Rebel's Consort - Phoenix Book 1 by KH LeMoyne Read Free Book Online Page B

Trace follow her look, a speculative expression crossing his face. Just like that, the unbidden image of danger to her kids flashed through her mind and jolted her into response. She grabbed his wrist and pulled him further out of sight, the low gray light hiding nothing of their expressions.
    “I only brought you here because I didn’t know what to do for Gar. But those children aren’t payment.” She hissed and pointed back down the rock pathway. “They are not up for auction.”
    His glare forced her to take a step back.
    She’d been certain after her first comment that she’d seen shock on his face. She’d almost backed off. The anger there now said something completely different, something familiar that she couldn’t dissect, and it frightened her. Not a comfortable feeling.
    Her emotions and fears were racing ahead of common sense. These children were her responsibility. Even if she’d trusted Trace from a distance, she didn’t have the luxury to trust anyone else with their lives.
    The fact that he’d been so good with Gar had thrown her off her game, made her lose her hard edge, made her drop her scrutiny—not something she could afford.
    “What are you offering me?” He gave a pointed glance from her head to her feet that left a strange flame in its wake, one that died as fury morphed in his expression.
    “I’ll offer you whatever you want as long as you don’t tell anyone about these kids.”
    “Anything?” His growl rumbled as he crossed his arms over his chest.
    She swallowed hard and nodded, stepping closer, though uncomfortable with her overture. He hadn’t refused. If he let her barter with something other than the children’s lives, they’d be even. Maybe he’d even be placated enough to respond to her call if she had a desperate need in the future. He’d always refused monetary credits, said he didn’t need them. She had nothing else.
    “Yes. If this makes us square then anything.” She stepped closer, biting the inside of her cheek to squelch the cold spike of fear. It was only her body. It would be over before she knew it.
    She pressed against his hard body, sliding her hands behind his neck and rising on her toes to reach his face. A real stretch and he towered over her not bothering to help. She pressed her lips against his and met granite. No give existed in his hot, dark expression—only fury. There was no mistaking the emotion now.
    Too late in realizing her mistake, she started to step away only to have his arm whip out and circle behind her back, pulling her tight against him. One hand cupped the back of her head, and he pulled her nose to nose.
    “If you’re going to offer yourself, you have to sell it, Analena.”
    His mouth clamped over hers in a harsh, hot assault. Too stunned to move, she lost control of the little measure of her sanity as his tongue licked at her lips, forcing a gasp and taking control. His claim, unlike the clumsy attempts others had tried to force on her, cajoled and enticed. With a wicked, sinful kiss, he explored, conquered, and destroyed.
    A deep whimper swirled in her throat as she sought more of what he delivered. He pulled back and forced her away at arm’s length, anger still painted on his face, but mixed with another expression.
    “I don’t trade in flesh, not yours and never a child’s. No matter what kind of a monster I am, I’d never sacrifice their safety.”
    Without a backward look, he picked up his duffel and headed down the tunnel.
    Analena bit her lip, his name on her breath as she finally connected the elusive expression she’d seen on his face—self-loathing. A fair match for the regret in her heart.
    Granted, she’d been finding and protecting these kids for years. She had a right to be overprotective. But he’d been helping her do the same thing, and from Aaron’s investigations, she knew Trace had done the same for others even longer.
    His announcement to the kids had been brutal, for them and for him. The gentle