Must have been a powerful drug. Emma pressed a hand on his arm. “You were manipulated. Not your fault.”
Nik narrowed his eyes. “The bitch wants no one but me.”
“Maybe if you charm her into thinking you are her mate, our chance of escape will be better.”
“Not easy to charm a psychopath.”
A howl reverberated through the hallway. “Sounds like a happy howl, right?”
“Or I-just-found-good-prey howl,” said Nik.
Outside their door, Saskia shouted, “Open it!”
The door banged open and there she stood. A tall, gorgeous, woman with flaming red hair. She looked more like a cover model than a serial killer. What red-blooded werewolf wouldn’t find her desirable, at least physically? Behind her stood armed guards, four of Bolton’s men. She recognized the big-barreled weapons, wolfsbane rifles, designed to kill lycans. Had they brought them from the Keep?
Saskia smiled. “Nikolay, finally I see you again.” She stepped up and planted her hands on his face. “Lover.” She kissed him on the lips. Nik stiffened. She might as well have been kissing a dead fish. He grabbed her wrists and pushed her. “You left your bloody tracks all over Europe and who knows where else.”
Emma wanted to signal him to chill and pretend he was happy to see her. His wounds were apparently too deep for acting. Even if it meant an opportunity to escape.
Saskia pouted. “Is that any way to talk to your mate?”
Nik glared. “I’m not your mate. I was kept prisoner and almost brain-washed by your Nazi uncle, remember?”
“You and I were meant for one another, darling.” She tried to touch his face, but he flinched.
“You were delusional. I was never drawn to you.”
Saskia narrowed her eyes, and then turned her attention to Emma. She sniffed at Emma and smirked. “What is she, your pet?”
Emma smiled. “I hired Nik as my guide.”
“Lying bitch, I smell him on you.” Saskia cocked her head and stared at her neck. “That is more than a love bite.” She scowled at Emma. “A werewolf bite.”
“Nik a werewolf?” Emma shook her head in fake disbelief. “No way.”
“Don’t try to lie.” She turned to Nik. “Explain.”
Nik smirked. “What can I say? Women can’t resist me. Especially, human women.”
Emma nodded. “Yeah, what he said.”
“I don’t like you, little human, but I do like the smell of your blood.”
Nik stepped in front of Emma. “Leave her be. It’s me you want.”
The men aimed their weapons at Nik.
Saskia smiled. “You are already mine and if you disagree, need I remind you that we have wolfsbane rifles pointed at you?”
Bolton and Svetlana arrived. Bolton spoke to Saskia, “I don’t think we’ve met.”
Svetlana smiled. “This is Saskia, my new asset.”
“I’m Charles Bolton, Mr. Boss. I see you’ve met the newest recruits to our pack.”
Saskia turned to him and laughed. “Are you serious?”
“Boris volunteered,” said Bolton.