Electric Storm(50)

Her body brushed theirs when her feet finally touched the floor. Her knees trembled, and she took comfort from their touch and scent.

“What the hell were you thinking?” Jackson grabbed her jaw, angling her face up to his. Any gratitude melted away at his hard expression.

“You think I wanted to fall?” She jerked back from him, unnerved at the way the imprint of his touch lingered against her skin. The near miss must have scrambled her wits. To avoid his probing stare, she dropped her gaze and was confronted by the delicious gap in his pants where he’d zipped them but left them unbuttoned. The image shouldn’t have been inviting, especially when he was angry, but somehow it didn’t matter. A smattering of hair arrowed down his chest to disappear in his jeans, asking to be explored further.

Raven turned, cursing that her vaunted control had vanished. She was feeling more emotions. Desires. She couldn’t allow that. The last time she tried to get close to someone, she’d nearly killed him. That day still haunted her, and Rylan had never forgiven her, forever maintaining his distance from her.

Her idea of taking a lover seemed foolish and further out of reach than ever. She’d been so desperate to find answers to her condition that she’d grabbed an impossible idea doomed to fail.

The sight of the railing drew her attention, and she tucked away her wayward emotions. She needed to focus on a mystery she could handle.

Smooth.

Her fists clenched as she peered over the edge. “The fall wouldn’t have killed me, but a stake through a heart would’ve been another matter.”

Fury tightened their bodies, their animals all but ready to pounce on anything that dared move. Though the death wouldn’t have been permanent, it would’ve hurt like the dickens and put her out of commission for a while. Since she shut down to allow herself to heal, she hadn’t monitored the house last night. Was this trap set by someone to stop her hunt? Or someone who wanted to hurt her specifically?

“London!” Uncaring if she woke the whole house, Raven bellowed his name again. The man moved low to the ground in a blur of speed. When he detected no threat, he slowly approached the broken rail below, studied the ends. His brows drew together as he came to the same conclusion.

“The alarms were set. No one should’ve been able to enter without my knowledge.” There was an apology in his voice and a boatload of anger. Those massive arms of his flexed as if holding back his animal counterpart. If he ever caught the person, she doubted anyone would find the remains. He was good at that type of thing, and she didn’t ask questions. Better not to know.

Jackson ran a hand over the end of the railing, testing the smooth cut, his mouth tightening into a frown. Taggert’s hand tangled in the back of her shirt, and a slight shudder passed through him. Without looking back, she reached for his hand and gave a squeeze.

“Why don’t you both go and change.” It wasn’t a suggestion. She needed to talk to London about security.

Taggert left, reluctance showing in the way he lingered. Jackson didn’t twitch from his spot. “We didn’t do it. Don’t let your fear put distance between us. We’re here to keep you safe. Taggert won’t return to the auction. If you throw him out, you’ll be signing his death sentence.”

There was no plea in his voice. He wouldn’t beg, but the tension in his frame told her enough. He was afraid she would send them packing.

“Was there anyone else determined to claim Taggert?” It seemed unlikely since Taggert had remained unclaimed for nearly five years.

“No.” Jackson turned and walked back to her room at a slow and steady pace.

The stiff set to his shoulders, the clenched fists said he was lying. Or at least he wasn’t telling her the whole truth. “Come to the study when you’re done.”

Another look at the railing below made her swallow then she pushed it away and spoke to London, her determination hardening. “Gather everyone for a meeting. Study. Five minutes. And get that railing fixed.”

“I’ll review the exterior tapes.” London jerked his head absently in what she thought must’ve been agreement and disappeared into the security lair. There was no incrimination in his voice about the lack of internal cameras. She hadn’t refused his advice, but told him flat out that the first power surge, the electronics would be shot. He’d accepted the inevitable and did what he could, mumbling something about a security nightmare.

Raven hesitated at the top of the stairs, staring down the dark corridor leading to the safe room she’d constructed for Rylan. She placed one foot on the stairs and hurried to the study before she did something stupid like go to Rylan and question him about last night and the secrets he was keeping from her. Could her proximity be making their bond stronger?