“Isla was correct when she said that electing a Monarch could bring some form of order,” said Dario. “But, like Malden, she wants to be Monarch for all the wrong reasons.”
“Is that right?” Harper’s disinterested tone didn’t faze him.
“What they want isn’t order. It’s power. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Hmmm.”
“They’re not interested in the well-being of our kind. Surely you see that.”
She sighed. “Let me just save you some time, Dario, and make it clear that nothing will warm me to the idea of having a Monarch.”
“Then you’re failing to see the bigger picture.” He stepped close to her, too close. Beside her, Tanner growled, but Dario didn’t seem to notice. “You’re a smart girl, Miss Wallis. I can see that sharp mind right there in your eyes. You have to know that electing a Monarch is the way forward.” He held out his hand. “How about you and I go to the bar, discuss this further?”
“Why would we do that?”
Knox’s mind brushed against hers, bringing a shocking vibe of black jealousy. Why is Dario so close he’s practically touching you?
He’s just trying to get my vote. And she didn’t appreciate the accusatory tone of Knox’s voice…like she was flirting with the asshole or something.
“Dario,” Knox drawled as he and Levi joined them. Knox didn’t return to her side. He moved to Dario’s side instead, but his focus was on Harper – his brooding eyes glittered with jealousy, possessiveness, and anger.
As Dario turned to face Knox, he immediately stepped back at his dark expression. “I was just talking with your anchor.”
“I see that.” And it took everything Knox had not to gut the prick, especially while his demon’s predatory possessiveness was whipping through him. It wasn’t just because Dario had edged into Harper’s personal space. It was because not only was there a covetous glint to his eyes, a greedy desire to possess, but because Dario was telepathically broadcasting that desire loud and clear.
Knox was powerful enough to pick up stray thoughts and images from people’s minds if their shields weren’t solid. Dario was very clearly imagining Harper naked beneath him, her legs wrapped around him while he fucked her hard. Not a picture Knox wanted in his head.
He could understand Dario’s urge to have her. Harper was beautiful, unique, without guile, and so aloof that it was a challenge to any male demon worth his salt. Knox had picked up that challenge. But she was also his and…and now Dario was fantasizing about her sucking him off.
“I suggested that she and I could go to the bar for a—”
“That won’t be happening,” Knox rumbled. “And neither will the shit that’s going through your head.”
Dario paled. “We were just going to discuss the election, that’s all.”
Knox could sense Dario doing his best to clear his mind, to keep a firm grip on his fantasies, and to focus totally on Knox. But, as if the pressure was simply too much for him, Dario’s fantasies all burst out of that mental grip and flashed through his head like a flicker pad: images of him fucking Harper, tasting her pussy, tying her up, sucking on her nipples, having her ride him, and forcing her to suck his cock…It was too much for Knox, and it was far too much for his demon.
Harper inwardly cursed as Knox’s eyes bled to black. Head tilted, the demon slowly advanced on Dario like a predator closing in on its prey. The rage emanating from it sent apprehension prickling down her spine. Hey, just because she knew it wouldn’t hurt her didn’t mean it wasn’t a scary fucker – especially when she had seen for herself exactly what it was capable of doing to someone that pissed it off.
To Dario’s credit, he stood his ground against that chilling presence. She had no clue what was going on, but she could sense that Knox’s demon was seriously unhappy.
“I see what you want,” it told Dario, who swallowed hard. “I see it all.” It slowly shook its head. “You can’t have her. She’s mine.”
Clearing his throat, Dario nodded. “Understood.”
Yeah? Well she was glad someone understood, because Harper was still a little confused here. She looked from one male to the other as Knox’s demon retreated. “I really hope that wasn’t about me. We were only talking about the election.”
Knox turned to her. “Really?”
“Yes, he thinks that—” Harper nearly jumped out of her damn skin when an ice-cold fingertip flicked her clit. No, he hadn’t just done that in public! He hadn’t just—
She jerked as the same fingertip circled her clit, making it heat and tingle. Oh, the bastard.
Dario frowned at her. “Are you all right?”
“You don’t look too good, baby,” commented Knox, ensuring he looked the image of concern. “Your cheeks are flushed. Must be all the champagne.”
An icy finger slid through her folds, and Harper had to lock her knees to stay upright. Stop it, she hissed. Knox didn’t. As he and Dario talked, the finger casually slid through her folds over and over, pausing now and then to play with her clit. She didn’t know how something so cold could give off so much heat. I will kill you for this. The psychic finger sank inside her, and she couldn’t hold in a gasp.
Brow creased in worry, Knox moved to her. He stroked a hand over her hair and down her back to rest on her ass – an unmistakable display of masculine possession. “Maybe you should go upstairs and lie down.”