Page 48 of Promise & Artem

Moving to the door, she pressed her ear against it and listened.

There was a thud and then nothing.

Her heart pounded.

The key slid into the lock and twisted, the sound loud as it unlocked.

Click!

She backed up a few paces, her mouth dry and her palms sweaty. What if it was Nero opening the door?

The door opened and Artem, fierce and furious, stood in the doorway like a dark angel, ready to wreak havoc on any and all who’d hurt her.

She could have fallen to the ground and cried she was so happy to see him.

But she knew that time must be precious, so she took his hand and rushed from the room. His dad and several males from the campground were with them.

Nero’s voice boomed all around them. “Find them. Don’t let them escape!”

The sound of pounding feet made Promise’s wolf snarl in worry. Artem and the others rushed toward an open door, but males rushed in.

Artem and the others stopped and Promise crashed into Artem’s back.

“Stay close to me,” Artem said.

“You really thought you could waltz in here and take her?” Nero called from behind them.

They turned and found Nero and several other males standing near the fighting ring. “She belongs to me,” Nero said. “You both do. Your friends can leave, but you two aren’t going anywhere.”

“Dad?” Artem said under his breath.

“I texted the others. The police are on the way, we just have to hold on until they get here.”

Artem gave Promise’s hand a squeeze. “Stay with Ian.”

Before she could ask what he was going to do, he bellowed out a war cry like some ancient Viking and rushed toward Nero and the males. Horns were sprouting from his head and his body was bulking up.

His dad and two other males rushed into the melee that followed, but Ian grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the fray. “Let’s get to the roof where it’s safe.”

“I don’t want to leave Artem.”

A male stalked toward them with a deep howl, and Ian pushed her behind him, letting out his claws. The two met head-to-head and fought, and Promise had to duck as Ian flung the male over his shoulder and into the bleachers.

“Okay,” she said as he grabbed her hand. “Let’s get to the roof before someone else sees us.”

They rushed from the main room, Promise looking over her shoulder to see her mate turn into his minotaur form and take on several males.

Be safe, Artem.

And kick ass.

Artem saw Ian get Promise out of the main room and knew he was taking her to the roof or outside. Either way, she’d be away from harm and that’s what mattered. He hadn’t meant to fully change into his minotaur form, but he’d been unable to stop himself after Nero threatened him and Promise. Again.

Adir, that wolfy bastard, had come for Artem as his friends battled Nero’s fighters. The warehouse echoed with the sounds of the fights, growls and grunts and the clashing of claws and fists.

With every move Artem made, he was protecting Promise from future harm. He had to get through Adir to get to Nero, who was looking less smug by the minute. He fought relentlessly, furiously, his fists finding home on Adir’s body and face again and again. His arm broke with a satisfying crack that made Adir howl and lurch away from Artem’s fists. The male was a tough and dangerous opponent, but this was so much more important than fighting for money.

His life was literally on the line.

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