Kraven (VLG Series Book 2) (22 page)

“Go use the other bathroom. There are no windows.”

“Are you serious?”

He inclined his head. “Yes.”

“So you think a winged guy is going to bust in through a window and grab me while I’m in the shower?”

“I’d rather not take the chance. I’d hear glass breaking if they attacked but I want you where it will be harder for someone to take you until I have a chance to fight them.”

She frowned. “You
are
serious.”

“Yes.”

“That’s a real threat?”

“It is if Aveoth sends anyone from his clan to retrieve you.”

She bit her lip but nodded. “Fine. Let me grab some of my things and I’ll go use that shower.”

He had expected her to argue more. “Thank you.”

“I can be reasonable.”

“Good.”

“About some things. We both want to talk to Dr. Brent. We’ll do that in the morning. He only keeps office hours during the day and I don’t know where he lives. That means we should spend the night here.”

“No way in hell.”

“I want to sleep in my bed, not in some cheap motel.”

“Who said we had to?”

“This is my city, Kraven. Nice hotels ask for identification and credit cards. We’re supposed to stay under the radar if we’re being hunted. That means leaving few traces. They’re too afraid you’ll throw a party and destroy the room if you pay in cash. That means staying in a seedy part of town where they take cash and don’t give a damn what you do, as long as you don’t leave a dead body in one of the rooms. Those places are
already
trashed. No thanks. I refuse to sleep on a bed where some hooker just earned fifty bucks.”

“I’m certain I’ll find somewhere suitable.”

“You won’t be able to pull the eye trick on them. Nice places have surveillance cameras. It’ll be the airport all over again.”

“Not all of them will.”

“Bullshit. I’m not leaving. We can stay here tonight. I’m done moving around. We were in a car for almost twenty-four hours. Stick a fork in me. I’m done. Forget it, Kraven. I’m going to take a shower, eat, and sleep in my own bed.” She approached him and fisted his shirt. “That’s not up for debate. Play your cards right and I’ll let you sleep with me. You can take the side next to the windows, since you think some rock dude is likely to come smashing through one.”

He ignored her flippant tone. “You thought I was crazy about VampLycans being real. GarLycans
will
come after us if Aveoth tells them to. Fourteen floors up will make it easier to attack. Less witnesses to possibly see them.”

“It’s safety glass. Some stockbrokers live here.”

He gave her a blank look.

Bat grinned. “Bad joke. Really bad. You could pick up a chair and smash it against those windows. They were made to withstand earthquakes. The only thing that will shatter them is a lot of bullets.”

His eyebrows arched.

“Do your rock guys carry guns?”

“No.”

“Then we should be good. Relax, Kraven.”

“I need to keep you safe, Bat.” She frustrated him with her inability to understand the depth of the danger she was in.

“I disagree that they’ll come here. This is the last place they’ll look for us. Hiding in plain sight and all that. My grandfather knows we’re together and he’ll figure you’ll take me somewhere woodsy. It seems to be your thing. Either way, I’m sleeping in my bed tonight. It’s a highly secured building. We’re good.”

“Damn it, Hellion.”

She winked. “I’m going to take that shower in the other room. See? Compromise. We can sleep here tonight and argue about where to go tomorrow after we talk to Dr. Brent. His office hours start at eight a.m.”

“Go.” He needed time to think.

Bat released his shirt and collected her toiletries, striding out of the bathroom. He followed her down the hallway until she entered the other bathroom, waited for the door to close, then went out into the living room to retrieve his bag. He placed a call home to one of his friends.

“Yeah.”

“Hey, Red. It’s me. Is everything good there?”

“We haven’t been attacked. You shouldn’t call family.”

“It’s your enforcer line.”

“True. Just keep it short.”

Kraven already knew that. “I need you to relay a message. Tell my brother that I’m going to talk to the doctor. He’ll know what that means. That’ll take place in the morning. I’ll call back tomorrow night with an update.”

“You doing good?”

“We’re keeping on the move.” He glanced around Bat’s condo. He hated to lie to Red, but he wasn’t about to admit the little attorney might have talked him into making a stupid mistake like staying where they were until morning. “Thanks.”

“Keep in contact.”

“Will do.”

Kraven hung up and removed the battery from the phone before replacing it in his bag. The doorbell rang. He approached it with caution, avoiding the peephole. “Who is it?”

“Brian.”

The male had a very human pitch to his voice. Kraven unlocked the door, yanking it open, prepared to attack if necessary.

The guy who stood there looked young, perhaps just out of high school. He held a large open box packed with food containers. The smell of it filled the hallway.

Kraven glanced behind the kid, spotting no one else. “Thank you.” He took the box.

“You’re welcome, sir. Have a wonderful evening.” Brian hurried away.

Kraven kicked the door closed and locked it with his free hand, sniffing at the food. He carried it to the long island and set it down. His stomach immediately rumbled. Bat had been right. The fast food they’d eaten for lunch hadn’t done the trick of keeping his belly full. Her Chinese food did smell good.

He moved around her kitchen, opening cupboards. He located a few plates and silverware, placing them on her dining room table. He heard when the water turned off in her shower. Minutes passed before Bat came out of the guestroom. She only wore a towel wrapped around her middle.

“Great. The food came.”

Kraven stared at all of her flushed, warm skin exposed and lost interest in food. He wanted
her
.

Bat ignored him as she entered the kitchen. “I’m starved.”

“Me too.”

She twisted her head, eyebrows arching. “Why’d your voice turn so deep?” She peered into his eyes. “Oh, I know that look—and forget it. I’m eating.”

She wasn’t going to drive him insane. He was already there. “Fine.”

Chapter Fourteen

Bat was amused that Kraven had ordered her to put on a set of pajamas before they sat down to eat. She wasn’t about to complain that he found her distracting when mostly naked. It had been a long time since a man had made her feel sexy. Kraven did.

That killed her good mood.

She was falling for him, and it spelled disaster. They were from two different worlds.
Hell, two different species.
She believed her mother had been a VampLycan but she really had nothing in common with Kraven. Her body was totally human. She hadn’t inherited any traits, despite wishing she could control minds. It wasn’t a bad thing that she couldn’t shift. The idea of turning into a beast with hair didn’t appeal to her in the least.

“What’s wrong?”

She looked up from her food, the fork paused in midair. “Nothing.”

He arched an eyebrow, staring at her. It was clear he didn’t buy it.

“Nothing I’d like to share,” she corrected.

“Bat.”

“Kraven.” She stabbed her fork into a chunk of sesame chicken. “I was just thinking about something. That’s all. My thoughts are private.”

“What are you plotting now?”

“Who says I am?”

“It’s what you do. Tell me what put that expression on your face.”

“I was worried about Dusti, of course.”

“Don’t lie to me. Something else is wrong. I told you she was fine.”

He seemed to be getting to know her a little too well. She refused to admit it depressed her, thinking about when he finally went home. They could never make a relationship work between them. He didn’t seem comfortable in her world and she never wanted to step foot in Alaska again.

She studied him across the table. Kraven was a very attractive man. There was no denying that. His eyes were unusual with their light blue intensity, and fascinating. She could stare into them all day. He had handsome features but no one would ever compare him to a pretty boy. The hair looked a thousand times better without the spikes. His broad shoulders and muscles couldn’t be ignored either. He dwarfed her dining room table and looked out of place in her condo.

It was best if they just ended it for good.

A memory flashed of the day before on the plane, when she’d told him they wouldn’t have sex again. That had lasted about five minutes or less. He’d kissed her on his lap and she’d ended up joining the mile-high club. It was impossible to think when he touched her. The sexual attraction was too strong.

She was screwed.
Literally and figuratively
, she admitted.

She’d invited him to share her bed. That had been a mistake, but one she didn’t regret. The time they had would be over once her grandfather gave up whatever the hell he’d hoped to do. She wasn’t going to agree to live with some guy who did a statue impression in his spare time.

“Bat,” he urged. “I’m waiting.”

“Fine.” She looked up, holding his gaze. “It’s been a rough few days. My life has changed and I’m evaluating what that means.” That was close to the truth.

“I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Who’s going to protect me from a broken heart?
She shoved a bite of chicken into her mouth. It tasted sweet for such a bitter moment. She’s sworn she’d never fall in love with another man. The first time had been too painful. But she feared Kraven would make the past look tame in comparison.

“I’d do anything to protect you.”

She swallowed. “Stop.”

“What?”

“Don’t say things like that.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Well, it shouldn’t be.” She stabbed another piece of chicken with her fork. “Just like you urging me to trust you. Enough already.”

“What’s wrong?”

She lost her appetite. “I’m tired. That’s all. I’m going to bed.”

“You barely touched your food.”

She set the fork down and pushed away from the table, standing. “I’m getting a headache. It’s probably because we’re finally out of that damn car. Like reverse motion sickness.” She just needed to put some space between them to think. He was too damn appealing. “Make yourself at home and climb into my bed if you really think some rock guy is going to burst through the windows at some point.”

Kraven frowned.

“Good night.”

He rose fast and came around the table to block her from escaping. It wasn’t a surprise. He wasn’t the type to just let a woman walk away. She stared up at him.

“Hellion,” he rasped. “What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“You like giving me hell. It fits.”

She’d give him that. “I just need some space, okay?”

“Why?” He reached out, seeming intent on stroking her arm.

“We just spent a really long time sharing a front seat. Isn’t that enough?”

He tried to touch her again.

She backed away and bumped her ass on the edge of the table. “Don’t.”

“This again?”

“What?”

“Are you going to keep fighting what’s between us?”

She held his gaze. “No. I learned that lesson yesterday. You can seduce me easily. I have the carpet burn on my ass to prove it.”

That earned her a scowl. “You’re hurt? Let me see.”

“Forget it. It’s not bad. I’m just a bit tender in that region. The skin isn’t broken or anything, just a little red. I wasn’t even aware of it until I used body soap. It burned a bit. Sitting in a car through three states probably didn’t help either.”

“I can heal it.”

“No thanks.”

“I want to take care of you.”

She decided to just be honest. “That’s the problem. I don’t want to trust you. And I don’t want you to make offers like that.”

“Your life has changed, Bat, and there’s no going back to the way it was.”

“Bullshit.” Her temper flared. “My grandfather will get a damn life or drop dead, whatever works, and you’ll go back to Alaska. I belong
here
. You don’t. This can’t go anywhere. I don’t want to depend on you for anything, Kraven.” She glanced down his body, then back up. “So keep your hands to yourself and let’s make it easier on both of us when the time comes to say goodbye.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Yes, it will. You’re Alaska and I’m Southern California. See the problem?”

His frown deepened.

“I’m a lawyer. You’re an enforcer. I don’t really even know exactly what your job entails but I have a good idea. You kick ass with your body for a living and terrify people. I use my mouth to defend the type of people you probably beat up. You can control minds and literally go all beast. I can’t do that. Sex isn’t everything—and that’s really the only thing we have in common. It’s not enough. It’s all good at first but we have to get out of bed at some point. You know what I mean. Then what do we have? Nada. Nothing.”

He inhaled and blew it out. “You’re my mate, Bat.”

“No.” She shook her head. “Hell no.”

He actually smiled. “I thought that myself when I realized what you were to me. I understand we’re vastly different.” His expression sobered. “It doesn’t change the truth. We
are
mates. You’re mine and I’m yours.”

“I’m not an animal. I can’t have a
mate
.” She slid along the table to avoid touching him. “I refuse.”

He sidestepped and pinned her with his big body. “It doesn’t work that way.”

“This is your problem, not mine.
No
.”

“We’ve already begun the bonding.”

She sagged against the table, happy it was behind her as she used it to support her weight. “What in the hell does that mean?”

“I’ve taken your blood, and you’ve had mine.” His tone softened. “Remember when you had that headache after crossing the river? I fed you my blood to heal you. And I took a lot of yours when my back was torn up. I’m certain we’re mates. You might not have the instincts I do, but trust me, it’s a fact. We’re going to be together.”

She just gawked at him, speechless. It couldn’t be. She wasn’t an animal. Animals mated. People dated, made commitments, and married. Then divorced, more often than not.

“Easy, baby.” He reached out and gently grasped her upper arms. “Breathe. You’re hyperventilating.”

She was. She forced her eyes closed and focused on her body. Her heart pounded and she was having a hard time catching her breath. She also felt faint. It made her panic. Passing out was for wimps, something she wasn’t.

“Fuck.” Kraven just scooped her into his arms.

She opened her eyes as he carried her through the living room, down the hallway, and into her bedroom. He took a seat on her bed, keeping her on his lap. He rested his chin on the top of her head, holding her close.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“No!” She shook her head and tried to wiggle off his lap.

He let her go. She got up and paced the carpet between the bed and dresser, shooting him a dirty look. “I’m not living in Alaska. My life is
here
. I busted my ass to make partner and guess what? I’m finally there. They’re going to give it to me. I went through hell to earn it.” She knew she was ranting but she couldn’t stop. “Do you know how many times I had to kiss ass and overlook shit, when I really wanted to deck a few of those assholes I work for? One of them pats my ass when we share an elevator. All I want to do is break his damn fingers—but I don’t. I smile like that prick is being cute. Then avoid being alone with him. I earn my way on my feet, not on my back!”

“Calm down, Bat.”

She stopped. “Fuck you!”

He stood. “I understand.”

“Do you?”

“Yeah.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I wanted a mate who would actually be
happy
when we found each other. You weren’t my ideal person either.”

That hurt but it seemed justified. She bit her lip and turned away, staring at the wall.

“We’ll make this work.” He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. “I
want
it to work.”

She closed her eyes. He smelled so good, and it felt right having him hold her.

“I know you’re scared.” He leaned down so his soft words fanned his breath against the shell of her ear. “I am too. We’re vastly different but life will never be boring, will it?”

She gripped his arms but just held on to him. “What are we going to do?”

“Fighting it won’t work. I could return to Alaska and you could stay here once you’re safe from Decker, but we’ll both be miserable. You’ll be thinking about me and I’ll be thinking about you.” His arms tightened and his voice took on a raspy tone. “I’ll hunt down and kill
any
man who touches you, including that prick who palms your ass. I’m hoping you have enough Lycan blood to detest any man’s touch that isn’t mine, now that you know you have a mate. It should make you want to rip off his face and watch him choke to death on his own blood, instead of just breaking a few bones. That happens with mates. We only want each other, and there’s never any cheating.

“I’ll be the horniest, loneliest VampLycan in Alaska without you.” He rested his head against hers. “I’ll eventually snap and come after you. Not to hurt you,” he quickly amended. “I could never do that, but I can’t promise rug burn won’t occur again. Mates are meant to be together. You could send me away afterward but I’ll always come back. I can’t live without you for long.”

She wanted to cry. Tears filled her eyes and she rapidly blinked to prevent them from spilling. He painted a sad picture for both of their futures.

“We could stay here, if it means so much to you.”

That gave her hope. “Really?”

“I’d do anything for you.”

She pulled her head away from his and peered up at him. “You won’t miss your woods? Your family?”

“I will, but you come first.”

It made her feel selfish.

“We can try it. It beats the alternative. You’re mine, my little hellion.”

“That’s not the most endearing thing to call me.”

He smiled. “It fits.”

“You said that.”

“I mean it. You like to give me hell. I don’t mind.”

“I don’t want to get hurt,” she confessed. “I’ve been there and done that.”

“Hurting you would mean hurting myself. I’m not a masochist.”

“Good to know.”

“I don’t know how strong our bond will become, with you being so human, but I’m hoping we can share emotions. What you feel, I’ll feel. And vice versa. It tends to make mates really pay close attention to each other’s needs and desires.”

“That’s weird.”

“It’s just the way it is.” He shrugged. “How do you fear being hurt? I’d never hit you. You should know that by now, since you’ve pissed me off more times than I can count.”

“No. You just have an abnormal obsession with my ass.”