Page 14 of Balthazar's Fire

She leapt at the other voice, peering warily past Balthazar’s face to see another suited giant looming in the doorway. He was holding what looked like a gun.

“But we need to move,” the blond giant concluded.

“Help me get her free,” Balthazar replied without glancing back.

“Sure,” the stranger muttered sarcastically. “Anything else, brother?”

Brother?

Cherie stared from Balthazar’s face to the newcomer. Younger by a few years, he had fair hair and knowing eyes.

“Cherie, this is Draco.” Balthazar nodded in Draco’s direction as he worked on her left ankle. “Draco, this is Cherie.”

“Hello,” Draco barked as his focus fell to her right wrist. “Very nice to meet you.”

“Hey,” she managed, her attention returning to Balthazar as she tried not to think about what a state she must look.

“We’ll get you out of here,” Balthazar told her softly. “Don’t worry.”

For the first time since she’d left his lodge, she realized that she wasn’t worried. Staring into Balthazar’s dark eyes, she’d never been more certain of anything. Whatever her future was, it started and ended with him. The dark clouds of Oliver Monroe were about to be brusquely cleared to make way for Balthazar’s blue sky.

Chapter Five

Balthazar

Balthazar held her close on the ride back to the Vaughn’s townhouse. Their cab driver was thankfully quiet, leaving them in peace as he soothed her. Smothered in his jacket, she reminded him of the excited version of the woman he’d flown to the Fireside lodge; the one who’d wanted to look at the view from the terrace. This Cherie was markedly different from that carefree version, though.

“It’s okay,” he told her for the tenth time since Cole had flagged them a taxi, and he meant it too. Monroe wouldn’t even know she was gone at first, and even when he discovered her absence, there was no way Balthazar was going to fall foul of his chimera again. Monroe had managed to take him by surprise at the mountain lodge. That wouldn’t happen again.

The Vaughn brothers had scattered once Cherie was safely in Balthazar’s arms, secure that their brother wouldn’t be taken off guard for a second time. Draco and Cole had seemed content to go home and rest, while Sebastian appeared keen to get back to their penthouse, although Balthazar wasn’t clear why.

Maybe he has a woman of his own?

Balthazar’s brow rose at the idea. Maybe he did. Sebastian had wanted to speak to Balthazar in confidence. Perhaps that was what had been on his mind. Balthazar hadn’t even given him a chance to speak. A pang of guilt ballooned in Balthazar’s chest. Once Cherie was safe, he had to be a better brother.

“Thanks.” Offering him a grateful smile, Cherie huddled closer and pressed her cheek into his chest. “I won’t forget that you were the one who saved me, Balthazar.”

“It was the least I could do.”

I was the one who left you with the chimera.

Brow furrowing, he gazed down at her, wondering how on Earth he should deal with the issue of Monroe’s shapeshifting. Based on the thoughts his father had sent him in their telepathic communication, Cherie had definitely witnessed Monroe’s grotesque change and one day soon she’d want an explanation. She deserved that much, but he also wanted to tell her about his dragon.

Too soon, he cautioned, pulling in a breath as the rebuke pinballed around his head. I hardly even know her.

But surely, after all of this, he did? Balthazar certainly felt as though he knew her, and whatever he didn’t know, he wanted to learn. Cherie was so beautiful, like a fragile flower. He longed to be permitted to love her, but first he had to deal with the fallout of Monroe’s despicable escapade, and if it turned out that the bastard had hurt her, Oliver wouldn’t know what had hit him.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go to the police?” he probed, waiting as she lifted her wonderful green gaze to his. He’d already asked her multiple times, but despite her refusals, Balthazar couldn’t shake the feeling that her refusal was an error of judgment.

“No,” she replied in a small, croaky voice. “I can barely explain what happened myself. I don’t want the authorities involved yet.”

“Yet?” he pressed, sensing for the first time that she might be open to the idea.

“I need a little time, Balthazar.” She pressed her palm against his shirt. “To process everything.”

“I understand,” he told her, but how could he?

Balthazar, like his brothers, was a powerful creature. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d ever felt so much as vulnerable, let alone helpless. The closest he’d ever come might have been the moment Monroe’s chimera had knocked him to the ground, but not before the scumbag had made it known he was going to take Cherie for himself. Balthazar’s free hand balled into a fist at the memory.

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