Cherise Sinclair - Dark Citadel

“Damn you.” She choked on the words, pain growing inside her. “I d-deserve more than this. I'm going to find someone who will appreciate me.”

Silence.

Furious, she sliced at him one last time. “You know, you're not mourning her anymore; you're just too scared to move on.”

Hand over her mouth, trying to keep the sobs inside, she ran from the clearing. Ran until she discovered a fence at the far end of the Gardens. Wrapping her arms around herself, she slumped against the rough wood. Tears slid down her face onto her bare breasts as the angry fire inside of her faded, then died, leaving only ashes behind. She wanted to go home, home where her life was safe and normal, where Prince loved her.

Finally she took a shuddering breath and shook her head at whining like a child not getting something. Someone.

God, how pitiful. She pushed off the fence. Walking through the mist-filled Gardens, she caught glimpses of others, flashes of bare skin, eyes watching her. The whole place had probably heard her yelling. She didn't care. Didn't care about this place, this lifestyle, or about him either. Especially not about him. He was so stupid, so dumb, so cowardly, and she…

Wanted him. Damn him. How had she gotten so…attached…as he called it, despite all his warnings?

But she had. And he didn't return the sentiment. Fine. She wanted to spit at the bitter taste in her mouth. Spit at him. She'd find someone who did want her. There must be other clubs in Tampa.

But the thought of someone else touching her made her—

“Kari.” Dan's deep voice came from across the secluded glade. He stepped out of the shadows, the moonlight carving shadows across his muscular chest. “You're right, sweetheart. I didn't—”

Growling like an animal, someone slammed into him, knocking him against a tree. Kari heard the thud of his head against the trunk. He dropped, stunned.

She started to run to him, then stopped. The attacker was tall. Blond hair glinted in the moonlight. “Buck?” Kari whispered.

“You leave her alone, you bastard,” Buck yelled. Straddling Dan, he punched him in the face.

“No!” Kari yelled, running across the clearing. She kicked Buck in the back of his head, her bare foot bouncing off his skull.

He turned. “Kari, honey. I heard you yelling. I'll—”

Dan hit him hard, knocking him completely over. And then Dan was on his feet, legs spread, waiting for Buck to stand.

“You hurt her,” Buck spat out, his face contorted with hatred. He pushed himself to a kneeling position, fog swirling around his thighs and hands. “I'll take better care of her than you ever could.”

Dan's face tightened. “Just leave, you idiot, while you can.”

Buck jumped up, holding a heavy branch from the ground. He swung, clubbing Dan's upper arm.

Dan jerked back. Blood oozed, black in the dim light becoming a trickle running down his arm. “Hell, you're persistent.” Dan crouched and moved sideways, staying just out of reach.

“Buck, stop,” Kari yelled. He ignored her. “Red, red, red!” she screamed at the top of her voice. Oh, God, somebody. Please come.

Buck jumped at the sound, then turned his head. Dan slapped the club aside and slammed a fist into his face, then punched him in the stomach, folding him over. Bringing his hands up, he caught Buck's jaw and tossed him backward. The man hit the ground hard.

Relief flooded Kari. Thank you, thank you, thank you. She released the breath she'd been holding.

Master Nolan burst into the clearing, skidded to a stop. His glance flickered over Kari, Dan, and then Buck. He shook his head. “Didn't know you were into ménages,” he said in a dry voice.

Dan snorted. Frowning down at his arm, he shook his head in disgust. “I'm getting slow.”

Kari had moved to help him when Master Z appeared. He put an arm around her and pulled her against his side. “Are you hurt, little one?”

“I'm all right.” She attempted a laugh. “I even got a kick in.”

“Indeed.”

As Master Nolan tied something around the gash on Dan's arm—a silk cloth he probably used for restraints—Kari took a step forward, wanting to make sure Sir was all right. She stopped herself. He didn't want her. She had to remember that.

Dan rubbed his jaw, glanced at the makeshift bandage. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Nolan nudged Buck with his foot and got a groan. “I'll even take the garbage out.”

Master Dan motioned to Kari. “Let's get you out of here before anything else happens. I'll find someone to take you home.”

She considered arguing. Could they maybe talk this out? Then she shrugged. What was the point?

He put his hand against her lower back, the warmth against her bare skin reminding her she was naked. “Let's go.”

Master Z and Nolan came behind them, half dragging the stunned Buck.

Just before they reached the door of the mansion, Master Z called, “Kari, I want to speak to you. Dan, please help Nolan with this idiot.”

Master Z stepped to one side so Dan could take Buck's other arm. As the men moved away, Kari joined Z in the shadows.

Z studied her face. “Did the violence leave you shaken?”

“Not really. Not now.” She looked at her hands. Not even a tremble. “I've seen fighting. I teach high school, and I swear there's a brawl or two every lunch period.”

He chuckled. “No wonder you kept your head so well.” He turned his head to watch the men. Another DM ran out to help with Buck. “Do you still want Dan?”

The unexpected question shocked her, and a wave of longing welled up in her, tied her tongue.

“Well, that emotion is clear enough; you definitely want him.” Smiling, he rubbed his knuckles over her cheek. “He wants you too, Kari, much as he'd like to deny it. And between your walking away and then Buck wanting you back, his defenses have been shaken. But if he goes home now, he'll shore them back up.”

“What can I do?” she asked, frowning at Sir's broad back as he handed Buck over to the other men.

“Kitten, if you run, he'll chase you. He won't be able to help himself after fighting another man for you. Once he catches you…” Z sighed and shook his head. “I can't predict how he'll react at that point.”

He'd catch her. Probably be pretty angry too. She bit her lip. “He'd never hurt me. Not in anger.”

“You know him well then.” Z tilted his head and waited.

He might hurt her heart, though. Again. The jerk. “I'll do it. Who knows, maybe Master Nolan will catch me first.”

He barked a laugh. “You've got a mean streak, little one. Go now while you have a head start.”

Having disposed of the asshole, Dan walked back out into the Gardens. He felt strange. Lighter. Probably from pounding on Buck. A fight was a damn good way to unload emotion. He'd enjoyed the hell out of planting his fist in the guy's gut. God knew he'd needed to punch someone and—his step stalled—and Marion wasn't around to yell at. Much of that anger he'd expended had been at her.

But he wasn't angry anymore. How could he be? She'd paid horribly for her mistake. Oddly enough, his guilt had disappeared with the anger. Someday, he'd have to thank Kari.

But right now, he wanted to take her home. He might feel better, but he still had no intention of getting involved or… He frowned. Z stood alone in the shadows of the trees. “Where's Kari?”

“Went back in.” Z jerked his head at the Gardens.

“What the hell do you mean she went in? You let her go back in the Gardens?”

Z shrugged. “She wanted to play some more. Said maybe Nolan would find her before you.”

“Did she now?” Nolan walked up behind Dan. “Guess I'll have to—”

Dan growled. “You take one fucking step farther, and I'll take you apart.”

The corner of Nolan's mouth tipped up, and Dan let out a breath. Hell of a lot of control he was showing. “Sorry, Nolan.”

But hearing that asshole Buck say he'd take better care of her, when Dan had been trying to find her to apologize, and now to have Nolan doing the same…

“I'll go get her,” he told Z. “And then I'll beat her ass for a while.”

“Indeed.”

Her curved bottom, soft under his hand. Her mouth quivering. Her eyes warming at the sight of him. “I'll find her,” he repeated.

She ran.

One corner, then another. He was going to be… The word annoyed wasn't nearly descriptive enough. The thought increased Kari's speed. Her glow-sticks shone too brightly, beacons in the eerie fog. She whipped around a fountain, circling toward the right. How had she let Master Z goad her into this?

She shook her head, knowing the answer. Stupid Kari. How many times was she going to let him hurt her?

At the right corner of the Gardens in a wide clearing, the grass hadn't yet been cut. The cool strands brushed over the top of her feet. She slowed and dropped to her knees. If she sat on her ankles, only a faint gleam from her ankle bracelet escaped through the higher strands. She tucked her glowing wrist between her legs and scowled when the light lit her pale skin faintly pink. But if he didn't get too close, he wouldn't see it.

He wasn't the only one in a bad mood after all, and she felt like making him work a little.

From the right, a man shouted in victory. Kari hunched closer to the ground. A panting fight from another direction ended in a woman's shriek and a man's rumbled satisfaction. The minutes passed. Her legs started to cramp.

Had he given up? Maybe he didn't even want her, hadn't even come after her at all.