Read Online Marked by Rebecca Zanetti - Free Book Online Page B

loud.
    He reached his limit the fifth time he sat her down. “Enough.” Dropping to his haunches, he ripped off her boots and socks.
    “Hey—” She stood up in bare feet. Adorable, small feet with nails painted a stunning scarlet. Delicate, feminine, and sexy. His heart thumped. Hard.
    Sucking up air in an application of string theory, he concentrated and ran through space and time to end up in Seattle, where he threw the boots in a trash can. His temples pounded, and his gut churned in warning. Ignoring the risks, seconds later he returned to the cabin and landed on his feet. Each teleport weakened him, and he needed to knock off the quick jumps.
    Janie stood where he’d left her. “Where are my boots?”
    “Near the Space Needle.” Even stubborn Janie wouldn’t try to traverse the freezing ground without shoes. Zane ignored his headache and flipped on the lights to reveal the cozy one-room cabin. He had Janie right where he wanted her, and the responsibility sobered him. “The generator is full of gas, but I’ll light you a quick fire.”
    A stone fireplace took up one entire wall, while the bed lay opposite it. A small kitchenette made up the other wall. He’d left kindling, wood, and paper in the fireplace the day before and just had to light it now. He made quick work of the materials, and soon the crackle of warmth filled the space. “There’s a bath just off the kitchen.” He stood and pointed.
    Janie remained in place, her skin pale. “Did you arrange the attack on my family?”
    “No.” Zane dusted off his hands, wanting more than anything for her to believe him. He had to see that trust in her eyes again. It was shocking how much he missed it. “Suri and Kalin reached an agreement yesterday, but Suri decided to double-cross Kalin and kill you. I spent a good portion of the night coming up with a counterattack to get you to safety before a bomb took you out.”
    She gasped. “At least Kalin doesn’t want me dead.” She pushed auburn hair out of her face.
    Zane sighed. Why did she have to be so damn appealing? All he wanted to do was cuddle up with her by the fire and chat. Flirt. Maybe kiss and forget who he was and what he’d done. Yet instead, he had to go wage a fucking war and probably commit more acts to damage any humanity he still had. “Suri wants you dead, and he had no problem betraying Kalin.”
    Janie blinked. “Please take me back. I have to know they’re all okay.” Vulnerability chased fear across her face.
    Zane’s chest hurt. “I’m sure they’re okay, Jane. I’ll check on them as soon as I can.”
    “Where are you going?” She glanced around the cabin as if looking for a way out.
    “To protect my family.” He wanted to touch her, to try to reassure her. How could he make her understand? “If Kalin gets to you, then my family is no longer necessary to Suri. I have to get them to safety.” And keep Janie safe. Nobody knew where she was. “This keeps you out of danger, too.” He needed her to trust him.
    “I don’t want to be out of danger.” She shook her head. “I have a job to do, and hiding in the Alaskan wilderness won’t accomplish anything.”
    “Just give me some time.” He brushed snow off his hair.
    She reached him in two strides. “I’m sorry, but I can’t. We have to go back.”
    He slid a knuckle down the side of her face. Silk and cream . . . softer than he could’ve ever imagined. “I’m sorry, Belle.” He closed his eyes and began to teleport, stopping short as pain ricocheted up his spine.
    Maybe he should let his system recharge a little bit. If he destroyed his body, he’d be no good to anybody.
    She shivered, while her lips remained a pale blue.
    “Damn it.” He drew her toward the two chairs fronting the fireplace and gently pushed her into one. “At least warm up while we argue.” Keeping her hand, he settled into the other chair.
    “Let’s not argue.” She flipped her hand under his and laced her fingers through