“You’re not making a secret of yours. Neither is Lann or Maya.”
“Mine is not an art and therefore not forbidden. Lann and Maya don’t advertise what they are. They’ve taken an oath to only use it for the good of mankind. Our team has powerful support from individuals in various governments.”
“Why would they support you if everyone else would be killed for owning this art?”
“Because we execute their orders. We’re trying to do it quietly without causing public pandemonium. It’s no different than any other group fighting crime.”
Her face was thoughtful as she digested the information.
“We’re protecting the good,” he said.
“The good.” She gave him a hard look. “Is kidnapping me good?”
“In the greater scheme of things.”
“In the greater scheme of things, a small sacrifice, right?”
He blew out a breath. “It’s not that simple.”
“I suppose now you’re going to tell me justice isn’t black and white.”
“In fact, justice is that simple. An eye for an eye.”
“What about you, Joss?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“What about me?”
“Are you a puppet or someone who can decide for himself what’s right and wrong?”
He dragged his gaze over her delicate body. It got stuck on how her arms pushed her breasts together. “I’m a man, Cle.”
“A man? What you do isn’t human. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how you enjoy the taste of blood, and don’t lie to me about just getting turned on from the cocktail of my red blood cells. That’s insane.”
Her words hit him in the chest, even if part of it was true. Yes, he enjoyed the taste of blood, and maybe that made him inhuman, but no one else’s blood turned him on. “I told you the truth.”
The speculation in her eyes didn’t lift.
He rested his hands on his hips. “I don’t know why I have this ability. All I can tell you is that I enjoy the taste, but I’ve never found it erotic, not until I tasted yours. Maybe it’s because of the other things I taste in your blood.”
She stood very still. Behind her, the light made a halo around her head. Her voice sounded small when she said, “What things?”
“Your arousal.”
She flushed, but to her credit, she didn’t deny his observation.
“You said you always wanted the truth,” he said by way of apology.
Her lips parted as she searched for words. He watched her as the silence stretched. How would her pretty mouth look after a whole night in his bed? Would it be plump and swollen from his kisses? A flashback from the cemetery invaded his memory, soft lips on his mouth and a tight body around his cock.
“Come on,” he said tersely. “It’s time you meet Cain.”
“I think you should stop telling me the names of the people you work with.”
It pained him to say it, but she needed to understand. He needed her cooperation, fast. “Not knowing isn’t going to change a thing.”
She didn’t answer.
He took her bag and slung it over his other shoulder. “Can you please get the tray?”
She frowned. “I hate that you’re acting so polite.”
“You’d rather I was rude?”
“Yes,” she bit out, picking up the tray. “I’m sorry about the sandwiches. I hate wasting food.”
“If I’m not allowed to be polite, you’re not allowed to be nice.”
“I wasn’t nice.”
“You apologized.”
“Not to you. To the universe, for wasting.”
“It took me all of three minutes to prepare.”
She lifted her chin. “I don’t care.”
“Just take the tray to the kitchen and load the dishwasher.” He added, making sure the warning sounded in his voice, “I’m right behind you.”
She followed out his order with a straight back and stiff shoulders. There was no place for smiles in what was going down, but he grinned anyway, enjoying her little show of defiance when she walked out ahead of him with too much sass in the sway of her hips.
Chapter 14
After taking out the trash, Joss ushered Clelia outside and locked the door. The smile he plastered on his face didn’t fool her. He was worried. Every muscle in his body was drawn tight as he scanned the area while guiding her to the SUV waiting in the driveway.
Lann got out from the driver’s seat and went around to open the passenger door. In white Bermuda shorts and a navy striped T-shirt, he could’ve been any holidaymaker about to enjoy some sailing, but she was familiar with the latent power under his graceful movements. He’d been as at ease with an automatic rifle in his hands as he’d be with a fishing rod.
She glanced around. There was no one else in sight, no one she could call to for help. She could make a run for it, but she couldn’t outrun Joss or an SUV. She should rather save her strength for the fights that mattered.
As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Joss locked his hand around her bicep. He handed their bags to Lann and motioned for her to get in. Maya sat in the back, holding a pistol and looking as relaxed as if she were about to go for a scenic drive.
Something inside Clelia shifted. She couldn’t say what it was, but she could feel it. Since Joss had taken her captive, she hadn’t been herself, and it wasn’t just the emotional trauma of the kidnapping, the drugs, or Joss’s effect on her. She saw more clearly, and experienced touch with a new intensity. Her instinct flared, fierce and lucid. Suddenly, she knew without a doubt danger was near. Something that felt too much like the end stretched like a shadow over her heart.
“Hey,” Maya said, scanning her face. “Are you all right?”
Joss nudged her from behind. “We’re an open target. We have to get moving.”
She turned to him. “Promise me you’ll take care of my animals.”
He frowned. “I already told you I would.”
“Promise me. Regardless.”
His frown deepened. Without replying, he gripped her hips and lifted her into the vehicle.
“Joss,” Lann said, his voice soft, “she asked for a wish. It has to be
