The Darkest Secret

want him to lose, even though the loss would bring him days of physical agony. Her sense of rivalry was just as highly developed as his own.

«We’re on vacation, Kaia,» Strider grumbled. «You weren’t invited.»

She waved away his words as if they were unimportant. «Deep down I knew you meant to invite me, so ta- da. Here I am. You’re welcome.»

«It’s scary how well you know us. Here, pay for this,» William said, dumping his candy into Strider’s arms. «We’ll be in the car. Making out.»

At first, Kaia remained in place, watching Strider. Whatever she wanted from him, he must not have given to her, because she blew him a kiss and allowed the black-haired warrior to lead her off. Not even trying to hide her actions, she stuffed a Twinkie in the back pocket of her jeans and grabbed a couple magazines before stepping outside.

Strider’s jaw ached from the grind of his teeth as he strode to the register. For some reason, people moved out of his way as quickly as possible. Even the ones standing in line, waiting their turn.

«Uh, I wouldn’t bring this up, except I kinda have to and everything,» the overweight cashier began nervously, «since it’s on camera and my boss, like, watches the film sometimes, but, uh, the little lady took a —'

«I know. Just add it all up.» After he paid, he stomped outside, the bag filled with candy slapping his thigh with every step. The cool night air failed to dampen his sudden black mood. At least you’re not thinking about Ex now.

Hardly a silver lining. And one that didn’t last. He’d maybe, big maybe, exaggerated his attraction to Ex. If he’d really wanted her, he wouldn’t have slept with someone else earlier today. He would have fought for her affections now rather than eventually, no matter how foolish fighting your friends over a woman was.

Look at Paris. Guy needed sex to freaking survive, but he hadn’t spent quality sheet time with any of those strippers.

That didn’t lessen the sting of being rebuffed, though, and maybe that’s why he’d thought he wanted Ex so damn badly. Because she hadn’t wanted him. Because she’d been a — what? A challenge. A challenge he claimed he hadn’t wanted. And he didn’t!

Damn it. No more challenges. He was taking a break if it killed him.

He reached the car, saw that Kaia had stolen his seat in front and practically ripped the back door from its hinges. He climbed inside and settled beside the still sleeping Paris. And what the fuck was that smell? Cinnamon rolls?

He decided to take his irritation out on her. «You wearing perfume?» he growled, kicking her stolen seat so she’d know he was talking to her.

She twisted to peer back at him, a smile clinging to the edges of her I’m-not-wearing-any-panties mouth. He’d known she wasn’t wearing any, the little teaser, but he hadn’t needed that kind of confirmation.

Dude. It’s a smile, not a glance up a skirt.

Oh, shut up.

He was talking to himself now. Wasn’t that just great? «Well?»

«Nope, no perfume, but I did visit a bakery just before I hunted Lucien down. Why? Do I smell as sweet as sugar?»

No, damn it, she smelled like she needed a good licking.

Kaia, in bed. Naked. Splayed. His mind liked the image, and hell, so did his demon. While Strider would rather die than accept another challenge — figuratively speaking, of course — his demon would go insane without them. Beast fed off the high that came with their victories.

But he wasn’t going to let himself go there with Kaia. Not today, and not ever. Kaia wouldn’t just challenge him more than most; she would challenge him about everything, and he would never have a moment of peace.

Defeat practically rubbed his hands together in glee. Strider frowned. No, no, hell, no. We aren’t going there. She’s a Harpy. We can’t win against her. We’ll suffer. Constantly.

A growl. A whimper. Anger and fear, wrapped tightly together and sprinkled with Oh, please, gods, no.

That was more like it. Even if some part of Strider liked the idea of constantly sparring with Kaia, ’cause yeah, matching wits and daggers could be fun and peace was sometimes overrated, he still couldn’t allow himself to be with her. Unlike the other warriors, he had never been able to sleep with a woman who had already tasted one of his friends. It was that possessive streak of his. There was simply no way around it.

Although…for Ex, Haidee, he’d been willing to make an exception. Which meant his competitive nature was stronger than his possessiveness. Kaia, though, wouldn’t be extended the same willingness.

Defeat gave another growl, this one laced with…disappointment? No way. I’m just tired. Imagining things. His demon only cared about battles, not a specific woman.

Kaia finally gave up on Strider and turned back around. William maneuvered onto the highway, the caddy gobbling up the miles. Of course, he resumed his flirtation with the Harpy.

For a little over an hour, Strider ate his candy and fumed. Yes, vacations sucked. At the next rest stop, he might just ditch his companions and head off on his own. Except, when Kaia giggled at something William said, Strider decided waiting to reach a rest stop was dumb. He’d get out now and hitchhike. That kind of feminine delight was grating to his nerves. Yes, grating. Not enchanting.

He definitely needed distance between him and Kaia. Then he’d stop thinking about her. Stop reacting to her. Stop caring about her past. After all, he’d just gotten out of a bad «relationship» and didn’t need to endure another. Plus, that’s what had happened the last time he’d left her. He’d left, and all the torment had stopped. Granted, his reactions hadn’t been quite as strong back then, but there was no reason to think this time would be any different.

«So where are we going?» Kaia asked no one in particular.

«Nowhere,» Strider replied.

«To kill Gilly’s family,» William answered easily.

Strider needed to have a chat with the man. You didn’t undermine your friends. It was worse than cock- blocking.

Kaia tossed Strider a shut-your-mouth frown before bouncing in her seat. «Do I get to help? Please! Can I? You may not know this, but I’m very handy with a blade of any kind, a hacksaw, a whip, a—'

«Hey! Someone went through my bag,» William said.

«So?» Kaia continued, as if William hadn’t spoken. «Whatever the weapon, I’m good with it.»

He would not be impressed. «We won’t be using weapons. We’ll be smashing jugulars.»

«Oh, oh! We can play Who Can Smash More!»

«No, we can’t because you can’t help,» Strider said at the same time William blurted out, «I’d be disappointed if you didn’t help.»

Kaia hmphed at him.

«Just try not to destroy the entire neighborhood,» he snapped. Nobody listened to him anymore.

Slitted eyes returned to him. There was no hint of black in the whites, so he knew her Harpy was under control. «Why are you so grouchy?»

«I’m not grouchy. Only women are grouchy.»

«You’re grouchy,» William said.

«You’re grouchy,» Strider said. Realizing he sounded like a child, he leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees, his face in his upraised hands. What the hell was wrong with him?

William snickered at him. Kaia simply continued to watch him, her expression unreadable.

«Well, grouchy or not, Stridey,» she said, «I have news that will cheer you up.»

Leaning forward had been a dumb move. The scent of cinnamon and sugar was stronger now, enveloping him, making his mouth water. Would Kaia taste as delicious as she smelled?

Suddenly she stiffened. «You smell like a woman’s peach-flavored body oil.»

Did he? He thought back to the stripper he’d had on his lap at Paris’s ranch, and yep, he remembered