Read Online Soulbound by Kristen Callihan - Free Book Online

yet you want me to leave.”
    At this, he let out an exasperated snort. “Gods, woman, can you no’ get it through your head? If they find you with me, you’ll be in a world of trouble. As will I.” His outstretched arms tensed as though he was straining to break free. “What I cannot understand is why you keep returning. Is it amusing you to see me this way?”
    “What? No.”
    “Have you a death wish then?”
    “No.” Her hands fisted her skirts. “I —”
    “What?” he snapped when she hesitated. “Out with it, girl.”
    “Do not bark at me! Nor am I a girl.”
    Adam paused his attack.
    For a long moment, they simply glared at each other. And then the wind went out of Eliza’s sails. “I cannot live amongst these people and keep my sanity.”
    “That’s the first reasonable thing you’ve said yet.”
    She found herself fighting a smile. “Surely not the very first.”
    He clearly fought one as well. “I’ll concede. You’ve said a few more.”
    Eliza laughed, short and soft. Then she looked away, a sudden burning in her eyes making her fear she’d soon weep. And she abhorred weeping. “There is a man. He… his…” Hell, she hated to even say the bastard’s name. “His name is Mellan.”
    Adam’s swift intake of breath had her turning back to him. He’d gone bone white, his lips peeled back in a macabre sneer. His eyes hid nothing, not to her at least.
    “You know this man, don’t you.” It wasn’t a question. Not when he wore that look.
    “Yes.” Adam’s sneer turned to a snarl. “He’s a right, ruddy bastard. The question is, how do you know him, lass?”
    Her icy fingers clenched. “I knew him in Boston. I – my grandfather Aiden died. I didn’t have a dime…” She trailed off, disgust and hot humiliation writhing within. “Ah, well, you know such tales, I suppose. I needed safety and security.”
    “And you sold yourself. To him.” Adam’s words whipped like a lash.
    Eliza glared at him. “He pretended to care, wanted to be my protector. I was naive and foolish.” It was a sad testament that she’d rather Adam believe she’d sold her body than confess the reality of what Mellan had her do. There were worse things than being a whore. “Before I knew it, he claimed that he owned me.” Eliza pinned Adam with a stare. “Sound familiar?”
    The man had the grace to flush. He grumbled a bit but said no more.
    “I ran from Boston to get away from him. And now he’s found me.” Bile burned up her throat as she thought of it. “Worse, Mab claims he’s her brother, and that I am to marry him.” The very idea that she’d marry her uncle… Good God, that Mellan
was
her uncle, made her ill.
    Adam had grown utterly still, his golden eyes roaming her face as though he saw everything all too well. “Mab is your grandmother,” he pointed out softly. “Which makes him your granduncle.”
    “Oh, well that makes it much better, thank you,” she choked out.
    His big body sagged. “What have I to do with all of this? Tell me.”
    She drew in a bracing breath, regrettably, since the room was foul. “I’m leaving. And I’m taking you with me.”
    His response was not what she’d expected. Rearing back until his thick head hit the wall, he scowled fiercely. “No.”
    “What do you mean ‘no’?”
    An imperious black brow rose. “Need I give you a definition of the word?”
    Eliza sat back on her heals, a huff of shock leaving her lips. “Why on earth are you fighting me on this?”
    His narrowed gaze slid away. “There are some things a man cannot outrun. Nor a woman. They will hunt you down, and believe me, they will make you hurt for your desertion.”
    “Which is why I need your help.”
Thick-headed
demon.
    “Have you had a good look at me, lass?” His shoulders bunched, all those sinewy muscles of his chest tightening as one lovely landscape of repressed strength. “I’m not the knight in shining armor you need.”
    “No, but you are the only one