Courting Darkness (18 page)

As she blew past him, he bit his lip, fighting the spark of surprised amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. He loved a feisty female who could hold her own against him—one who didn’t cow in the face of danger and could weather the storm of his temper. Olivia didn’t disappoint. Fuck, he hoped he wouldn’t have to kill her.

Chapter Fourteen

I’m going to die…
Olivia gingerly probed the tender spot on the back of her head and gave Haden a look she wished could kill. If he picked up her hate vibes, he gave no indication of it, those hateful sea-green eyes of his fixed determinedly on the road. Surly bastard…

She’d thought they’d moved beyond this point—thought perhaps somewhere deep down, he had a heart. Obviously, she thought wrong. All his feigned attempts to prove he wasn’t a heartless dick had been nothing but an act. And to think she’d actually felt sorry for him. She’d sympathized with his loss, gave him the benefit of the doubt more than once. Well, no more.

Just as a leopard couldn’t change its spots, Haden couldn’t change what he was—a malevolent, overbearing ass-wipe. Surely the only reason he’d kept her alive this long was because he believed she was the key to his revenge. As soon as they reached the grotto, that was all going to change. Once he discovered she couldn’t help him, she’d be good as dead.

If Liam had any intention of coming back for her, he sure as hell would have done it by now. Why wait until the bewitching hour? Why leave her at the mercy of this madman? Because he wasn’t coming for her, that’s why. Sighing in frustration and disgust, she craned her neck to stare out the passenger window at the pristine snow surrounding her. The white fluff covered the fields, clinging to the branches of scattered trees that had long since relinquished all signs of life.

Yuck. Her mood fouled a view that might have been seen for something more than dreary death. Cold leeched into her bones, setting upon her a permanent chill. She had no coat, and the thirty degree temperature outside carried as much unwelcomed bite outside the car, as Haden’s presence did inside. Given the choice, she’d rather freeze than endure another moment in here with him.

“Why so sad? You’re about to be reunited with your lover.”

She didn’t miss the acrid-laced cynicism darkening his voice. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she heard a hint of jealousy in that low-tempered growl. “You’re delusional,” she quipped with an unladylike snort. “If Liam was coming for me, he would have done it by now. How many times do I have to tell you, he’s not coming back.” She turned, boldly meeting his controlled gaze. “And even if, by some remote possibility, Liam knew I was here, he’d never give you that stone. Are you hearing me, Haden? He wiped my memory for a reason, and I’m telling you he’d let me die first. So you’ll kill me because you don’t believe me, and when I’m gone, you’ll still be no closer to the stone.”

Haden cast her a bored, unconvinced look. “Since when did you become such a cynic? You underestimate the power of love, Olivia. You forget that I saw the terror in his eyes as you lay bleeding-out in his arms. I know the desperation of a male whose mate has been ripped from his grasp.”

Steeling herself against the empathy that threatened to undermine her contempt, she snapped, “If you know how bad it hurts, then how can you live with yourself for doing it to someone else? Do you even have a soul?”

He shrugged as if to say he cared neither way. “I guess that remains to be seen, now, doesn’t it?”

“How can an angel be so lost?” she murmured sadly. She didn’t expect him to answer, and was surprised by the note of genuine sympathy in her own voice.

Haden’s scowl darkened. “That you can even call me that bespeaks of your ignorance. I am neither angel or human, Olivia. The shred of humanity bred into me died a long time ago, so quit searching for something that isn’t there. Despite Liam’s claim that I can be redeemed, I assure you it is too late for me.”

“It’s never too late,” she whispered more to herself than him.

His derisive snort said he’d heard her just fine and he wasn’t buyin’ it. “If you knew what I’ve done, you wouldn’t speak such nonsense,” he grumbled.

She didn’t respond for fear that he’d confess his sins. Olivia didn’t need any more reasons to fear him, and she certainly didn’t need another reason for her heart to soften toward him, for surely any tale he’d tell her would most certainly be one of heartbreak. For the longest time, they traveled in silence, each mile drawing them that much closer to what could very well be her death.

She hugged her arms, trying to ward off a sudden chill. Despite the heat blasting from the vents, she couldn’t seem to get warm. When her teeth began to chatter, she clamped her jaw tight, trying to ride out the shakes she guessed had more to do with nerves than temperature. Haden muttered a soft oath and took the next exit. She leaned over the console to glance at the gas gauge—three-quarters full.

As they approached the end of the off-ramp, signs for food, gas, and shopping pointed the way. He turned right and a few blocks later, they stopped in front of a coffee shop.

“What are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m getting coffee.”

Olivia didn’t move when he climbed out of the car. It took a whole two seconds for the comforting heat to escape the interior. She briskly rubbed her hands over her bare arms, trying to ward off the biting chill. When the door didn’t close, she glanced over to find Haden stooped in the opening. His tall, muscular frame filled the small space as he waited expectantly for her to exit. She should have known he wouldn’t be careless enough to leave her here alone.

“What?” she snapped, feigning ignorance.

“Get out.”

Huffing, she threw her door open, then slammed it shut as she marched over to him. “Happy? If I die of pneumonia, it’s gonna be your fault, you know.”

Ignoring her snarky remark, he led the way to the little coffee shop and held the door open for her to enter. Stopping just inside, she crossed her arms defiantly and rooted herself to the floor—knees locked, back stiffened.

As Haden entered behind her, he didn’t even break stride as his splayed hand settled on the base of her spine and shoved her along. Olivia was propelled forward, uprooted as effortlessly as a plucked dandelion. To avoid his touch, she hastened her steps, but it was not an easy feat to out-pace his smooth, long-legged stride, forcing her to race to the counter.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed barista standing behind the counter met Olivia with a nauseatingly, too-cheerful grin. “Welcome to The Daily Grind. What can I get ya this morning?”

“Nothing. I’m with him.” Olivia thumbed over her shoulder and noticed the barista’s sunny grin fell to a forced tug of her lips. And that’s when she realized, that flirty smile hadn’t been for her, but for the overbearing male crowding her backside. Haden’s body heat blasted into her like a stoked furnace, chasing away her chill. Even though it felt good, she’d rather freeze than take comfort from him. Moving away from him, she stepped closer to the counter and leaned in to offer the naïve barista a little piece of advice. “Trust me, honey. You dodged a bullet with this one.”

As she turned to walk away, Haden caught hold of her bicep, halting her retreat.

“Take it easy, I’m just going over there.” She nodded to the roaring, stone-encased fireplace that had a forty-two inch flat-screen imbedded above the mantel.

He leaned close and dipped his head. She stiffened, expecting his lips to brush hers. Instead, he warned with a low throaty growl, “Don’t try to run from me.” His lips brushed the outer shell of her ear. Intentional? She didn’t think so, yet still she shivered as his heated breath skated down her neck—shivered with…repulsion—definitely repulsion.

Olivia yanked her arm from his grasp and briskly crossed to the fireplace. Squatting in front of the blaze, she held her hands up to the glass, half-listening to the early morning news playing above her.

Great, more snow… Just what this place needs.
Unseasonably warm?
If this was unseasonably warm weather, then hell must have truly frozen over.

“Now for the national news. Police are still looking for a missing Florida woman who disappeared hours after the death of her estranged fiancé. Olivia Norton—”
What!
“—of Evercrest, Florida, has been missing since the morning her fiancé, Mitch Mathis, was found dead in his home.”

Olivia’s head snapped up to see the television. The brisk movement knocked her off balance and she fell back onto a set of feet behind her. Her full sprawl was halted when her back crashed into a pair of unmovable legs. Looking up, she muttered a curse. She hadn’t heard Haden approach. He paid her little attention, watching the broadcast with a weighted scowl that did nothing to comfort her.

As she scrambled to her feet, he hissed a foul oath at the anchor woman. Without casting her a glance, he caught hold of her arm and dragged her to her feet.

“Authorities are not yet certain if foul play is involved. If anyone has seen this woman, or has any information related to her disappearance, Florida officials are asking you to contact this number.”

“Bloody hell…” he snarled, grabbing her hand and marching her out the door.

Olivia craned her neck, looking toward the barista, wondering if she’d find the young woman with the phone pressed to her ear, but her back was to them. Stumbling behind Haden, she mocked, “Come on, don’t tell me you’re actually surprised. Did you really think no one would notice I was missing?”

“Oh, I knew they’d notice. I just figured by the time it hit national news, you really would be missing.”

Asshole…
She couldn’t tell if he really meant it, or maybe he was just trying to rattle her. Either way, it worked. With her hand firmly gripped in his, he passed the car and led her down the street. At the end of the block, they turned into a clothing store. By the time they entered the small mom and pop shop, she was frozen—teeth chattering, bone-stiffened frozen. “Why are we here?”

“You need a coat,” he answered gruffly.

At that moment, another shiver racked her body, and his scowl darkened. “Oh, for crissake, here.” He shoved his coffee into her hands and the heat from his cup immediately soothed her painfully stiff fingers. She might have been touched by Haden’s small act of kindness, except the pissed-off expression on his face pretty much ruined the thoughtful gesture.

“Thanks,” Olivia replied dryly. “You’re too kind...”

“Go find a coat,” he commanded, walking toward the men’s clothing department.

Haden didn’t have to tell her twice. Taking a huge, warming gulp of coffee, she made her way to the women’s coats and quickly found a light-colored, down-filled ensemble with matching hat and gloves. Cramming the knit cap on her head, she casually glanced over her shoulder.

A quick scan of the store didn’t produce any sign of the imposing half-breed. Was it possible he’d erred in leaving her alone? A flicker of hope made her pulse quicken. Maybe this was her chance. Taking another moment to perform a last search of the store before making a hasty retreat, Olivia exhaled a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Haden wasn’t anywhere to be found.

Casually, so as not to arouse the clerk’s suspicion or attract her MIA abductor, she grabbed another coat off the rack as if to try it on and made her way to the dressing rooms, all the while keeping her eyes on the real prize—the exit at the end of the hall. She’d never stolen anything before, and to assuage her guilt, she vowed if she survived the day, she’d return when it was safe and pay the clerk for her purloined winter gear.

As she turned down the hall, her steps quickened. Almost there… Just three more dressing rooms and she was home free. Would an alarm go off when she hit the back door? Guess she’d find out soon enough. As she breezed past the last dressing room, a hand shot out and grabbed her arm, jerking her inside. A startled yelp ripped from her throat, her dreams of escape going up in flames as her coffee hit the floor and she crashed into Haden’s unyielding chest.

“Going somewhere?”

“Yeah, the dressing room. To try this on.” She shoved the coat-clad hanger in between them and pushed away from his chest. “You mind?”

Haden gave her an arched look and then poked his head outside the curtain. Looking left and then right, he stepped back inside. “You missed them.”

He moved closer, crowding into her. Olivia’s answering step back brought her flush with the dressing room stall. Planting a palm on each side of her head, Haden leaned in until the scent of black licorice teased her nose. His top lip curled up in a sardonic grin. The only thing missing was a set of fangs to reveal the true predator he really was.

She was so busted…

“If you wanted to share mine, you could have asked.”

His husky voice carried that familiar gravelly undertone that told her she was in over her head. He knew damn well she hadn’t been heading for the dressing rooms and would punish her for her lie until she confessed the truth. Keeping that sea-green gaze of his rooted intently on her, he removed a hand from the wall and reached over his shoulder, grabbing his shirt and tugging it over his head.

Her heart slammed in her chest, making her breathless. Her mind raced with options—possible scenarios for how she could play this out. No guts, no glory, right? Haden was calling her bluff. It wasn’t like she had a lot of options here. If it meant her freedom, could she really take this one for the team? The thought of her next step terrified her. Could she really do this? Would he fall for it?

Just think of Liam…
Yeah, not that easy to do when the two looked nothing alike.

Steeling her resolve, Olivia sent up a quick prayer for courage and slowly lifted her arms, circling them around his neck. Catching her bottom lip between her teeth, she forced a little smile and whispered, “You caught me.”

He tensed beneath her hands. Surprise and suspicion etched on his handsome face. He wasn’t stupid, but the flare of desire in his darkening gaze seemed to quickly overpower his common sense. Threading her fingers through the tawny hair at the nape of his neck, it surprised her to discover how soft it was. Boy, she pitied the woman that fell under this dark angel’s spell.