Kraven Read online

  “I hope not. GarLycans would try like hell to avoid flying in a city this size. We’ve survived all these years because we take great care to protect our existence.”

  Kraven led Bat back into her dining room and helped her sit. He retook his seat across from her. It was a bad idea to stay in her condo but she needed a little stability tonight. One night hopefully wouldn’t hurt. Tomorrow he’d talk her into moving locations after they spoke to Dr. Brent.

  He needed to gain her trust. The idea of her running away from him made Kraven break out in a sweat. She knew the human world far better than he did. It was a miracle no Lycan pack or Vampire nest had ever attacked her or Dusti. The talk with the doctor might shed some light on it. She smelled human but her blood carried a slight scent of other. At some point she had to have suffered cuts. Everyone did.

  He watched her eat and went through the motions of filling his own stomach. His thoughts were elsewhere. The things she’d shared about her past helped him understand some of her resistance to let him get close. Betrayal was tough to recover from. He’d barely known the woman who’d tried to stab him in the heart. Bat implied she’d spent at least six months with the man who’d used her. She’d fight Kraven at every turn.

  Something his mother always said floated through his thoughts. Nothing worthwhile in life is ever easy. Those words finally made sense. Bat came with a complicated past but he had motivation and desire to stick it out.

  They finished eating and Bat offered to clean up. He shook his head.

  “I’ll do it.”

  “Let’s make a deal, okay?”

  He waited.

  “I’ll put away the leftovers while you shower. I’m sure you want to take one after all that driving you did. We’ll meet up in the bedroom in about ten minutes.”

  He turned his head, studying the door.

  She easily read his concerns. “No one is going to break in.”

  “VampLycans can get past your security downstairs, Bat.”

  “I promise to haul ass shouting for you if someone so much as knocks. Okay?” She lifted her hand and crossed her finger over her chest. “I swear. I also won’t run around with scissors or do anything dangerous.”

  She was cute as hell. “Fine.”

  “I left my shampoo and conditioner in the guest bathroom. There are fresh towels under the sink.”

  “I’ll hurry.”

  “Okay.”

  He strode over to the door and lifted his bag, double checking that her locks were secure. Bat began clearing the table as he went to the guestroom. The desire to keep her close was strong but she was right. He wanted a shower. It would just be a fast one.

  He left the bathroom door open and dumped his bag on the counter. He stripped quickly and turned on the hot water. The stall wasn’t as large as his one at home. Humans were so much smaller. He sighed, stepping inside the confined space.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Bat closed the fridge and glanced around to make certain she’d thrown away all the empty containers. The counters were clear. She was heading toward the hallway when the phone rang. She switched directions, walking over to the machine. The readout flashed the number and name of her caller.

  She snatched up the receiver. “Hello, Jacob.”

  “You’re back? I thought you’d be gone for a few more days.”

  She opened her mouth to explain but he cut her off before she could say a word.

  “I’m glad I reached you. I was just going to leave a message and hope that you checked your machine daily. Are you familiar with Travis Bales?”

  “The name sounds familiar.”

  “He lives in your building and he’s a new client. He’s out on bail.”

  That news didn’t shock her. It wasn’t the first time one of the building’s tenants had had trouble with the law. “What was he charged with?”

  “We’ll discuss that in the morning. We’re holding a seven o’clock meeting at the office. Don’t miss it.”

  She winced. No way would Kraven agree to that. He didn’t even want to stay in her condo for one night. “I was in a plane crash.”

  “What?” Jacob gasped.

  “It’s a long story. I’m not going to be able to make that meeting. I have no idea when I’ll be returning to work. I have to go see my doctor first thing in the morning.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. She planned to talk to Dr. Brent.

  “Mr. Bales is a close friend of Warren’s. You know what that means.”

  She clenched her teeth. Warren Otis was a one of their special clients. He brought in a lot of referrals and she was pretty sure he was a major player in organized crime. It could kill her future with the firm if she let their big fish down.

  “Warren personally called me and insisted you take care of Mr. Bales, Batina. I’ve been trying to reach you all day to tell you to get your ass back home immediately but you didn’t answer your damn cell. I was desperate enough to call your home phone, hoping you at least checked those messages. Get patched up first thing tomorrow. Mr. Bales is having a little cocktail party tomorrow to meet with the team that will represent him. Wheel yourself there or go on crutches. I don’t really give a damn. It’s at six sharp inside your building. It’s being held in some lounge. I assume you know where that is? Be there. It’s not a request. Warren will be there too. Am I clear?”

  It irritated her that her boss didn’t seem to give a shit that she could have possible injuries. He didn’t even ask. That wasn’t a surprise. “Crystal.” She grit her teeth. “I’ll take pain pills if I have to.”

  “That’s the spirit. Just don’t take too many of them. Six sharp. And Batina? Don’t fuck this up.” He ended the call.

  She slammed the phone down and spun, bumping right into Kraven’s damp chest.

  He gripped her as she stumbled back. He looked furious when she looked up at his face. “Why did you answer the phone? Now someone knows you’re here.”

  “It was one of the partners at my law firm. I looked at the caller ID first.” She lowered her gaze, appreciating the sight of him with just a towel wrapped low on his hips. He had an amazing body. She wanted to reach out and touch him. And there was really no reason not to. He said they were mates. She might as well take advantage of the perks of having one. Sex sounded like more fun than stewing over what a jerk Jacob could be.

  He shook his head, still glowering.

  “I wish I hadn’t answered it. Does that help?”

  She reached out and used her fingertip to catch a drop of water that had threatened to fall off his taut nipple. She brought it to her lips and sucked on it, peering at him. His eyes narrowed. She put her other hand on his biceps and rubbed. Her finger left her mouth so she could flatten that palm on his chest.

  “Don’t do that. What was so damn important that you had to get that call?”

  “It was work.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I’m pissed at you.”

  “How is that working out for you?”

  “Stop touching me and avoiding my questions. What was that about?”

  “Work. I’m not lying.” She released him and backed up, skirting him and strolling down the hallway. “You look really good though. Sexy.”

  “I hate avoidance, Bat. And we need to leave now that you’ve answered that phone.” He followed her.

  She stopped and turned to confront him when she got inside her bedroom. “It wasn’t anything related to my grandfather, so it doesn’t concern you. Let’s just go to bed.”

  “Did it ever cross your mind that it would be a smart move for Decker to grab one of your bosses and make them call you to find out where you are?”

  “No. Because I’m not paranoid.”

  “Damn it, Bat. You’re in danger and every human you know can be mind-controlled!”

  “Give me a break.”

  “It’s possible.”

  “I don’t want to fight with you. Are we having sex or not?”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. “Not.”