Page 76 of Savage Fate

“Sorry I couldn’t add more flare to their deaths. You can take your anger out on some other Collective members.” My gaze dropped to his lips, wanting to devour them, but the worry radiating off him distracted me from the lust. “I’m okay,” I whispered.

“Are you?” He unwrapped his arms from me and studied me from head to toe. “You fell off a fucking cliff into a freezing river.”

I gave a casual shrug, and it took a moment to find my voice under his intense scrutiny. “I’m not easily killed.”

The tiny muscles around his mouth feathered as his jaw tightened. “You’re feeling better.” Fane grabbed my hands in his massive ones, examining them.“No shakes from the Infernal Sol?”

I shook my head.“Maybe the side effects have finally run their course.”

“Maybe.”Fane’s gaze lifted to something on my left, darkening.

“So this is the infamous Fane Maverick.” Xavier sneered as he stood a few feet away with his arms folded. “You don’t look that scary to me.”

Fane’s ominous chuckle spread goose bumps along my flesh. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you looks can be deceiving?” He angled me to his side as his pupils thinned to black slivers and his teeth sharpened. “I’d be more than happy to put on a scarier face for you.” The sinister growl vibrating his chest echoed through the room.

Some of the blood drained from Xavier’s cheeks, and he stepped back. “You can’t take us all at once.” He motioned his hand around the room at Saint, Avery, Josh, and Ryland.

Tension filled the air, crackling like a live wire whipping across a wet road. If they attacked Fane, he could take them, especially in his demon shifter form. Plus, I’d have his back.

“No one is fighting.” Saint pushed off the banister he’d been leaning against, his father remaining close behind him. “Back down, Xavier.”

“But—”

“That’s a command,” Saint snarled, alpha power throbbing around him and forcing the antagonistic shifter to slam his mouth shut.

Someone cleared his throat, and Hawk awkwardly lingered in front of the door. “Now that I’m sure a fight won’t break out, is it okay to come inside?” He lifted his palms. “Just your friendly neighborhood raven-slash-taxi-driver.”

Saint nodded. “Come in, Hawk. You’re welcome here.”

Hawk stepped inside the stress-laden living room, his gaze drifting to mine as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’mreally glad you’re okay, Tate. I’d hug you, but I’m pretty sure Fane would break my arms off.”

“No, he wouldn’t.”

Fane didn’t deny it, though.

I gave him a narrowed glare and slipped out of his relentless grip to embrace Hawk. “Thanks for bringing him. I’m sure the car ride sucked.”

“You can say that.” He gently patted my back and then stepped away. “I thought he was going to shift into that monster of a wolf and kill us.”

Mina poked her head inside. “I told you two Tate would be fine. For shit’s sake, she’s gone through worse than a fall off a cliff.”

“Hi, Mina.” Saint flashed the spitfire a smile. “If you’re looking for Bonnie, she’s probably training at Jacob’s.”

“I’d rather be anywhere than in your living room right now.”

As she stepped back on the porch, Hawk made the tiniest sound of protest. Mina stopped and scrutinized him, finally sighing.

“Fine. Come on, raven. Just don’t flirt with Bonnie. She has a boyfriend who would kick your ass.”

Hawk grinned as Mina grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. “Why would I flirt with anyone else when I only have eyes for you?”

Mina made a dramatic gagging sound. “You make me sick, Brycen.”

He’d have her under his spell in no time.

When I turned around, Fane and Saint stared at each other while Ryland and Avery watched, poised to jump into action. Besides Xavier and Josh, a few others had slinked into the room. Some of them were definitely fighters.

Were they here to protect their alpha if Fane decided to attack?

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