Deadly Desires (2 page)

“You look upset.”

Dominic turned to see Samael resting against the banister a little further down. He’d been so out of it, he didn’t even think to see if he was alone or not. The fact that Marcella had convinced his demon master to live here now hadn’t even crossed his mind. He really needed to remember that the dark angel’s room shared their balcony.

“I’m fine. Just a bad dream.” Dominic stared back toward the water, and the city of Corpus Christi, Texas.

“A dream, or a memory?”

Samael came closer to him and Dominic looked down, realizing he wasn’t wearing any clothes. He materialized some pajama bottoms to cover himself. “Memory. I saw how it ended.”

“Tell me.”

Warmth radiated into Dominic’s hand and he hadn’t even realized that he’d pressed his palm against his stomach due to the nausea still plaguing him. The events played over in his head and he focused on Samael’s reactions to Marcianna’s death. The brother came into view and although he’d never seen Zepar before, he knew that’s who’d held him back. The resemblance of the two of them to the Devil was undeniable.

Dominic turned to Samael. “I know who you are.”

The dark angel narrowed his eyes. “Mind elaborating?” His face was void of expression. But those eyes didn’t lie. There was a threat behind them, and Dominic wasn’t stupid enough to say something that might come back to bite him in the ass.

“Never mind.” He turned to head back inside when a hand reached out and tightened around his thick bicep.

“Oh no. You’re not leaving here until you tell me what you saw.” Samael’s grip was locked to his arm. Dominic pulled hard against the grasp but couldn’t break it.

Pressure increased and Dominic felt his demon stir. He lowered his voice and stepped closer into Samael’s space. “Tell me this. When you were getting held back on that balcony, what was he saying to you?”

Samael’s grip loosened and he let go. The dark angel turned and placed his hands on the balcony and looked toward the city. “He said I had done this. It was my fault.” Blue eyes turned and stared at Dominic. “Is that what you want to hear?”

Blond curls fell into Dominic’s eyes as he looked down. Everything was coming back with a vengeance, and he knew once he left this balcony that things between him and his master were never going to be the same. He looked at Samael. “You weren’t just her guardian or friend. I saw the way you tried to take on the Devil himself when he killed her. Your love for her…” He took a deep breath. “I promise not to tell a soul, but I need to know. Who were you to our queen?”

Samael was quiet for so long that he wasn’t sure he was going to get an answer. Then he watched the dark angel’s shoulders sag. He turned to faced Dominic and swallowed hard. “Marcianna was my wife. My mate. Created just for me. I failed her in every way, and after centuries of neglect, I pushed her into all of your arms. Encouraged it, actually.”

Dominic’s hand came to his mouth from shock.

“If what I told you ever gets out to anyone, so help me…” Samael advanced with all the malice he held within. “I will filet you alive. Marcella may hold your soul, but I will take it and I will spend every last second of eternity torturing you for my pleasure. And trust me Dominic, I will relish in watching your pain. If you don’t think I will, try me.”

The truth and consequences left Dominic speechless. He looked at Samael and it was as though he was looking at a stranger. “I promise to keep your secret.”

“Good.” A smile came to Samael’s face as he looked around Dominic. He didn’t have to turn to know Marcella was behind him. The love his master held on his face as he stared at the woman he’d been meant for was clear as day. Dominic had always imagined there was more, but knowing the truth of it now was different. Marcella might have been Samael’s mate in the past, but he was her mate now. It definitely made things awkward.

“I take it you slept well?” Samael walked around him and Dominic slowly turned. Marcella’s smile was glowing as she stared at his demon master. “The dark circles are gone. That’s good.” He shook his head. “My, my, you look ravishing this morning.”

Her cheeks flushed as she glanced down. “It’s a little early for compliments, isn’t it Samael?” Her eyes narrowed on him, but the smile never left. Dominic knew the sexual tension between the two was growing thicker. He and the rest of her men had known for a while. Although everyone was fine with bringing Samael in, Dominic couldn’t ignore the new threat he felt from his master.

Samael glanced at Dominic and turned his attention back to Marcella. “It’s never too early for you. I have to admit. I think I like you this way.” He reached for the long, dark curls that rested over her shoulder. “You’re positively breathtaking. And happy.”

“Well,” she walked around him to stand between both him and Dominic. “I have good reasons to be in a good mood.” She leaned against the wall of the balcony and looked at them. The outline of her breasts pressed against the thin, white material of her gown and Dominic noticed that he wasn’t the only one who saw it. Samael took a deep breath and looked at him. “Everything is going great here,” she continued. “You decided to join us. My creatures are becoming more controllable. You, me, and Dom leave soon to start recruiting. I don’t see how things could get any better.”

Samael nodded and turned to Dominic. “Me either. What about you, Dom? Could you think of anything that would make things better?” Dominic wasn’t stupid. He knew Samael was opening the door for him to spill what he’d just heard, but he wasn’t going to take the bait. Truthfully, he wasn’t sure he wanted Marcella to know. It didn’t help their situation. He wasn’t even positive he believed what Samael had told him. Not a hundred percent anyway. Maybe the guy was just making it up to mess with him. He’d been known to do that on more than one occasion. He was evil, for crying out loud. He relished in stirring up trouble. That had to be it. He laughed, realizing how much he’d almost bought into the bullshit story.

“Coffee. That’s what would make things better.” He waved his hand in a circle and presented a cup to Marcella. “Just the way you like it, my love.”

A big smile filled her face. “Thank you. It’s just what I needed.”

Dominic winked at Samael. “I know. A mate always knows what his woman needs.” He walked around Marcella and wrapped his hands under her breasts. His eyes penetrated his master’s, and he couldn’t ignore the evil smile that was filling Samael’s face. There was a challenge concerning Marcella there, and Dominic was all too willing to accept.

Marcella sipped on the coffee and closed her eyes at the warm goodness. She couldn’t deny that the last few days had been amazing. Everything was falling into place around her fortress. Nemmy had yet to come back and she was thriving with all the souls she carried. She lifted her gaze up to Samael. Things were really progressing with him.

The wind picked up and blew her long hair across her face. Marcella reached down around her wrist and used a ponytail holder to pull it back. She stared back and forth at her men. “You were both talking about something when I came out here. What was it?”

Samael turned to Dominic and she watched as the dark angel smiled. Her mate shrugged. “Nothing important. Samael was just telling me a story. It was very intriguing. I have to admit, I almost thought he was telling me the truth, but you know how he likes to joke.” Dominic tilted his head. “Can you believe that he actually tried to convince me that—”

“Why, go ahead.” Samael gestured toward her. “Ruin the surprise, Dom.”

“A surprise? Ooh, tell me! I love surprises.”

Dominic shook his head. “I wouldn’t say your story was a surprise, Samael. Kind of hard to believe, but you know, I’ve taken what I want out of it.”

Marcella twisted her mouth. The tension between the two men was coming out of nowhere, confusing her.

Dominic came forward. “Samael, here, informed me that I was really growing on him. Can you believe that? He actually admitted to liking me.” Dominic wrapped his arm around Marcella’s shoulders. “He said he wanted to take over the responsibility of the fortress while I took you out for a romantic evening. Just the two of us.”

The men both smiled at her. Had she imagined the tension, before? “Wow. I’m a little shocked.” She took in Samael’s beautiful face. The day’s growth on his cheeks shadowed his features, but to her they intensified the hidden effect. She couldn’t wait to feel the roughness rubbing between her thighs. And it would come. Soon. “You amaze me, Samael.” She stepped up to him and braced herself for the pleasure she knew would follow his touch.

As her hand cupped his cheek, she stared into his eyes. “Thank you. I could really use a night out. It was so kind of you to think of me like that.” She glanced at her mate. “And to come around to liking Dom. He’s great, isn’t he?”

The thickness of the growth on his face rubbed against her hand as he nuzzled his face into her palm. “Oh yes. Dom is something else.” She noticed his eyes never left her demon mate. Wetness began to take over and Marcella stepped back against the need to ravish the man in front of her. God, the ecstasy he could bring her just from his touch was amazing. She couldn’t wait until he became hers fully. And he would, eventually. She wouldn’t stop until he let down his guard and submitted to her. He’d always said he wouldn’t share her, but Marcella wasn’t so sure of that.

Pain twisted through Marcella’s stomach. She took a deep breath and stepped back. Out of all the creatures Marcella held inside, only one proved to be a constant problem. Her succubus. With how powerful she’d become, the damn thing appeared at least once a week. Sometimes two. She looked at Samael and recalled something he’d told her a few weeks back. “Samael, can I speak to you privately for a moment?”

Dom’s eyes flashed up to Samael’s and she watched the dark angel step forward. Something was definitely going on between those two and she wasn’t sure what it was. But she’d find out eventually. She always did. There was no point in pushing the issue now. She had problems of her own.

“Absolutely, my queen. Why don’t we go into my chambers and talk.”

She turned to her demon mate. “I’ll be in shortly. Why don’t you go wake up Jason, Donavon, and Ambrose and tell them to go ahead and get ready for the day. You all eat without me. This might take a while. After I return we’ll go over the plans for each of our missions.”

“You’re leaving?” Dom looked concerned as he stepped forward.

“Just for a little bit,” Marcella reassured him. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Understanding settled over Dominic’s face. “One of your creatures?”

She nodded. “I’ll be back after a bit.” She kissed his lips and a moan came from her mouth as he pulled her into his hard body. The tightening of his hands on her ass made the cobweb feeling of her change circle around her ankles. Her succubus was really fighting her hard.

“I’ll see you later.” Dominic let her down and she reached out to Samael’s hand, practically pulling him in the direction of his quarters.

Pleasure exploded through her at their contact. They broke through the door and Marcella let go and tightened her arms around her stomach. “You said you knew of someone who could make my cravings diminish by weeks.”

Samael shifted uncomfortably. “Your succubus cravings?”

“Uh, yeah.” Marcella groaned as the pain got worse. “We have to be quick. Where do we find this guy? I need to meet him to see if I approve or not. I told you from the beginning, I wasn’t just going to sleep with anyone.”

Long fingers weaved through Samael’s shoulder length hair. “Marcy, I…” He grew quiet and looked around. She shook her head, confused.

“Were you telling me the truth or not? Is there someone who can sate my succubus like you said?” She walked to the edge of his bed and continued to hold her stomach. The pain was getting worse by the minute. The cobwebs were to her knees and she was having a hard time stopping them from rising. Soon her succubus would take over completely, and who did that leave her with? She looked at Samael and smiled. “You better hurry up. She’s almost here and I don’t see my men around to take care of her, do you?”

His eyes jerked to hers. “He’s a very powerful man and doesn’t really want to be known. This situation is a lot more complex than you think.”

Marcella felt her head jerk back in surprise. “You’re telling me I can’t see him as he has sex with me? I can’t even meet him?”

“I’ve mentioned your condition to him. He thinks it’s for the best. At least for now. He’s risking a lot giving himself to you. You know that, right?”

A small cry came from Marcella’s mouth as she nodded. Samael was right. Anyone connected to her would have to face the consequences to the big man, himself. “I understand. It’s treason to be associated with me. I can see why he wouldn’t want me to know who he is.” She let her gown drop to the floor, and she climbed onto Samael’s bed. “Would you do the honors of tying me up and blindfolding me? Just…” Marcella paused. She was scared and knew she was beginning to ramble. “Will you stay? It would make me comfortable to know that you’re watching over me.”

Samael’s face was full of so much emotion that she wasn’t sure what he was thinking. From the looks of it she was guessing that it wasn’t good. He appeared more ready to run than anything else.

* * * *

Air was hard to take in. Samael looked at Marcella’s curvy body and knew there was no more putting off their union. Through all the centuries, he’d dreamed of this moment. He’d said from the beginning that he wasn’t able to share her with her other men, but right now he could care less about them. They weren’t here, only she was.