Smoldering Hunger (26 page)

He might not believe he was good, but then it was up to her to show him that he was. It would mean Sophie was putting herself in the middle of a war—a war she was involved in now.

There was a knock on the office door and then Claire poked her head in. “Hey. You all right?”

“Just taking a few minutes to myself. What is it?”

“That man is back,” Claire said, a hint of fear in her eyes.

Sophie’s gut clenched. Ulrik was there. Now. “Tell him I’m busy.”

Claire glanced over her shoulder before she stepped into the office. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. “Tell me what’s going on.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” Claire stated with a hard look. “You’re mixed up with something, and I’m worried.”

“Not by choice.” Sophie pressed her hand to her forehead for a moment. Then she rose and walked around her desk. “Ulrik is an enemy of Darius.”

“Your new lover,” Claire said to clarify.

Sophie nodded. “Ulrik tried to use me against Darius.”

“What the hell are you involved in, Soph?”

She shrugged, not willing to say more.

“We should call the police.”

“Darius is taking care of it.” The last thing Sophie could allow to happen was for Claire to contact the authorities.

Claire snorted. “That’s not enough.”

“You have to trust me, Claire. This is for the best.”

“Nothing good ever comes from those kinds of decisions. You don’t trust anyone, and you’re putting your life in Darius’s hands?”

“I am.”

Claire’s eyes widened. “My God. You actually have.”

Sophie glanced away from her friend. “Surprising, I know.”

“I’d love to be happy for you, but I’m more concerned with this threat from Ulrik.”

“As long as I stay away from Ulrik, he can’t get to me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Claire asked, hurt filling her brown eyes.

“When you came to my flat, Darius was there. Ulrik’s men were watching my place, and we didn’t want to put you in a position where they might question you.”

Claire crossed her arms over her chest and nodded. “All right. That makes sense. But Darius isn’t here now. What do we do?”

“I stay clear of Ulrik until Darius returns to take me back to my flat.”

“Then I’ll get rid of Ulrik and make sure the other nurses know as well.”

Sophie walked to her and took her hand. “Thank you, Claire. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.”

“I want to meet the man who’s made you change so and give him a hug,” Claire said with a wink.

As Claire started to leave, Sophie stopped her. “Be careful of Ulrik. He’s dangerous, Claire.”

“So I guess I can cross him off the Potential Date List,” she said with a wry look. “Are there any good men out there?”

Sophie knew that in fact, there were. “Yes.”

Claire chuckled. “Let’s get rid of Mr. Good-looking-but-dangerous, and then you’re going to tell me all about Darius and Ulrik.”

Sophie didn’t have time to respond before Claire was gone. She locked her office door and returned to her desk. With renewed spirit, she began another search for Ulrik in Edinburgh.

The list that came up was long, but nothing came of it. She then looked through pictures. Again, nothing.

Sophie expanded her search to other large cities in Scotland. Ulrik was a man of money. He had to have holdings somewhere. He didn’t seem the type to hide away in some small town. He’d be close to a city somewhere. He was also a Highlander, which meant he spent most of his time in Scotland.

It was on her sixth try when she typed in Perth along with Ulrik’s name that she saw a listing for an antiques store called The Silver Dragon. She knew she’d found what she was looking for then.

Sophie dug more into the antiques store and discovered it had been around for several decades, passed through a family, though she was never able to locate the surname of the family.

After another half hour of searching for more, she finally gave up. Ulrik went to a tremendous amount of trouble to conceal anything pertinent about himself.

She pushed away from her desk and stood. Sophie was walking to the door when her mobile phone rang. Taking it from her pocket of her white coat, she saw it was a message from Ulrik.

H
IDING IN YOUR OFFICE?
T
HAT’S NOT NICE.

Her gut clenched at the words. She wanted Darius. And she wanted as far from Ulrik as she could get. How did he know she was in her office?

She didn’t bother to answer his text. Sophie dropped the phone back into her pocket and closed the blinds at the window. If he was watching her, then she was going to close off any avenue he had.

Ten minutes later there was a knock at the door, then Claire’s voice. Sophie hurried to unlock it and allow her friend inside.

“Everyone knows,” Claire said. “Including the hospital administrator. I saw Ulrik walk away from the hospital myself.”

Sophie took out her mobile and handed it to Claire to show her the text.

“Shit.” Claire took Sophie’s hand and walked her to the chairs in front of her desk. She gently pushed Sophie before taking the other seat. “It’s time you spit it all out.”

“The gist of it all is that Ulrik wants to get revenge against Darius.”

“Through hurting you.” Claire’s lips twisted in agitation. “How far do you think Ulrik would take it?”

“As far as he needs.”

“Bloody hell, Soph. Wouldn’t it be easier to let the police handle this and get away from all of it?”

She smiled sadly and shook her head. “It might, but it’s not what I want to do.”

“Stubborn,” Claire mumbled. Then she took a deep breath and tried another tack. “What has Ulrik done to threaten you?”

“Nothing.”

Claire looked at her funny. “Nothing?”

“He came to the hospital and had coffee with me. It was before I knew who he was.”

“What did he say?”

“Only that he wanted me for something, but he never said what. That’s when Darius told me who he was. He invited me to dinner, but I didn’t go. Darius went in my place.”

“Ballsy,” Claire said in approval. “What happened?”

Sophie shrugged. “Ulrik told Darius he’d get me one way or another.”

“I think that’s threat enough. Add in the text, and you definitely need to stay away from him.” Claire glanced at her watch. “My break is almost over, and you can’t stay in here all day. You have rounds.”

“I know.”

Claire got to her feet. “Looks like I’m your shadow today, doctor.”

CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO

Darius searched but hadn’t found a single one of Ulrik’s men at the hospital. That wasn’t to say there weren’t any there. Ulrik had proven to have a vast collection of people, and they were most likely walking beside Sophie without her even realizing it.

It wasn’t like Ulrik to give the appearance of giving up. His death strike would come swiftly. Darius just had to figure out when that might be so he could save Sophie.

Darius walked to the corner of the street. He remained there watching the hospital. Sophie only had a little more time before her shift was over.

With a sigh he turned around, then stilled as his gaze landed on Rhi.

The Light Fae wore a long black coat with a white fur collar. The coat was open, showing a black shirt, jeans, and black boots. Her hands were in the coat pockets as she stood staring at him in the snow.

For a moment, he wasn’t sure if Rhi was there to talk or to fight. Both knew she couldn’t kill him, but that wouldn’t stop her from inflicting some major hurt.

Her beautiful Fae face was devoid of expression. In many ways, the silent way she stood watching him reminded him of Con. He squared off and met her silver gaze.

Thousands of years ago, Rhi caught the Dragon Kings’ attention because of her skill as a warrior. She’d been the brightest light of her people. Her beauty, her happiness, and her loyalty captivated everyone who saw her.

It was no wonder that a King was drawn to her. In truth, he hadn’t been the only one. All of them had wanted Rhi, but she’d only had eyes for one of them.

Everyone knew Rhi hated Darius. She’d hate whoever told her such devastating news, even if it had been Rhys doing the deed. But it hadn’t been Rhys. It had been him.

Rhi made a point of never being alone with Darius, so he was unsure of what she wanted. It was true she’d been erratic of late. Rhys was positive of her loyalty, but Darius wasn’t.

Rhi had helped Ulrik and was known to visit Balladyn—two of their enemies. She wasn’t herself, and hadn’t been since Balladyn tortured her. For all they knew, she could be turning Dark.

A gust of wind howled through the buildings and into them, but neither he nor Rhi moved despite the force. Her black hair lifted before falling back into place.

Darius released a breath. “If you’ve something to say, then say it.”

She remained as silent as a statue.

He shifted his feet. Rhi was never one to hold her tongue on any occasion. The fact she was now told him either she was that angry. Or that calculating.

“You still hold anger toward me,” Darius said with a nod. “I ken that.”

“You know nothing.”

Her tone was calm, too calm for the Rhi that he knew. Darius studied her. “Granted, I doona know you as Rhys or others do.”

“You’ve never known me. Nor did you approve of me.”

Ah. The root of the issue. “Need I remind you about the Fae Wars?”

“The Fae Wars,” she said with a laugh devoid of humor. “Your dragons were sent away because of the war with the mortals, and yet many of the Kings take them as mates. You’ve been bedding one as well.”

Darius lost any hint of composure as he stalked to Rhi and punched a finger into her shoulder. “Leave Sophie out of this.”

“I’m not doing anything to her,” Rhi replied coolly.

He frowned. Where was Rhi’s temper? Darius lowered his hand to his side. “Are you helping Ulrik?”

There was a flash of irritation in her silver eyes. “Would you believe anything I said?”

“Aye. You can no’ lie.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s the only reason you’d believe me? Not because I’ve sacrificed many times in order to help the Kings.”

“I wasna there. I only know the stories.”

“Odd how quick you are to believe the stories that I’m helping Ulrik, but you’re hesitant to accept the ones about me aiding the Kings as truth.”

Darius shrugged. She had a point, but he wasn’t going to admit that. “Answer my question.”

“Why should I?”

“Then why are you here?”

Her gaze swung to the hospital. “I was curious.”

“Doona be,” he said and stepped into her line of vision. “Sophie is no concern of yours. Stay out of her life.”

“Why? She knows all about me.”

Darius ground his teeth together. How did Rhi know that?

Rhi smiled at his silence.

He narrowed his gaze on her. “Have you sided with Ulrik?”

“I haven’t, but you don’t believe that. Stop asking questions if you won’t believe the answers.”

“Then why are you here?”

“You.”

That took him aback. Darius didn’t need to ask why she sought him. The reason was crystal clear.

“Nothing to say?” she asked with a raise of her black brows.

Darius shrugged. “What is there to say? What’s done is done.”

“You make it sound as if you carried a jug of milk from the store. It was much more than that.”

“We had this conversation long ago,” Darius said. Actually they hadn’t. It had been one similar, but she’d been too hurt and shocked by his words to ask anything specific.

Darius had known this day would come as long as Rhi was friendly with the Kings. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t hoped she would sever all ties with them.

Rhi leveled a baleful look with her silver eyes. “I’ve often wondered what type of slime would willingly help out a friend and deliver such … heinous words with such joy.”

“You just said it. A friend.”

“A friend,” Rhi repeated softly and glanced at the ground. “He should’ve told me himself.”

Darius didn’t respond. Anything he said might be taken the wrong way. It was better to let things continue as they were.

“No reply. I didn’t expect anything else.”

The more she spoke, the more her Irish accent deepened. Darius would never tell her, but she had every right to be furious over how things went down. What he’d done, he did for another King. Period.

“You really don’t get it, do you?” Rhi asked with a snort. “One day, Darius, you’re going to be in a similar situation, and you’ll have words delivered to you via your lover’s friend. Then you’ll know how it feels.”

“I doona owe you any kind of explanation.”

“Don’t you?” she asked with a raised brow. “Why did you offer to tell me my relationship with him was over?”

Darius shrugged. “I saw a friend in need. I did what he couldna.”

“He’s a coward.”

Darius didn’t bother to reply. There was nothing that he could say. If she had seen him that day, she’d know that his decision had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. He had been torn in two about it.

It’s why Darius offered to go to Rhi. Because if Darius hadn’t, the relationship wouldn’t have ended. Darius hadn’t understood the attraction between his friend and Rhi—until he met Sophie.

“I’ve hated you a long time,” Rhi said.

“I know.”

“But I’ve recently realized that though you’re the biggest ass for taking such pleasure in telling me that news, the real blame lies with him.”

Darius frowned. He hadn’t delighted in telling Rhi it was over. It had been horrible. He might not have particularly cared for her, but he hadn’t wanted to hurt her. Now that he knew all she’d done to help the Kings, he felt even worse.

He breathed a sigh of relief when Rhi teleported away. He dropped his chin to his chest, her words echoing in his head. Rhi’s threat worried him—because his feelings for Sophie were deepening by the minute.

He looked at the snow covering the streets, imprints from shoes marring the pristine white. Temperatures dipped lower as mortals huddled in their coats, scarves, and gloves. They paid him no heed as they hurried from one place to another seeking warmth.