Page 91 of Red Fury

No. I can’t think like that.

My dragon surges against my skin with renewed fury, and this time I don’t fight him. I let him surface just enough that mysenses sharpen, my strength increases, my animal instincts take over.

Shadow is mine to protect. Mine to save.

And I’m going to tear apart anyone who’s hurt her. That includes Kozlov. I don’t care if he is some mob boss or who he is connected to. He is still just a human and will bleed just the same.

I go to my bedroom and start throwing clothes into a duffel bag. Dark clothing, tactical gear, weapons I’m not supposed to have but keep, anyway. My service pistol, backup knives, zip ties, and a small explosive device for use in case of an emergency.

This definitely qualifies as an emergency.

I finish packing and head for the door, shouldering my duffel bag. The drive to Chicago will take me about four hours if I push it. I’ll be there before midnight.

And then Roman Kozlov is going to learn what happens when someone takes something that doesn’t belong to him. The male is going to die. The only question is whether it will be fast or agonizingly slow. He had better not touch her. Not so much as a hair on her head, or his death will be excruciating.

I plan on tearing him apart.

28

Shadow

“Here is your pet, Master,” Neilina announces, pushing me forward. “Isn’t she lovely? I chose the dress especially for you.”

Pet?

Fuck that!

I stand tall.

Roman walks toward us, stopping short. His eyes sweep over me with obvious appreciation. “Thank you, Neilina, but youreally need to stop calling me master. I’ve told you that I don’t like it.”

Neilina’s smile doesn’t waver for a second. “But you are my master. You are both—”

“Quit it,” he snaps, his voice carrying an edge of real irritation. “You can go now.”

“Of course.” She performs what can only be described as a curtsey before walking toward the exit. “Please call if you need anything…anything at all.” Her eyes linger on me for a moment.

As soon as the doors close behind her, I’m alone with my captor.

“Hello, Claire,” Roman says, his voice smooth a as he moves closer. “Claire Douglas. I’m sure that isn’t your real name, but...I guess it will have to do.” He shrugs.

My heart thumps, but I keep my expression schooled. Of all the people who could have orchestrated my kidnapping, the club owner was the last person I had in mind. Sure, he’d shown interest in me at Black Blood, but this? This is insane.

Despite the fact that he’s an undeniably attractive man with clearly expensive taste in…everything, I hate the thought of him trying anything with me.

“Why did you have me kidnapped and brought here?” I demand, crossing my arms over my chest. “Where is here, anyway?” I look around us. “Is this your home?”

“It’s one of my many properties.” His accent comes through just a touch, and his gaze travels slowly down my body, lingering on my curves and legs, which this dress does a great job of accentuating. “You look beautiful,” he murmurs, his eyes heating with unmistakable desire.

“Stop with the bullshit,” I snap. “What do you want with me? I refuse to become your sex slave, if that’s why I’m here…Master. And let’s get something straight: I’m not your pet.”

He smiles but doesn’t say anything to the contrary, which gets my back up.

“I will fight you every step of the way. If given half the chance, I will kill you.” I take a step closer, letting all my anger show. “So, you can touch me against my will if you want, but know that it will be your funeral, in the end.”

He chuckles, the sound rich and throaty. “I can have almost any female I want. All I have to do is click my fingers. Why would I need to force a woman to let me fuck her? It’s not my style.” His smile turns calculating. “I’m definitely open to sex with you, but only if you want it yourself.”

“I would rather die,” I spit out. “I’ll ask again, what do you want with me? Why am I here? Why all the song and dance?”