Untouched (3 page)

Malcolm dropped his hand, and his eyes softened. “I’m sorry. Brendan betrayed us all.”

Dante turned away from his cousin and crossed his arms tightly across his chest. “My father paid for his foolishness with his life… and ultimately, my mother will pay the price as well.” He took a deep breath and willed his eyes to their human state. “I’m furious that she will suffer because of him, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” His mind drifted to the stories he’d heard as a child, about the slow deaths that all Amoveo suffered when they lost their mates. His face grew darker still. “My only true regret is that I wasn’t able to confront him myself.” He shook his head and faced Malcolm once again. “Imagine what he would do if he knew his son was destined to be with a hybrid. That alone might’ve killed him.”

“Indeed.” Malcolm gave his friend a tight smile. “We do have Amoveo kin that live in New Orleans and one of the Vasullus family members as well.” Dante nodded. “They have been alerted of your arrival, but they do not know about Kerry or her… special situation. I think it’s safest for both of you if you try to keep that quiet for now.”

“I don’t think that should be a problem considering she can’t stand me. Oh, and of course she has no idea that our people even exist.” He ran his hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh. “How did you manage to convince Samantha?”

“She couldn’t resist me. There was very little convincing needed.” Malcolm puffed up his chest visibly. Moments later a bathrobe-clad Samantha materialized next to the two men, her hands placed firmly on her hips.

“Oh really?” She looked at Malcolm with an arched eyebrow and skeptical smirk. “Don’t let him fool you for a minute, Dante. He had to do plenty of convincing.” She swatted a contrite Malcolm and then turned her attention to Dante. “Kerry puts up a tough front, but it’s all an act. She’s really very fragile and deep down she’s terrified. She doesn’t understand her own gift, and she sees it as more of a curse.”

She looked up at Malcolm who had moved in next to her and wrapped a protective arm around her waist. “We are both convinced that the more time she spends with you, the better she’ll be able to manage her psychic touch. I’ve noticed in the past couple of weeks, since she’s met you, she can tolerate more human contact. It’s still very painful for her.” Her sympathy for Kerry was written all over her face. “But I’m hoping when she connects fully with you, that will change. I think you’re the missing piece to her puzzle.”

Dante smiled down at Sam. It was easy to see why Malcolm loved her; she was lovely and had mastered her Amoveo abilities with surprising speed. He couldn’t help but wonder if Kerry would be able to transition into their world as smoothly. Would she be able to accept the truth, or would she run screaming from him? He had to know because nothing could be worse than living in limbo.

“I hope you’re right.” He sighed. “It would help if I could scan her mind, but she’s got one hell of a mental barrier up. I’d found her in the dream realm so many times. I couldn’t see her, but she felt so close—right next to me. I sensed her there, but she had no awareness of me at all. It’s been very frustrating. That defense mechanism of hers is practically impenetrable,” he murmured softly.

Malcolm nodded in agreement. “I did notice that as well. She’s a very strong psychic, and I’m quite sure she has no idea that she’s blocking us. It’s probably how she stayed hidden in plain sight, but if anyone can get through to her, you can.”

“Yeah, well, we’ll see about that. I don’t need to scan her mind to know that she can’t stand me at the moment. She’s made that very clear with extremely colorful language.”

Sam laughed lightly and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “I think you’ll get through to her. Give it some time.” She gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “Like I said… she puts on a good front. Think about it, Dante, she’s spent her entire life keeping people at arm’s length. No human contact to speak of really. Don’t give up on her. She’ll come around.”

She stepped back into the crook of Malcolm’s arm. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to take my husband back upstairs and take advantage of him.” She winked, and the two newlyweds vanished into the night.

“Good thing the guest room is on the first floor,” he mumbled.

Dante smiled and turned back to Kerry’s house. Her light was out, the window was closed, and she was surely asleep. She was safe at the moment. However, he knew that as long as the Purists were out there, she’d never really be safe. The memory of her attack crept into his mind, and anger threatened to overtake him. He would never forgive himself for allowing her to be harmed. She’d almost died because he hadn’t been there soon enough. He hadn’t been able to protect her, and he swore to himself that would never happen again. She was the only one who could save him from the darkness.

She
ran
through
the
house, tears streaming down her face. He would find her. He always found her. Kerry’s breath came in ragged gasps, and terror gripped her heart. The house was dark, lit only by the occasional lightning strike from the coming storm. Kerry tried every door. None of them would budge. She ran back down the hallway and fled down the stairs. She heard his sick laughter bouncing through the house.

He
would
find
her, and he would kill her.

He
came
around
the
bottom
of
the
stairs, and his fist slammed into her face. Stars burst behind her eyes, and the pain that ensued threatened to overtake her and crack her head like an egg. She hit the steps hard; pain shot through her body. He grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet, dragging her into the living room. Pain seared her skull as gruesome images filled her mind. She saw all the vicious things he wanted to do to Samantha. Blood. Knives. Each image flashed harsher than the next, one more violent than the other, and all of them accompanied by white, hot pain. Her body convulsed wildly; her eyes rolled back in her head as he laughed wickedly at her pain.

“I’m going to kill that whore and that thing she’s with. They’re both going to die.” AJ’s face twisted in a mask of evil. He shoved her harshly into the wall and pointed a giant black crossbow at her, just inches from her heaving chest. Kerry tried desperately to keep from passing out. As soon as he released her, the pain subsided and the visions stopped, but nausea and fear kept their grip on her. Blood flowed from the wound in her head; her cheek throbbed from where he’d struck her. Her body shook uncontrollably, and the tears flowed freely.

He
took
her
cell
phone
out
of
his
pocket
and
held
it
next
to
her
head. “You’re going to call your little girlfriend and tell her to come over here. Right now.”

Kerry
shook
her
head
furiously
in
defiance. He grabbed her by the back of her head and pulled harshly on her long hair. Excruciating pain flashed behind her eyes, and more nightmarish images rippled relentlessly. He laughed and released her, all the while keeping that crossbow pointed directly at her heart. He gave her the phone and pushed the tip of the bow harder against her skin. “Call or die.”

Kerry
whimpered
pathetically
and
with
shaking
hands
called
Samantha. She had barely gotten out a few pleading words before AJ took the phone and hung up. “Good girl. That should do it.” He took the phone and threw it into a corner. “Now you can take a little nap, until I need you again.” He slammed her in the head with the butt of the crossbow, sending her into a heap on the ground.

She
lay
there
bleeding
on
the
verge
of
passing
out, the guilt of calling Samantha adding to her torment. Blood dripped into her swollen eyes, and her hair fell across her face. Her entire body ached, and her head throbbed mercilessly. She heard AJ walk away from her and prayed for a quick death.

Suddenly, a low deadly growl came from across the room. With a ridiculous amount of effort, she opened one eye a crack. Through blurred vision she saw a frightening set of glowing amber eyes that were fixed on her and filled with rage. The growling raged in her head as the scream ripped from her throat.

Kerry sat up in bed screaming and shaking uncontrollably. Her sweat-covered body soaked her sheets. Her breath came quickly, and she looked wildly around the room. It was morning. She was in her room. If it had just been a nightmare, she could’ve shaken it off, but it was much more than that. The night AJ attacked her had become the only thing she dreamt of anymore. She couldn’t even escape in her sleep. Pain and fear had become her way of life.

The sun beat down on Dante as he stood waiting at the front door of the Smithson house. The princess was taking her time answering the door. He stood ramrod straight, hands folded in front of him, and did his best not to tap his foot. Sweat was pouring down his back, and he cursed silently at himself for wearing a dark suit on such a hot day. Mate or not, at the moment she was his client, and he was damn well going to treat her like one.

Mindful of the time, Dante checked his watch. He did not want to miss their plane to New Orleans. He rang the doorbell for the third time and felt his patience slipping away by the second. Just as he was about to pound on the door, it swung open. The vision before him robbed him of his breath.

His body stilled, and he drank in the sight of her. Her thick ebony hair was swept up gracefully, exposing her long lovely neck. She wore a crisp white shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal the top of her full breasts, and black pants hugged every delicious curve. His sharp gaze slowly wandered over her shapely form from head to toe, and he had to work hard to keep from licking his lips. She looked positively mouthwatering. He was very glad he kept his sunglasses on because the second he saw her, his eyes had shifted to his fox. However, the disapproving look on her face sent them back to normal.

“What the hell are you doing here? I told you I don’t need or want a bodyguard. Especially one that resembles a Neanderthal,” she said as she fumed.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” he said quietly. “However, I don’t work for you. I was hired by Malcolm and Samantha. Therefore, until
they
relieve me of my duties, you’re stuck with me.”

Kerry let out a frustrated sigh and looked at her watch. “Where the hell is my car service? They were supposed to be here by now,” she said, looking past him to the empty road.

“I took the liberty of sending them away. I’ll be driving us to the airport, and I’ve arranged to have the seat next to you on the plane as well. Now if you’ll just give me your bag, we can get moving.”

Kerry’s anger slammed into him. Even if he hadn’t been able to feel her energy waves, there was no mistaking the look on her face. Her dark eyes flashed, and her fair skin developed a crimson tint. She was pissed. Dante got the feeling that she wasn’t used to hearing “no” very often. It was kind of a turn on, and he did his best not to smile.

“You presumptuous son of a bitch,” she seethed. “Who in the hell do you think you are?”

“I’m your bodyguard and I suggest we get going, or you’re going to miss your plane.” He kept his voice even and didn’t take his eyes off hers. Dante removed his sunglasses and held her gaze. “Your bags, princess?”

Kerry made a sound of disgust and shoved her sunglasses on. “Fine.”

Her voice was ice cold, but the heat that radiated from her body told a different story. Dante felt her conflicting reactions to him, and it gave him hope.
Me
thinks
the
lady
doth
protest
too
much
, he thought. She stepped back and gestured brusquely to two mammoth bags in the foyer. Dante knew she kept her distance intentionally, avoiding any physical contact as she had for her entire life.

He’d let her avoid his touch… for now.

Effortlessly he scooped up the bags and brought them down to his waiting car as Kerry followed him reluctantly, mumbling unflattering comments about him under her breath. He tried to open the door for her, but she beat him to it. She got in and slammed the door shut, making her feelings about the entire situation quite clear. Dante slipped his sunglasses back on as he whistled his way back into the car.