CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

Come to me, Harper.

With a gasp, Harper bolted upright in bed. And cursed. That rumbly, velvet voice called to her day and night; tempting her and teasing her with a promise of sexual satisfaction. Worse, the words snaked over her skin like demanding hands, making raw need inflate inside her – an overwhelming pressure that had nowhere to go. Her whole body felt hypersensitive, edgy, and tingly.

Cursing him to hell and back, she clambered out of bed and headed for the kitchen area, where she switched on the coffee machine. She had seen him twice during the past week; on both occasions he had collected her from the studio and taken her to dinner. It had been a different restaurant each time. He was clearly trying to ensure as many demons as possible saw them together.

As she’d watched people rush to aid, serve, or talk to him wherever they went, it had quickly become clear that he welded a shit load of social power. That fear of him was always present, though. Even humans sensed that there was something dangerous about him.

Each time they were together, he surprisingly made a distinct effort to get to know her, asking questions about her family and the places she’d seen during her travels. He shared some of his own memories with her, though nothing too personal. He’d also hinted at her accompanying him to the conference in New York, wherein the Primes would discuss the matter of electing a U.S. Monarch, since many demons took their anchors to important events. Harper was nosy enough to be considering it, but she wasn’t yet totally sure she—

Come to me.

Again, his voice snaked over her skin. Squeezing her eyes shut, Harper shook her head. For the first time, she responded to his call. Why are you doing this to me? She’d seen the way females responded to him, doubted he’d ever be short of women eager to hop in his bed. She’d also noticed that those women were just like Kendra – tall, elegant, and well-groomed. Harper was none of those things and she was totally okay with it. That didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t his usual type.

I want you.

Like it was truly that simple for him. She scratched at her arm, feeling itchy with the restlessness that was taunting her entire body. His mind brushed against hers, almost as if he was trying to comfort her. She was glad her mental shields were tough enough to withstand him or he’d no doubt pour into her mind until she could feel him everywhere. Telepathy wasn’t an invasion of the mind. It was like one mind picking up the frequency of another and using that channel of communication to speak.

Maybe you only want me because I’m not tripping all over myself to get to you. Demons loved challenges.

A vibe of male amusement touched her mind. We both know it’s more than that, but I’ll admit that your stubbornness is refreshing. His mind stroked hers once more…and then it was gone. And for some stupid, irrational reason, she felt more alone than she ever had before.

It wasn’t only her stubbornness he seemed to find entertaining. Knox also seemed to be enjoying how difficult she found it to adjust to having someone who looked out for her. He’d installed a high-tech security system at her apartment and the studio. He’d also assigned Tanner to be both her driver and bodyguard – something she’d expected Tanner to resent, given that it had to be a boring job. But her new bodyguard made it clear to her that since she was important to Knox, her safety was equally important to Tanner and the other sentinels.

Part of her balked at having a driver, felt it impeded on her independence. But traveling in a Bentley beat using public transport any day. As such, when she left her apartment later that morning to head for work, Tanner was waiting outside. They talked a little during the short journey, at the end of which he parked in a spot outside the studio and, as usual, remained in his car while she went inside.

“Morning,” sang Khloë, who was sitting at the reception desk. “I brought bagels.”

“You mean you stole bagels.”

Khloë just shrugged.

Peeking at Tanner through the window, Devon asked, “Is he ever going to come inside?”

“I doubt it,” replied Harper. “He takes his sentry position very seriously.”

No sooner had Harper began setting up her station than Raini appeared, took her by the arm, and started pulling her toward the back of the studio. “What? What is it?”

“I have something to show you,” said the succubus. Inside the office, Raini dug into a black store bag and pulled out a pair of tailored black pants and an elegant blouse. “What do you think?”

Harper gave the suit an approving nod. “It’ll look good on you.”

Raini rolled her eyes. “It’s not for me, it’s for you.”

“What?” squeaked Harper. “I don’t do ‘elegant.’ I can’t.”

“If you go to the conference in New York, you’ll have to. And if you just lose that expression that dares the world to come at you, you’ll easily pull off elegant. Oh, and I got you shoes to match.”

“I’m not good at—”

“Think of this suit as armor. You’re going to be in a place swarming with high-profile demons, and they’ll undoubtedly be dressed all prim and proper. You’ll feel better if you’re dressed just the same.”

“Armor,” echoed Harper. “I can work with that.”

Raini gave her a beaming smile that lit up the room. “Excellent! One more thing before we get to work: have you tested the bed springs with Knox yet? Why are you scowling? I was just asking.”

Carla Hayden, Knox noted, didn’t look much like her daughter. Although they were both petite, she lacked Harper’s delicious curves. Her facial features were exotic where Harper’s were soft. In addition, Carla’s skin was a golden shade while Harper’s was ivory perfection. There were only three physical traits they seemed to share: height, hair color, and the slightly pointed chin.

When Harper looked at someone, it was with a bold, daring ‘fucking try me’ expression that amused both Knox and his demon. Carla, however, was all smiles and grace and pleasantness. They both had a certain sensuality to their movements. But whereas it was innate and unconscious with Harper, it was superficial and practiced with Carla.

Standing in the office of one of his casinos, Carla nodded. “Mr. Thorne.”

“Sit,” he invited, forcing himself to be civil. He’d suspected the woman would come at some point, wanting to know if the rumors circulating about the identity of his anchor were true. It had been three days since he’d last seen Harper. Three days of his demon hounding him to seek her out, to take her as they both wanted. There was no denying that it was utterly fixated on her.

Knox could admit to being just as impatient to have her. One of the things he liked most about her, despite how contrary it made her, was her independent streak. He also liked that she was upfront, tenacious, and unpredictable. It was a package that fascinated him.

Nervously, Carla cleared her throat. “I hope I find you well and…” She trailed off when Knox held up his hand.

“We both know you didn’t come here to enquire about my welfare, so I’d prefer it if you didn’t make unnecessarily small talk.”

“Very well.” She paused briefly. “I heard that you found your anchor.”

“You heard correctly.”

“I heard her name is Harper Wallis.”

Something about the way she stumbled over the name made Knox realize…“You didn’t name her, did you?”

She averted her gaze. “I had some difficulty deciding on one.”

“You also had difficulty being a mother to her, as I understand it.” So much difficulty she hadn’t even bothered to give Harper a name before dumping her.

“So she told you.” Carla exhaled heavily. “I ask you not to take everything you heard as gospel. The Wallis family have a very one-sided account of what occurred back then.”

“You didn’t leave your child with Jolene Wallis?”

“It’s not as simple as that. I have no idea if Jolene and Lucian told Harper lies about me or if she, like them, enjoys exaggerating the tale. But there is much more to the story than whatever she told you.”

Knox sank into his seat, regarding her thoughtfully. “Why come to me with this?”

“You’re my Prime, and your opinion of me is important to me. I just ask you not to judge me on the information you’ve been given by Harper. It’s clear that – as I feared – you’re angry with me because of what you’ve heard, but please be fair. You have known me for some time. Harper’s your anchor, but the reality is that you don’t know her.”

“I’d say it’s you who doesn’t know her.” Carla seemed abashed, but he wasn’t buying it. “Are you implying that she lied to me? That’s a very serious allegation to make.” And it offended both him and his demon that anyone would accuse Harper of such a thing.

“I know,” agreed Carla, sounding distressed to even consider it. “But it’s that or she’s simply repeating lies the Wallis family have told her.”

“As I see it, if you truly had any regard for her, you wouldn’t have abandoned her.”

“It wasn’t as simple as that. I thought that if I left her with Lucian for a little while, he would bond with her and then we could be a family. It was a foolish plan, and I saw that soon enough. I went back for her, I did. But Jolene refused to let me take her. I tried again and again, but then Lucian took her away. I never had a chance of finding her after that, he was always moving.”

If Carla was lying, she was very, very good at it. According to Harper, Jolene had sent her to live with Lucian when she was four. Was it possible that Jolene had done that to keep her out of Carla’s reach?

“Soon after that, I met Bray and we eventually had our sons. My focus had to be on them.”

“In short, you’re saying that if Jolene and Lucian hadn’t tried to come between you and Harper, you would have been a mother to her?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Hmm. She’s been in Vegas without Lucian since she was eighteen. Yet, you’ve made no effort at all to see her. That strikes me as odd for someone who claims to be so unhappy about not having their daughter in their life.”

“I thought about going to see her, but I knew Jolene and Lucian had filled her head with a pack of lies. I worried that she’d slam the door in my face. I don’t think I could take that.” Carla swallowed hard, the image of an emotional mess. “Do you think she would ever want to speak with me? Has she given you any indication that she might be prepared to do so?”

“Anything Harper tells me will remain between her and me. I’d never break her confidence.”

“Naturally. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.” There was a pause before Carla timidly enquired, “How is she?”

“That’s a question for Harper to answer. I’m her anchor. But I don’t speak for her. Now if you’re finished, I’m a busy man.” But he got the feeling that she wasn’t finished, that there was something else.

Carla immediately shot to her feet. “I understand. Thank you for your time, Mr. Thorne.” When she reached the door, she glanced at him over her shoulder. “Before I go…”

And here it is. “Yes?”

“Please give Harper a message for me. Please tell her that, whatever she may think, I have always loved her. I never stopped thinking about her, wondering where she was and how she was doing. Not even for a single day.” Then Carla was gone, and Levi slipped inside.

“You heard that?” Knox asked him.

The sentinel nodded. “Do you believe her?”

“I’ll concede that there are always two sides to every story, but that’s not to say that I believe Carla’s account. You?”

“She sounded truthful. But…”

“Yes. But.”

“If you asked her sons whether she’s a good mother, I think you’d get conflicting answers. Roan is a self-righteous prick who hops, skips, and jumps at her say-so. Her youngest, Kellen, seems to despise her.” Levi tilted his head. “Are you going to give Harper the message from Carla?”

“I haven’t decided yet. You think I should.”

“I think you want her to trust you. She won’t if you keep things from her – even if your reason is to protect her or her feelings.” Levi grinned. “It bugs you that you can’t control this.”

Of course it did. Knox took control of whatever situation he found himself in. “And that amuses you far too much.”

An unrepentant shrug. “I always figured you’d be indifferent to your anchor, since you don’t need one.”

“It’s not that simple, which you’ll learn for yourself when you find yours. Then I’ll be the one who’s laughing.”

Knox?

He instantly tensed at the wariness in Harper’s voice. What’s wrong?

Who the hell is Silas Monroe? Because he just walked into my office.

Shit. I’m on my way.

Harper eyed her visitor with a mixture of distrust, irritation, and confusion. She’d been going through the accountancy books when there had been a rhythmic knock at the door followed by the immediate entrance of a dark, gangly guy who apparently didn’t have the manners to wait until he’d been summoned to enter someone’s office.

She could sense he was a demon, so he should know better than to invade the personal space of another demon uninvited. That had annoyed her, and because she was in a shitty mood after arguing with Royce again, she’d simply asked, “Who the fuck are you?”

He’d presented her with a huge grin, ignoring the disapproval radiating from her colleagues in the doorway. The grin was pleasant enough, yet…there was something sly in the curve of it. A cunningness that seemed to match the callous glint in his eyes. “Silas,” he’d replied in a British accent. “Silas Monroe.”

“What do you want?” She highly doubted it was a tattoo, since he could have discussed that with Raini or Devon – it was Khloë’s afternoon off. No, this wasn’t about a tattoo. Something was very weird here. She’d instantly called out to Knox, wondering if he knew the guy. She hadn’t expected Knox to declare he was coming, but maybe she should have.

You don’t have to come. No answer. So she focused solely on Silas, who was glancing around the office, as if admiring the décor.

“He said he wanted to speak to you,” Raini told Harper, though she was glaring at his back. “I explained that you were busy right now, but he said he could smell you and then just barged right past me.”

Did he now? Harper slowly got to her feet as she repeated, “What do you want?”

He shrugged. “To have a little chat.”

“I don’t chat.”

“Really? That’s sad.”

“No, it’s not.”

Harper, don’t let Silas touch you, said Knox, his voice hard. I don’t think he’ll be stupid enough to try to harm you, but he’s obviously stupid enough to bother you.

If the fucker tried to touch her, he’d find her pen – which she’d infused with hellfire – lodged up his rectum. He cast the object a wary look as he said, “Come on, luv, there’s no call for rudeness. Let’s start again. Hello Miss Wallis, I’m Silas.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m bored. You can go now.”

He didn’t look in the slightest bit offended. “Now that wasn’t nice.”

“If you want ‘nice’, you came to the wrong fucking person. I’m a fully qualified bitch who’ll happily rip you another ass hole if you don’t get the fuck out of my office.” She arched a brow when he didn’t move. “Why are you still here?”

“More to the question,” began Tanner as he strolled past the girls and into the office, his gaze hard and intent as it locked on Silas, “why are you here at all?” No doubt Knox had sent him inside to protect her if necessary.

“Tanner,” Silas greeted pleasantly. “It’s a surprise to see you.” Yeah? He didn’t actually look all that surprised.

“I asked you a question. I never ask twice. So tell me, why are you here?” Tanner sounded more dangerous than she’d ever heard him.

Silas shrugged casually, though he no longer looked so relaxed. “I’m simply having a friendly chat with the little she-demon here.”

Tanner glanced at her briefly. “She doesn’t look like she considers you a friend.”

“I think I offended her by walking into the room without waiting for a ‘come in.’ I suppose it was kind of stupid.”

At that moment, another demon breezed inside. “Stupid is coming here in the first place.” Just like that, the atmosphere snapped taut with tension. How Knox got there so fast, she didn’t know. Some kind of teleportation, maybe…She didn’t care to figure it out right then.

As his dark eyes locked on hers, her body immediately responded – heating, burning, longing. Her inner demon perked right up, excited to see him, despite the circumstances. He scrutinized her from head to toe, as if checking that she was fine. Then his eyes slammed on Silas, instantly hardening.

“Knox,” mumbled Silas nervously.

When Knox arched a questioning brow at Tanner, the hellhound said, “Silas here claims to be having a friendly chat with Harper.”

Knox narrowed his eyes at Silas. “Just why would you concern yourself with my anchor?” He was so composed, it was chilling. Harper actually felt the room temperature lower.

“Anchor?” echoed Silas.

Tanner tilted his head. “You haven’t heard the rumors about Knox and Harper? Strange.”

Strange? More like doubtful, in Harper’s opinion. Knox had made it public, and news traveled fast in the demon world. But why would Silas play this weird game if he knew Knox was her anchor?

“I’m going to ask you a question,” Knox rumbled as he advanced on Silas. His inner demon wanted nothing more than to rip him apart, and Knox found the idea particularly tempting. But he needed something from the little shit, and he’d get it. “It would be good for you to answer me honestly. I don’t like it when people lie to me. It’s very disappointing.” Silas swallowed hard as Knox halted in front of him. He didn’t cower, to his credit. But his fear was easy to see, and it satisfied Knox’s demon. “Did someone put you up to this, Silas? Or was this little test your idea?”

“Test?” repeated Harper.

Knox didn’t move his gaze from Silas as he explained to Harper. “A test to see just how important you are to me. Just how protective I am and just how quick I’ll act on any issue you might have. The answer to that, Silas, is that she is very important to me. And it would be the height of stupidity to harm her by word or deed, because I will eviscerate anyone who dares to do so.”

Picking up movement near the doorway, Harper noticed that Raini was fanning her face; it was typical that she would find the dominant, protective routine arousing.

“This is the part where you assure me that you are no threat to Harper,” Knox told Silas.

“I’m no threat to her,” Silas swore.

“Good. Before you leave, I want the answer to my question.”

“This was my idea. It was wrong, and I apologize.”

Knox narrowed his eyes as he invaded the demon’s personal space. “I told you that I don’t like it when people lie to me. Why would you want to disappoint me so badly, Silas?”

Harper eyed Knox curiously. He looked merely mildly irritated, but his rage pulsed around the room, unnerving even her inner demon despite that it believed he wouldn’t harm it.

Silas, on the other hand, was sweating with fear. “I can’t tell you,” he mumbled, licking his lips nervously. “I would if I could, but I can’t. I’m under a compulsion.”

There was a long pause, so Harper asked, “Is he telling the truth?” That was when Silas fell to his knees, crying out in sheer agony. He rocked back and forth as he cradled his head, and she instantly knew what was happening. “You’ve thrust your mind into his,” she accused Knox. And that scared the shit out of her.

“The compulsion is strong,” commented Knox, withdrawing from Silas’ mind. “I sensed it. You are unable to give us a name. But I also learned something else, Silas. Do you know what that was? I learned that you were eager to do this. So eager that you volunteered.”

“He didn’t expect you to come,” Tanner theorized. “Did you?”

Silas got to his feet. “You don’t have loyalty to anyone outside your lair,” he said to Knox. “You don’t exactly keep people around you. I didn’t think you’d care.”

It was true that although Knox protected his lair fiercely, he only kept his sentinels around him. And now Harper.

“I didn’t think she’d be important to you,” continued Silas. “You’re too powerful to need an anchor.”

“Do you think flattery will get you out of this?” chuckled Tanner.

Drawing on every bit of strength he had, Knox resisted killing the bastard. His inner demon wanted it badly, reminded Knox how effortless and satisfying it would be. But Knox had to be smart about this. “There’s only one reason I’m allowing you to live…for now…and that’s that I need you to go back to whoever sent you and tell them just how suicidal it would be to harm my anchor. You should also let them know that if they or anyone else ever considers using her against me, they’ll pay in ways they don’t want to imagine.”

A paling Silas nodded and, after one last look at Harper, quickly scampered.

Devon stepped into the room with Raini. “That was really all a test?” Her face suddenly scrunched up and she hissed at Tanner, looking ready to pounce.

Pure male amusement took over the sentinel’s face. “What’s wrong, kitty?” Yeah, hellhounds and hellcats had an instinctive aversion to the other.

“Tanner, follow him,” ordered Knox. “I want to know who sent him.” The sentinel swiftly left and, taking a deep breath, Knox held out his hand to Harper. “Come.” He needed to get out of there, and he needed her with him to keep him calm. Levi should have arrived in the Bentley by now, considering the expertise of his driving skills.

“I’m at work,” she pointed out.

“But she can totally leave early.” Raini was such a bitch. “I’m Raini, by the way. That’s Devon.”

Knox gave them a simple nod of greeting before gripping Harper by the wrist. “Let’s go.”

Harper was impressed by how easily Knox shrugged off Raini’s succubae allure. Tanner, too, seemed to have withstood it very well. As Knox hauled her outside where Levi waited and practically shoved her into the Bentley, she cursed. “You might find this surprising, but I don’t like being dragged around.” He didn’t respond. “Where are we going?”

“My home.”

His ‘home’ turned out to be a goddamn mansion. Holy fuck.

They had barely reached the door when it opened wide, revealing a tall, elegant demon who nodded respectfully at Knox. “Evening, Mr. Thorne.”

“Dan, this is Harper Wallis, my anchor.”

Dan presented her with a polite smile. “I’m happy to meet you, Miss Wallis.”

Unaccustomed to gentility, Harper merely responded, “Um, you too.” No sooner had Dan taken her jacket in the marble foyer than Knox urged her into a high-ceiling living area that was like something out of a magazine. With its mahogany walls and light pine flooring, it might have looked plain if it wasn’t for the blue-tinted windows, the incredible paintings, the ocean blue Persian rug, and the spotlights in the ceiling and on the walls.

At Knox’s gesture, Harper gingerly sat on one of the two beige half-moon sofas that circled a pine coffee table, feeling completely out of place and unable to relax.

A few moments later, a small Hispanic woman appeared. “Mr. Thorne, dinner won’t be ready for another hour. Can I get you and your guest anything?”

“Meg, this is Harper Wallis, my anchor. Harper, this is Meg – the best cook you’ll ever have the pleasure of knowing.”

Flushing, Meg smiled at Harper. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Is there anything I can get for you?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“We’re both fine for now, Meg.” With a respectful nod, the woman scurried away. When Knox saw Harper open her mouth – most likely to castigate him for not asking in advance what she’d like to eat – he said the one thing guaranteed to distract her. “I had a visit from Carla today.”

She blinked. “Really?”

“She wanted to know if there was any truth in the rumors that you’re my anchor. I confirmed that you are.”

“Did she cry?”

Her expression was so hopeful, he had to smile. “No.”

“Damn,” she muttered. Knox moved to a little bar behind them that she hadn’t even noticed until then.

“Drink?” She shook her head, so Knox simply prepared himself a small glass of gin and tonic. “What did your family tell you about her over the years?”

“Not much, actually. Just that I should never think there was anything wrong with me simply because my mother dumped me; that some people are just too selfish to care about anyone but themselves.”

“She claims she tried to see you over the years, that Jolene and Lucian kept her away.”

Harper snorted. “They probably would have kept her away if she’d tried. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t.” Knox’s expression was inscrutable, but she suspected, “You believe her.”

Knox lounged on the sofa, directly opposite her. “What I believe is that it’s important for you to have the facts about your life.”

“The fact is that the woman doesn’t, and never has, wanted me.”

“She asked me to tell you that she’s always loved you, thought of you often.”

“I’ll bet she did.” Carla was, according to Jolene, as cunning as they came. “She’s taking preemptive steps, worried I’ll switch to your lair and request for her to be cast out.”

Knox did want Harper to join his lair, but they’d get to that at a later point. He had to do things one step at a time with Harper or she’d withdraw from him rather than accept his place in her life. “You’re very sure she doesn’t care for you?”

“Since moving to Vegas, I saw her a couple of times. She dismissed me with a haughty look. So, yes, I’m very sure.”

That had anger bubbling inside of him. “Knowing that makes me want to cast her out.”

“Nah, it’ll be more fun to have her stick around. She likes to pretend I don’t exist. But you can’t pretend someone doesn’t exist if they’re being paraded in front of your entire lair, can you?”

Her impish grin made him smile. “You have a lot of Jolene in you.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. Your grandmother is strong and a good Prime.” He took a swig of his gin and tonic.

“So…you can crash right through people’s mental shields and invade their minds.”

He could see that it concerned her. “Even if your shields weren’t impenetrable, it’s not something I would ever have done to you. You never have to fear that I’ll harm you.”

“Because you’re one big, cuddly bear, right?”

“Cuddly? Definitely not. But you’re my anchor, you’re safe with me.” He took another drink of his gin and tonic. “Have you thought any more about attending the conference with me in New York?”

“So you can introduce me to all the other Primes as your anchor?”

“The sooner your importance to me is well-known, the sooner you’ll be considered untouchable.” And the sooner people like Silas and his friends would think twice about bothering her to ‘test’ him.

“I don’t see the point in you introducing me to everyone.”

“I’ve already told you, whether we bond or not won’t change anything. I’ll still be in your life. I have rights to you that no one else will ever have.”

At the sound of approaching footsteps, Knox turned his head to see three of his sentinels striding into the room. He knew them well enough to sense something was wrong. Rising, he asked, “What is it?” When Keenan slanted a glance at Harper, Knox assured him, “You can talk freely in front of her.” One way to get Harper to trust him would be to show her that he was willing to give her that same trust. “Harper, you already know Levi. This is Keenan and Larkin, two of my sentinels. Keenan, Larkin – this is my anchor, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed.”

The moment Keenan’s hooded, blue eyes met hers, waves of need assailed Harper, bringing her senses to life. Incubus, she knew. Like succubae, they oozed sex and stirred a person’s lust with a mere look. Still, it was nothing compared to the effect that Knox had on her body.

Keenan was what someone might call cutely hot with his boyish face, adorable smile, and tall, defined body. Larkin was, in a word, stunning. She had a warrior-type figure, and her wide eyes were an unusual blend of gray and green. She was also the female who, with Tanner, had escorted Harper to Knox’s office in the Underground. Harper wasn’t sure what breed she was.

“A whole building of strays has gone missing,” revealed Keenan. “You know how they sometimes group together for protection, right? Well, every single stray in that building has gone.”

“Where did this happen?” asked Knox.

“In a neighborhood close to where Harper lives.”

Knox stiffened. “No witnesses? No sign of foul play?”

“None,” said Larkin, lounging on one of the sofas. “They just disappeared.”

Harper spoke. “Strays have been going missing?” Knox merely nodded, his gaze suddenly burning with intensity as it focused on her. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Your current address isn’t a safe place. It’s in a high crime area.”

“I’m aware of this. But you say it like this makes me a special case. Lots of people live in that area and similar areas.”

“Their lives aren’t important to me. Yours is.”

As understanding hit her, she shook her head. “Hell no, you are not setting me up in another apartment.”

“You heard what’s happening. Strays near you were taken. I know you’re not a stray, but you can’t deny that it would be better for you to be in a more secure building in a safer area.”

“You installed a security system at my building, remember?”

Keenan suddenly spoke to Harper, wonder in his voice. “You’re not an imp, are you? I figured you were the same breed as the rest of your family.” He studied her closely as he and the other male sentinels took a seat. “What are you?”

Harper didn’t answer, too intent on making Knox see reason. “A better apartment doesn’t equal safety. People from all walks of life are targeted by criminals.”

“Moving away from there would dramatically reduce your chances of being targeted. If you’re worried about rent, don’t. I own the building I have in mind for you.”

“Of course you do,” she muttered. “I’m not accepting any grand shit from you.”

“Is this about pride? Pride won’t keep you safe, Harper.”

“Come on, tell me, what are you?” Keenan begged her as he pulled a flask out of his jacket.

Again, she ignored him. “I can protect myself just fine. I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

The reminder that she’d pretty much raised herself didn’t lessen Knox’s frustration. Just as agitated, his demon pushed to the surface – making Knox’s eyes bleed to black for a second. Knox pushed it back down. “I don’t doubt that you’re capable of protecting yourself. But those strays were probably capable of it too. Yet, they were all taken.”

Keenan interrupted, “Seriously,what are you?”

She sighed at him. “I’m a sphinx.” Seeing that Knox was about to speak again, she held up her hand. “I appreciate the gesture, but no. I don’t want expensive things from you, and I don’t want to move away from my lair. It’s not going to happen.”

“So damn stubborn.”

“I believe I did warn you about that.”

“She did,” Levi verified, smiling.

It took supreme effort to make Knox stop grinding his teeth. The she-demon drove him insane. It was a wise person who acknowledged their strengths and their weaknesses, and Knox was smart about many things. He was good at reading people and what they wanted, at predicting how people would react to situations, and at figuring how to get what he wanted from them – and then at getting it. Harper, however…she left him stumped. “Then we find a compromise.”

“What kind of compromise?”

“Something that enables me to ensure your protection without requiring you to change address. You can come with me to the conference.”

Taking a swig from his flask, Keenan’s brow furrowed. “It might not be a good idea for Harper to be there.”

“Why?” asked Larkin.

“Isla might be offended by Harper’s presence,” Keenan pointed out. “Might even try to harm her.”

“Isla Ross?” Harper turned to Knox. “Is she some kind of jealous ex? Did you two shake the sheets in the past?”

Knox frowned. “No.”

“Then why would she have an issue with me?” When Knox didn’t respond, she sighed. “Fine, you don’t have to tell me.” Harper refused to believe that it was disappointment that hit her on the realization that he didn’t trust her.

If he hadn’t spent the past week studying Harper so intently, he might have missed the hurt in her tone. “It’s not that I don’t trust you with this information. But much like you, I don’t like sharing details about my personal life.” Especially anything related to his past. Seeing that she looked mollified, he relaxed. “But…I won’t have you walk into a situation blind, and as I fully intend to take you to the conference, I will trust you with the facts.”

“I won’t repeat them,” she promised.

“I know you won’t. When I was twelve and my parents died, I was placed in a sanctuary for stray demon children. That’s where I met my sentinels. Isla was also there. We all watched out for each other.”

“So, you’re all kind of close?”

“Yes.”

“Then why would she wish to harm your anchor?” At his shifty expression, she narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Isla convinced herself I was her anchor. I knew she was wrong, but she refused to listen to me. She was angry with me because she believed I was rejecting her. So she left us and joined the lair that she was made Prime of only a decade later.” Knox shrugged. “It could be that she’s realized she was wrong. We’ve come across each other over the years and she never mentioned it. Hoping that it could be forgotten, I never raised the subject. Maybe it has been forgotten. After all, it’s been a long time.”

That made Harper wonder how old he was. Once demons reached their late twenties, the aging process slowed to a crawl. She couldn’t guess his age based on how he dressed or how he spoke. Demons adapted and changed with the world around them – it was how they blended.

“But if she does still believe I’m her anchor, she’ll have some serious anger toward the person she thinks has taken her place.”

“Then announcing I’m your anchor isn’t the wisest thing to do.”

Knox pinned her gaze with his. “I’m not going to keep you a secret just to placate one person who may or may not still be deluded about something. You’re in more danger if people don’t know who you are to me.”

“He’s right,” Levi told her.

Harper sniffed at the sentinel. “I don’t believe I asked for a glass of your unimportant opinion.”

The guy just smiled. “Knox, can I bite her?”

“No.” If anyone would take a bite of that ivory skin, it would be Knox. His demon was in full agreement with that. “Although I don’t like the idea of you being in the same room as Isla when there’s a possibility that she could resent you, I think it would be better for you both to be introduced in a safe environment while I’m at your side.”

“Otherwise Isla, if she is still convinced you’re her anchor, would track down Harper and you might not be there to intervene,” said Levi, correctly guessing where Knox’s thoughts had taken him.

“It’s best to get it over with and find out for sure,” agreed Larkin.

Keenan looked at Harper, seemingly concerned. “Unless you’d rather not go. We’d understand if you were reluctant to be in a dangerous situation like that, if you’re scared.”

Knowing full well that the incubus was using reverse psychology, Harper scowled. “Are you always such an annoying motherfucker?”

Keenan laughed. “It makes life more interesting.”

Hearing his cell phone ringing, Knox retrieved it from his pocket. Tanner. “Tell me.”

“Did you know Silas can travel using shadows?” It was a form of teleportation.

“I’m guessing this means you lost him.”

“He went down an alley, I followed him and watched him blend into the shadows. Then he just disappeared.”

Knox sighed heavily.

“I don’t think whoever sent him will risk pissing you off again. They were just testing the waters. They have their answer now, so there’s no need to do anything else.”

“Maybe so. We’ll just have to be extra vigilant about her protection.” Hanging up, Knox updated the others.

“He tested you? Some people are just fucking clueless.” Larkin flipped her braid over her shoulder. “You should have at least dismembered him.”

Keenan chuckled. “Tanner’s probably right; they won’t try it again. That would be a death sentence, and they have to know that.”

After they talked a little more about it, Knox gestured for the sentinels to leave the room. Turning to Harper, he said, “I won’t coerce you into attending the conference. You can say no.” He wanted her to understand that although he’d be interfering and controlling, he wouldn’t try to make her into a puppet. He liked that she was strong minded and stood up to him.

Feeling at a disadvantage while she was sitting and he was towering over her, she rose to her feet. “I want to go with you.” She was curious about Isla, and this would be one way to stop him from repeatedly moaning about her living situation.

“Fair enough.”

“I still think it would be better for you to walk away from me.”

He threaded his hand through her hair, marveling at how soft it was. “That won’t happen.” It was so very tempting to take advantage of the need pulsing between them and seduce her into his bed. But he wanted her to come to him, willing in body, mind, and soul. He decided not to question why that was so important to him.

“I told you, I don’t get involved with our kind.”

“This was always going to happen, Harper.” From the moment he’d first seen her in the combat circle, when she’d pierced the numbness settling over him, it had been inevitable. “It’s too late to fight it.”

Considering how much her body craved his and how badly her demon wanted him, Harper feared that he might just be right.

“Now come on, let’s eat.”