Read Online Bonds of Blood by Shauna Hart - Free Book Online

who wants to help.”
    She backed away.
    “I’m not going to hurt you Kat.”
    She lifted her chin slightly.  “What happened the other night?” she repeated her tone firm.
    He had to tread carefully with her.  With Damien setting his sights on her, it was very important that she trust him.
    “We met at the club,” he began.
    “That much I remember,” she replied sarcastically.
    He ignored her barb as he continued.  “It was pretty clear that you were on something,” he explained.
    Her jaw clenched.  “I don’t do drugs.  All I had that night was wine .”
    “Was it the house wine?”
    “Yes,” she said.
    He let out a heavy sigh.  “The house wine is laced with a mild aphrodisiac.”              
    Her gaze bounced around the room as what he was saying began to sink in.  “They’re drugging people?”
    He gave a slight nod.
    Her eyebrows drew together.  “Why would they need to drug people?”
    When he didn’t answer her, she pinned him with a serious stare.  “It’s about the missing girls, isn’t it?”
    ****
    The fact that he looked away let her know that her question had definitely hit the mark.  Even though, she had a million questions piling up, one was at the immediate forefront.
    “How do you know all of this?”
    “I’ve been investigating them for some time,” he explained.
    Her eyes narrowed.  “Are you a private investigator or something?”
    “No,” he said shaking his head.  “I just hear things.  Things that make me concerned.”
    She tilted her head to the side, a frown forming on her face.  “And why exactly are you so concerned?  Did you know any of the missing girls?”
    He stared at her for so long that she began to think he wouldn’t answer.  But then he spoke.
    “One of the girls who went missing is a friend of mine’s sister.  He asked for my help.”
    “I’m sorry,” she managed.
    He nodded, not making eye contact.
    “So, that’s why you were at the Dragon’s Lair the night we met?”
    He shrugged.  “I wanted to see it for myself, to see if I could get any information about what was going on.”
    “And?”
    “I saw you.”
    Her breath caught in her throat.
    “I could tell that you were under the influence, and I couldn’t watch it happen again.  Especially to you,” he said solemnly.
    With that answer, all of the air in her lungs seemed to evaporate.   The attraction between them seemed to smolder in the air.  It was undeniable, almost palpable as he looked at her, and there was no avoiding it.
    “So, what do we do now?”
    “You tell me.”
    She walked across the room to stand before him.  “Since we’re both after the same thing, I say we start working together.  We’ll go to the club together tomorrow.  It’ll be safer that way .”
    His lips curved into a smile so sensuous she felt her entire body shudder with desire. 
    Slowly, he reached out a hand to her, his gaze never leaving her face. “Partners?”
    She placed her hand in his.  She couldn’t help but notice how his skin was cold to the touch.  It cooled her hand, which seemed to be burning.
    “Partners.”
    The word sounded husky, like an erotic invitation.  She felt color creep into her cheeks as she heard the way it slid through the air as it left her mouth.  He must have heard it too because his eyes darkened. But before she could think of something else to say, he saved her the fight.
    He placed his other hand on top of hers, trapping it between his. 
    “Be safe, Katarina,” he murmured, as he let himself out the door.
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 11
    Alec stared up at Kat’s balcony.  They would be coming for her soon.  He was certain of that.  And once they learned her true identity they would never stop.  That is why he couldn’t leave this corner.  He had to protect her.  That fact was why he couldn’t watch her from a closer proximity.  He didn’t trust himself to be up there. 
    Not after what happened the other