[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
since he didn t imagine Mitch dirtying his hands with things like that.
Here s what I think, Avery, Mitch said. Will here was very
upset on your behalf. I gather you mean something to him. My guess,
therefore, is that he means something to you.
Mitch retrieved a gun and pressed it to Will s temple. Now, come
along nicely, or else I ll blow his brains out.
Avery released a sound of dismay. He didn t love Will, but he
didn t want the other man to be hurt either, especially not for his sake.
Too many had suffered already because of a mistake Avery had made
in his youth. All right, he said as he stepped forward. You win.
Just don t hurt him.
Maddox gave Avery a shocked look. Baby, you can t be
serious, he said through their bond. You re not going anywhere
with that man.
If he kills Will, I ll never be able to live with myself. Avery
swallowed around the knot in his throat.
104 Scarlet Hyacinth
And how will I live if he kills you, huh? Maddox s nostrils
flared as he blocked Avery s path. No. No way.
Avery winced as he realized he was being incredibly selfish again.
Whatever he chose, someone would suffer. He was stuck, and his
heart hurt when he understood that his love for Maddox would never
be enough. He had to pay up on the dues of his past. There was no
way around it. Maddox was an amazing man. He could find someone
else should the inevitable happen to Avery.
Having obviously overheard Avery s thoughts, Maddox grabbed
his arm and pulled him away from the group. I won t allow it, he
said. You re my mate, the only one for me. Don t ever think anything
different.
His hold on Avery was so tight it hurt. It was the first time
Maddox had actually done something that caused Avery pain, and it
was a clear sign of Maddox s displeasure.
Just as the thought passed through Avery s mind, Maddox
released him as if he d been burned. I m sorry, baby, the wolf said,
but I just can t stand the thought of losing you.
The wolf s emotion just about made Avery lose it right then and
there. He instantly regretted his thoughts, berating himself for
believing for even one single second that their bond could be replaced
by something else. He didn t want to leave Maddox, so this left them
in quite a quandary.
Avery stole a look at the still-waiting Mitch. Look, he s
obviously angry with me, he told Maddox, but he doesn t know
about the mate bond. He won t kill me until he has his revenge. If I go
with him, we ll know if he has other prisoners. You and the others can
bust me out.
And if he knocks you out, then what? No, don t even think about
it.
Avery found himself powerless in front of the decision Maddox
exuded. It was a good thing Ford took over because in spite of his
resolve, he melted in Maddox s embrace.
Dove Me Tender, Dove Me Sweet 105
Mr. Cummings, the lion said, I d advise you to release Mr.
Jameson now if you know what s good for you. You might think you
are untouchable, but I have my own weapons, as I m sure you know.
Mitch s expression darkened. And yet, that didn t keep you from
my grasp, Rutherford Goldwin. He licked his lips and chuckled. I
admit, for a freak, you re quite handsome. Had I known at the time, I
wouldn t have left Karl to have all the fun.
Avery s eyes widened at what Mitch was implying through his
vulgar comment. Ford didn t react in any perceivable way. It was
Onyx who spoke next. I m sure you ll have a lot of fun when you
join him in hell. His tone held so much hatred that even Avery was
taken aback. I ll personally take care of that.
Mitch just laughed again. Oh, please. You and I know far too
well for me to believe that threat, isn t that right, Onyx? He released
an almost thoughtful sigh. Oh, we had the best of times. Do you
remember when I first found you? You were quite a breakthrough
after futilely chasing shadows for one year. He grinned. In a way,
I m grateful. If it hadn t been for you, we might not even be here
now.
Onyx didn t answer, at least, not in words. His human form
melted into that of a black panther.
Mitch s eyes widened, which in different circumstances might
have amused Avery. As it was, he had no idea what Mitch had
expected when he d taunted Onyx, but Avery was not surprised by
Onyx s response.
Chaos ensued as the normal humans watched a man turn into a
beast before their very eyes. As the only one who still had a gun,
Mitch pointed the weapon away from Will and in Onyx s direction. It
seemed to be somewhat of an impulse, rather than a conscious
decision. A couple of bodyguards had already fled, and Avery was
distantly concerned about what they would say now that they knew
about the existence of shape-shifters.
106 Scarlet Hyacinth
But the more pressing problem was trigger-happy Mitch. As quick
as all of them were, they might not be able to avoid a bullet.
Furthermore, they didn t have the luxury of blowing up the restaurant
like they had with the sanatorium. Any moment now, security would
show up, and then questions would appear. Like, for example, what in
the world a black panther was doing loose and attacking people.
Just as Avery struggled to come up with some sort of thing to
distract Mitch, Blue appeared behind Mitch, seemingly out of thin air.
He knocked the gun out of Mitch s hand and dodged the bodyguard
who reached for him. At the same time, Maddox and the others shot
into action.
This time, they even caught Mitch, who was futilely trying to
chase after Blue.
Thankfully for Mitch, Ford got to him before Onyx did, saving the
bastard s life. Upon seeing these new developments, Onyx shifted
back into human form. Without a word, he turned around and left the
building.
Alas, it seemed that it wasn t only Onyx s anger who urged the
panther to depart. Blue shifted as well just seconds before other
guards appeared at the end of the corridor. Ford released Mitch and
took Will in his arms. Time to go, he told the others.
Hold it right there, one of the new arrivals said. Release that
man and step away from Mr. Cummings.
Great. Mitch seemed to have friends everywhere. Avery struggled
for an excuse and could only come up with a very lame one. It s all a
big misunderstanding, caused by me, I m afraid. He coughed, doing
his best to sound embarrassed. See, I used to date Mitch, and he
reacted badly when he saw me with Will. But it s fine now. We re
going.
The guy looked doubtful, especially when he saw how close
Avery was standing to Maddox. He must also have his reserves over
Mitch s homosexuality, which was something Avery hadn t
considered when he d impulsively come up with the excuse.
Dove Me Tender, Dove Me Sweet 107
To his surprise, Mitch jumped to his aid. That s right. We ve
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]