Poison's Kiss (Deadly Beauties 2)

"I've got to go, Lyss. Potions are running awry."

The phone is dead before I can question what that's supposed to mean. Apparently everyone is fine with me being okay without checking on me themselves. It's almost painful to know that my father was the one there when I needed him the most.

Before I can think about it too much, Gage is suddenly materializing in front of me, his eyes narrowing when he sees me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he grumbles, exasperation in his tone.

"I came to find out... What are you doing here?" I counter.

"I came to speak with Kane."

"I thought you were dealing with an issue for the Somage."

He frowns, his lips tightening. "I am. That pervert Heath is the one they found destroyed and left for dead."

Chapter 10

Close to Home

I gasp, understanding what he's insinuating, and then I shake my head fervently.

"If he killed him, he only did it because of me. Gage you can't-"

"Relax, Alyssa. It wasn't even him that killed Heath, but someone tried setting Kane up."

"Care to clue me in?" Kane snarks from the top of the steps, and Gage rolls his eyes while pulling my hand in his.

"Watch how you speak to me. I just spent three hours convincing the Somage you had nothing to do with Heath's death. Be glad whoever is setting you up took a stab at you the night of the party we both attended. Otherwise, you'd be on your own."

"What?" Kane asks, his tone a little tilted from his angered pitch.

"Heath is dead, and you were painted a suspect. We found your scent on him, no doubt from the punch you left him with, but the kill was brutal, bloody as anything I've ever seen. Considering you barely had a drop of blood on your clothes, I vouched for the fact it couldn't have been you."

Kane grips his head and then motions us inside.

"Apparently, I can't catch a break."

Gage locks his fingers with mine as Kane walks in, leaving the door open to us.

"Your aura is definitely swirling all kinds of crazy right now. Thad can take you back to the hotel. You don't have to endure this. I know the bond is still hurting you," Gage murmurs softly.

I stare into the eyes I can't believe hold such depth of concern.

"You're right. There's no reason for me to be here. I'll go in with you to collect Thad, and you can fill me in later."

He nods, and then his soft lips and cool ring find my forehead. He pulls back frowning.

"You've got a fever."

Duh. I've been around Kane for too long.

"Yeah. I'll be fine."

He has no idea how painful this bonding has become, and I'm ready for it to be over. Kane sure as hell wants no part of it. There's no one else I'll let set me free other than Gage.

We head inside to find Kane already starting the explanation for concern. I tug at Thad's shirt, and he turns to me curiously.

"Will you take me back to the hotel?"