“You’re assuming that he watches the video you sent and then ignores your demands to call despite the threat to his queen.” Gaius impatiently brushed back his long blond hair, which was proving to be a constant nuisance. Cristo, he would be relieved when this stupid charade was done and he could return to his true form. “And that he recognizes this wine cellar.”
The cur smiled. “Trust me.”
Gaius hissed in disgust. “Never.”
Chapter 6
Salvatore’s lair in St. Louis
Caine left the Jeep parked several miles away from Salvatore’s lair, located in a northern suburb of the city. Then, leading Cassie along the edge of the large lake surrounded by brick mansions set like fine jewels among the manicured lawns and formal gardens, he came to a halt behind a boathouse.
It was late enough that the neighborhood was shrouded in a slumbering darkness, but his night vision easily allowed him to scour his surroundings for any sign of danger. Not that there was any to be found.
He dismissed the incubus currently fulfilling the fantasy of a neglected housewife and the nest of harpies who were hidden on the small island in the middle of the lake. They posed no threat to a pureblooded Were.
Far from reassured, he studied the vast three-story home perched on a hill that overlooked the lake. The back walls, which were made almost entirely of glass, were partly obscured by a large veranda framed by marble columns. Trellised gardens descended the length of the steep slope, coming to a halt at the edge of a stone grotto that not only served as a perfect picnic spot, but a lookout for Salvatore’s guards.
Guards that should have been on duty.
So where the hell were they?
He was still searching for an answer when he felt Cassie crouch beside him, her wide gaze trained on the mansion above them.
“Good Lord,” she breathed. “That’s Harley’s house?”
“One of them.”
“It’s very large.”
His lips twisted at the understatement. The place was big enough to lodge a small country. “If you like it I could have one built for you.”
She shuddered. “No, I spent too many years in soulless caverns to feel comfortable in such a place,” she said. “I prefer your home.”
He reached to give her hand a light squeeze. “Our home,” he corrected.
“Yes.” Her dimples made a brief appearance. “Our home.”
Satisfaction seared through him and with a small groan, Caine tugged her close enough to claim her lips in an urgent kiss. Our sounded amazingly perfect.
Then, with a curse, he forced himself to pull away. Now wasn’t the time to be distracted. No matter what the temptation.
Even if this wasn’t a trap, he knew that Salvatore had a bounty out on his head. If the king’s pack caught scent of them he would never shake them off their trail.
“Do you sense anything?” he asked, returning his attention to the seemingly abandoned house.
She tilted back her head, sniffing the air. “No.”
“Neither do I.”
She grimaced. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
That was the question, wasn’t it?
“Salvatore would never have left Harley completely alone,” he muttered. “If she was kidnapped, his pack should be swarming through the neighborhood searching for her.”
Cassie shrugged. “Maybe they don’t know she’s missing.”
“Then they should at least be guarding the house.”