Page 53 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha
Bastien.
Baby. What’s wrong?
It’s Veder.
Pain stabbed into my brain and I broke off the contact. Silvio was trying to get into my head. Sweat trickled down my spine. He was so strong. Scrambling, I started to reinforce my shields. Ice. I needed to be ice. My mental walls needed to be tougher than they’d ever been.
It took an immense effort, but I turned to Maximilian as if Silvio had said nothing. “Mr Veder, I had plans to wash my hair tonight, so maybe we could hurry this up? I’m not sure why I’m here.”
“Don’t play coy.” Maximilian’s tone was cold. He nodded to the guards who had escorted me from the Palace and they separated, taking up positions around the wall, joining the guards who had already been in the room. To stop me leaving. He remained standing, trying to intimidate me. Hah, he had nothing on an eight-foot ogre.
“Are you mated to Bastien Bowden?”
“My personal life is none of your business.”
Silvio laughed lightly. “This will be fun. Just like old times indeed.”
“Has Bastien lost control of his Beast side?”
“He’s a Beast in bed,” I offered. One of the guards choked on a stifled laugh. Ice. I needed more ice. Sweat dripped down my spine as I frantically built up my shields.
“Ask her again,” Silvio ordered, leaning forward. His exploratory mental touch was slimy, like a slug’s trail along my mind.
“Has Bastien lost control of his Beast side?”
“You’ll get nothing from me.”
“We’ll see about that,” Maximilian said. “Silvio?”
“She’s built up her shields,” he replied. “It may take some time.”
Maximilian grunted. “Let me know when you’ve broken through.” He turned away, striding for the door.
“Just like old times indeed,” said Silvio.
It was worse. He’d learned new skills in the time he’d been away.
He smiled, right before his mind touch changed from slimy fingers to become a battering ram, pounding at my mind. Beating down my walls. The pain in my head was excruciating.
Ice. But I was getting slower. My walls were getting thinner.
Chapter 52
Bastien
Something was wrong. I didn’t know what it was exactly, but a heavy blanket of dread had settled on my skin. Reaching down the bond, I could sense Electra’s general location. She was further away than I expected. Not in the city. Not in the Council Chambers. And, although she was trying to keep her emotions to herself, awareness ofwrongnesstrickled through. It wasn’t pain exactly, but it sure as fuck didn’t feel right.
Then she reached out to me.
Baby, what’s wrong?She had promised to tell me if she was in danger. Her reply froze the breath in my chest.
It’s Veder.
Fuck. Veder had her? The leader of the Humans First party was an enemy. I had no proof yet but he was the most likely person behind the plot against me.
My girl was in danger. I needed to get out of here.
The only way we’re getting out of here is if you merge with me.
