Provoked

CHAPTER 9

The gorgeous cabin fronted a stunning lake with views from every window. Right now the lake churned dark and angry, reflecting the tumultuous sky as the storm raged all around. Amber finally felt herself relax in the plush surroundings. She’d bet almost anything there was a deep jetted bathtub close—and she was heading to soak.

Kane stalked into the room, having found a dark shirt that fit him perfectly somewhere else in the house. A pink backpack hung over one broad shoulder.

“Nice backpack.”

He nodded. “It must’ve been Janie’s.”

Amber finished surveying the cozy room with its soft furniture and antique blankets. “Your brother lives here?”

“Talen did live here for a very short time.” Kane tapped his cell phone against his hand, his frown deep. “When we went to war with the Kurjans, we consolidated at headquarters, and he moved in with his family.”

“I thought you were at war with the demons.”

“We’re at war with both.” With a disgusted snarl at the cell phone, Kane shoved it in his pocket. “Did you get enough to eat?”

“Yes.” They’d hit a drive-through window of a fast-food joint an hour after leaving Hanson’s. “I’m still full.” She moved to sit on a comfortable cloth sofa, very pleased it wasn’t leather. She hadn’t met Talen, yet she already liked the guy. He was probably a sweet-hearted pacifist like her people. “So, demons fight with mind control. What about Kurjans? What are they like?”

Kane tugged her up. “We don’t have time to sit, darlin’.”

She frowned and stumbled behind him through a beautiful hallway lined with Western oil paintings. What about a quick bath? “About the Kurjans?”

Kane shoved open the door to a home office that had a huge bookshelf lining one wall. “Kurjans have fangs and take blood like vampires. But they’re white-faced, creepy, and the sun fries them.”

The image made her wrinkle her nose. “Like vampires of legends.”

“Yes.” He grabbed two books off the top shelf and revealed a keypad.

“Why are you at war with the Kurjans and the demons?” One would think immortals could freaking get along.

Kane punched in a code. “The Kurjans declared war on us because they want Janie, my niece. She’s been prophesied to change the world, and no, we don’t know how. So when Talen got to her first, war ensued. Plus, they can only mate with enhanced females, just like vampires. So we’re always competing, I guess.”

“And the demons?”

“That’s more personal. We made one of their enemies our friend, and well, the demons are basically assholes.” Kane stepped back as the entire shelf slid to the side.

Guns.

All different kinds, a myriad of guns, lined the two walls. Vests and shields hung from another wall. Knives and swords lined the fourth. Kane grabbed a black vest he tugged over her head, fitting the Velcro tight. Following suit, he began shoving weapons in vest pockets, his waistband, and finally in his boots.

She tried to step away. “What are you doing? We don’t need vests and guns.” She needed a bath, darn it.

“Yes, we do.” Grabbing a green gun, he pressed the cold metal into her hand.

“No,” she protested, trying to shove the weapon away, “I don’t shoot people.”

“You do now,” he said grimly. “Keep ahold of it.” Taking her hand, he yanked the cell phone from his pocket to glare at the screen. “Still no service—probably from the weather.”

As if on cue, the storm increased in force outside, smashing debris into the windows.

Amber jerked her arm free. “Is somebody here? I mean, do you sense demons—or Kurjans? Or whoever else wants you people dead?”

“No.” Kane took her hand and led her around the house, grabbing his coat from the chair to yank over her vest before heading to the back deck. They stepped outside to be bombarded by blowing snow and cold. The sun had disappeared to leave a dark storm in its place. “There’s usually a boat hidden down by the trees. We’ll have to go for it.”

Taking a boat in a storm like that? “You have got to be crazy.”

“No. Crazy would be staying here,” Kane shouted above the storm. “The demons may know about this place, and I guarantee the Kurjans do. I’d be very surprised if the Kurjans don’t have satellite surveillance on Talen’s old home.”

She tried to balk, but his stride didn’t slow. The icy snow ripped across her skin. Freezing air dried out her eyes. His coat dragged on the ground—way too long for her. They slugged through the ice-covered snow on the deck to at least a foot of powder on the small lawn leading down to the churning lake.

Glancing behind her, she took one last, longing look at the luxurious cabin. So much for the jetted tub.

The storm raged around them and smashed frozen pinecones into their legs. Kane kept his stride steady, his mind on the human. She stumbled again, and he turned to shield her from the storm.

Her pale skin was too delicate for the angry wind. Tucking her close, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “We’ll be safe soon.”

She nodded, her eyes blinking rapidly.

Did he just kiss her head? Where was his brain? Comforting her would lead to her breaking down. Kane pivoted and led her down the path to the lake, trying like hell to block her from the wind.

Branches and clumps of snow beat against them as they wound down the obscure path. Kane dragged his feet to clear the way, hoping Amber’s boots would keep her dry. Frostbite would be disastrous at this point.

Finally, they reached the beach. Snow mingled with sand to slam into their faces. When would the wind abate?

The metal rowboat sat securely between a massive pine tree and the rocky hill, snow covering most of the bottom. Kane darted forward and yanked the boat free before flipping it over. The metal scraped along the snowy sand as he dragged it to the violent lake.

Waves crashed in, angry and nearly black. But at least the water wasn’t frozen.

He held out a hand for Amber.

Drawing the coat tighter with nearly blue fingers, she shook her head and backed away.

He didn’t have time for her to fall apart. “Come here. Now.” He pitched his voice low to cut through the storm and her panic.

She mouthed the word “no” and kept backing away.

If the woman went any farther, she’d be heading back up the trail.

The cold cut through his silk shirt and pants. If he was chilled, Amber would be freezing. Maybe he could entice her. “Let’s go find some warmth, sweetheart.”

Snow coated her hair when she shook her head wildly.

So much for enticement. He leapt for her, grabbing both arms and swinging her into the air. Three strides had her butt slapping the metal seat, and he shoved the rowboat away from the beach.

With a cry, she jumped for him, arms stretched for the shore.

He sat her down again—this time harder. “Stay still or you’ll fall in.”

She gasped, gaze slashing to the churning water all around them. Black and merciless, the water mirrored the storm bashing the boat.

He shook her—waiting until her gaze met his. “Hold on for a couple more minutes, and I promise we’ll find safety.” The second his brother had purchased the lake house, Kane had memorized the layout and properties on the entire lake. There was a cabin on the far side that was only used for two weeks in the dead of summer by owners who lived in Alaska the rest of the year.

She nodded and settled down, her teeth chattering.

Kane grabbed the oars and started rowing, staying along the shoreline as much as possible. Getting caught in the middle of the angry lake was not in the plan.

Amber took a deep breath, her entire chest moving. “Do you need help?”

What a sweetheart. “No.”

She blinked snow off her long eyelashes. Odd that Kane had never noticed eyelashes before. But Amber’s were thick and dark . . . giving her an ingénue look that distracted him.

Rubbing her nose, she shivered. “You do everything logically, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Like when you stabbed Hanson. I mean, without being mad. No passion. You just . . . stabbed him.”

Sure. “Passion gets in the way when you’re fighting.” Hell, as far as Kane was concerned, passion got in the way, period. Not that he didn’t like a wild night with a woman. But in a fight, cold logic most often won.

“Do you regret hurting him?” Her eyes somehow darkened.

While Kane wanted to ease her mind, he wasn’t going to lie. “No.” His shoulders moved rhythmically, smoothly eating up the shoreline as he angled to the north. “I’m sorry.” Well, he wasn’t sorry he’d stabbed the bastard, but he could feel an apology for her distress. She seemed to need the apology, so he gave it a shot.

She nodded. “When you kissed me earlier—was that manipulation? I mean, did you feel anything?”

“Yes.” While he hadn’t wanted to feel anything, his cock had fired to life. There was something so sweet and sexy about the woman. “I wanted you—still do.” They were going to need to warm up soon. Skin on skin was the best way to make that happen.

A logical thought, yet his heart sped up instantly. Man, he needed some rest.

The tiniest of blushes filled her too-pale face for a moment. “I don’t like being manipulated.”

“Okay.” Really, who did? A quick turn into a small alcove, and Kane found the cabin he wanted. “We’re here.” Ramming the boat onto the shore, he forced a smile and helped her from the boat. “Everything will be all right.”

Amber stumbled up the embankment, Kane’s hand steadying her several times. Finally, the path smoothed out. He turned to lift and cradle her against his chest. She protested, giving a slight struggle. He must be exhausted.

He shushed her, tucking her head under his chin, his movements not slowing.

Warmth flowed from the vampire, and she instinctively snuggled closer. The guy would kill without breaking a sweat, and yet, she’d never felt safer. Well, physically safe, anyway. There was no question Kane was driven and would take advantage of her brain again to get what he wanted. But she could understand the drive to save family—she’d do anything for Grandma Hilde.

“Don’t manipulate me again,” she whispered against his neck.

He shoved a branch out of their way. His lips brushed her cheek. “No promises.”

Tingles spread along her jaw. What would it take to get a promise from Kane? Something told her he was a guy who kept his word, which made him smart enough not to make promises.

Reaching an icy deck fronting a ramshackle cabin, he set her down, waiting until she regained her balance before letting go. Bending down, he surveyed the lock. “Step back.”

She stepped away, sliding on the wood and grabbing the railing to keep from falling. The freezing wood cut into her fingers. Her stomach plummeted at the rough shack. They’d left a warm, plush, comfortable home for a crumbling hut? She shivered violently.

Kane kicked the lock, his boot hitting precisely to the left. The door swung inward. Reaching for her hand, he towed her inside a small room with a barely visible sofa and fireplace. “Stay here for a minute.”

He crossed the room and tossed old newspapers and kindling into the fireplace. Long matches sat in a box next to the paper and ignited easily. Kane reached up and opened the flue, blowing on the fire before adding more kindling. “Come here, sweetheart.”

She stumbled toward him, her gaze on the wonderful fire.

He stood, turned to survey her head to toe, and handed her the pink backpack. “You’re soaked. Drop the wet clothes, and find something in here to wear.” Reaching behind her, he grabbed a blanket off the one sofa and shook the heavy wool out. “Then cover up with this. I’ll be back shortly.”

Then he was out the door.

Shivering, her fingers barely working, she tugged off her vest, shirt, and pants, leaving on her panties. Reaching into the girly backpack, she yanked out a brandy bottle and a plastic bag filled with a woman’s sweatshirt and yoga pants. Soft and well-worn, they were probably full length on the owner. Talen’s mate must’ve been fairly petite. They fit like capris on Amber. She pulled them on along with the sweatshirt.

Pulling the blanket around her freezing body, she sat on the couch. Guilt filled her from using the wool blanket, but she couldn’t throw it off. Poor sheep. But darn, she was cold. Heat from the small fire slowly penetrated the blanket.

Kane returned with arms full of wood. Precisely placing several pieces on the fire, he sat back, satisfaction on his face. “There we go.”

Amber leaned toward the heat, her hands keeping the blanket closed. “Are we safe here?”

Kane nodded and held his broad hands out to the fire. “The storm has picked up, and we’re safe for the night. My people will be here tomorrow morning after the storm has abated to get us, so no worrying. Just warm up.”

Her teeth chattered and filled the silence for a few moments.

Kane reached farther into the backpack to produce crystal lowball glasses.

Amber barked out a laugh at the high-end crystal in the very low-end shack.

He poured them both a glass and settled himself into a purple chair that didn’t come close to matching the faded avocado-themed sofa.

Amber took a deep sip, allowing the warmth to spread down to her belly. “I liked Talen’s place better.”

“Me, too.” Kane grinned.

She couldn’t help her answering smile. “Is Talen like you?”

“No. None of my brothers are like me.” Kane leaned back in the chair. “Dage is the oldest, the king, and is always in charge. Next comes Talen, and he’s, ah, a strategic genius as well as being overbearing. I’m next. Then Conn, who’s the ultimate soldier and is mated to a witch. Finally, there’s Jase.”

“The one the demons took.”

“Yes.” Kane lost his smile. “I should’ve found him years ago. I’ve failed repeatedly.” Emotion swirled in his eyes, only to be quickly banked.

She cleared her throat. “You scared me when you hurt Hanson.”

“I’m sorry.” Kane kept her gaze, expression not changing. “Torture is never pretty.”

“It wasn’t the fact that you hurt him.” A hard as the truth was to admit, Amber would’ve done the same to save her grandmother. “It was the perfect precision and lack of emotion that was scary.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not an emotional person.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” she whispered.

That dark gaze searched her face, finally dropping to her lips. They tingled in response. The man went beyond good-looking to sex and danger combined. How was that possible? Besides, why would danger be sexy? But on Kane, the danger only enhanced his masculinity. Or maybe his masculinity enhanced the danger dancing on his skin. The intimacy of the quiet cabin and the safe haven from the storm made both elements too appealing.

The wind slammed snow against the windows, and she jumped.

He studied her like a lion that was more curious than hungry. Right now. But the slightest hint hung in the air that he could change his mind at any time. “Amber, I’m by no means a demon, but all vampires have some psychic ability.”

Oh no. Did that mean he was reading her mind? “What’s your point?”

“I’m going to attack your mind with mine, and you need to defend yourself.”

Panic bit into her. “No.”

“Yes. We need to start training as soon as possible.” His gaze rose—relentless and sure. “Get ready.”

“No, Kane—” Pain slammed into her mind so fast she caught her breath. Invisible fingers dug between her gray matter, tearing. “Stop it.”

“Fight me.”

“No.” Her knees drew up and she wrapped her arms around them, shoving her forehead against her jeans. “Stop.”

“Damn it, Amber,” Kane muttered, his voice hoarse. “Fight me. This is nothing compared to what the demons will do to you—what they’re doing to your grandmother right now. Fight back.”

Her grandmother. Anger and fear welled up so hard a ringing set up in her ears. “No!” She shoved against the pain, furious at Kane, sending anger spiraling toward him.

Stars exploded behind her eyes into tiny bits, each shard stabbing into her brain like knives. Pain filled her gasp.

She opened her eyes just in time to see his head jerk back.

A slow smile crossed his face. “Nicely done.”

The pain receded.

Amber jumped to her feet. “Fuck you.” Turning on her heel, gulping back tears, she headed for the door.

He beat her there and blocked her way. “I’m sorry.”

Her knee moved of its own volition straight for his balls.

Pivoting, he grabbed her arms and shoved her against the wall. “Hate me all you want, but you need to learn how to defend yourself.” His hold tightened until she faced him. Emotion, raw and pure, swirled through his odd eyes. “I really am sorry,” he whispered. One hand released her so he could wipe a tear from her face with his thumb. “There’s no other way.”

“You just want to save your brother.” She gulped back more tears.

Surprise filled his eyes that he quickly banished. “For a moment, I forgot Jase.” Kane frowned, shaking his head. “I do want to save him. But I also want to save you—and the demons know about you. The sooner you learn to control your gifts, the safer you’ll be.”

“Do you really think they’re hurting my grandmother?” She wouldn’t cry anymore.

“No. I assume they really want you, sweetheart.” He cupped her chin. “I said that to motivate you. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”

Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “I’m a pacifist, damn it.”

A cell phone buzzed. Kane started, and then stepped back, yanking the phone from his jeans and putting the device to his ear. “Finally. Cell service. What?” He listened, then let out a strong breath. “Excellent. Nice job, Dage. I’ll call you tomorrow.” The phone clicked off.

Amber clutched his shirt. “What?”

“We have your granny.” A relieved smile crossed Kane’s face. “The demons took her straight to the airport and had to make an emergency landing in the storm over Utah. Dage had been monitoring all transportation and had allies ready to take her. She’s been taken to wolf headquarters and will be moved to our headquarters as soon as possible, where we have excellent doctors. I promise she’ll be okay.”

Relief flowed through Amber so fast her knees buckled.

“Easy darlin’,” Kane murmured, picking her up to set down on the sofa. Frowning, he pressed a hand against her forehead. “You’re hot again. Must be something about fighting the infection of battling someone else’s mind. I need to get a blood sample as soon as we get to headquarters.” Thunder growled high above and sleet blasted against the windows. He sighed. “Which won’t be anytime soon.”

Amber settled against the threadbare cushions, her mind fuzzing. The fire warmed the space, its soft light not quite reaching every dark corner. Outside the storm bellowed and tried to get inside.

Kane grabbed the brandy glasses. Handing her one, he retook his seat in the chair. “Drink.”

“Stop being bossy.”

“Sorry.” Slowly, he took a sip, gaze watchful over the rim.

She drank a healthy gulp. How was she supposed to act normal with a sexy vampire studying her? “Stop staring.”

“No.” He licked a drop from his lip.

She fought a groan. The brandy warmed down her throat to her abdomen. Wind whistled outside, lending an intimacy to the fire-lit area inside. Her eyes half-closed in reaction. Tingles set up in her knees—most likely from the mind war she’d just fought. But the confusion came from her reaction to the vampire. “You shouldn’t have kissed me last night.”

“I know,” he agreed softly.

“Why did you?”

“You’re beautiful, sexy, and I want you.” His voice was calm and self-assured.

No game playing with that man.

She fought to keep her face calm. He said want in present tense. Her body reacted instantly, her nipples pebbling. “That’s surprising. I figured you’d go for some robotic scientist type.”

“Apparently not.”

As people, they couldn’t be more different. He was overeducated. She . . . not so much. “I’m a pacifist.”

He gestured for her to finish her drink. “Let’s talk about that.”

She downed the rest of the brandy, a delicious heat sliding through her body. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

He tipped back his head and drank his brandy, the movement both masculine and sexy. Setting the sifter on the side table, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I’ve been thinking.”

“That’s a new one.” She snorted.

Vampires had sexy grins. Who knew?

Kane’s grin widened. “So, I have a solution for our dilemma. You’re a pacifist who shouldn’t fight. I am a closet empath who needs to find my brother.”

The guy probably didn’t confess that fact to many people. She smiled, more warmth coming from his trust than from the alcohol. “What’s a closet empath?”

“Somebody who has fought for years to squash down the ability to read emotions from other people.” He sighed, stretching his neck. “Though, I can also attack with feelings sometimes. The ability can distract an enemy at the right moment, although I’d rather just use my brain.”

“There’s nothing wrong with feeling things, Kane.”

He shrugged. “Not the point.”

“What is the point?” Besides that fact that she was in an intimate setting alone for an entire night with the sexiest man she’d ever met in real life.

“The point is that there is a very simple answer to our dilemma.” His eyes darkened and his strong jaw set. “Mate me.”