Page 30 of Red Fury (The Dragon Tributes #8)

S hadow

“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 you really 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?”

Instead of answering, he strolls over to a fully stocked bar and pours himself a generous measure of whiskey. His attitude makes my blood boil.

“Would you like anything?” he asks, swirling the amber liquid in his glass.

“Water.” My throat feels like sandpaper.

He tosses me a bottle of water from a small refrigerator behind the bar, and I catch it one-handed. I twist off the cap and drink greedily.

I try once again to reach for my dragon. She’s there, but so distant I can barely feel her. Whatever they drugged me with is still suppressing my abilities, and I hate it. Hate this whole situation.

Roman takes a long sip of his drink, keeping those unsettling eyes on me the entire time. “You are a prize,” he says finally. “You’re not human.” He tilts his head like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. “But I can’t quite put my finger on what you are, exactly. A shifter of sorts.”

I swallow thickly. How does he know?

He laughs. “I can see that you’re taken aback. Don’t be. I can scent it on you. Just like I could scent it on your friend .”

He’s talking about Fury.

“It’s why I invited him to the club. I hoped he might bring along a prize like you. I had my staff on high alert, and they sniffed you out as soon as you arrived.”

I knew it.

He singled me out because of what I am.

He continues to scrutinize me, his nostrils flaring. “What are you, little pet? Definitely not a wolf shifter. Your scent is all wrong for that.” He narrows his eyes, his nose flaring some more as he takes in my scent.

A what now?

“Did you just say wolf shifter?” I ask, feeling my blood drain.

He laughs, genuine amusement lighting his features.

“From your facial expression, I can tell you had no idea about the existence of wolf shifters. Very interesting. How could you not know about them?” He scratches his chin, narrowing his eyes on me.

“Or perhaps you don’t like me knowing you’re not human?

” He scrutinizes me. “Nope, that’s not it.

You genuinely don’t know about wolf shifters. Wow! That’s interesting.”

Wolf shifters? What the hell is he talking about? Surely he’s talking shit. There are only dragon shifters, and no one is supposed to know that save for a handful of humans.

“I will figure it out soon enough. Don’t you worry your pretty little head.”

“Cut the crap and start talking,” I growl, finishing the water and tossing the empty bottle onto a nearby chair. “I want answers. It’s the least you can do after upending my life. Why am I here?”

“I thought we could chat a while before getting to the good stuff, but since you’re so impatient, I’ll launch straight into it.

The long and the short of it is that I need to get married,” he says.

“It’s time. I want children.” He takes another sip of whisky.

“It would obviously depend on what you are.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head,” I throw his words back at him, putting my hands on my hips. “It’s never going to happen. I’m sure there are plenty of women who would be interested. Although they might change their mind when they find out you’re not human.” I wish I knew what he was.

“I don’t want a human. I need someone special.”

“Why? You don’t look like the marrying type.”

He makes a face. “I’m not. It would be more of an arrangement than an actual marriage. The Elders keep telling me that I need to improve my public image.”

“Who are the Elders?”

“They’re too boring to talk about.” He shakes his head.

“Did you seriously bring me here to ask me if I would consider marrying you?”

“I’ve earmarked you as a potential candidate. We would have strong children.” Again, he looks me over, and my skin crawls. “It’s something I would be open to discussing with you.”

“Something you would be open to discussing.” I start laughing. I can’t help it. It’s so absurd.

“I’m serious.”

“I know,” I say, between more laughter. He’s talking about me being his pretty little wife who stays home and pops out babies while he does whatever it is he does…and he’s serious.

He opens his mouth to say something else, but I cut him off.

“Stop right there,” I say, holding up a hand. “It will be a cold day in hell before I ever agree to such a thing. You kidnapped me, and now you expect me to take part in this insanity. You’re not my type at all.”

My mind immediately goes to Fury – his dark blue eyes, his smile, the way he made me feel safe even when we were fighting. I only hope he can find me. Then again, I don’t want anything happening to him. The thought of Roman hurting him makes my chest tighten.

“It’s a pity you feel that way,” Roman says, studying me over the rim of his glass. “You intrigue me in so many ways, and that’s not something that happens often.”

It’s clear he’s either used to getting whatever the hell he wants or he’s an idiot. I don’t think it’s the latter.

“I intrigue you, and so you had your nutjob assistant – or whatever Neilina is to you – drug me and tie me up with a sack over my head. Um…yeah…no thanks.”

“I hope you’ll reconsider spending time with me,” he says. “I would like for us to get to know each other better. I think we could come to an agreement of sorts. One that suits both of us.”

Does he really think I’m that gullible?

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite this arrogant before.

“Go fuck yourself,” I snap.

He laughs again, that rich, throaty sound.

“You are mine now, whether you like it or not. Mine to do with as I please.” His expression turns cold.

“If you’re not going to even think about it, I’m going to put you up for auction, Claire.

The highest bidder can have you, and you won’t like where you end up. ”

My stomach drops. “So, I’m going to be someone’s sex slave whether I like it or not? It’s either become your whore or someone else’s?”

“No, you have it all wrong. You won’t be used for sex.”

I frown, confusion mixing with my fear. “What, then? Why would someone want to buy me?”

He sets down his whiskey glass and closes the distance between us in three strides. I want to back away, but I force myself to stand my ground as he leans in close, that dark smile spreading across his face.

“I’m afraid that you would be a slave. You’re right about that. But it wouldn’t be for sex.” His canines sharpen to long, deadly points right before my eyes.

I gasp.

“You would be used for your blood,” he whispers, sniffing at the column of my neck. “I’m sure you will taste divine.”