Page 16 of Tempting Her Dragons

I swiftly slide my arm around his neck, lower my shield, and pull him backward from the chair. His hands frantically claw at my skin, and his feet kick the chair under the desk.

“Maxwell, don’t fight it,” I say, pulling him across the floor. “They always try to fight the inevitable.” I drop him to his back in front of the cross, press my knees together, and squat on his chest. “I’m grateful you provided me with the prop I’m going to chain you to.”

“Who the fuck are you?” he asks breathlessly.

“Guys, would you destroy the computers, please?” I can’t look at them again, and the noises are freaking me out.

“Of course,” Maverick says.

“Bitch, no,” Maxwell screams, pressing his palms on my knees.

“You should stop trying to get away. I’m way stronger than you.” I fist the front of his shirt, lifting him as I jump to my feet and slam him against the wood. While his breath is stuck in his chest, I attach the cuffs. “How does it feel not being the strongest person in the room?” I taunt as I step back.

“What? Who?” he gasps.

“My name is Saphira,” I state.

“I don’t know you.” His wide eyes travel over me.

“But I know you,” I sneer. “I know your secret.”

“You’re wrong,” he denies.

“I didn’t say what the secret is,” I scold, patting his chest. “I know all the fucked-up things you do.”

“You have the wrong guy.”

“Oh, please.” I motion to the destroyed screen behind my mates. “Don’t lie. Why would I be here if I didn’t know the truth?”

“Why are you doing this?” He jerks on the chains.

“Why? Why would I stop a man who abuses young girls? Don’t ask stupid questions,” I growl.

“How do you know? How did you know about me? Are you friends with my wife?”

“Which wife?” I lift a brow. “You’ve had several.” He purses his lips. “I’m just a concerned woman.”

“You should mind your own business, bitch,” he snarls.

Suddenly, I have two furious mates behind me. “I wouldn’t continue to call me names. My mates don’t like it.”

“Mates?” he asks, his eyes going back and forth between them.

“Doesn’t matter.” I wave in front of his face. “Look at me,” I snap.

“What are you going to do?” he asks.

“Mav, will you give me my bag?” I ask, glancing at him. He turns to get it where he dropped it in the doorway. He places it at my feet, and I crouch by it. “Well, Maxwell, we are going to have some fun.” I take my time unzipping it and separating the fabric. I hum as I reach inside and pull out a rolled bundle. I release the velcro and toss the end so it unrolls to show a variety of knives.

“What the fuck?” he asks, his voice wobbly.

“You prey on the innocent. You stalk a family without a father figure in the picture. They have had bad experiences with men. The mom is desperate for some kind of positive attention.” I slide out a knife with a hook on the end, holding it up for him to see. “She always has children, and they’re always girls. The young women are naïve, timid, and lacking in male influences.You swoop in and charm the pants off the woman. She falls fast when you say everything right, talk about your great job, and treat her children so nicely.” I stand, twisting the knife in front of his face.

“You have it all wrong,” he says desperately.

“I do not.” I prop the hook on his chin. “You have family money. You haven’t had a job in many years. You make shit up. I’ve seen you with your current wife. How do you switch so easily into that role? I’m almost convinced when I watch.”

“My family needs me. She wouldn’t be able to live without me.”

---