl,” Joseph murmured. “Why?”
Killean held Joseph’s gaze while he replied. “As I told you before, she believed herself above vampires, and I want to watch her fall. I despise all hunters, but that icy little bitch was more self-righteous than the rest of her asshole brethren.”
“Did she spurn your advances?”
“I’d never make a move on one ofthem,” he spat the word in the hopes of selling the lie.
Hehadkissed her, and for one blissful second, he forgot all about his past, all the death he’d witnessed and delivered, and experienced lust as well as peace again. When it was the two of them on the beach, he’d held heaven in his arms before recalling she was nothing more than the serpent tantalizing Eve with the apple.
“Hmm,” Joseph murmured as he rubbed the scruff lining his jaw.
Killean had to sell his tale more if he were going to get his way. “She was supposed to marry the leader of the hunters.”
“Nathan,” Joseph stated.
“Yes, but when he chose a vampire overher, the knowledge repulsed her, and she didn’t hide it. This little bitch mistakenly thinks she’s better than us.”
Killean’s fingers dug into his palms as he made himself put Simone down.You’re doing it to save her life.But it didn’t matter, she washismate, and the words went against his vampire instincts to protect her.
“The hunters did a number on you, didn’t they?” Joseph inquired.
Killean couldn’t stop his fangs from extending as he held Joseph’s curious gaze. No one knew his history, and he would keep it that way.
“They’ve done a number on far too many vampires,” Killean replied.
“Hmm.” Joseph looked at Simone again. “You’re right; they have. I think you’ve earned yourself a little treat. She can be yours to keep leashed until she’s ready to be set free, but you are to do everythingIsay with her, Killean, or I’ll kill you.”
I’d like to see you try.“Fair enough,” Killean said.
Joseph led him over to the female Savage and spoke with her as Killean stepped in front of Simone. She looked at him and blinked before baring her fangs like a wild animal caught in a trap. It was as if Simone no longer existed, and if Joseph had his way, shewouldcease to exist in more ways before this night was over, just as Killean already had.
Following Joseph’s instructions, he knelt before her and rested his hand on her head to hold it still. Simone snapped and lunged at him while the female Savage bent beside him. Dried blood from her brutalized lip caked Simone’s chin and fresh blood trickled from her raw wrists as she jerked against her chains. Her dirty hair whipped around her shoulders as saliva dribbled from her mouth.
Killean had thought he wanted to kill before, but it was nothing compared to the impulse thundering through him as he watched his mate unravel.
Timing the closing of Simone’s jaws, the Savage slipped the gag into her mouth. Killean held Simone steady when she tried to recoil and strangled sounds issued from her. He didn’t know if he wanted to draw her into his arms and hold her or tear this place down more.
A little while longer.He kept repeating this in his head while she gazed at him with accusation and hatred.I’m sorry. I wish there were another way.
The Savage tied the gag behind Simone’s head far too tight for his liking, but he couldn’t loosen it without drawing attention.
“Move your hand,” the woman commanded and waved the black hood at him.
When Killean pulled his hand away, the woman slipped the hood over Simone’s head and pulled the string around her neck. Before Killean could grab her again, Simone threw herself backward, and her head cracked off the wall with a loudthwack. Blood pounded in his ears when the Savages around him laughed, and Simone issued a strangled whimper.
Stay in control. It’s her only chance.
“Time to go!” Joseph announced and slapped Killean on his shoulder.
Killean almost snapped at the hand, but he restrained himself as Simone’s wrists were unchained from the wall and handed to him. Gripping the chain, he realized they were one step closer to freedom.
Chapter Nine
Joseph tookSimone’s chain from him when they stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. Killean almost closed his hand around the links and refused to let go, but he relented to Joseph’s second tug as the Savage’s surrounding him stared unrelentingly at him.
Joseph took the chain, and another Savage stepped forward to blindfold and hood him. At least this time when they led him outside, he wasn’t shoved into a trunk. Instead, they turned him and pulled his hands behind his back. Cold metal touched his wrists before a set of cuffs clicked shut.
