“And yours,” I spat back at him.
“Which is exactly why I know you could do it, if it was ever needed.” Harley was beating around the bush, and we both knew it. I had half a mind to spin on my heel and head for the exit. “I want you to provide me with your lovely abilities, should I ever need them.”
“Care to elaborate on that?” My stomach twisted with unease. I had a feeling I knew what he wanted. I wanted to hear him say it.
“A man like me has his share of enemies, Alexa. Should I ever require some powerful backup, I want to be able to call on you. If I teach you about your power, I want access to it.”
He watched for my reaction, and I knew he expected me to lose it. That was exactly what I wanted to do. It took all of my self-restraint to bite back the “fuck you” that threatened to spill through my lips.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke through my teeth. “I don't think so. You don't have that kind of say as far as me or my abilities go. I'll find someone else to help me. Somehow.”
“It'll be your choice,” his words came out in a rush. “But don't forget … any danger that comes my way makes Arys a target, too. He is mine after all. And, as much as you might hate to hear it, I don't plan on leaving this city any time soon.”
“Why not?” Damn. I sounded far too disappointed. “Please don't tell me you are staying on our account. Arys and I were doing just fine before you got here. Better, in fact.”
Harley shoved his chair back and stood up. “Now, now. No need to be petty. My reasons for staying are none of your concern.”
“It is if you're knowingly attracting trouble.”
He chuckled then, slowly crossing the space between us. My nerves were already frazzled. Each step he took stirred my wolf, and I grew defensive.
“Any trouble that finds me will in turn find you and Arys. Don't tell me that you're so ignorant to that fact that you would endanger yourself and your loved ones. Honestly, I fear no one. Yet, if trouble comes knocking, don't for a moment think it won't end up on your doorstep, too. As much as it may kill you to believe it, you are linked to me by blood and power through Arys. Think carefully about what I'm asking you.”
Another step brought him within touching distance. I sucked my breath in and held it, afraid to say or do something I'd regret. I hated that he was likely right. I was tied to him through Arys. As much as it ate me up inside, it was something I had to think about on a deeper level.
Slowly exhaling, I struggled to remain calm. He was just a step away from invading my personal space. Being in the same room with him was enough to ignite a response within me. When he was two feet away and exuding that heavy, inviting energy, it was damn near impossible to resist him. It fed my hunger and stoked the flames of power waiting inside me for the right touch. I swore softly. Between the bloodlust and the power hunger, my resolve was fading fast.
“If you bring trouble to my town, I will drive you out of here. Even if it means ripping your heart from your chest with my bare hands.” The words were a struggle, but I meant every one.
Ignoring me, Harley held a hand close to me, touching my aura but not my body.
Lucky. I glared at his hand, ready to bite his fingers off.
“You are your own weakness,” he said thoughtfully. “If you weren't so stubborn, you would have a substantial amount of control over your power … and your hungers. You need to leave.”
That was surprising. “What?” I asked, unsure if I'd heard him correctly. I shivered as I felt the growing energy between us ripple. He was vibing off me as strongly as I was reacting to him.
“You shouldn't have come here with the bloodlust plaguing you. It causes your entire metaphysical being to be compromised. That in turn speaks to me, calls to me. You have no idea how powerful your allure is.” As he stroked a hand along my aura, it created a fluttery sensation in the pit of my stomach.
“I don't need blood to live. I'm not like you.” My mouth was dry, and the words came out breathy and soft. It sounded like I was trying to convince myself rather than him.
“A useless argument.” Harley moved in a slow circle around me. The feeling of his energy touching mine grew, and I had to focus hard on staying calm. “Can't you feel it?
How easy I could have you.”
Adrenaline flooded me, and my heart increased its pace. Again, I was reminded of how stupid I was for coming here, trusting him on any level. He stopped directly behind me, blocking the doorway. I tried to respond, but the words wouldn't come out. I gasped for breath, feeling like the air had been sucked from my lungs.