The Darkest Torment - Gena Showalter Page 0,81

furniture was a mix of polished wood, ivory and wrought iron while plush carpets led to a spectacular fireplace made of sapphire-veined marble; cherubs were carved along both sides, framing panels of stained glass.

Her new gilded cage?

She wrenched from Baden’s embrace. “How dare you leave my dogs—”

“They are yours now?” He strode to the wet bar and poured himself four fingers of what looked to be whiskey yet smelled much sweeter. “How quickly my female changes her mind.”

The dogs were hers. The way they’d stayed by her side during and after Pandora’s attack...the way they’d let Alek know in no uncertain terms they would defend her with their lives... Yeah, they were hers. And she was theirs. Not Baden’s, as he’d so baldly stated.

“I’ll fight you every day, every minute, until they’re returned to—”

“Sheath your claws, vixen. Galen is bringing the dogs.”

Oh. “If he hurts them—”

“He won’t. He’s been warned.” Baden poured himself another drink, drained the contents. He faced her, his eyelids hooded, his lashes practically fused together. “We need to get something settled between us.”

Here we go. He would rail at her for her supposed betrayal. And okay, yes, what he’d heard was damning. Still! He should know her better. “If you insult me...”

“You’ll what?” he asked with no small amount of malevolence.

“I’ll take the possibility of sex off the table.” Wait. I thought I already had.

He went hard as stone, and not in the good way. “Sex stays on the table either way.”

Oh, really? “Are you planning to force me?”

“Like I’d have to. You look ready to force me.”

Stupid nipples! They were still beaded, eager for him.

She perched on the edge of the coffee table. The position put her at a disadvantage, something she would never allow while training a new dog, but Baden was a unique breed. By placing herself in the perceived weaker position, he might stop doing the offensive-defensive parry and start listening to what she had to say.

“Did you know the coin can buy a royal title in the underworld?” she asked. “Actually, it forces Hades to grant the owner’s wish, whatever it is.”

He’d been in the process of pouring himself another drink, but slowly turned to meet her gaze. “How do you know that?”

“Alek, of course.”

He grazed his tongue over an incisor. “The male can’t be trusted and neither can you.”

“You are so right. I’m out to destroy you.” She gave her nails a little buff. “Have been from the beginning. It’s why I practically begged you to kidnap me from my own wedding.”

He continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “In this case, however, you both speak true.”

She continued as if he hadn’t spoken, fluffing her hair. “Alek has vowed to make me a queen. Every girl dreams of being a queen.”

Baden stepped toward her...stopped. “Do not say the bastard’s name ever again.”

“Or?” she prompted, challenging him and the beast. Bring it! This girl was ready to reach the next level.

As he took another step toward her, his hands fisted. “Why aren’t you begging for my forgiveness? Or mercy?”

She laughed without humor. “I have nothing to apologize for. I did nothing wrong. And I doubt you’re capable of mercy.”

“Your betrayal—”

“Who did I betray? Alek is—”

Baden roared, “That name.”

“You had your turn to speak. Now it’s mine.” Provoking this man was a gamble. With her life! This could backfire and get her bitten. Literally!

But without risk, there was no potential for reward.

“You aren’t my husband,” she added, “so my loyalty shouldn’t belong to you. It should belong to Alek.” The very idea disgusted her, but she had a point to make. She smiled sweetly. “Don’t you agree?”

16

“When I flip you off, run. I’ve just told you how many seconds you have left to live.”

—Maddox, keeper of Violence

RAGE MIXED WITH possessiveness and lust, heating Baden from head to toe. Steaming him. He closed in on Katarina at last, dropped to his knees and cupped hers, spreading her legs with a single push. She watched him, wide eyes sparkling, but she didn’t protest as he moved between her thighs. Her breath caught as he leaned in, flattening his palms on the coffee table to cage her with his strength.

“What are you doing?” she asked softly. Tremors rocked her sweet little body.

Behind her, sunlight streamed through an oversize oval window, illuminating the dust motes dancing between them.

She was married. A fact he liked less and less. She had used him. At the moment, he didn’t care. He wanted to mark her. Had to prove she belonged