The Darkest Torment

“Forget the dogs.”

“Never!”

The gunshots stopped. The pained grunts and groans quieted. The scent of gun smoke and corroded metal coated the air, following her.

Just before Dominik reached the doorway that led to the outside world, she stuck out her foot and tripped him. He maintained his grip on her, lugging her with him as he crashed. As he fought for breath, she was finally able to jerk free. He reached for her, but she kicked him in the stomach and stood.

Cursing, he hopped up. She leaped backward and—

Slammed into a brick wall. With a gasp, she whirled. Her gaze traveled up a man’s legs...a torso ridged with muscle. There were thin rivers of black tattooed from the tips of his fingers to the edge of the black bands that circled his biceps. Three bullet holes marred his shoulder, but the wounds didn’t appear to be bleeding.

Her eyes locked on cool copper irises. Baden.

He was hyperfocused, radiating challenge, determination and lethal intent...maybe even anticipation.

“Get out of the way, Katarina,” Dominik commanded.

Baden reached around her to knock her brother’s gun across the hall.

When confronted with an aggressive dog, stay calm. Avoid direct eye contact. Stand sideways and claim your space.

She peered beyond him while assuming the proper stance. Then, using her calmest tone, she said, “Your quarrel is not with us. We mean you no harm.”

“Lately I need no reason to quarrel with anyone, nevesta.” Bride in Slovak. He spoke her native tongue? “But you...you give me reason. You worry for a piece of shit.” His disgust had returned full force. “You married a piece of shit.”

He thought the worst of her, had no concept of the truth. Don’t know him, don’t like him. His opinion doesn’t matter. “Should you really cast stones? You have glitter smeared on your neck.” Truth. “Courtesy of a stripper girlfriend?”

When he offered no reply, her spark of temper drained. She asked softly, “Is Alek still alive?”

“Are you worried for him, or the position of power you’ll lose upon his death?”

Position of power? Please! “Is. He. Still. Alive?”

Baden inclined his head. “He even has all his body parts. For now.”

Thank God! “Listen to me. I’ll get your coin. Yes?”

“You won’t do any such thing. And you won’t hurt her,” Dominik told Baden. “I won’t let—”

Baden glared him into silence before returning his attention to her. “You know which coin I seek?”

“No, but you can describe it and I can search Alek’s home.” If Baden kept the guards at bay, she could finally hunt for her dogs without fear of getting caught. “Let’s go there now.”

“You’ve seen the trouble your husband is willing to endure to ensure the coin remains hidden.” Dark red waves fell over his strong brow, swatches of pure silk. “It won’t be in a drawer.”

Probably not. “Perhaps it’s inside a safe-deposit box. I can gather all his keys. If we leave now—”

Dominik squeezed her arm but didn’t say another word.

“What do you think I did before coming to the chapel?” Baden asked.

He’d been to the house? “Did you see three pit bulls? One is brindle, one is gray, and—”

“There were no dogs of any breed,” he interjected, his brow furrowed. “No cats, either.”

Devastation mixed with anger, the deadly combination frothing inside her. Where had Alek hidden her pets?

The white-haired man sidled up to Baden and, after a slight hesitation, patted his shoulder. “We have a problem. William killed the last—” His green eyes landed on Dominik, and he nodded. “Never mind. You kept a messenger alive. We’re good.”

Bile nearly choked her. “Three of you managed to kill over fifty armed guards?”

The white-haired man regarded her, all did the bride hit her head on the way out? “Wasn’t like it was a big deal. They were only human.” He smiled and walked away.

Only human. She couldn’t stop her gaze from seeking Baden’s, despite her warning to the contrary. He still watched her with that air of challenge, and she gulped. “You don’t consider yourself human? So what are you, the boogeyman?”

“Yes.”

What!

He stepped aside and motioned toward the sanctuary, the muscles in his arm flexing. “You will return. Now.”

Leave the crazy man? No need to tell her twice. She raced down the hall and burst through the doors. She would stand guard over Alek if necessary and—

She skidded to a halt. Blood covered the walls and pews and pooled on the floor. Bodies, body parts and other things she couldn’t name were flung here, there and everywhere.

Alek was nailed to the podium, unconscious, his head slumped forward. The bile returned, and waves of nausea crashed through her once again; she closed the distance. Her hand trembled as she felt for a pulse...it was barely perceptible, but it was there.

“Happy now?” Baden came up behind her, his shadow completely engulfing her.

“No! You tortured—”

“Rapists and killers. Yes. They got what they deserved.”

“What gives you the right to be judge, jury and executioner?” And...and...the amount of death...the level of destruction...the trial of the day... “I think I’m going to—”

Too late. She hunched over and retched.

Baden had dragged her brother alongside him, but neither male did the gentlemanly thing and held her veil out of the danger zone.

She almost snorted as she straightened and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. A brutal savage and a callous heroin addict hadn’t come to her aid? What madness!

“Mater ti je kurva,” Dominik snapped at Baden as he struggled for freedom. Your mother is a whore. “You will pay for the travesty done this day.”

Unconcerned by the outburst, Baden looked Katarina over. A spark of something lit his eyes, making her shiver. With dread. Had to be dread. “Aleksander will be the one to pay, and in a most unexpected manner. I’ve decided to take—his bride.”

4 (#ulink_86f8b7a3-fe63-597e-9ffe-edf02a53bde7)

“Only one thing should be infectious. Your smile.”