Levi’s own fury wasn’t going anywhere yet either. Someone had kidnapped his anchor. Had teleported her to the exterior of a demon-owned motel. To take her inside? To haul her into the van? He didn’t yet know. But he’d soon find out.
“He’s alive, but he isn’t waking up,” said Larkin, nudging the male lying on the ground with her foot. “Did you put him asleep, Piper?”
She weakly nodded. “Trapped him in his worst nightmare.”
Levi squeezed her nape. “That’s my girl.” He glanced at Armand. “Take us to my apartment.”
“We taking sleepyhead with us?” asked Armand, tipping his chin toward the male on the ground.
Levi tightened his hold on her. “We sure the fuck are, yeah.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Slouched on Levi’s sofa, Piper glanced down at the prickling burn on her chest. It was the worst of her wounds but, fortunately, was healing as fast as the others. She still couldn’t quite believe she’d been involved in yet another mini battle. It had all happened so damn fast, and it had shattered her hopes that whoever wanted her dead had backed off.
So many emotions fought for supremacy inside her, but anger won out. Anger that someone had targeted her. Anger that Levi had been hurt defending her. Anger that she had no fucking clue who’d apparently decided she’d lived long enough, just as she had no idea why they’d reached such a decision.
Her demon wanted to drop-kick a fucker. In its view, their ‘hater’ was a goddamn coward, refusing to expose themselves. Yeah, Piper could agree with that.
Feeling the weight of someone’s gaze, she looked up. Levi stood directly across from her, his arms folded, his neck corded. He’d barely taken his eyes from her since they arrived at his apartment, as if worried she’d suddenly vanish from his view … though it wasn’t as if anyone could teleport here and snatch her. The preternatural security measures in this building were tip-top, and they’d prevent any such intrusion. Still, he watched her closely, tension in every muscle.
Her body would probably be just as stiff if she didn’t feel so drained. The effects of the drugging power hadn’t yet completely faded, and the psychic energy she’d expended had only worsened the fatigue that plagued her.
“When are you going to question our captive?” she asked Levi. Said captive was currently asleep in the office/library with Enzo and Dez watching over him.
“When Knox arrives,” Levi replied. “Armand will teleport him here.”
“I’d insist on coming along to the interrogation, but I feel like I’m going to fall asleep any second now.” If Piper went with them, she’d be trembling and staggering. Looking weak in front of other predators was a no-no.
“Not a lot can take me by surprise,” began Larkin, sitting beside Piper, “but seeing you abruptly disappear from the dance floor like that … I never would have expected anyone to snatch you out of a crowd like that.”
“That was why it worked,” said Piper, sounding as tired as she felt. “No one would have seen it coming. And you need to stop feeling guilty, because it’s really pissing me off.”
Larkin’s lips twitched, though no humor lit her eyes. “Can’t help it. You were right there … and then you weren’t. All the girls freaked out. Enzo and Dez lost their minds.”
“You didn’t fail me. No one did. Khloë was inches away from me, and even she wasn’t able to stop that bastard from taking me.”
“Don’t think she isn’t furious about it. You don’t need to worry that she might be beating herself up about it, though. Khloë doesn’t really do guilt. The only people she’s blaming are the people behind the kidnapping.”
“And so she should.” Piper looked at Levi. “You need to stop feeling guilty, too.”
A muscle in his cheek ticked. “It galls me that even with you surrounded by people, someone was able to get to you.”
“There’s no real way to ensure I’m completely safe.” Piper narrowed her eyes at the shifty expression that came over his face. “Whatever idea is floating around your head, well, you can push it right back out.”
“It would work,” he said.
“What?” asked Larkin.
Levi rubbed at his jaw. “It’s something Asher once did to Harper. He didn’t want her to leave him, so he slapped what were essentially power cuffs on her. She couldn’t go far from his side. I’m sure there’s someone who could link me and Piper in such a way.”
A snicker burst out of her. “Ha, no, not happening.” The guy had to be high if he thought differently.
“If you were cuffed to me—”
“I wouldn’t be able to work or shower or use the goddamn toilet without you nearby. And you wouldn’t be able to do any of the sentinel stuff you never tell me about. It’s not realistic, and it wouldn’t guarantee my safety. It would only mean I couldn’t go far from your side.”