Page 77 of The Reaper's Vow
My wolf snarls beneath my skin, every protective instinct flaring to life. “Tell my father I'll be there in ten minutes.”
Gabriel nods and disappears down the hallway. I close the door and turn back to find Karina awake, watching me with sleepy concern.
“What's wrong?” she asks, her voice husky from sleep.
I cross back to the bed, sitting on the edge beside her, my hand finding her bare thigh beneath the sheet.
“Lockhart's people are at our border,” I tell her, watching her face carefully. “They want to meet.”
“They found us.”
“They found the territory. That doesn't mean they found you.” I lean down, pressing my forehead against hers. Through our connection, I push waves of calm toward her, trying to ease the panic I feel building in her chest. “You're safe here. This compound has defenses Lockhart can't breach.”
“Then why do you look terrified?”
Because I am. The admission sits heavy in my throat, but I can't lie to her.
“Because my father will want to use this as an opportunity,” I say finally. “He'll want to parade you in front of Lockhart, show him what he can't have.”
Karina sits up, the sheet pooling around her waist. I'm momentarily distracted by how beautiful she looks in the morning light.
“Maybe that's not such a bad idea,” she says quietly.
My wolf snarls at the thought. “Absolutely fucking not.”
“Think about it, Dam?—”
I cut her off before she can finish that line of thinking, my hand sliding up to cup her face. “No. Whatever you're about to suggest, the answer is no.”
“I want to help.”
“You can. By staying here. By staying safe while I deal with this.”
I shift away from her, trudging toward my closet. I quickly pull on a pair of pants and grab a shirt, only to return to find Karina perched on the side of the bed.
“Where are you going?”
“To tell my father that his political games end now.” I pull a black shirt over my head, the fabric stretching across muscles still tender from our lovemaking. “Lockhart can request all the meetings he wants. He's not getting within a mile of you.”
When I turn, she's standing beside the bed, the sheet wrapped around her like armor. “He’s here for me. I’m involved whether you like it or not.” She moves toward me, her bare feet silent on the carpet. “He can’t take me by force.”
I want to argue, but she's right.
“That doesn't mean I'm letting you anywhere near him.”
She reaches me, her free hand coming up to rest against my chest.
“You're notlettingme do anything,” she says quietly. “I'm choosing.”
My wolf rages against her idea, desperate to lock her away somewhere safe where no one can find her. The dormant alpha inside of her is waking up. Gods help me.
“This isn't about being allowed. This is about keeping you safe.”
“I know.” Her fingers trace the tattoo peeking from beneath my collar. “But I can't hide forever, Damien. Not from who I am. Not from what I am.”
“I need to get dressed,” she says, glancing down at the sheet wrapped around her body.
“Wear something of mine.” The possessive request slips out before I can stop it. I want Lockhart's people to see her draped in my scent.
