Page 20 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Snowflakes landed on his black tee. Terrific. The human’s skin was damp from the sweltering heat of a moment ago. Now, she’d be freezing. She’d probably die from a cold or frostbite on his watch. Her species were known to be susceptible to illnesses.

Dirty, bleeding bare feet poked out first. Bruised legs exited next, her skirt bunching higher. He was disappointed when she tugged it down, figuring he deserved to be rewarded with a panty shot given all the trouble he was going through. Her head, crowned with tangled, grimy hair, swung forward as she heaved herself out of the car, holding her blouse together. Dom let her steady herself.

Though frightened, the female raised her chin and fixed on his good eye. “Now what?”

He faced her, his hip still propped on the fender. “Just a sec.”

Dom telepathed the OC.Busywas his answer, followed by,Later.

Next, Dom pathed the Feard. Got her. Going to my place. Keep looking for Praevus.

He snarled, glancing up at the sky. “We’ll be flying. How are you with heights?”

All he needed was a smelly, dirty human passenger who’d scream all the way to his house in the White Mountains.

She continued to strive for modesty by gripping her torn shirt. “Heights don’t bother me.”

“I’ll be touching you,” he warned.

She glanced at the cloudy skies. Then back to him. “Don’t you dare drop me.”

“Didn’t cross my mind until you mentioned it.” Her squint-eyed glare caused him to revise his response. “I’m very strong. I don’t drop hitchhikers.”

When her blue gaze crawled up his body, it missed nothing. “Good to know.”

He flexed his biceps while she examined him.Show off. Stupid.“What’s your name? I can’t keep calling you the human female.” He tried out a grin to make her more comfortable. Since he was pretty rusty at it, he was surprised his lips didn’t creak.

She seemed more startled than comforted. “Friends call me Maddy. You may address me as Madeline.” In the low temp, her breath came out as puffs of smoke. She shivered.

“Okay, Madeline.” He smirked, emphasizing her name. “Here we go.”

“Here we go where?”

“My place. Now, I’m gonna lift you before I take off from the ground. If you want, close your eyes. If you’re brave, open them. We’ll be in the air about fifteen minutes.”

She stiffened. “I don’t trust you.”

“Smart.” When she flinched, he tried again. “We’ve been over this, though. It’s me or Haze.”

“You’re not very reassuring.”

“Not my gig.”

“I can see that.” Her gaze remained wary.

“I’d be insulted, but I don’t really give a shit.” He wondered if that was true since he kept trying to gentle his approach with her.Nah. He just wanted to finish the job.

She tilted her chin, arching her brows. “You’re rude.”

“Yeah. I’ve been told.” He sighed, the convo going nowhere. “You’re gonna have to trust me. I’m your only bet.”

Dom stretched out his arms.

Madeline nodded at the invitation, faltering toward him as if on her way to the guillotine. Dom curved one hand around her back and the other under her knees.

When he cradled her against his chest, she squeaked. “Sorry. A bit nervous.”

“No problem. I make everybody nervous.”

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