Darkness Read online

  “That isn’t helping.”

  “Trust me,” he rasped.

  That was the hell of it. She did. Otherwise she wouldn’t have agreed to go with him. She’d wanted to see him again. “Okay.”

  “They reached the top. Ready?”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to say no. “Sure. This should be fun.”

  “Don’t make me laugh.”

  “I won’t talk again.”

  “Good.”

  He released her and walked forward, paused and then a rope bumped her back. She clung tighter. His arms tensed and she squeezed her eyes closed. No way did she want to peek. It was insane for anyone to hold the weight of another while they climbed. They weren’t even clipped together. He kind of jumped and she locked her thighs tighter around him, also being careful not to choke him in her fear. His arms tensed as he used his strength to pull them higher, hand over hand.

  It went too fast. He stopped. “Reach up one arm.”

  “Fuck.”

  She lifted her head and peered up. Two dark figures were above her at the top of the wall. One bent and reached for her. She had to let go of Darkness and trust strangers. It wasn’t her first choice but it was the only way to get up there. It took courage to ease her hold and reach out. A firm, gloved hand wrapped around her wrist.

  “I have her.”

  “Give them your other arm and then let go of me with your legs,” Darkness urged.

  “I’m going to get even with you for this,” she muttered

  Darkness bent his legs, forming a kind of seat for her ass when she let go of him. Another gloved hand got a firm hold on her wrist. She eased the grip of her thighs on Darkness and the men pulled her up.

  A third man suddenly appeared. He moved between the two when they brought her to the top of the wall. He gripped her hips and just lifted her the rest of the way. They released her the second she was on her feet. She tried to step back out of the way. One of the men growled and turned, hooking an arm around her waist.

  “Careful.”

  She turned her head and gasped. There was a waist-high lip on the outside wall but there wasn’t anything but emptiness behind her. A few steps more and she’d have pitched off the wall and fallen to whatever lay below.

  “Thanks.”

  Darkness made it the rest of the way up and lunged, tearing her out of the grasp of the man keeping her immobile. “What are you doing, Book?”

  “She almost backed off the wall.”

  “Thanks.” Darkness suddenly bent and Kat gasped when his shoulder hit her hip. He rose with her secured there. One gloved hand yanked her shirt and held it in place high on the back of her thighs.

  “Put me down.” Kat didn’t fight but she did frantically grab for some part of him to hold on to. It ended up being the lower edge of his vest. She was too afraid he’d drop her off the wall.

  “Shut up, Kat. We’re going to the stairs. It’s the safest way to get you down.”

  She closed her eyes and hung there. It wasn’t dignified and she mentally went over ways for payback. “I can walk.”

  “This isn’t a well-lit section,” another male informed her. “You almost fell once. We can see.”

  And I can’t. She quieted and knew when they reached the stairs. From the sound Darkness’ boots made when they descended, they were metal and felt a little rickety. She imagined the flimsy ones she’d once used to board a plane. She was grateful she couldn’t see. He finally stopped going down and paused.

  “Thank you.”

  “It was good to have an adventure,” the guy who’d spoken before responded. “Are you taking her to a holding cell, Darkness?”

  “She’s not a prisoner. This was for her safety. I’m taking her to my place. Will you let Security know, Book?”

  “Of course. I’ll also inform Supply that you’ll need things for the female.”

  “I’ll handle it.” Darkness didn’t put her down but spun fast enough to make her dizzy. He moved fast. He probably considered it walking but she’d have been jogging at that pace.

  “Can you please put me down?”

  “You’re barefoot. We’re not too far from the men’s dorms.”

  “Great. You can walk me past a bunch of guys so they can see my bare legs and ass too.”

  “You’re covered.”

  “How far are we from your house?” He kept walking and didn’t answer. “Hello?”

  He wrapped his other arm around the back of her knees, covering more of her skin. “The cottage next to the one you stayed wasn’t my home. It’s where I stayed to be close to you. I live in the dorms.”

  “Fantastic. Don’t a bunch of New Species guys live there?” She pictured a fraternity house in her mind. “This just keeps getting better and better.”

  “I’m taking you through the backdoor. We shouldn’t come into contact with anyone else this late. They are either on shift or sleeping.”

  He stopped and released her with one arm. A beep could be heard and she knew he had opened a door with his ID card. They entered a well-lit, tiled hallway.

  “Put me down,” she ordered again.

  “You’re testing my patience, Kat. I’m not in the best of moods. You demanded we share quarters so that’s what you’re getting.”

  He had a point. She’d thought they’d go to his house though, not a building full of other men. Kat winced, hoping he didn’t have a roommate. That would be awkward. It would be worse if he didn’t even have his own bedroom. They entered an elevator but it was empty. That was a relief. It opened and he stepped out onto a carpeted floor and strode down a hallway before pausing in front of a door.

  Another beep sounded and the door opened. He carried her inside and bent, putting her on her feet. She stood and shoved her hair out of her face. The door closed and she turned, studying the small living room. A kitchen area was to the left and an open door was across the room.

  “This is it. Welcome to my home.” Darkness didn’t sound happy. “It’s a one-bedroom and considerably smaller than the guest cottages. The bathroom is through the bedroom. There’s food in the fridge if you’re hungry and drinks are there too if you get thirsty.”

  She turned to face him. “It’s cozy though a bit sparse.”

  “All I needed was a couch, TV and bed. I don’t spend much time here.”

  She swallowed, feeling nervous. “You don’t need more than that. I get it. I’m not home much either.”

  He frowned and reached for the front of his vest and removed it. He just tossed it on the floor next to the door. “You would be more comfortable at your cottage. Tell me when you’re ready to go there.” He walked across the room and into the bedroom.

  She followed. He flipped on the light and took a seat on a big bed. She watched him remove his gloves then his boots. He stood and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his bare stomach and chest. His dark gaze pinned her where she stood.

  “I’m going to shower. I’m sweaty after climbing the wall. I sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door and don’t open my nightstand drawer. That’s a rule.”

  “Dirty magazines?” She wanted him to smile. He looked angry.

  “Weapons. Don’t touch my guns, Kat. Am I clear?”

  She nodded. “Why are you so angry? You’re the one who forced me to come here.”

  “I wanted you at Homeland, not living with me.”

  He spun, stalked into the bathroom and firmly closed the door. Kat walked over to the bed and sat down. So much for him coming after her because she hoped he’d missed her. He got credit for keeping his word. He could have just dropped her at guest housing and left. Just because she was in his apartment didn’t mean she was welcome in his personal space or that he’d be happy to have her there. He obviously wasn’t.

  The water came on in the other room and she stared at the door. She could imagine how the rest of the night would go. He’d come out and probably turn off the lights, ignore her. It was stupid. Mason wasn’t a danger to her