Page 74 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

“Damn it, Henry! Don’t compel me!”

“A siren,” he breathes. “Impossible.”

He says impossible, but his face tells a different story. For a moment, he looks fearful, but then his eyes flash with greed. I’m so pissed off that I reach for my power. It’s ready and waiting for me. Slowly, I say, “Let go of me.”

The power-hungry gleam in his eyes fades as he falls under my spell. He lets me go just as Nick shows up. “Don’t worry,” I tell Nick. “I’ve got this. Do you have an ash wood stake on you? I couldn’t fit mine under my dress.”

“Nora,” Nick says warily, “I don’t think—”

“Trust me.”

Nick pulls a stake from his pocket and places it in my waiting hand. All the while, Henry stands there looking at me with glossy eyes. “Take the stake, Henry,” I tell him. “Place it over your heart.” He does. “If I tell you to push that stake deep into your chest, will you do it?”

Henry nods slowly. “Of course. I would do anything for you.”

I nod, staring intently into his eyes. “Remember this moment, Henry. Remember how it feels to be helpless. Remember the power I have over you. I’m not a weakling you can push around. If youevercompel me again, Iwillkill you.”

Henry nods. “Yes, my love. I understand.”

“Good. Now hand the stake back to Nick, and hold out your hands to him.”

Nick tucks the stake back in its sheath.

“You got a pair of handcuffs that will hold a vampire?” I ask.

Nick pulls a set off his belt. “Magic-infused. Meant for this very purpose.”

“Good. I’d like you to place him under arrest, please. He compelled me again. Compelling underworlders without FUA consent is against underworld laws, correct?”

Nick is already slapping the cuffs on Henry.

“There’s a holding cell down here near the security office,” Parker says. “You can keep him there until we’re done here.”

Once the cuffs are on Henry, I let go of my power and break the connection I have with him. He blinks slowly and shakes his head as if to clear it. Then his eyes snap to me, and his face drains of all color. I relish the look of fear. It’s about damn time he gets a dose of his own medicine. “Have I made my point, Henry? I’m not going to tolerate your bullshit anymore.”

Rage sweeps over Henry, and his eyes start to blaze. He leans forward, straining against the hold Nick has on him, and hisses, “How dare you threaten me. You’ve made a mistake tonight, Nora. You might have power, but you have no idea who you’re playing with. I own this town. I can make life hell for you.”

I lift my chin and glare at the bastard. “I don’t give a shit anymore. You’ve burned this bridge. Stay the hell away from me.”

Nick takes that as his cue to shuffle Henry off. I watch them until they disappear in the elevator, heading for the basement holding cell. Terrance’s wary voice fills my ear. “That was pretty badass, Trouble, but I’m afraid you’ve just made things with Henry worse.”

I sigh and take a gulp of my Shirley Temple. “Things are bound to go down between us eventually anyway. At least now I know I can fight him, and I have all of you guys to back me up. I wasn’t blowing smoke. I’m done. If he messes with me again, I’ll kill him.”

“I could kill him now,” Illren offers.

“Thank you, Illren, but—”

I’m cut off by a muffled curse and Rook’s very confused voice. “What the hell?”

“Rook?”

There’s a thump that I swear sounds like someone has just collapsed to the floor.

“Rook?” Still no answer. “Rook!” My heart starts pounding so hard in my chest I can barely breathe. “Damn it, you guys, where is he? Rook!”

“Where the hell is Rook!”

“I’m looking, Nora,” Parker says. “Before Henry showed up, he was in the hotel lobby. He’s off camera now. Maybe check the restrooms. I’ll keep looking.”

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