Page 22 of Feral Possession

All too well. “Something bad.” She took a step back, feeling like a rabbit trapped in the snare of his fury. “Look, I’m really sorry—”

“Don’t.” He stepped forward, crowding her. “Apologies mean little to me. Apologies are nothing more than wasted words falling from deceitful lips.”

Well, that was a fine attitude. “Sorry, for saying sorry?”

“Tell me.”

“What?” Speaking of lips, Steele’s were now inches from her own. While the rest of his features remained hidden in shadow, she found that small glimpse of his face fascinating.

“Tell me what he would have done to you.” He leaned in, his heated breath grazing her face.

“You’re serious?” She locked her eyes on his mouth, her body warming in a disturbing way, given the conversation.

“I want to hear you say it.”

If he’d yelled, it would have had less of an impact. Instead, the low, grated words sent a shiver down her spine. He’d gone from refusing her apology to demanding a grizzly description?

“This is ridiculous.”

“Now.” His barked command cleared the fog from her mind.

“He would have stabbed me to death,” she said in a rush.

“And Celeste?”

“Celeste what?”

“What would he have done to the witch?”

She huffed a frustrated growl, muttering, “Stabbed her too.”

“Why?”

Gah! Insufferable vampire. “Because of me.”

“Because?”

“Because I broke the rules, ditched my guard, and snuck into her shop.”

“Why would she have been killed?”

The ramifications washed over her. By the Goddess. Celeste could have died. Dove hunched her shoulders, whispering, “Because of me. We would have both been killed. Because of me.”

“Your behavior was reckless and irresponsible. You will not do this again.”

“Understood.”

After a moment of awkward silence, he heaved a sigh and stepped back, putting space between them.

Dove sucked a gulp of air, the first she’d enjoyed since he’d closed in on her. She shook her head, emerging from a deep hole she’d dug herself into.

“Did you purchase clothing?” he asked.

“No,” she groused, eyeing the drool-worthy merchandise displayed so temptingly before her.

“And you…” For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words while he scanned the shop. “You like this place?”

“I adore it.” She sighed, her voice thick with unfulfilled shopping desires.