Focus (The Crescent Chronicles, #2) (20 page)

“
Wow, that was
fast.”

Bryant laughed. “We’re good at our job.
You’re in good hands.” He put his hand on the back of my
seat.

“
Have you heard anything
about the fire? Was anyone hurt? You said Tiffany is okay, but what
about everyone else?” I wondered how Nick was doing after Levi
dropped him like a sack of potatoes.

“
No one died, if that’s
what you’re asking.” He said it nonchalantly but the very thought
that someone could have died made me sick.

“
I still don’t understand
why Martin did it. Aren’t there easier ways to get at
me?”

“
Yes, much easier
ones.”

Clearly he wasn’t trying to put me at
ease. “Then why burn down a frat house?”

Bryant turned to look at me. “Martin’s
a little bit dramatic sometimes.”

“
It sounds like you know
him well.”

“
I do. We were best friends
growing up.” He moved his right hand back to the wheel.

“
Oh. I had no idea.” The
Pteron social circle could make a good soap opera.

“
It’s not something I
advertise. He’s had it out for Levi and his father for
years.”

“
Why? Is he jealous or
something?” I belatedly tried to comb out my hair with my fingers.
I’d been in such a rush to get out that I hadn’t even bothered to
fix it. I quickly gave up and tied it back with an
elastic.

Bryant kept his eyes glued on the road.
“Or something.”

“
Are you going a different
way? Wasn’t that our turn?” I peered out the window.

“
We’re not going to Tulane,
Allie.”

“
But you said you were
taking me home.”

“
I’d think you’d be used to
being lied to by now.”

My stomach lurched. “Okay, what’s going
on? Does Levi know I’m with you?”

“
No, he has no idea.” His
voice was as cold as ice.

“
Then where are we going?”
I grabbed the door latch with my right hand. My left hand moved to
my seat belt.

Bryant grabbed my left wrist. “You can
relax. You’re not going anywhere.”

“
Why not?”

“
Because I said
so.”

I struggled but his grip was too
tight.

He pulled to a stop in the loading dock
area of an abandoned warehouse. I glanced around for
someone—anyone. Surely it couldn’t be that desolate in the middle
of the morning.

“
We’re going to make this
easy. Don’t fight me and you might live through it.” He pulled me
over the console and out his door. His grip was so tight, I knew
I’d have bruises. He pulled me inside the warehouse and moved over
a chair to block the door.

I tried to appear more in control of my
nerves than I actually was. “What do you want from me?”

“
Now that’s an interesting
question.” His eyes raked over me.

“
I doubt you went through
all of this effort just to get some.”

“
No. I didn’t actually, but
if that’s a side benefit, I’ll take it.”

I needed to stall whatever plan he had.
“Does this have to do with the Blackwells?”

“
Of course it
does.”

“
So you’re going to turn me
over to them?”

“
Maybe, maybe not.” He held
up his hands like a scale.

“
What do you
mean?”

“
My job was to get you away
from Levi. Where we keep you is up to me.”

As I listened, I tried to formulate a
plan. There was no way I was getting locked up by some crazy
Pterons for the rest of my life. Being kidnapped by Cougars was bad
enough. I couldn’t believe I was going through it again.

“
What are the
options?”

“
That depends on
you.”

“
How so?”

“
I see the way you look at
me. You want me as much as I want you.”

My first impulse was to argue, but I
realized that wouldn’t help. I had to somehow convince him he was
right. “So? I’m sure lots of girls are attracted to
you.”

He smiled. “True, but none like
you.”

“
Do you usually flatter
your kidnap victims?”

“
How many girls do you
think I’ve kidnapped before?”

“
Lots.”

“
Nope, you’re the
first.”

“
You’re supposed to be
giving me my options.” I tried to make myself sound
flirtatious.

“
Oh yes, how could I
forget?” He took a step towards me. “I can hand you over to the
Blackwells and let them do what they please, or…”

“
What?”

“
You can stay with
me.”

“
Stay with you?”

“
Yes. I think we’d have a
good time together.” He grinned impishly.

“
You don’t think Levi would
find me?”

“
Not a chance…you wouldn’t
want him to find you, would you?” He reached a hand out to stroke
my cheek.

I forced a smile. “I choose option
B.”

“
That quickly?”

“
You already pointed out
the obvious, Bryant. I want you.”

“
If that’s true, then how
about right here, right now.” He pulled the elastic out of my hair,
breaking it into two. His heated look terrified me. He wasn’t
someone whose advances I could fend off.

“
You have to get me in the
mood.” God, if anyone could see me, I’d die. Maybe if all else
failed, I could go into acting.

“
My pleasure.” He reached a
hand out to touch me again, but I stopped him.

“
Show me your
wings.”

“
My wings?”

“
Yeah. I kind of have a
thing for them.”

He grinned. “You really are meant to be
with a Pteron. I’m guessing it’s true what they say about certain
humans being tailor made for us.”

I ignored his comment, even though I
wanted him to explain it. I had to keep things moving
along.

I gave him the most flirtatious look I
could muster. “Aren’t you going to show me your wings
now?”

He pulled off his t-shirt, tossing it
to the ground. I took in a breath as I waited for his wings to
appear behind him. Now came the tough part.

“
Can I touch them?” I bit
my lip. Maybe I was overdoing it, but he didn’t seem to
notice.

“
Yeah, you can touch them.
But then I get to touch you.”

I smiled and moved closer to him. I
reached behind him and ran my hand over one wing.
“Nice.”

“
My turn.”

“
Not yet.” I slowly moved
around him until I was directly behind him. “I need the full
effect.” I knew I only had seconds. If he figured out what I was
doing, I was as good as gone.

I put my hand on the exact spot Jared
had shown me and pushed up.

“
What the fuck?” He reached
to move my hand but I pushed harder and held it. He cursed but
didn’t struggle. He couldn’t move.

I pulled out my cell phone and dialed
Levi. “I’m in the warehouse district, on Tchoupitoulas Street. It’s
directly across from some church. Come now.”

“
Are you okay? What
happened?” He sounded panicked. He knew I was missing.

“
Just get here
now
.”

“
On my way.”

I hung up. I hoped the effect wouldn’t
wear off too soon. I had no plan B.

“
They’ll never believe
you,” Bryant snarled.

“
Shut up.” Levi would
believe me. If I didn’t trust in that, I was really in
trouble.

Minutes later, the door barged open and
Levi, Jared, and Jett Florence walked in.

“
What the hell are you
doing?” Jett moved toward me, but Levi and Jared were faster. Jared
covered my hand with his, easing mine out so he could take
over.

“
He kidnapped me. He was
going to give me to the Blackwells.” I decided to leave out the
other option he’d offered.

“
Bullshit. The bitch is
lying,”
Bryant snapped.

“
I am not. Why else would I
be here?”

“
I never gave you
permission to go near her. What the hell are you doing with her,
Bryant?” Levi’s eyes were solid black. He was ready to
attack.

“
Bryant, this has to be a
misunderstanding. What’s really happening?” Jett watched his son
with a look of desperation.

“
Other than the fact that
Levi’s mate was about to fuck me to avoid going to the Blackwells,
not much has been happening.”

Levi punched Bryant in the face. Blood
oozed out of his nose.

I could taste bile. “You know it was an
act. I had to get to your wings.”

“
How the hell did you learn
to do that?” Bryant sneered.

I glanced at Jared. He nodded. “You
needed that sooner than I expected.”

“
Are you really working
with the Blackwells?” Jett had his head in his hands.

“
Don’t look so
surprised.”

Jett shook his head and made a
call.

Evidently, punching Bryant had calmed
Levi down, because he was suddenly at my side. “I’m sorry I let
this happen. I thought you were still in the safe room.”

“
I just wish I hadn’t been
stupid enough to go with him.”

“
Why was it stupid? You
knew he was Jared’s brother.”

“
Yeah, but something felt
off. You wouldn’t have arranged for me to leave like that without
saying goodbye.”

“
I’m glad you realize that,
but there’s no reason to feel stupid. But for future reference, no
one but me, Owen, Jared, or Hailey is taking you
anywhere.”

“
Did you really catch
Martin?”

“
Yes. We were interrogating
him this morning. That’s the only reason I left. I’d just
discovered you were missing when you called.”

Two men entered the warehouse. They
bound Bryant, freeing Jared from his position at his
back.

“
What are they going to do
with him?”

Levi ran his hand through my hair. He
always found ways to touch me. “Interrogate him. We need to figure
out what he was planning and how he ties to Martin. I thought they
hadn’t spoken in years, but this can’t be a
coincidence.”

“
Can we go home
now?”

“
Sure, but I want to stay
with you for a while. You’ve been hurt way too much in twenty four
hours.”

“
I wasn’t hurt.” Even as I
said it, I rubbed my wrist.

Levi picked up my wrist and kissed it.
Sometimes he surprised me with his sweet side.

“
Nice job incapacitating
him, by the way.” He watched me intently.

“
Don’t get mad at Jared. It
wasn’t his fault.”

Levi’s lips curled up into a smile. “I
knew.”

“
You knew?”

“
You didn’t really think I
would have kept the truth from him, did you?” Jared appeared beside
me.

“
You acted like it. You
made it sound like you were afraid of Levi finding out.”

Levi held me tightly against his side.
“I actually thought it was a good idea. I just didn’t get why you
didn’t ask me.”

“
You’re not mad, are
you?”

“
No. I’m just glad you
asked someone who could teach you well.”

“
Yeah, he is a pretty good
teacher.”

Levi laced his fingers with mine. “Any
chance I can take over the lessons now?”

I thought it over for a second. Maybe
it was for the best. “Can you both train me?”

Levi laughed. “You’re really serious
about this, huh?”

“
Considering what just
happened, I don’t see why you’re laughing.”

“
You’re amazing, Al. That’s
all.” He ran a hand down my back.

“
So what about taking me
home?”

“
Absolutely, but I’ll have
to borrow a car. I obviously flew.” There was no other way they
could have made it so fast.

“
Take Bryant’s car. He
won’t be needing it.” Jared tossed a set of keys to
Levi.

As much as I didn’t want to get back in
that car, I wanted to go home.

“
All right, let’s get out
of here.”

Chapter Sixteen

“
Are you okay?” Hailey was
waiting for me when Levi parked.

“
Yeah, I’m fine.” I tried
to smile at her reassuringly.

She hugged me. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t
with you.”

“
Where were you, Hailey?
Did you take Anne back?” Levi asked.

“
Yes.” Hailey avoided his
eyes when she answered.

“
Okay.” Levi looked
skeptical, but he didn’t push it. “Let’s get Allie
upstairs.”