Furious by Susan A. Bliler Read Free Book Online Page A

up against the wall, effectively caging her, he leaned closer until his breath tickled her side-turned cheek, “I must admit my brother has the most wonderful taste in women.  If you’d like, I could assist you up to your bedchamber.” 
    “ That won’t be necessary,” Draken boomed from behind a startled Nikolai. 
    Immediately, Nikolai dropped his hands and backed away from Lucia, “Just trying to help brother, but as you seem to have matters under control, I’ll bid you both a good night.”  With that, Nikolai vanished through the library’s oak doors. 
    Draken crossed the room and gently pulled Lucia from the corner with a look of concern as he swept black bangs from her forehead, “You needn’t fear my brother.  He knows that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated in my home.” 
    “Could’ve fooled me,” she muttered under her breath. 
    Draken’s eyes immediately turned stony, “Do you think you are so desirable that men can’t resist you?  I assure you, my brother could have his choice of a great many women, he needn’t waste his time with” eyeing her up and down he spat, “used goods.” 
    Annoyed, Lucia pulled her arm from his grasp, “I think I would have made myself clear earlier.  I do not think I am desirable.  As for being ‘used goods’, my sexual history is none of your damn business!  And I’ll tell you this once and for all,” she gritted as she leaned closer to him, her head tilted up to meet his steely gaze, “keep your hands off of me!” 
    She brushed passed him and limped toward the door, but didn’t get far as Draken again grabbed her arm and quickly spun her to face him, “Listen to me you little minx, I take orders from no one.  Certainly not in my own home, certainly not from a woman, and certainly not from the lover of my enemy.” 
    Sparks shot from her eyes as she scowled up at him.  “You will keep your hands off me Draken, and I don’t know what you’ve heard about my relationship with Warren, but you’ve been misinformed.” 
    “You deny being his lover?” 
    With a wicked grin, Lucia purred, “I deny nothing, because I don’t answer to you.  As you pointed out earlier today, I have no one…and that is who I answer to.” 
    A cough at the door ended their argument as Patrick entered and announced in an even tone, “Mr. Shatan, I’m afraid your brother has left his tub running again.  The west wing is flooded, and your brother is nowhere to be found.” 
    Cursing under his breath, Draken picked up Lucia, who offered no resistance, and carried her up the two flights of stairs with Patrick on their heels.  Barking orders to Patrick the entire way, Draken had no choice but to finish his argument with Lucia later.  He placed her on her feet outside her door and left to investigate the damage caused by his brother.
    With one hand on the doorknob, Lucia made to enter her room, but suddenly realized that Draken, Patrick, and Nikolai were all preoccupied.  Immediately, she set out for the library’s telephone. 
     

Chapter 7
    At the top of the stairs, Lucia removed her gloves to give her hands a better grip and placed her cane firmly under her right hand.  She leaned on the stair rail with her left and using her cane to assist, she pain-stakingly descended the stairs.
    Her descent was slow, but she was making progress as beads of perspiration dotted her nose.  With her heart pounding, she was finally safe at the bottom of the landing where she quietly limped back to the library. 
    Crossing the room to the phone, she quickly plugged the cord back into the phone jack, picked up the receiver and dialed Warren’s number.  The phone rang once, but no answer.  A second ring sounded with still no answer.  Lucia whispered, “Come on Warren, pick up!” 
    On the third ring a groggy sounding Warren answered, “Hello?” 
    “Warren!  It’s me, Lucia!” she nearly shouted with excitement. 
    “Lucia, where are you,” Warren