Page 5 of Balthazar's Fire

“… if you cock it properly, then it’s by far the most efficient weapon,” Draco went on. “And it handles nicely, too. You can—”

“Let’s just go!” Balthazar blurted, effectively ending his brother’s sentence. “She’s in there and he’s doing gods only know what to her.”

Their three stunned expressions showed just how out of character Balthazar’s emotional outpouring was, but he didn’t care. He loved his brothers and appreciated their support, but standing around talking wasn’t expediting the plan. Only action could pull Cherie back from Monroe’s grasp.

“Okay.” Sebastian reached for Balthazar’s shoulder as he glanced up at Monroe’s fortress. “Okay, we hear you. I’ll head inside and lure out Monroe.”

“Thanks.” Meeting Sebastian’s kind eyes, Balthazar managed a small smile. He’d essentially ignored Sebastian when they’d met for coffee yesterday and today he was drawing him and the others into a complicated web of abduction and danger. So much for being the dependable big brother.

“And that goes for all of you.” Balthazar glanced at Cole and Draco. “I owe you.”

“Too right you do.” Draco laughed darkly. “Don’t worry, Bal. When it’s time to pay up, the added interest will be huge.”

Smirking, Draco spun and wandered in the opposite direction, followed quickly by Sebastian, who overtook him in an attempt to reach the office entrance first. Watching them go, Balthazar was struck suddenly by a premonition that Draco was right. That one day soon Draco would land himself in jeopardy and have no idea how deep he was in the mire.

“Ready?” Cole prompted, motioning after Draco.

“Yeah.” Balthazar met his youngest brother’s knowing gaze. “Let’s do this.”

Chapter Two

Cherie

“How are you doing, beautiful?” Oliver Monroe’s sneer cut through the gloom as he loomed in the doorway. “Did you miss me?”

Missed him?

When she got out of the chair he’d tied her to, she’d happily show him just how much she’d missed him by shoving her knee straight into his testicles.

“Hmmm?” He moved closer until he was near enough to stroke the underside of her chin.

“Yes, sir.”

Choking out the words, Cherie lowered her gaze and avoided his eyes. How long had she been here? How long did she have to abide his sickening attention, and where the hell was Balthazar? Hadn’t he told her he was on his way and coming to help?

I made the telepathy up. She swallowed with dismay. There’s no other explanation.

“Good.”

His fingers grazed the side of her neck before skimming her nape, promising other, more sinister intimacies to come. Tensing at the provocation, she willed the image of Balthazar into her mind. If she’d been able to hear his voice earlier, even assuming that it had only happened in her head, then she needed the power of that tonic again. Whatever was about to happen required her to block out reality more than ever before.

“It seems we finally have some time we can spend together, baby.”

Cherie shivered at his knowing tone. Had anyone ever made a sentence sound so ominous before? Wandering a small circle, Oliver came to a standstill behind her and she twisted to look at him. “At last.”

Oh, crap.

That wasn’t how Cherie would have put it. All she wanted to do was get the hell out of wherever she was.

“I’m sorry about the accommodation.” He stared around the shadowy basement thoughtfully. “I want to keep you somewhere better, but…” Edging closer, his finger brushed over her collar bone before playing idly with the top of her dress. “You were so resistant to the idea of coming with me.”

“I… didn’t expect any of this.” That was the understatement of the millennium.

“What?” His hand snapped to her throat, cupping her neck tightly as he glowered over her.

Struggling for air, her eyes widened. “Sir,” she added quickly, recoiling as far as the uncomfortable chair allowed.

“Let’s not forget our manners, baby.” Gaze narrowing, he dropped his hand to her breast and groped at her nipple. Completely unable to resist his unwelcome advance, she heaved in a shaky breath. “You should know how much it irritates me.”

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