Edge of Desire by Rhyannon Byrd Read Free Book Online

awakened Merrick could provide their kind with the “ultimate” feeding, each escaped Casus would be allowed exclusive rights to the Merrick their return to this realm had caused to awaken. It was an important rule, as only a Merrick could provide the power charge needed for the Casus to “pull” another one of his kind back from Meridian, bringing them across the divide. It was also a rule that Gregory had no intention of following.
    “You knew someone would be coming for him,” she murmured. “That someone’s me. And the others, well, they know he’s here for the Marker. They’ll wait until he’s found it and reached full power before striking, but the competition is only going to get worse. If you’d listen, I can guarantee you’ll be interested in what I have to say.”
    “Better yet,” he growled, “why don’t you just get thehell away from here and forget you ever even heard the name Buchanan.”
    She shook her head, which sent the dark, silky curls tumbling over her shoulders. “I can’t do that, and you know it. But,” she said, watching him carefully, “I was hoping we could make a deal.”
    Shifting so that he faced her on the stool, he asked, “And what exactly did you have in mind?”
    She leaned forward, keeping her voice low to ensure they weren’t overheard by the customers crowding in, some kind of college sporting event getting ready to play on the multitude of televisions situated throughout the bar. When she was done with her explanation, she straightened and took a drink from her glass. Gregory rubbed a hand over his bristled jaw, unable to deny that he was intrigued. He wanted Riley Buchanan, but Pasha’s proposal was tempting. And the conniving little bitch knew it.
    It would mean waiting, but for the prize she was offering, he could stomach holding off. And in the meantime, he’d do his best to screw with the sheriff’s mind. Twist the knife until he had him jumping to his tune. It would be so easy. And, hell, maybe even a little fun.
    “Just think about it,” she said, smiling as she slipped a piece of paper in front of him. She took another drink of her beer, laid a ten-dollar bill on the polished bar, then winked at the blonde who suddenly pressed up close against Gregory’s other side, the giggling girl obviously in the mood to flirt. Pasha was right, he thought. They really did make it too easy.
    Slipping off her stool, the beautiful Casus leaned in close to his ear. “I’ll let you go and enjoy your meal now,” she whispered, allowing her lips to brush against the side of his throat. “But be a good boy and give me a call when you’re ready to talk.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    10:00 p.m.
    H OPE DIDN’T KNOW how long she’d been standing at the deep bay window, staring out into the thick fall of darkness at the faint, flickering glow of light just visible through the trees. Someone was out there, smoking a cigarette. She watched as the tip moved with a slow rhythm each time the person lifted it to their lips, took a drag, then lowered it again. She could just make out the shadow of their body leaning against the trunk of one of the thick, massive maple trees that lined the back garden. The form was decidedly male. Tall. Broad. Rangy and lean.
    Riley.
    A flurry of startled, disquieting emotions took flight inside her, and she pressed one trembling hand to her belly. It seemed so surreal now, and yet she knew she hadn’t imagined the things that had happened earlier that day. Her high school sweetheart showing up in her café, walking back into her life after all these years, blasting her with his sharp, potent energy. God, her skin was still tingling in the places he’d touched her, a wildheat still blooming beneath her skin that made her press her cold hands to her cheeks for relief.
    She should have never stopped throwing pies at him that morning, because once she had, she’d had to breathe…and look at him. It’d been impossible not to stare, her heart beating so