TherianPrey (13 page)

“Fuck you!” She twisted out of Quinn’s embrace and ran from
the room.

Erin caught Quinn’s arm as he rushed after Carissa. He could
feel the pain seething beneath her anger and it made inaction impossible.

“Let her go,” Erin insisted. “She’s internalizing way too
much of this. She needs a good cry.”

“Then she can cry on my shoulder.”

She shook her head, fingers digging in to his arm. “She
hasn’t had a minute alone since this began. Give her some space.”

“Ten minutes.”

“Fine. Give her ten minutes then let her tell you what an
irrational bitch I am. Don’t defend me, she needs someone to vilify.”

“Like Osric isn’t enough.”

“She hasn’t seen Osric in a decade or more. Let her hate me
for a while. She needs an outlet for all these emotions.”

Quinn couldn’t hide his grin. “I can think of several ways
to work off some steam.”

“No doubt you can.” She finally let go of his arm. “Kyle has
always seen something in you that baffled the rest of us. I hope to hell he’s
right, because Carissa is incredibly important to our people. You need to help
her understand that.”

“I didn’t set out to snag one of Maggie’s granddaughters as
my mate.” He narrowed his gaze as familiar resentments rushed past his
emotional defenses. “I was just helping out Kyle.”

“Somehow I doubt my son saw it that way. He’s always
planning three steps ahead. Which is why I can’t understand how Ava is eluding
him.” She pushed back from the table with a sigh. “I’ll leave the albums for
Carissa. Once she calms down, she might want to look through them.”

“I’ll make sure we take them with us when we go.”

“Make her soak in the hot tub before you leave. Unless you
have one at your cabin.”

“Are you kidding? My cat throws a fit every time I take a
bath. It’s strictly showers for me.”

“Well, she needs to soak her shoulder and that’s easier to
do in a hot tub.”

“Yes ma’am.” He offered her a smart salute.

Erin laughed and shook her head. “You and Ian really need to
patch things up. You have the same obnoxious sense of humor.”

Ian stepped out into the hall as Quinn saw Erin out. “Is
Carissa well enough to travel? I presume you’re not staying here.” Ian had
reached the living room by the time Quinn shut and locked the front door.

“Is that your way of asking us to leave?” Quinn folded his
arms over his chest and glanced at the sheet of plywood that now covered the
hole he’d made when he jumped through the window. A piece of cardboard blocked
the bullet hole. The not-so-subtle reminder of Carissa’s pain and how close
she’d come to death made Quinn clench his jaw.

“
She’s
welcome to stay as long as she likes.”

“We both know that’s not going to happen. Erin would like
her to soak in the hot tub before we take off.”

“Is that your way of asking if you can use my hot tub?” Ian
laughed.

Quinn erased all hint of emotion from his expression and
unfolded his arms. “May we please use your hot tub before we leave?”

“We? Are you actually going to climb into a hot tub? Most
cats would rather lick themselves than shower.”

“Most cats would rather lick each other than shower, but
that’s not really the point.”

Apparently tired of verbal sparring, Ian smirked and headed
for the sliding glass door that led to the deck. “I’ll uncover the spa and back
off the sentinels. Give you some privacy.”

“Thanks,” Quinn grumbled, shocked by the unexpected
courtesy. It had been four and a half years since Ian had spoken to him. The
last time they’d seen each other, Ian had been testifying before the Alpha
Council, doing his damndest to make sure they banned Quinn for life. If it
hadn’t been for Kyle, permanent banishment would likely have been their
judgment. But Kyle’s defense of him had been every bit as fervent as Ian’s
slander. So now all Quinn had to do to be reinstated was find a woman willing
to mate with a man who could create sexual frenzy in any Therian female.

With a frustrated hiss, he pushed his fingers through his
hair and headed for Carissa’s bedroom. Her emotions had subsided enough that he
couldn’t sense them anymore. That was good, but he missed the connection, the
intimacy. Even if it was unintentional.

He tapped on the door. “You okay in there?”

“I’m fine.” Her tone was muffled, but it didn’t sound as if
she was still crying.

“Can I come in?”

She pulled the door open and looked up at him, her eyes
red-rimmed and blurry. “Is she still here? I should probably apologize.”

Unable to resist the impulse, he leaned down and brushed his
lips against her temple. “She’s gone, but she understands why you’re upset.
This is too much for anyone to take in without erupting.”

She pushed the door wider but loitered in the doorway. She
pressed against one side of the frame and he leaned against the other. The
emotions swimming in her clear blue eyes twisted his heart in knots. If he
wasn’t careful, he could feel a whole lot more than lust for this feisty little
hellion.

“Doesn’t Erin want the same thing as Osric?” Her tongue
passed over her bottom lip, drawing his attention to her mouth. “They’re both
trying to create an Omni Prime.”

He jerked hard on his libido. She obviously needed to talk.
“The difference is Erin wants to restore balance while Osric wants ultimate
control. But you’re right. Both goals are achieved through the blood that flows
in your veins.”

“What if I don’t want a mate, much less a male harem?”

He tensed. The idea of anyone else touching her, regardless
of the purpose, was intolerable. “Don’t forget, definition is not a sexual act.
That’s where Maggie went off track.”

“And my mother was emulating her?”

He started to speak then paused, not wanting to upset her
again.

“Oh, don’t stop now.” She leaned the back of her head
against the doorframe and closed her eyes. “I’m getting used to bad news.”

Did she really need to know the specifics? She’d likely
piece it together on her own anyway.

She opened her eyes and arched her brows expectantly.
“Well?”

“This isn’t anything you don’t already know, I’ll just fill
in the details for you.” She nodded and he slipped his hand inside her sleeve,
stroking her upper arm. “Your mother wasn’t emulating anyone. She didn’t have a
choice. It was obvious she was resisting her calling, so Sam Collins and Osric
negotiated an alliance. They waited until her deadlines passed and then they
defined her by force.”

She pressed back into the doorframe, rubbing her temples
with the heels of her hands. “I swear to God my head is going to explode. She
wasn’t just raped? She was tag-teamed with full approval of the Alpha Council?
I hate this place! I hate this world!”

He didn’t try to calm her or minimize her rage. He just
stayed with her while she worked through her feelings, listening without
comment as she railed.

“Men are pigs, and Therian men are the worst! How can this
be allowed, much less approved? Why haven’t your women rebelled…or smothered
you all in your sleep?” She punched him in the shoulder then swayed as the
color drained from her face. “Will they do it to me?” she whispered, anguish in
her eyes. “If I refuse to choose a mate, will they…”

“No.” He stepped closer, not sure if she’d tolerate his
touch. “I would never allow it, and neither would Kyle. A lot has changed in
the past twenty-five years. Most of the old guard has died. Kyle and the
younger alphas are working tirelessly to modernize the Charter.”

She stilled, lips trembling as she looked into his eyes. “Is
that law still part of this Charter?”

He wasn’t sure what made her ask, but she deserved the
truth. “Yes. But Kyle has been very vocal in his opposition.”

“If Kyle brings the issue forward, he doesn’t get a vote!”

Damn. She’d been paying better attention than he realized.
“It won’t come to that.” He touched her face, trying to capture her gaze again,
but she wouldn’t let him. “I will not let anyone hurt you. Do you understand
me?” She finally looked at him and the fear he read in her expression sent
determination surging through his being. “I will protect you with my life.”

She blinked, releasing the tears gathered on her lashes.
Then she reached up and kissed his mouth. It was the first time she’d
instigated a kiss, and Quinn savored the spontaneous affection. His fingers
moved into her hair, holding her steady while his lips mirrored her movements.

With a shaky sigh, she tried to pull away, but Quinn was far
from satisfied. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her out into the
hall, pressing her back against the wall. Her soft breasts flattened against
his chest and their legs entwined.

His lips moved over and against hers, but his tongue teased,
never venturing into the warm interior of her mouth. She made a soft,
frustrated sound and grabbed the back of his head. Oh yeah. He wanted her wild.
He wanted her so desperate she’d wrap her legs around his hips and let him take
her right here in the hall.

Her tongue pushed past his lips and she explored his mouth.
He let her play for a while then slid his tongue along hers and took control
again. She rocked against his thigh and greedily sucked his tongue. He groaned
into her mouth, imagining those petal-soft lips wrapped around—

“Jesus, you two. I gave you a room!” Ian sounded more amused
than angry, but he didn’t walk away.

“Did you need something?” Quinn glared and Carissa hid her
face against his chest, her shoulders subtly shaking with silent laughter.

“The hot tub is ready. It’s obvious I’ll need to drain it
when you’re done.”

Chapter Six

The brisk mountain air contrasted sharply with the churning
water in the hot tub, making the heat even more inviting. Carissa sank to her
chin and watched Quinn pace the length of the deck, fascinated by the inherent
grace of his strong body. Wisps of chlorine threaded through the pine-scented
breeze, the combination sharp yet refreshing.

“You’re really not coming in?” she asked as his repetitive
trek brought him near her again.

“My cat hates water. Besides, despite Ian’s efforts, we’ve
got an audience. If I crawl in there with you, they’re guaranteed to forget
what they’re supposed to be watching.” His dark gaze focused on her mouth. “I
haven’t been real successful in keeping my hands off you so far.”

He’d been more successful than she had. If it wasn’t for his
steely control last night, all of Erin’s lofty goals would be moot. Carissa’s
nature would have been defined and the opportunity to create this famed Omni
Prime would have been cut in half.

Quinn stared at her for a long moment then resumed his
hypnotic march from one end of the deck to the other. Dressed in faded jeans
and a black leather jacket, he looked ready to rumble. The phrase made her
smile and her memory filled with images of his fighting prowess. He’d tossed
enraged wolves around like stuffed animals, and challenged Ian without
hesitation. There was no denying he had courage and stamina.

Stamina. The word made her shiver. Could he use all that
contained power to make it last for hours or was he more like a flash fire?
Scorching hot yet over way too fast?

She had to stop thinking about sex! She was supposed to be
relaxing.

Sitting up straighter, she peered out over the fenced yard
to the rocky slopes and shadowy trees surrounding Ian’s property. Were there
really other Therians out there, ready to attack any perceived threat? “Do you
know who’s out there? Can you always sense other Therians?”

“It’s Jake and some of his men, and yes, I can sense them.”
He offered the fact without further explanation. Sunlight made his dark hair
gleam and the wind accented its tendency to curl.

“Who is Jake and why are the men his?”

Quinn shot her a sidelong look, one corner of his mouth
curving. “Jake Parlain is Osric’s nephew, so I guess that makes him Ava’s
cousin. And his men have been following his orders since the Korean War. He’s
not technically an alpha, but it works for them.”

“How often do Therian soldiers fight in human wars? Have you
ever enlisted?”

“Enlisted?” Quinn chuckled. “None of us have ever enlisted.
We’ve negotiated with various governments, securing a wide range of
compensations in exchange for our services.”

“Various governments? Wide range of compensations?” She sank
into the water, suddenly feeling vulnerable. Therians were predators. In fact,
they were apex predators, top of their food chain. Had she expected them to
negotiate peace treaties or compose poetry? “You’re mercenaries.”

“A pirate with a Letter of Marque becomes a privateer.
Mercenaries under contract for an extended period of time become a special
forces unit.”

“Are we still taking about Jake and his men, or are we
talking about you?”

He approached the hot tub, resting his hands against the
damp rim. “I work alone.”

“And who’s your current employer?”

“Kyle.” He smiled and glanced off into the distance. “Is
that helping your muscles?”

“It would help more if you rubbed my shoulders.”

His gaze whipped back to hers and held. “I’ll rub anything
you like as soon as I get you home. I’m not taking chances with your safety.”

“I’m pretty sure the only way someone could take a shot at
me now is if they flew over in a helicopter. Are you sure you can’t convince
your cat to ignore the water?”

“I can control my cat, but that wouldn’t take care of the
audience. I don’t perform on command, and no one else is going to see you
naked.”

As if to validate his concern, a man leapt the rail at the
far end of the deck and came striding toward them. Dressed in a black leather
vest and jeans, his long black hair ruffling in the wind, the stranger looked
even more dangerous than Quinn. With both arms sleeved with tattoos and a
two-day beard he’d blend right in at any biker bar or heavy metal concert.