“Do you want me to get it?” Sahira asked frombehind her.
“No,” Lexi said.
She stopped in front of the door, took a deepbreath, and pulled it open before she chickened out and ran. Sheplastered a fake smile on, but it faltered when she spotted Malakaion the other side.
CHAPTER 23
Malakai stood with his hand resting on the doorframeas he leaned toward her. Her teeth ground together as her heartthumped out a few extra beats.
“Malakai!” she greeted a little toocheerfully.
She was never outwardly rude to him, but shewasn’t exactly friendly either. She preferred not to encourage hispursuit of her or make him suspicious.
Gathering herself, she compelled herself torelax as she continued. “What brings you by today?”
“Elexiandra,” he drawled in a tone that madeher skin crawl. “It’s a pleasure to be blessed with your presencetwice in one day.”
Somehow, Lexi managed to keep her smile inplace, but she wanted to slam the door in his arrogant face. Shedidn’t reply as Sahira came to stand beside her.
“Hello, Sahira,” Malakai greeted.
“Malakai,” Sahira replied in a clippedtone.
Malakai didn’t notice the tension in Sahira’svoice as his eyes remained riveted on Lexi. When his gaze ranhungrily over her, Lexi managed to stop herself from crossing herarms over her chest.
However, making her uncomfortable was exactlywhat he meant to do. Instead of cowering, she lifted her chin andmet his brown eyes when they finally returned to hers.
“What can I do for you, Malakai?” shedemanded.
His smile caused her hands to fist. Malakaibelieved she would be his, and since her father’s death, she’dbelieved it too, butnomore. She would lose everythingbefore she ever allowed him to claim her as his wife.
Malakai’s smile widened as his hand fell awayfrom the door. If she hadn’t known better, she might suspect he’dread her mind and found it amusing. However, vampires didn’tpossess that ability.
“Have you seen a dark fae around here?” heinquired.
“We haven’t seen anyone around here,” Sahirasaid.
“This one is injured.”
“Which would make himmorenoticeable.”
Malakai’s eyes narrowed on Sahira, and Lexialmost laughed, but her amusement lodged in her throat when Coleand his brother strode into view.
Can this get any worse?
But even as the thought ran through her mind,excitement hummed across her veins, and a big smile spread acrossher lips before she could stop it. Seeing her reaction, Malakaistiffened and looked over his shoulder as Cole and Brokk climbedthe steps.
They were here, hunting their brother, andshe was harboring the fugitive, but she couldn’t find it in her tobe frightened when Cole’s Persian blue eyes landed on her. A smallsmile curved the corner of Cole’s mouth before Malakai stepped infront of him and slammed his palm into the doorframe.
Unprepared for the motion, Lexi couldn’t stopherself from jumping at the sound. Exasperated by his intimidationtactics, she scowled at Malakai as he leaned closer. The maliciousgleam in his eyes caused her stomach to roll, but she refused toback down from his intimidation tactics.
“Back off,” Cole said, and clasping Malakai’sshoulder, he pulled him back a step.
For a second, Lexi believed Malakai was goingto shove him as they glared at each other. They were two extremelypowerful beings, but Malakai had to know he would lose in a fightagainst Cole.
He didn’t seem aware of this as his handfisted.
•••
