Dark Desire by Shannan Albright Page B

Large
windows overlooked the Las Vegas skyline glowing like a jeweled oasis against a
black velvet sky. A sturdy walnut coffee table dominated the room, two
recliners sitting on either side of its oblong shape. A massive fireplace
filled one wall, the hearth a deep mahogany. Grey tile adorned the floor with
assorted throw rugs scattered throughout. It was a man’s room done in bold
colors of grey, black, and crimson.
    “W-where are
we?” she stuttered out, her attention once again on the angry man who held her
tightly to him.
    “Someplace where
we won’t be interrupted,” he ground out between clenched teeth.
    “You can’t do
this. It’s illegal,” she argued. Her memory may be toast in regards to her
past, but she knew her rights thanks to Cici . Her
friend learned all about due process being a prostitute in her youth.
    The piercing in
his left eyebrow rose above his shades, and his lips thinned with tension. “I
can do anything I want with you, Laris . Human rights
hold no sway over me or dark breeds in general. Whatever I do to you is well
within my rights.”
    A shiver of fear
skittered down her spine at his coldly delivered words. “You think I’m not …
human?”
    He gave a
humorless bark of laughter, which did nothing to relieve the anxiety she felt
building in her chest. His fingers left her arms, latching onto her chin. His
grip was firm, but not painful as he lowered his face mere inches from hers.
“Stop right now, Laris . Playing stupid won’t help. I
fucking know you for what you are now and won’t be so foolish to fall for your
little game.”
    Anger surged to
the surface, burning away her fear. “Game? Listen
here, asshole, I don’t know who this Laris person is,
but I can understand why she stuck a knife in you. My name is Lori. I’m human
and an exotic dancer. You got the wrong woman, you ... jerk .”
    Or does he? The question echoed in her mind,
taunting her.
    “Bullshit.” He
snarled the word at her, his warm breath caressing her cheeks. The fresh tang
of mint reached her nose making her nostrils flare as she breathed him in
despite her struggle not to. “Stop trying to play me. The game is over, and you
lost. You have the choice to die by my hand or by the Atlantean assassins who know where you are. Believe me, wife , you would prefer death by my hand than to be subjected to
their tender mercies. They have quite a grudge against you. No one attempts to
assassinate the king’s son and stays breathing.”
    Her mind reeled. King … Atlantean trackers … as in
Atlantis? But it was the last word that sent an icy tendril of fear to
scurrying down her spine. The man had to be certifiable!
    She yanked her
head to the side breaking his hold on her and took a step back. “Look, I don’t
know who you are, honest. I don’t have any memories up to seven months ago when
I found myself in the alley behind Golden Gulch. That name you keep calling me
is not familiar. The only thing I know for sure is I wouldn’t harm anyone
unless it was self-defense. I’m not a killer.”
    He barked out a
harsh laugh, his words laced with venom as his lip curled into a sneer.“There is no such thing as a peaceful Lemurian .
You are all killers. It’s in your nature to war and take what you want by
force. Leaving nothing but devastation and ruin in your
wake.”
    She really
didn’t know what to say to that one. His hate chilled her skin, the air so
thick with his animosity she could barely pull in enough air into her lungs.
The room closed in on her making her head swim. She needed to get away from
this madman who just told her he had every intention of killing her.
    “I’m just a
damned stripper.” Her voice shook with fear and desperation. “Please let me go.
I won’t call the cops. Just let me go … please.” The words didn’t come easy to
her, nor did the fear she felt coursing through her like icy sludge threatening
to immobilize her.
    “Save it.” He
bit out, his face as hard and implacable