Shift Happens(45)

Allan examined his fingernails as if they were more important than the conversation. “I was curious how Andrea managed to rip out Clint’s throat and escape out of the top floor.” He looked up and gave me a piercing stare. “Not a Were. A Shifter. Not a normal Shifter. Something else. Something different. Something…” He paused to tilt his head, probably listening to our thoughts. “Special.”

Wick’s hands clenched into fists. I looked up to see sweat trickling down the side of his face. Whatever he was doing to shield Allan took a lot of effort.

Allan made a gasping sound that whipped my attention back to him. “Interesting indeed.” He reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a handkerchief. He handed it to Wick. “Wick, your shielding skills won’t stop me.” The Vampire’s lips curled up as he turned to me. “And you have no idea what you are.”

“Do you?” I crossed my arms.

Allan dipped his chin, conceding my point. “No, but I may know someone who does.”

“Whatever,” I huffed. “Does it change anything?” It didn’t and I knew it.

Allan grinned, his fangs were out. “No, it doesn’t.”

“Why are you here?” Wick vibrated with rage.

“Ah, yes,” Allan snapped his fingers. “My apologies. I got distracted by the little show you put on.” He winked at me.

My lip curled up into a snarl.

Allan continued to observe me, long past the socially acceptable amount of time. “I’m here to remind you, Shifter, that you have five days.” He ran his tongue along his teeth. “Less than that. Closer to four now.”

Hopefully I conveyed my annoyance with the glare I cast his way. Surely Allan would know Lucien’s human servant had already passed along the reminder, unless…Unless his presence here had another purpose—to check up on me and spy on my thoughts, maybe? “Clint’s already been around to remind me. I can count to seven, you know.”

Allan laughed. “Well isn’t he an eager beaver? He must be impatient for his new toy.”

“Pet.” My face twisted in disgust. “He thinks I will be his pet.”

Allan shrugged, as if there was little difference. “Semantics. You will belong to him until he bores of you.”

“And then?”

Allan smiled, his teeth grew longer. “Then maybe I’ll claim you. Or maybe no one will. Then we will have no more use for you and you will be disposed of.” He paused to tap his cheek with his forefinger. “I might volunteer for the task. Disposals can be so fun…and filling.” He didn’t mean fulfilling either. Allan shifted his attention to Wick, who vibrated with anger. “Or maybe Lucien will command his dog to carry it out.”

Wick stepped forward, his gaze a mutinous yellow.

“Down boy,” Allan said. “I’m just having a little fun. You animals react in the most delicious ways.”

“Well, you’ve had your fun and you’ve delivered your message.” Wick crossed his arms and stared the Vampire down. “You can leave now.”

“Remember, Andy, you’re supposed to be out there doing the job Lucien gave you…not screwing the master’s dog.” Allan gave a mocking little bow and sauntered out of the room, taking his stench with him.

“Kind of ruins the mood, doesn’t he?” Wick asked when he turned to me. His control returning, espresso brown replacing the yellow.

I nodded and went to the living room. Good thing we got interrupted. Wick’s hot kisses seduced away my resolve to stay far, far away from him, but I couldn’t get involved now. Too complicated.

Remembering the feel of him, hot and hard, pressed against me, I closed my eyes. The warmth of him on my skin, the smell of his desire mingling in the air with my own and the taste of his tongue lingering in my mouth. I sat down in the nearest chair and crossed my legs. No, no, no, no, no. I squashed down the feelings threatening to boil over and reached for the remote control instead of the hot piece of ass sitting down beside me.

“What’s this about Clint?” Wick’s tone might’ve been calm, but his body remained tense.

“He paid me a visit while I was out running surveillance.” I flicked through the channels, not really paying attention to what was on, but it kept my hands busy and off of something, someone, else. My skin prickled under Wick’s glare, and after a few minutes of pretending not to notice, I gave in and turned to him. “What?”

“Could you elaborate?”

“On what?”

“Maybe on Clint’s visit with you? What did he want? What did he say? Or maybe elaborate on what surveillance you were running?”