Siren Awakened - C.R. Jane Page 0,30

place? This room for example. You told me before you had men who worked for you everywhere, but does that include the guards?”

“Where is this coming from?” He arched an eyebrow, his low intimidating tone ramping up my pulse.

But I wouldn’t fall prey and overreact, so I shrugged. “Well, ever since my brush with death, I want to know who I’m dealing with so I don’t get hurt again.” Every word was the truth. “It’s the new me.”

“Oh, baby girl.” He leaned in, cupping the side of my face, and his fingers swept through my hair to the back of my head. “I would destroy every last person in this place to keep you safe if you let me. I’d bring out their most dreaded fears and make them relive it over and over, not giving them reprieve. Not a single fucking second. They’d pay for ever laying a hand on you. Just say the word, and I’ll take out Keon.”

“No.” My response shot out quickly.

“You like him a lot,” he said, a thread of jealousy flaring over his face.

“He killed me, so no, I don’t like him, but I don’t want him dead. And I will deal with my own problems.”

I should’ve pushed him away, instead I sat before him as his fingers slid down to the back of my neck to the soft flesh, where they pressed into my flesh to hold me in place. His presence swallowed me. The protectiveness he promised awakened a primal need to nestle against him, to accept his safety. Except was that what he was counting on? Was he preying on that part of me that would always fear the criminals in the penitentiary? Or was I overthinking it all?

I nearly caved and kissed him, nearly curled myself around him, nearly made him mine. Anything to ease the fiery ache between my thighs. Though, he seemed different today. Softer. Unguarded. Still, I held back my truth.

“You truly are amazing,” he whispered.

I licked my lips, and his gaze fell to my mouth. In a sudden spark, the energy around us changed to something fiery, something electric. All I could think about was needing his touch all over my body. To let my body mold against his, to have him lavish me with kisses, greedily tear my clothes off. And then what? While I still retained some basic control over my lust, I pulled back and grabbed my drink, taking a few sips, then said, “You never answered my question.”

He gave me a nod and pulled back, sitting tall next to me. “Ask me anything. I have nothing to hide.”

The temptation to just ask about the scepter pressed on the forefront of my mind. Then wasn’t I just falling prey to him once again, letting him know what truly plagued my mind? He was no fool and would know I wasn’t revealing everything.

“You want to know about me. Yes, I have a handful of guards under my command. Several of the shifter packs in the penitentiary have also sworn me allegiance, all of them feeding me information. The warden has no clue he has spies under his own roof. Remember, I am here voluntarily to search for things that if I find will mean my territory outside will never be challenged again.”

I recalled his explanation, so having that many connections, it made sense he’d get his way most of the time and that he always remained informed. Was that part of his play with the warden when I overheard them?

“Is Keon one of these guards?”

He chuckled. “Fuck no. That one’s a dangerous wild card. The demon inside him is unpredictable as fuck, and let’s just say, that wasn’t the first time I’ve heard of Keon finishing a fight that way.”

I pursed my lips. “He’s killed someone before,” I said matter-of-factly.

He nodded.

A shiver gripped my spine. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about Keon?”

Alaric’s lips pursed. “The real question is, why didn’t he tell you himself?”

My heart twisted with the recollection of the day Keon attacked me, but I wouldn’t allow myself to be swallowed by the darkness.

I watched Alaric’s face change like he read my thoughts.

“How did you get into the business of being a warlord anyway?” I asked, drawing my knees up to my chest and hugging them, needing to change my thoughts about Keon before they consumed me.

“Family. I grew up with my father running his own territory. Well, until I took over at a very young age. Forced me to grow up