In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online

speed dial. After placing an order for his usual vegetarian pizza, he sat down in his favorite chair and counted off the minutes until the pizza would be delivered.
    Only five minutes had passed when there was a knock at the door, too soon to be his food. He reached for the stout stick he kept stashed next to the door. It wouldn’t protect him against a gun or rifle, but it was all he had. After a quick glance through the peephole, he set the stick down and opened the door to greet his unexpected guest.
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    Devlin took one look at him and said, “You look like hell.”
    â€œThanks. If all you came to do was insult me, this conversation is over.” Barak started to slam the door in Devlin’s face, but the Paladin shouldered his way into the room.
    â€œWhy are you here?” Barak growled.
    Devlin helped himself to one of the three beers in the fridge. “I wanted to hear how your first full day went.”
    Barak gave up on getting rid of the Paladin anytime soon. He picked up his own drink and settled back into his chair. “Why do you care?”
    Making himself comfortable on the couch, Devlin popped the top of the beer. “Because if this deal isn’t going to work out, we need to start making other plans.”
    â€œI can make my own plans, Bane. You are not my keeper.” A surge of temper washed through Barak, hot and bright red. “Now tell me the real reason you’re here. We both know it isn’t for the company.”
    â€œLaurel wanted me to check on you.” Devlin’s lip curled up in a sneer. “She’s worried.”
    For the first time in hours, Barak felt like smiling. Despite Devlin’s well-earned reputation as a cold-blooded killer, his mate had him spinning in circles. The way might never be smooth for the Paladin and his lover, but there was no doubt that it was a love match.
    â€œTell her that I am thriving.”
    Devlin looked at him for a long time. “Which is why you look like hell? What happened?”
    Barak was not about to tell Devlin the truth, so he used the words Lacey had used to describe Barak’s adverse reaction to the mountain. “Altitude sickness. Dr. Sebastian and I made a trip up to Mount Rainier today. Evidently I have not adjusted enough to this world yet to handle the extreme elevation. I should be fine after I eat.”
    As if his words had conjured the pizza delivery out of thin air, the doorbell rang again. He resigned himself to having a Paladin for a dinner companion. At least he’d ordered an extra-large pizza, figuring on eating the leftovers for a day or two.
    Good manners in this world dictated that he ask, “Would you care to join me for dinner?”
    Eyeing the large box, Devlin responded, “What kind did you order?”
    â€œVegetarian.” Barak hid a smile, waiting for Devlin’s reaction.
    Just as he expected, Devlin looked thoroughly disgusted. “Laurel has definitely been a bad influence on you, but I can choke some down. I missed lunch today, and Laurel had to cancel our dinner plans.”
    Barak set the pizza box on the coffee table and brought two plates in from the kitchen. “Help yourself.”
    Neither of them felt the need to maintain polite conversation while they consumed all but one piece of the savory pizza. Devlin eyed the remaining wedge, then smiled at Barak.
    â€œSince it’s your pizza, I’ll leave that one for you.”
    â€œHow very generous of you. Now go home. I want to go to bed.”
    The smile disappeared. “Do you need help?”
    â€œNo, I can manage alone.” Even if it killed him.
    â€œAre you working tomorrow?” Bane asked as he picked up the pizza box and plates and carried them into the kitchen.
    On another day, Barak might have protested, but it would take all the energy he had left just to make it to bed without crawling again. He pushed himself up out of the chair while