In her entire life, nobody had ever called her cute. She blinked. “I want to trust you. So badly, I want to trust you.” The words were ripped from deep within her, and she couldn’t bite them back. Vulnerability swamped her, but she couldn’t move. Couldn’t retreat and regroup.
He exhaled, his fingers tightening on her butt. “I like all of you, Alexandra, but this sweetness nearly drops me to my knees.” His mouth brushed hers. “It’s just for me, isn’t it?”
She nodded, seeing no reason to lie. “Don’t ask me to be somebody I’m not. Please.”
His body shuddered, and he studied her, those deep eyes delving into everything she was. Finally, he lifted his head. “No running and hiding, then.”
“No.” She knew what it cost him, what a guy like him had to fight within himself not to shove her into a safe cocoon while he slayed dragons. An enforcer for centuries? Yeah, she got that. “We can fight together, though.”
“Absolutely not.”
She lifted her head so quickly, she knocked into the door. “What?”
“No fighting. Not together, and not at all.” He kept her in place. “You can do your job as a cop, with humans. But witches? They’re mine and you stay clear.”
Criminals were criminals, as far as she was concerned. “I protect Seattle.”
“From human criminals. This is a compromise, and you’d better take it while it’s offered.”
That quickly, desire slid to anger. “The second I think you’re not a moron, the very moment I think we’re on the same page, you fuck it up.” She struggled against him, shoving him, trying to push back against the door enough to get some leverage. “Let me go.”
“Never.”
She folded her hand into a fist and punched him in the throat.
He didn’t blink.
Awareness zapped through her, and she opened her mouth, but no sound emerged.
A knock behind the door shocked her.
“Kell? Let me in. We have a problem,” a female voice barked.
Kellach gave Lex a warning glance, turned and set her on her feet before opening the door.
Simone swept in, high-heeled black boots clicking on the marble tiles. Her glorious hair had been piled high on her head in a casual clasp. “You’re not gonna—” She stopped cold. “Well, hello, Detective.”
Kell stepped between them. “Now isn’t a good time. Could we catch up a little later, Simone?”
Lex elbowed him and stepped to the side. “Actually, I was hoping you’d tell me how you knew Trevan Demidov and where he is today.”
Simone paled. Her chin lifted. Old wounds glimmered in her eyes, but she met Alexandra’s gaze evenly. “For a brief time, Trevan was my lover. Then he kidnapped me and my cousin, as well as Cara Kayrs, Garrett’s mum. You’ve met him, right?”
Lex nodded and ignored the angry tension rolling off Kellach. “Yes.”
Simone sniffed, her gaze turning cold. “A vampire killed Trevan, and he’s been dead and not missed for decades.” She moved toward Lex, her grace somehow threatening. “Why do you ask?”
“Rumor has it he might have something to do with Apollo.” Lex held her ground, although she could appreciate how someone might want to stay wary around Simone. The woman promised death in an oddly sensual way. However, hurt glimmered in her eyes.
“Considering he lost his head, I doubt he’s behind the current problem.” Simone stopped an inch from Lex.
Kellach wrapped a hand around Simone’s arm and tugged her toward the open door. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a word with my mate.”
Lex jumped into gear to follow. “Actually, I’ll walk Simone out.”
Kellach turned and planted a hand on her chest, moving her back two feet. “I don’t think so.”
Simone sauntered past him and slammed the door in her wake. The echo vibrated through the suddenly too quiet apartment.
Lex licked her lips and took a discreet step backward.
Kell’s hand dropped, and anger swirled in his eyes. “That wasn’t necessary.”
Sure, it was. “If you’d told me the whole truth, I wouldn’t have needed to ask her.”
“Trevan nearly devastated Simone, and you just brought the nightmare back.” Kell advanced on her, every step a threat. “’Twas unnecessary and cruel, and you won’t behave such a way in my flat again.”
Her head snapped up. “Then get the hell out of my way, and I’ll leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” He continued to advance, a pissed-off male.
She snapped. Anger rushed through her, dark in intensity. Out of nowhere, fire crackled on her skin, and she let the fury flow.
He stopped moving and lifted an eyebrow. “You sure you want to play?”
For answer, she closed her hand into a fist and concentrated on creating fire. Heat flared along her palm. Opening her fingers, she allowed a ball to morph into life, just as he’d taught her.
“One warning, Alexandra,” he said, his focus on her hand.
Unnecessary. Pivoting, she turned and threw the fire with every ounce of strength she could summon.
The weapon pummeled into the door, spreading out and leaving a scorched circle.
“Feel better?” Kell asked, arrogance cutting lines into his handsome face.