The Darkest Craving Part 19

"No. No, it's not."

William claimed a cigar from White, and took a drag. Smoke puffed around him as he said, "Clearly I have more faith in you than you have in yourself. You're welcome."

Ashes drifted from the cigar and should have fallen to the floor. Disaster ensured they fell on Kane's arm and leg, burning little holes in his clothing and singeing his skin.

Tink pressed a hand against her heart. "That's so sweet of you to say, sir. What a kind man you are."

Kane looked at her and did a double take. She was serious, he realized, and she was gazing at William as if he were everything she'd ever wanted but had never really thought she could have. Razors of jealousy cut through Kane and calmed the demon.

"Did you hear stories about him, too?" he demanded.

"No. I can just tell you're lucky to have a friend like him."

"William's not sweet," he gritted. "I've seen the b.l.o.o.d.y results of his temper tantrums."

"And I've heard of the b.l.o.o.d.y results of yours," she quipped.

William beamed up at her. "I like you."

"I'm glad, because I have a proposition for you," she said to him.

"No, she doesn't." Kane squeezed her tight, silencing her.

"Go on. I'm listening," William prompted.

"The night I left you in that club, I went looking for a key into Seduire," Kane said before Tink could decide to talk over him. She was stubborn like that. "All the while, you clearly already had one."

"Nah. I would have flashed here, but I had to buy one for my kiddies," the warrior said.

"By buy he means steal," Red said, not even bothering to look over at them. "And by steal I mean kill for."

Stated so simply, it was a testament to the hardness of the warrior's heart. To the savage lengths these men would go to get what they wanted. Bring it.

"Your kids-" even saying the word in conjunction with the powerful warrior felt odd "-were okay with coming here and helping me?"

"Don't be ridiculous." Grinning all over again, William waved the question away. "You heard the part about the battle royale, right? No, they weren't okay with helping you. I had to promise they could have a real down and dirty brawl with you, with blood and broken bones and maybe missing body parts. It's going to be great!"

Tink melted against Kane, as if trying to use her body as a s.h.i.+eld to protect him. The scratchy material of her uniform irritated his exposed skin. How could she stand wearing that thing?

Every gla.s.s on the table shattered, liquid spilling, warriors cursing.

"When is this fight to take place?" Kane asked, unperturbed.

"Have you not been listening to anything I've said?" William dabbed at the wet stain on his leg. "After the game."

He thought for a moment. "I would love nothing more than to engage your sp.a.w.n in a showdown. Tink-uh, I mean, Josephina-and I will be back by the time your game is through." He actually wanted to take her shopping more than he wanted his revenge. She wasn't going to wear rags while everyone around her wore riches.

Anyone who didn't know Kane might have thought he planned to run away. But William knew him better than that. "And Tink is what you call her? Really? I would have chosen Ivanna B. Withw.i.l.l.y. What? It's a good, solid name."

Can't respond to that. Will just encourage him. "Meanwhile," Kane gritted, "the princess is your responsibility. Don't let her get into any trouble."

William thought for a moment, nodded. "You do remember that I like to sleep with my responsibilities, right?"

Yeah. He did. "I also know you'll be tempted to throw her to the wolves once you get to know her, but don't harm her or let anyone else do so, either." The king would protest, and Tink would be liable.

"So...you're saying you won't mind if I seduce your future wife?"

"I wouldn't mind, but I don't want you to go that far. She could get in trouble, and they'll try to make Tink bear the punishment. So, feel free to flirt with her, even make out a little, if she wants, but no more than that." Synda would be amused, and stay out of trouble.

Two birds, one kinky stone.

William placed a hand over his heart. "I think you just moved to the top of my best-friend-forever list."

Kane rolled his eyes, stood, and held out his hand. "You got a revolver or semi I can borrow?"

"Borrow? No. Pay to use for a short time? Yes." The warrior slapped a .44 in his hand. "I'll let you know the price tag later."

"Thanks." Kane stashed the weapon at the back of his waist and ushered Tink out of the bar. Chairs sc.r.a.ped the ground, and he knew the three males, and maybe even White, had just stood, intending to come after him.

He heard William say, "Settle down. He's coming back, and then he's yours."

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

JOSEPHINA HAD NO idea what was going on. "Where are you taking me?"

"Shopping."

"Shopping? Without Synda?"

"And then the fight," he continued, as if she hadn't spoken.

"But it'll be three against one," she squeaked.

"I know. It's hardly fair for William's kids, but they're insisting so what can I do?"

They walked away from the black-haired devil with eyes so cold and Fae-like she'd known he would deliver a deathblow to a female without pausing to ask questions. He was the answer to her problems. Now, however, she looked back at him with dismay.

He winked at her.

She scowled at him. He was okay with Kane getting hurt, and that made him unacceptable on every level.

Kane forced her to clear the door of the tavern and enter the daylight. The streets were a little more congested with horse-drawn carriages, and the pathways littered with chattering Opulens and the servants trailing a few feet behind them. The moment a gaze landed on Josephina, any gaze, it darted away. Voices tapered to quiet, and bodies inched out of reach, as if touching her would cause some kind of disease.

"What is such a magnificent man doing with her?" one of the Opulens said to her friend.

"Males do like to slum it upon occasion."

Josephina tugged against Kane's grip, a puny motion, really, but one he allowed to slow him nonetheless.

"Shut your mouths before I do it for you," Kane snapped.

They shrieked at his vehemence and ran away.

Josephina blinked with surprise. "Why are we shopping without Synda?" she asked, trying again.

Again he ignored the question. "They're treating you like a wh.o.r.e, and it's going to get them killed."

"To them, I'm a human servant without a mistress in sight. I have no business being in this part of town, alone with a man, unless I'm getting boned by him on a daily basis."

One of his brows arched. "Boned. Who taught you to talk like that?"

"You! I studied you and your friends for years, remember, and picked up on your verbal cues."

He ma.s.saged the back of his neck, and she wasn't sure whether he was fighting a smile or a scowl. "I hate the double standard here. Those same women would have stripped for me just last night, and I wouldn't have had to speak a word."

She gaped at him. "Uh, maybe we should get a bag for your ego. That might make it easier for you to carry it around."

His lips twitched for several seconds-definitely fighting a smile. "Let's get you out of sight before I gouge out a few eyes and dangle them from a necklace I'll be presenting to you as a gift."

I would totally wear that.

They leaped back into motion. He bypa.s.sed the shoe shop, the ribbon store, the millinery and stopped in front of one of the dressmakers.

With his hand on the doork.n.o.b, he said, "What do the Fae use as money?"

"You might find this hard to believe, but...money."

Another twitch, before his frown returned. "What happens if someone touches the skin on your face or your shoulders?" As he spoke, his gaze traced the areas in question-and glinted with hunger. "The same thing that happens when they touch your hands?"

Her ability to breathe abandoned her. Was he thinking about touching her here, now? Her blood heated, and her knees almost buckled. "No. My hands are the only problem."

Did that needy voice belong to her?

"And you know this because..."

"Because I had a mother, and she told me so. Back then, I couldn't control what happened with my hands-" and still might not be able to "-but nothing ever happened when she helped me dress."

He lifted his hand, his fingers closing in on her face. A tremor shook her. Any second now...

Two giggling girls walked past them.

Cursing, he dropped his arm to his side. "Okay, then." He stalked into the small building, tugging her behind him. A bell tinkled overhead. The scent of floral perfume hit her first, the preferred fragrance of the Opulens and one she despised. Kane clearly felt the same. He wrinkled his nose and pursed his lips-and he looked utterly adorable doing it.

I've got to get this...whatever it is under control.

An older woman with silver hair and typical Fae eyes sauntered out from the back. She wore the current fas.h.i.+on, an elaborate gown of yellow silk, material twisted along the belled skirt to form a bouquet of roses. Her skin was lined from a life of hard work. Like Josephina, she was half Fae, half human, but unlike Josephina, she would age to her death. The human part of her was clearly stronger than the Fae.

"I'm Rhoda, the owner," she said, the words slow and precise. Her expression brightened. "And you're...you're...you. How may I help you, Lord Kane? Anything you desire is yours."

"I want her," Kane said, dragging Josephina forward and forcing her to stand in front of him. He placed his hands on her shoulders to ensure she wouldn't bolt, a tremble spilling from him and into her. "Better dressed."

Maybe it was irrational, but once the initial shock wore off, she experienced a sudden urge to cry. She wasn't good enough as she was. Her father had told her. The queen had told her. Now, Kane's actions told her. The mighty Lord of the Underworld beloved by all didn't want to be seen with a servant wearing rags.

Her gaze met his in the mirror across the room, and he frowned.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

I can hold it together. At least for a little while. Later, she would probably hide under her covers. "Don't worry. I'll walk behind you from now on. You won't have to be seen with me."

His fingers dug into her. "Sweetheart, I don't like the way this material chafes your skin. It's too pretty to be streaked with red."

Oh. My.

KANE TIGHTENED HIS grip on Tink, and the trembling in his hands increased.

He wanted this woman. So bad.

He wished he were the man he used to be. He would have laughed and flirted with her, relaxing her. He would have charmed her, delighted her. She would have welcomed his attentions-would have even begged for them. Instead, he'd hurt her feelings in the worst way.

"Please, let me do this for you," he said.

She turned and faced him, peering up at him with those electric blues he should have found as unappealing as all the others, but...hers were different.

He liked that they changed colors with her moods. Liked that right now they were laced with multiple shades of blue. A mix of light blue, dark blue and something in between, creating a sort of poetry, a kaleidoscope of loveliness no one would ever be able to re-create.

"It's a wonderful gesture, and I am beyond grateful, but you can't. I can't wear anything but my uniform. If I do, everyone will have permission to tear the clothing off me-no matter where I am or who I'm with."

And she would end up naked. As beautiful and naturally sensual as she was, the men around her would gawk, possibly reach out and touch her. Possibly even try to do more.

A bead of rage rolled through him, growing larger the deeper it reached.

He looked to Rhoda. "Make her a new uniform, just in softer, better quality material. And add pockets. Lots of pockets." He wanted her armed and at the ready at all times. Prepared-as he hadn't been. "Can you finish it within a couple hours? I want her to leave wearing it."

"Of course, of course, that's what I'm known for" was the reply. "I hate to bring this up to so distinguished a customer, but...how will you pay, my lord?"

"With this." He withdrew the wad of cash he'd stuffed in his boot before beginning this journey.

Rhoda nodded. "Very good. I'll take her back and-"

"No. She stays within my sight at all times."