Wicked Pleasures (22 page)

The lock clicked and the door opened.

He stepped inside the room and pulled the string
hanging down from the ceiling. The dim light came on. He moved
around the stacks of gold and found what he was looking for—a bow
and silver-tipped arrows. Grabbing a flashlight and a container, he
hurried out of the room, closing it and verifying that it was
locked and secure.

Roark went back to Miss Deveraux who was now sitting
on a wooden chair, appearing dazed. “Are you okay to help me?” he
asked.

“I can try.” She lifted her hand, squinted, then
cried out. “I think I have a broken rib, but it’ll heal fast.”

“Here, keep your arms lowered.” He turned his back
to her and lowered on his haunches. Unbuttoning his shirt, he tore
it from his body. “I need you to pour this on the site of the
wound.” He handed her the vessel.

“But…but…”

He understood her concern. The salve was a dangerous
potion that could kill a wolf if not administered correctly and in
the right amount. “I believe the poison used on me was aloe.” For
wolves, it was toxic. “It’s okay Miss Deveraux. The root ointment
will seep into my body and help. This is the only way. I’ve got to
get to Bronte before it’s too late.”

“Forgive me, Mr. Roark.” She uncapped the
vessel.

As she wiped the salve onto his skin, the heavy
scent of burning flesh singed his nose hairs. He concentrated on
the one thing that filled every void—Bronte. He loved her. Would
she ever understand the depth of his emotions? If anything would
happen to her...

“There,” Miss Deveraux said.

Roark bit through the pain in his muscles. He turned
to her. “Listen well, you need to get out of the house. Do you
remember the underground tunnel that takes you out to the west side
of the property?” She nodded. “Go, now!” He helped her to her feet.
She was unsteady but he knew she’d gain her strength back soon.

“What about you?” she asked, holding the side of her
head. Her apron was torn and bloody.

“I’ve got to go and find Bronte. I’m hoping she’s
here. Be safe and only trust Caleb. Okay?”

Once Miss Deveraux was in the tunnel, Roark raced
for the stairs. At the top, he slowed and pushed through the door
into the dark hallway. He listened, but the house was quiet. He
sensed that Shelby was waiting. Every instinct honed on his
surroundings as he crept quietly through the shadows. Then he
smelled his enemy and he followed the trail of stink.

Roark stepped into the den, clutching the bow tight
in his hands. The fire was blazing and Shelby sat on the chair, the
golden light making him look like a statue. The only movement in
his body was the tightening of his jaw.

“Bravo, Roark. I had a feeling you’d recover. I’ll
take care of the witch later for betraying me. I should have known
she didn’t give me enough poison. Over the years I think she’s
grown to like you, Roark, like most females.” He shrugged. “No
reason to sulk over something that I can’t change.”

“Then you realize your fate,” Roark said as he moved
to the middle of the room.

“Not so fast, my old friend. Let’s talk.”

Roark gripped the plastic tighter. “Fuck you. Where
is Bronte?”

“Don’t worry. She is taken care of.” Shelby said.
“Now, I have something to say.”

“Go ahead, but understand your death looms.”

Shelby laughed. “Your seed has been planted in the
woman. Congratulations, daddy!”

Roark straightened his back and his blood rushed.
“Why Shelby? Wasn’t it enough for you to see the curse lifted and
then I would have met fate’s doom?”

Shelby cocked his head. “I guess I entertained the
thought of playing a role in your demise.” He tapped his fingers on
the leather material of the chair. “Just as I thought. The seed in
that woman makes everything different. The look on your face was
priceless.”

“Then your death at my hands will only come with
more pleasure.” Roark bent at the knees, bringing up the bow with
the arrow aligned with Shelby’s heart. Roark could hear the steady
beat of his heart and he was calm, ready for attack.

“Kill me and that bitch and your bastard will become
fish food.”

The air snapped and Roark couldn’t breathe. His
weakness attacked his strength and he knew couldn’t risk Bronte’s
death.

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken, Shelby.”

Roark turned and standing in the doorway was Azelda.
After the initial shock, he recovered, and anger shot through him.
“This is your fault! Leave or I will end your misery, old woman!”
Roark said through tight lips.

“You’ll want to hear what I’ve come to say, Roark.”
The witch pulled back her hood, her face was red, and her eyes were
wide. Her mouth twisted. “Evil has a name, right Shelby?”

Shelby laughed. “Leave now old woman or I’ll snap
your neck!”

Azelda wobbled into the den, her joints cracked with
each step. “Not before I put a stop to your ways.”

“Make this quick, Azelda. My anger for you is only
growing,” Roark had no time to waste.

“You have a coward in your mist and he sits cockily
before you. He fills you with fear with his lies. You see, I fed
Bronte a potion that protects your precious seed. No harm shall
come of that child. Upon her eighteenth birthday, the potion will
no longer serve its purpose. Shelby holds no harm over those you
love. Yet, there is another that wants what he’s ached for since
Jillian shunned him many, many years ago. He is your true enemy,
and he is a danger to Bronte.”

Roark stared at the witch. “Who is he? Tell me
now!”

“His name is—”

Glass shattered. Roark turned, catching a glimpse of
Shelby as he fled through the window. Dropping the bow, Roark was
out of the window in two quick strides and running after Shelby.
Roark caught the man as he reached the tree line, knocking him down
with a blow to his back.

Shelby stayed on the ground. “Go ahead, Roark. Let’s
get this over with.”

“Why did you do this?” Roark stood over the man, his
hands fisted.

“Because I’m the true leader. You can kill me, but
one day, you’ll pay for what you did to my brother. Everyone you
love will pay.”

Rage coursed
through Roark. In one swift motion, he grabbed Shelby by the neck
and swung him around, tossing him against the tree. He jumped up
and faced Roark. Shelby darted toward him and in a sickening
crushing of bones, Roark decapitated him, ending the fight.

Chapter 15

BRONTE FLUTTERED HER eyes open, feeling warmth of a
hand on her leg. She jerked and came upright on the couch. Through
blurred vision she saw Gage, he was kneeling beside her. “What?
How?” Her words were slurred.

“It’s okay, Bronte. I’m here now. You’re alright.
You’re at my house.”

Gage’s words seemed like they were coming through a
tunnel. Her mind worked, but she was groggy. The last thing she
remembered, Shelby was in her bedroom. “Watch out for Shelby.”

“Shelby won’t bother you here, darling. I
promise.”

“Yes, he’s a wolf.” She forced her voice to work
although her tongue was numb.

“And so am I, sweetheart,” Gage said. “I’m Gunnar.
I’d hoped to tell you the truth in a better way, but it was bound
to come out eventually. I’ve long waited for you to know who I
really am so that we can be together.”

She felt his fingers through her hair and her brain
absorbed what he’d said. Her lids wanted to fall, but she refused
to fall asleep. “You? But I don’t understand.” His fuzzy image
started to clear.

“Jillian was mine. I saw her first, before Roark.
Her father promised her hand to me, but she wanted nothing to do
with me after Roark charmed his way into her life. I would have
done anything for her. I would have given her all of her dreams,
but instead she wanted a love story.”

“What does that have to do with me?” she asked as
she tried to sit up higher. Her body wouldn’t work.

“It has everything to do with you. You look like
her, and you have her mark.” His gaze lowered to her chest.

“But I’m not Jillian.”

“I think we both know that you are. She’s in your
blood. She found her way back from the dead, just too bad for her
that it still isn’t enough to be with Roark. I have made the plans,
my dearest. There’s nothing that requires your attention. You will
be my partner, my wife, and together we will raise Roark’s child. I
will be a good husband and father.”

Bronte’s lungs ached and she couldn’t breathe. The
cold calculated tone of his voice made her shudder. “I will never
marry you. My heart belongs to Roark. Time couldn’t fade that
truth, so what makes you think you can?”

“Poor, Bronte. Of course you will marry me, darling.
I’m certain you’ll change your mind. After all, you’ve worn my ring
before.”

His confidence was unnerving. “I assure you that I
won’t.” The fogginess was fading and her muscles felt stronger.

“If you wish to keep Roark and your baby safe,
you’ll gladly give me what I want.”

Her bottom lip trembled. She couldn’t control the
fear oozing through her nerve endings. “What are you talking about?
My baby can’t be harmed.”

“Uh, uh, uh.” He waved his finger as he stood up.
“Let me explain. I’m afraid you have no choice but to be with
me.”

“Why do you want me? Why would you want someone who
doesn’t love you?” she sputtered.

“You’re a smart woman, Bronte. Isn’t it clear? Not
only were you promised to me years ago, but Roark’s bloodline
reigns as head of the family. Therefore, you’re carrying a prince,
so to speak. Of course there is the little issue with Shelby, but
because he is unbearably stupid I can handle him.” He sniffed
loudly. “As long as there is another that carries Roark’s blood,
they will hold a very special place of power. Your child is worth a
hefty price. I have two bargaining tools, and that, darling, is so
much better than one.”

“Roark will never allow this to happen.”

He smirked. “I’ll fill you in.” He seemed to take
great pleasure in her ambiguity. His shifty grin spoke volumes. “I
paid Jillian a visit late one evening. I’d known by then that she
would never be mine. Seeing her made me angry and I had left her
lying in a pool of her own blood. She was still beautiful in her
last moments. Shelby had wanted to kill her himself, but I wanted
to complete the task. Shelby had a one-track mind. He wanted Roark
to see her suffering and I didn’t want her to be with another,
ever. We both got what we wanted, although I would have liked
things to be different. Roark arrived too late. The look of pain on
his face was precious.”

The words struck Bronte with the force of a harmful
blow. “You are an evil man!”

“Oh please, sweetheart. This is all Roark’s doing.
He stole you from me! Now, you’re back. We can be together like it
was supposed to be.”

“You’re wrong. I am here because my love for Roark
is stronger than death. And whatever happens, I’ll always love him.
He is the rightful leader of the pack. No matter how many people
you kill or hurt, you’ll never be half the man he is.” She knew
she’d touched upon a sensitive subject. His jaw clenched and his
nostrils flared. “You’ll always walk in his shadow. Even in death
he’ll still outshine you.” Saliva bubbled at the corner of his
mouth.

“You will be mine, Bronte. Like it or not!” His
voice rose into a roar that shook the windows.

“When hell freezes over.”

“This is hell.” His tone changed. Bronte stared up
at him. She wished she could strangle him with her bare hands.
“Don’t worry, darling. I won’t hurt you, unless you give me reason
to. There’s no reason why we can’t be happy even if you’ve lowered
yourself to Roark.”

“I’d rather die than be near you,” she said through
tight lips.

“Now, now. You don’t mean that. Think of it like
this, you’ll have a baby that’ll keep you happy. And I’ll have my
kingdom of power.”

“So, you’re as cowardly as Shelby. The only way you
two can get what you want is to lie, cheat and betray. You may
consider yourself a man, but I think you’re a worthless sack of
bones who has longed for a woman who couldn’t stand you.”

His eyes slanted. “I can do plenty. Don’t forget,
I’m worth millions in the human world, and now I’ll be worth even
more to the wolf clan. You should be proud that I’d choose you to
be with.”

Laughter bubbled up inside her throat. “You’re
insane. You may have money, but it doesn’t make you worth anything.
Do you really think the wolf family will accept you? They’ll see
right through your evil ways and when they do, will you be
safe?”

The line of his lips thinned. “Shut up! You know
nothing about my wolf family. They’ll accept me because I have
power, and that brat!” He pointed to her stomach.

“You’ll be no one. This child will be the leader,
not you!” He reached out and grabbed her hair, pulling her off the
couch. She screamed as she felt pain shoot through her temples. He
led her to his bedroom, pushed her in and she fell onto the
floor.

“Maybe after you’ve had time to think this through,
you’ll see things my way.” He slammed the door.

Getting up and going to the bed, she sat down as
tears fell to her cheeks. It was hopeless. Moreover, Roark could be
dead as far as she knew.

The only thing she could do now was protect her
baby.

****

Azelda’s eyes seemed to dance. Roark was at his
wit’s end as he stared at her, wanting to rip the truth from her
thin lips. “Tell me, Azelda. Who has Bronte and where is she?”
Roark could barely breathe because his chest was so tight. Shelby’s
blood remained on his hands and the iron scent made his lungs ache.
Caleb sat in the chair by the fireplace and Miss Deveraux, who was
holding an ice bag against her head, sat on the couch. The witch
was standing in the middle of the room. Her hood was in place and
Roark could hear her shallow breaths.