Therian Prisoner(2)
His smile vanished and his dark eyes gleamed as tension hardened his expression. “You needn’t worry about my partners. I am in control of you now. That’s all you need to know.” The outer room was little more than a long, narrow corridor. She couldn’t see what lay beyond her enclosure, but the corridor continued on so it was likely there were other cells.
“Is that so?” If she could provoke him into opening her cage, it might give her an opportunity to escape. Even latent as she was, a Therian was stronger and faster than a human. This complex was definitely older and it seemed smaller than where they’d kept her before. If he was foolish enough to attempt to control her himself, it could be her only advantage. “Did you bring me here so you can play with your pet in private, or do you just like to watch?”
His lips curved but didn’t part and his gaze swept the length of her body. “My colleagues were convinced the gene therapy you underwent would make you more malleable. Obviously they were wrong. The increase in your sex drive, however, offers all sorts of possibilities.”
“And you’re just the man to explore those possibilities?” She strolled toward the bars separating them, intentionally swinging her hips.
He laughed, but the sound was cold and mocking. “My tastes might be considered avant-garde by some, but I’ve never been tempted by bestiality.” He paused, allowing the word to resonate. “You are lovely, as many wild animals are, but you are an animal.”
She scoffed then glanced away. “And humans are not animals?”
“I can appreciate the beauty of a panther without wanting to rut with it. Your animal nature has yet to be determined, but you are still very much a…creature.”
“Glad to hear it. So why am I here?”
The Italian moved back from the bars and motioned to someone Devon couldn’t see. “I brought you a present.” Two uniformed guards walked into view, an unconscious man supported between them. The Italian pulled a pistol from the back of his pants and pointed it at Devon as one of the guards opened her cage. “Behave.”
“I paid for single occupancy.” She slammed her foot against the bottom rail of the door and glared at the Italian.
“Back off.” He pulled the slide back then let it spring forward with a menacing snap. “Now.”
He wouldn’t shoot her. She was too valuable. But he might let the guards have some fun with her. The backers had done so before. Of course she’d been so crazy with drug-induced lust at the time she hadn’t really minded. Shame, hot and persistent, branded her a liar. The situation might have been beyond her control, but the memories tormented her still.
One of the guards shoved against the bars, easily sliding her bare foot across the concrete floor. She pivoted to the side as they maneuvered their bundle into the cell then she darted out and sprinted down the corridor.
There were a total of four cells, though the other three were empty. Her feet slapped the floor with painful speed, but she didn’t let it slow her down. It was highly doubtful she’d make it out of the building, but a window or perimeter door would give her some idea of her new location. She flew around a corner and found a metal door that appeared to lead outside. She shoved it open and a shrill alarm blared, echoing throughout the building.
The Italian caught her around the waist and dragged her back inside. She only caught a glimpse of rolling hills and miles and miles of nothing before her captor spun her around and shoved her against the wall.
“There is nowhere to run, cara. We’re ten miles from the nearest paved road and fifty miles from anything resembling civilization.” Her only reply was a forceful shove. He rocked back then righted his stance and pressed the gun to the underside of her throat. “The others believe you’re more trouble than you’re worth. If you convince me they’re right, I’ll put a bullet in your brain.”
A shiver dropped down her spine as she looked into his cold dark eyes. For the first time since she’d met him, she believed him capable of murder. “If I can’t be trained, why keep me around?”
His dark brows arched and he leaned in, pressing his lower body against hers. “Are you really so anxious to die?” he whispered into her ear.
“If I’m nothing but an animal, why is your dick hard?” she whispered in return. Fury flashed through his expression and she cursed her wayward tongue. She had to learn to think before she spoke!
He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back the way they’d come, not speaking until bars separated them again. “The male has been injected with the gen three formula, which means he’ll awaken with one thing on his mind.” His smirk was cruel and unrepentant. “Fight him if you must, but you might want to give in before he turns completely feral. Once he shifts, he’ll be more interested in ripping out your throat than enjoying your firm, young body. Gen three makes males extremely aggressive.”