Call of the Siren(12)

Dagan.

Her mouth dropped open. “What are you doing here?”

One of Dagan’s thick brows arched, as if in silent reproach over her sharp tone. “I happened to be in the neighborhood so I thought I’d stop by, see how you’re doing after last night.”

She snapped her mouth shut before she could point out the obvious—that he’d never been here before, and that Ronin would no doubt flip his shit if he knew Dagan was here.

As if he sensed her train of thought, Dagan propped his shoulder on the doorframe and gave her an easy grin that showcased his perfect white teeth. He wore faded jeans and a black T-shirt that had the words TOO SEXY FOR THIS SHIRT stamped in bold white letters. A five o’clock shadow accentuated the powerful angles of his square jaw, emphasizing the truth of that statement. And although his turquoise-glamoured eyes were hidden by his aviator sunglasses, she imagined they were boring a hole into her.

“Well?” he prompted.

“I’m fine.” Even though she wasn’t, thanks to that bastard Thorne.

Dagan crossed his arms. “You sure?”

Before she could respond, his smile faded. Lina didn’t need to glance behind her to see that Thorne had stepped into his view, right behind her. The asshole’s warm breath brushed the back of her hair, way too close for her comfort.

“Who’s this, babe?” Thorne asked.

Dagan frowned and straightened off the doorframe.

“None of your business,” Lina said without looking back. “You need to leave now.”

The force of Thorne’s displeasure hit her like a laser beam to her spine. “We still need to talk.”

Oh, that was funny. She whirled to face him.

Amazing how the sight of the man she’d once loved now brought nothing but pain and fury.

“Anything we had to talk about is long gone,” she snapped. “Now go.”

Anger darkened Thorne’s eyes, and for a moment, she feared he’d defy her. But then, with a stiff nod, he stepped around her…directly into Dagan’s path.

Much to Lina’s surprise, Thorne was an inch or two taller and a little wider than Dagan. Damn, the jerk really had filled out. No doubt his heart was still a cold, hollowed-out space, though. Whatever appeal had once drawn her to him was no more. As she’d learned all too well, the man was nothing but an empty shell.

When Thorne assessed Dagan with the obvious swagger of a man measuring his competition and finding him lacking—as if she was some piece of ass he could fight over—Dagan’s back stiffened and his hands clenched. To his credit, though, his voice sounded perfectly even when he asked, “Who are you?”

Thorne stared him down for one beat longer before curling his lips into a smug grin. He glanced back at her. “Is this the guy you’re fucking now?”

Lina had to hand it to Dagan—the man could move fast. Her vision barely registered the flash of his arm as he snatched a handful of Thorne’s shirt and dragged him closer, emitting a low growl that was deep and ominous enough to send a shiver throughout her body. “What did you say to her?”

“Stop.” Before either of them could strike, Lina placed her hands on their chests. “If anyone is going to kick anyone else’s ass here, it’s going to be me.”

She ignored Thorne’s disbelieving guffaw. He hadn’t seen her since she’d grown a spine. He didn’t know.

When she glanced at Dagan, his jaw was clenched. Just when she thought he wasn’t going to listen to her, he released Thorne’s shirt and pulled away.

“Leave. Now,” Lina said to Thorne. “And don’t come back.”

Thorne smirked, but he slid past Dagan without further antagonism before facing her again. “This isn’t over, Lina. We will talk.” He turned and took a few steps, then paused and peered back over his shoulder. “I wonder, Lina, does he know about Sara?”

With that parting shot, he left.

Dagan made a low, inhuman sound in his throat and took a step toward Thorne’s retreating figure.

Lina placed a hand on his arm. “Let him go, Dagan.”

The look he gave her was filled with fury so deep she could read it even through the tinted lenses that hid his eyes. “He’s an asshole.”

“No disagreement here, but I can take care of myself.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end he gave her a curt nod. “You’re right.”

An unexpected burst of pleasure lit inside her at his words. Nice to know one of the two men respected her, at least.

“Who was he?” Dagan asked, his gaze still on the corridor Thorne had disappeared down. His body remained tense, as if he expected the man to round back into sight at any moment.