The Darkest Pleasure

Reyes jolted away from her, that dark lightning gone in an instant. He stopped and stood at the far wall, the glistening head of his erection rising above the waist of his now too-tight pants.

'Reyes,' she said, unsure. Needy all over again, scared and confused.

'I want you, but I cannot have you unless you hurt me.' The harsh admission seemed ripped from his throat. His shame had returned. His guilt. And hope? 'I can only experience pleasure with pain.'

Slowly she sat up, her brain too fogged to make sense of what he was trying to tell her. 'I don't understand.'

'Yesterday you asked what demon possessed me. Well, my demon is Pain. It makes me crave physical agony, and the more excruciating the better. Bodily suffering is my only source of pleasure.'

Just as it had been hers in that single moment.

No, not a single moment. The truth slinked through her like an ice shower in the midst of a perfect day. It had happened before. Yesterday, when she'd awoken in Reyes's bed. She'd bitten him, and she'd liked it. 'Can your demon enter me?' Her stomach curled into itself. That was impossible. Right?

'No,' he said, but his gaze had sharpened.

Don't think about this right now. You'll panic, lose focus. 'What you're telling me is that, to be with you, I'd have to torture you?' Over and over again?

He nodded.

Her mouth dried, and she suddenly tasted cotton. If she came to care for him—if? —and gave herself to him, what would be expected of her? Would she have to scratch him, pinch him, bite him? 'Other women have…hurt you?'

He gave another grave nod.

Danika's hands fisted, her nails cutting into the sheet. In that moment, she had no problem summoning the will to harm someone. The thought of Reyes with another woman propelled her toward a jealous rage she'd never before experienced. 'Did that work?'

'For a while. Pain is pain, no matter the reason it's meted.'

'Do you still—' Indulge with those little hookers? she finished silently. 'Do you still seek that kind of woman?'

'Not for many years.'

The anger and the jealousy melted somewhat. 'Do you want me to injure you?' Could she?

Surprisingly, he shook his head. Dark hair swayed at his temples. 'I crave the pain, I will not lie, and I would love you to be the one giving it to me. But…' He licked his lips, looked away.

'But what?'

'I would never allow you to hurt me like that.'

'Why?' The question burst from her before she could stop it. Not wanting to see pity light his features, she pulled her gaze from his face—and found herself staring at fresh cuts in his arm. He'd been slicing grooves this entire time.

Shaking, she wound her own arms around her middle. That's what he needed, knives in his veins. She'd always assumed he was clumsy. She gave a humorless laugh. He wasn't clumsy at all. How foolish she'd been.

'It would change you,' he said, 'and not for the better. You are perfect, just as you are.'

Do not react. Ignore his words. The conversation was dangerous, and nothing good waited at the end. Either she would lose her mind, beg to be allowed to give him what he needed and be disgusted with herself for doing so, or he would continue to reject her, humiliating her. Get away from him.

'You said what you wanted to say. I—I need to speak with Aeron now. I've wasted too much time. I need to find my family.'

A blank mask fluttered over Reyes's face.

Her chest ached. For him? For her? For what could have been? She didn't know. 'What kind of person would I be if I continued to put myself above them? They might be in trouble, might be scared and worried about me.'

'I will talk to him again and you may listen,' Reyes countered.

'But—'

'You saw how Aeron erupted at the mere sound of your voice. I will talk to him. Understand?'

She nodded reluctantly. The information Aeron possessed was too precious to stay here squabbling over semantics. 'Will you let me go after them? If he tells us where they are?'

'I'm afraid I will never be able to let you go.'

It was the second time he'd said that to her, but this time the words were whispered and she had to strain to hear. When his meaning registered, she nearly leapt off the bed and attacked him. Only the knowledge that he would like it held her in place. 'Try and keep me here, then,' she snarled. 'See what happens.'

'You misunderstand. I will help you find them,' he said, 'and I will escort you to wherever they are.' If they are alive. The unspoken statement echoed between them. 'In return, you will not betray my friends to the Hunters. Not even Aeron.'

Every drop of heat leached from her cheeks, leaving them cold. He knew. Had probably known all along. 'I— I—'

'You do not have to tell me what they said to you, what they asked of you or what you promised them. It doesn't matter. My knowledge of it could get you killed.' He turned, giving her his back. 'Do you agree to the trade?'

The Hunters had vowed to help her find her family, protect them. But they were mortals, humans like herself. They hated Reyes and the other Lords, wanted vengeance against them and would do anything for victory. Even mow her down if she got in their way, she suspected.

They had asked for her help, for her to enter this fortress and collect information. So far, she had not lived up to her vow to help them. There hadn't been time, and she hadn't had the inclination. Reyes had distracted her.

Now he was asking her to switch sides completely and trust the enemy.

'Do you agree?' he demanded.

'I agree,' she said, but she wasn't sure she spoke truthfully. She had a phone briefing scheduled with Stefano tonight, and she would do whatever was necessary, use anyone, to find her family. To keep them safe, she would have every single one of Reyes's friends killed if necessary.

And ruin Ashlyn's life. Anya's, too. Her stomach churned with sickness. God, the equation worsened with every hour that passed.

She'd already proven she couldn't destroy Reyes.

And that was okay. He wouldn't hurt her family. Or would he? If she conspired against his friends, he could very easily morph from sweet protector to murderous demon. Which meant he would have to die, as well.

Damn it!

'You will not betray us, even if your loved ones are gone?' he pressed her.

Were her intentions flashing all over her face? She closed her eyes. 'I agree, okay?' she said again, and this time the words were choked. The coming days might prove to be the worst of her life, dashing her hopes, ruining her family…and devastating this man she both wanted and feared.

Reyes nodded soberly. 'Then let's do this.'

CHAPTER TWELVE

'HAVEN'T WE DONE THIS BEFORE?'

'Didn't work out last time,' Reyes said. He was standing inside the cell as he had yesterday, but Aeron noted his old friend remained a safe distance away. 'I thought we'd try again.'

'No. I think you've returned for more.' Aeron stared at Reyes, who looked every bit the warrior primed for battle. When didn't he, though? 'I think you liked my hands on you.'