“Zarek makes sure his warriors get the best.”
I was so hungry I practically inhaled my food. I snatched Jake’s last fry.
“How do you feel about German Chocolate cake?”
“Love it.”
“Fuck!” Jake bolted to his feet.
The sensation of danger skittered across my nerves and a thirty seconds later three heavily armed Coletti warriors in battle armor stood in front of our table. Each one was powerfully built and radiated danger.
Jake bared his fangs in snarl. “I thought you said you would never step foot on Earth, Keyan.”
“I have come for the female,” Keyan growled.
Female? I looked around the room. I was the only female here. “Can’t have me.”
Keyan narrowed his eyes. “You have no say in this, female.”
“Actually, I do.” I summoned my lightning and let little red bolts crackle around me. “Go away.”
“You should listen to my mate,” Jake said, every word was filled with menace.
“Mate? She wears no ownership band. We are tired of filthy hybrids getting the best females. This one is mine.” Keyan reached for me.
I zapped him. Keyan flew across the room and slammed into the wall. “Next time you try to touch me, I’ll kill you.”
The other warriors stared in astonishment as tendrils of smoke rose from Keyan’s battle armor.
“Leave,” Jake barked.
The idiots pulled their swords. “Not without the female,” the bigger one said.
“Aw, they want to play.” I tapped my bracelet and my armor covered me from head to toe. “Bring it boys.”
Jake flashed me a grin as his armor enclosed him.
Bellowing ear-shattering battle cries, the warriors charged.
I hurled a lightning bolt at big mouth. Crack! It slammed into his chest and he went flying. The mess hall doors slid open and big mouth slammed into General Jones, knocking him back into the hallway. Oops.
Swords clashed behind me. I spun around and watched Jake’s fury play out in a series of vicious cuts. Blow by blow, he forced the warrior back.
General Jones stormed into the room. “Enough!”
“Stay away from CeeCee.” Jake knocked the sword of the warrior’s hand.
His face a mask of anger, the warrior yelled, “We are full-blooded Coletti. We take what is ours.”
Zarek suddenly appeared. “No. You do not.” The horrifying gentleness of his voice warred with the rage in his eyes.
With a cry of agony, the warrior fell to the floor.
Holy crap! Was he dead? Kinda looked like it. I froze when Zarek’s gaze fixed on me. “Hey, we were minding our own business when Keyan and his thugs showed up. We simply protected ourselves.”
“Indeed.”
I nodded. “I don’t know what crawled up their butts and died, but Jake and I have a murderer to catch.”
“Yes, you do.” Zarek handed a box to Jake. “You will wear Jake’s ownership band starting now.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Ownership band?”
“It’s a type of a wedding ring, except it goes on your neck,” Jake hastily inserted. “It’ll keep Keyan and his buddies from trying to take you.” He opened the box and held it out to me. It contained an onyx neck band with intricate copper etchings.
What was that saying? Oh yeah, better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. I had to face reality. I was Jake’s mate even though we hadn’t done it yet. Plus, I needed his help to catch Cantor. I blew out a long breath. As much as I hated to admit it, I found Jake sexy as hell and he was a damn good kisser. Keyan on the other hand? One of us would be dead within an hour. “I love the band. It’s very eye-catching.”
Relief flashed in Jake’s eyes. “Is that a yes?”
“Yeah, it is. You’re my jackass.”
Jake grinned and fastened the band around my neck. “For all eternity, buttercup.”
The warm metal band adjusted to fit my neck perfectly.
General Jones snorted. “Who said romance was dead?”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Zarek picked up Keyan and the dead warrior. “Detja will arrange a proper bonding ceremony for you, after Cantor has been captured or killed.”
“Yes, my lord.” Jake did the fist-to-chest salute.
I followed suit. “Yes, sir.”
Zarek and the General vanished.
I yawned. “I need a couple hours of sleep before we continue our search.”
“So do I.” Jake pulled me close and teleported.
Poof we were in his quarters. A large bed dominated the room. The walls were covered with an assortment of weapons. “Do you know how to use all of those?”
“I do.” Jake collapsed on the bed. He was as exhausted as I was.
With a groan, I sat down beside him and gave a little bounce. “Great mattress.”
“Warlords get the best.” Jake tugged me down next to him.
“Un-huh.” I snuggled against his chest and closed my eyes. “Don’t get any funny ideas. Just need to rest for a minute or two.”
Jake wrapped an arm around me and sighed. “Me too. Then we will come up with a plan.”
Chapter Eight
I woke up sprawled across a warm, masculine chest. I rubbed my cheek against the firm muscles. He felt so good. I bet he tasted good too. I went to lick a nipple covered with a smattering of hair and froze as everything came rushing back. What was I doing? Had I lost my mind? Probably. I wanted to taste every inch of the Jackass. How sad was that?
Jake’s breath stirred my hair.
I took a cautious peek. His eyes were closed like he was sleeping, but he was a hyper-vigilant warlord. Was he playing possum? More than likely. I tilted my head for a better look at his fine body. Jake was wearing red plaid boxer shorts and socks. A giggle escaped me.
“Hey! Show some respect. They’re made from the tartan plaid of our Scottish Highlander’s clan,” Jake groused.
“Apologies, but I thought warlords went commando.”
“Nope, all the Jones’ boys wear tartan plaid.”
“Even the General?”
“Him too. Ethan and Quinn are the only ones who occasionally go commando.”
“Good to know. What happened to my armor?”
“I deactivated it. It’s hard to
