Page 272 of Duty and Desire

Noah hated dealing with dead bodies. He finished cleaning up the mess in Abby’s kitchen as she lay down in her bedroom after a truly impressive time retching over her avocado green toilet. In a million years, he’d never figured his mate would puke for thirty minutes upon learning that she’d been mated. It was enough to give a guy a complex.

He viewed the now pristine kitchen—except for the body now wrapped in garbage bags that smelled like the ocean somehow. Duct tape held it all together, even the head, which he’d put by the jackass’s feet. He’d avenged Clyde’s killer, but the moment felt hollow.

His phone chirped, so he drew it from his back pocket. “Siosal.”

“Hey. It’s Raine. My intel says Petersen is headed back your way. The guy wants your head.” Boisterous music sounded in the background.

“I took his,” Noah returned, staring down at the still form.

The music shifted to hard rock. “Well, congrats. You avenged your friend,” Raine said. “You splitting town now?”

“Not quite yet,” Noah said. “A few things to work out.”

“Good luck. I still owe you one,” Raine said.

Noah stiffened. “Wait. Any chance you have connections in town with the coroner? Or anybody with an industrial powered fireplace?” He could bury the body if necessary, but burning it was easier and cleaner.

“No,” Raine said. “Bury it. Even if he’s dug up, humans wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.”

They hadn’t in the past, but human science was catching up too quickly. At some point, the secret of their existence was going to be out. It was inevitable. Well, unless the apocalypse happened and humans returned to an earlier age. Totally possible. “Okay. I’ll be in touch.”

He slipped his phone back into his pocket and moved silently toward the bedroom. Abby lay on her back, a washcloth over her eyes. In her T-shirt and jeans, she was curvy and fragile. His heart thumped. Hard. He’d told her the truth about fate, but now he wondered. It felt like she was meant for him. The idea of letting her go prodded the beast at his core, but she’d been through so much, her life had to be her choice. The good news was that he had thousands of years to court her, if needed.

And he fully intended to keep her.

It just might take some time to convince her that she wanted to keep him. He was one of the most talented hunters on earth, and patience was in his arsenal. It had to be.

She moved the washcloth from her eyes. “How is this so easy for you?” she asked, her gaze direct.

He straightened. “What?” Killing? He’d been taking out enemies his entire life. She probably wouldn’t understand, and he had no idea how to explain it to her.

“Mating. Forever. You and me.” She sat up, her T-shirt tightening across her full breasts.

Desire rolled through him, landing in his groin. He forced himself to concentrate. “My people believe in fate. It’s in our genes.” He dug deep, trying to make her understand. “I feel you.In here.” He placed a hand over his heart. “The second we met, the moment we touched, something awoke in me for the first time. I understand if it’s different for you.” Some things made sense on a level to demons that others just didn’t get. The words were hard to find.

“What does that mean?” she whispered.

She had every right to ask, and she deserved the truth.

“You’re inside me, Abs. I know it’s fast, and it doesn’t make sense to you, but you’re here. I’d die for you, and no doubt I’ll kill for you. In an instant and without question.” It’s what he knew and who he was. “My people court wars, and danger always lurks. You’re safe. No matter what, you’re safe.” The vow was absolute, and he could only hope she’d learn to trust it and him.

She tossed her head, and her glorious mahogany hair flew. “I won’t be told what to do. Forced to be somewhere.”

“I can protect you from afar, but that’s not my choice,” he returned. “But you should probably know, as your body changes on a cellular level, you’ll want me more than you do right now.” He lifted his nose, scenting the air. Her arousal was sweet and spicy. “And you want me pretty badly right now.”

She blinked.

He didn’t press her, but he did smile. “I can make you feel better.”

Her eyes widened. “You want to have sex with a dead body in the other room?”

He paused. Good point. That was probably uncomfortable for her. “You know, I’ll go take care of that right now. I’m not going to ask much from you, but for now, please stay here until I get back. Mating takes a toll, and you’re going to need to sleep more than you probably realize.” Then he paused and frowned. Wait a minute. “Check that. I’m taking you to my place.”

“I’ll stay here,” she mumbled.

“Not until I handle Monte,” he returned.

She pulled her legs up to sit crossed-legged. “Handle? Exactly what do you mean by that?”