Succubus Unchained - Heather Long Page 0,57

mate to have to leave her. And he really hadn’t done it to leave her with Alfred while he was still hell bent on being an asshole. The last thing he wanted was to return and find that not only had they not gotten along, but Fiona had abandoned them…again.

“Maybe she should come with us,” Fin suggested, his own worried expression suggesting his thoughts had traveled a similar path.

“I will look after her,” Rogue assured them both, but he looked to Fiona. “If she is willing to stay with us. If not, we can make other arrangements, little sváss. The cottage here is but one holding I have.”

Maddox had plenty of his own. Not all of them were shared. Fin had plenty of bolt-holes as well for that matter. But Alfred sliced a hand through the air. “The hellion and I need to work this out between us.”

Firming his jaw, Maddox glared at Alfred. He couldn’t shake the mild suspicion that Alfred didn’t want this to go well.

“You boys figure out what you want to do, then someone tell me what we’re supposed to do when you figure out where the other six are. Kill them? Make a treaty? Something?”

That was a different task altogether.

“We will decide that once they have been located,” Alfred stated, his tone declaring it wasn’t open for discussion. “Until then, you will train with Rogue and with me. Maddox and Fin will move more efficiently without you there to slow them down or distract them.”

“You agree not to be a big bag of dicks, or at least to take the log out of your ass so I can beat you with it, and I’ll consider your thoughtful invitation. But be warned, I have my own tasks that need to be accomplished.” She folded her arms, the glint of determination in her eyes making Maddox smile.

“I told you we would kill him for you,” he reminded her.

“Yes, you did, and Fin has said the same thing…except that son of a bitch is mine to kill.” The heat scorching each word made it clear she wasn’t changing her mind, and if he were a wise dragon, he wouldn’t insist on defending his mate, even if that was exactly what he should and would do.

“How about a game?” Fin suggested, his eyes brightening with delight. “A little wager amongst us.”

Rogue’s prolonged and exasperated sigh earned a genuine smile and a soft laugh from Fiona. As captivated as he was by her, Maddox didn’t miss the snap of Alfred’s attention or the way he focused on her when she laughed.

Jealous.

There was no other word for it. The old vampire had discovered something he wanted that he couldn’t compel or order to do as he bid.

It could be good for him. “What’s the wager?” Maddox prodded Fin, wanting to dig Alfred’s hole a little deeper. Sometimes, the best way to catch the prey was to run until it let you catch them.

“Whoever gets him has to deliver his head to Beautiful here, and she agrees to a week away wherever we choose. A little one on one time never hurt anyone.”

Fiona snorted. “I just told you I wanted to kill him myself. What makes you think I’m going to agree to that?”

“Because…” Fin said, his grin growing more sly. Maddox already regretted backing this idea. “If you get him on your own, then we agree to do your bidding for a week. All four of us.”

Alfred shook his head. “I will not agree to that.”

“Then you lose out on all the fun and forfeit a week with Fiona all to yourself.” Fin’s expression was smug. “More for us.”

“I still haven’t agreed,” Fiona countered. “But I would consider this wager if you include the proviso that if you help me, or at least don’t prevent me from taking my target, the week I spend with you will include a day where I will be the obedient one.”

Fuck. “No,” Maddox growled. “You’ll be with Rogue and Alfred, they automatically get a leg up.”

Both Rogue and Fin chuckled, pair of assholes, but it was the faint smirk on Alfred’s face as he focused on Fiona. “Four days.”

“Excuse me?”

“If I help you get both of them and put their lives in your hands, you give me four days of that week to be perfectly obedient.”

She sniffed, chin lifting. “This presumes I need your help.”

“No, Hellion, it presumes I allow you to complete your hunt without interfering. You want them, you’ll have to play this