Page 110 of To Catch A Rogue

"Honoria doesn't look like that."

"No, and that's disgusting." His hand slid over her ass. "Just remember.... Buckskin breeches. Or better yet, nothing at all."

He was still laughing when a woman wearing wet blue silk sauntered directly into their path, the eyes behind her mask locking on Charlie. "What a delicious piece of flesh you own," the woman breathed. "He's so tall. So broad through the shoulders."

Gemma had warned them about this.

Pets belonged to whoever held their leash, but there would be some blue bloods here that attempted to make a play for what belonged to others.

Blood might be spilled, and she'd be expected to hold her own if she was to try and prove herself one of the Blood.

"He's not for sale," Lark told her.

The woman reached out and cupped Charlie directly between the legs, and Lark had a knife at the woman's throat before she knew it.

"Get your fucking hands off him before I cut your throat," she snarled, and the woman laughed and moved away, shooting the pair of them a suggestive look over her shoulder.

"Fuckin' jaysus," Charlie breathed.

"Are you all right?" It was one thing to make him blush herself, quite another to have someone touch him so explicitly when he couldn't even protest.

"I've never really wanted to hit a woman before, but that was close." He cupped his groin. "Blood and ashes, she dug her nails in."

Lark stroked his sleeve. "Do you want me to go find her?"

He shook his head, caressing her side. "No. Best not make enemies. I survived and everything's still there."

"Maybe I'll kiss it better later." The words were out of her mouth before she could retract them.

Charlie froze. A sultry look came into his eyes as his hand softened on her skin. "Maybe I'll let you." He winced. "That is not helping the situation."

"Oh, it's a situation now, is it?"

He looked like he wanted to eat her alive. "I've never seen you like this before. I like it."

"Of course you do."

She laughed, but as she threw her head back, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure and froze.

Nikolai Koschei leaned on the balcony overlooking the room, wearing black from head to toe. His gaze appeared bored until it locked upon her.

She had the feeling he hadn't recognized her until now.

Nikolai turned to murmur to the beautiful Japanese woman at his side.

Charlie followed her gaze. "Isn't that interesting? The head of theChernyye Volkijust happens to show up. It's almost as if he's dogging our steps."

"Or involved in this conspiracy up to his neck." Lark tugged the leash. "Come with me. I'll see if he'll reveal something to me."

Charlie had told her about last night's rescue. It made her head ache. Some of the Wolves were not to be trusted, but some were? She didn't know what was going on within the ranks of theChernyye Volki, but it intrigued her.

Had Nikolai demanded she and her friends were not to be touched?

Or was she hoping for too much?

"Yes, Mistress," Charlie said, though his eyes glittered angrily as he signed,"Be careful."

"Always."