Crimson Warrior (Onyx Assassins 3)

“Actually, it seems my partner decided not to compete.” She glanced my way, throwing me a sugary sweet smile.

“Oh, I’ll fucking compete,” I hissed.

Olivia lifted a delicate brow in open challenge.

“Wait…are you two fighting?” Zasha asked, whipping her gaze between us quickly.

“We will be if Felix gets any closer to her,” I growled, my stance shifting slightly, preparing to move. Preparing for battle.

“What do you say, Olivia? Want to partner up for old time’s sake?” Felix asked, giving her a sly smile that locked every single one of my muscles. “We always moved well together, if you remember.”

Olivia’s eyes widened slightly. “True, but I’m—”

He ran the backs of his fingers down the bare skin of her upper arm, and my vision flickered into reds and greens, my prey drive roaring past my civilized façade.

“You know, this dress reminds me of that sexy little lingerie set you had—” He didn’t have a chance to finish that comment before I’d put myself between them, gripping his hand tight enough to feel a satisfying pop.

“Touch her again, and I’ll feed your fingers to you one by one,” I growled, my fangs flashing.

“Argh!” he screamed like a spoiled little princess.

“Ransom!” Olivia clutched my bicep. “Let him go. He’s just an old—”

“I know who the fuck he is,” I snapped, towering over him as he cowered, his eyes tearing up before I released his flimsy hand.

“Felix, I’m so sorry.” Olivia moved toward him, but I gripped her waist and tucked her under my arm, immobilizing her at my side. She wanted me to act like a mate? Fine.

“Don’t be. He’s not.” My vision came back to normal, but the need to decimate the male still roared within me. “You might be a fool, but you’re not blind, Felix. She wears my mark.”

“This is not happening,” Olivia muttered at the ceiling.

“You’re a barbarian.” The asshole had the nerve to glare at me as he cradled his pummeled hand.

I tilted my head, pondering what he considered an insult. “Assassin, but you’re on the right track.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Olivia stepped between us and pushed at my chest. “You and me. Outside. Now.”

“Gladly,” Felix crooned.

I saw motherfucking red.

“No!” Olivia shoved at my chest. “Let’s go. Now!” She slid to my side and tried another tactic, lacing her fingers through mine and tugging me toward the door. “Now, Ransom. Outside.”

Not before I kill this fucker.

Felix leaned in and lowered his voice. “She might wear your mark but we both know she doesn’t smell like you. She’s always preferred more sophisticated males.”

My left hand curled into a fist. It wasn’t my dominant, but it would do.

“Felix! Why don’t you dance with me,” Zasha interrupted, sweeping between us. “Before Olivia’s mate shows you why he’s our king’s master of combat.”

Felix paled.

Good.

Olivia tugged on my arm again, and I spun quickly, yanking her up into my arms and walking out of the ballroom with her in a bridal carry.

“Just had to make a scene, didn’t you?” she huffed but looped her arms around my neck as we entered the wide hallway. I took the wide, double doors on the left and threw them open, keeping Olivia firmly tucked against my chest as I slammed and locked them behind us.

“Are you happy now?” she snapped.

“Hardly.” We were in a library, and not a little one. This sucker was the kind Disney put into movies and then sang about, the kind with ladders and…desks.

“Put. Me. Down.” She folded her arms over the strapless neckline of her dress.

“With pleasure.” I put her on the edge of the heavy, wide desk that sat in the middle of it all in full view of the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over an empty courtyard.

“You can’t go around breaking aristocrats’ hands!” She gripped the edge of the desk, her flirty skirt billowing outward at her thighs. “Damn, Ransom! I know you’re pissed. I know you’re frustrated that we’re here, but what we’re doing is important, and if that requires us to dress up and play a game to appease my family, then it’s more than worth it!”

“You think I don’t know that?” I bracketed my hands on either side of her, leaning down until our faces were only inches apart. “Yes, I’m pissed. Yes, I’m frustrated that I can’t do my fucking job at home because I’m doing my job here. I’m furious that I can’t be in two places at once and that the only reason I’m here is to play house with you until the Hunters awaken!”

“Well, you can’t take it out on my parents’ guests!” She tilted her chin and glared up at me.

Any male worth his salt would have shit his pants at the way I bared my fangs, but not Olivia. She just dished it right back at me, and fuck if that wasn’t hot.