Page 24 of Bloody Bones
“You have claimed her?” Acco asked in disbelief. “My dear friend, I have explored every inch of her body. I do not sense any mark that would make her someone else's property.”
“I have not laid the mark on her yet, but it is planned. Briella is my mate. Ask her yourself.” He nodded, his chin jutting in my direction.
“Is this true, Briella?”
I stood there frozen. My mouth opened and closed like a fish, and I didn't know what to say. Someone was trying to help me, that much was clear, but could I trust him? Or would I just be swapping one monster for another? It was clear that Acco knew him. Or at least of him.
“Yes,” I finally managed. “I am his.” My words came out in a whisper. I wished I could make them stronger. “His...mate.”
“Briella, do you even know who this creature is?” Acco scoffed. He didn't believe me. Not that I could blame him. I was a lousy actor at the best of times. And I couldn't lie to save my life.
“Of course I do.” I forced myself to stand up a little straighter. Searching my brain for the name Acco had used I pushed the words out with as much strength as I could muster, “He’s Bloody Bones.”
“And you have lain with him? I did not smell his scent on you.” The hand on my breast stopped squeezing, but he didn't release it.
“Briella.” Bloody Bones smiled indulgently. “You know I prefer it when you call me, Tommy. And you don't have to be shy about our situation anymore. We are all friends here, right, Acco?”
Acco grumbled at my side. I could feel his eyes on me but I didn't turn to him. I couldn't drag my eyes away from the man called Bloody Bones. What the hell kind of name was that? Not that Tommy suited him any better.
“You do not smell her on me because we had a fight.” Tommy carried on with a grin. “Totally my fault. Briella got a little jealous over the girls at the clubhouse and asked for some space. Like a fool I gave it to her. Never in a million years did I think this would happen.” The jovial tone went from his voice in an instant. “But she is mine, Acco, no one else's. It would be my right to rip you apart for even touching her.” His eyes narrowed on the hand on my breast, and Acco dropped it.
“Go to your mate, Briella.” Following Acco’s shove, I stumbled forward, my heels turning over.
I didn't know what the hell to do. Confused, I glanced between the two of them unsure and undecided.
“Come here, my love.” Tommy held out his hand and that's what made my mind up. I rushed to him, and he gathered me against his chest in an instant. His warm hands slid up my back and over my shoulders before pushing my hair from my face. “It's ok, it's all going to be ok.” His voice was soothing, but not as soothing as the feel of his muscular arms around me.
“I...” Raising my face, I looked at him, but the words died on my lips as he pressed his mouth to my forehead.
Cupping my face between his hands. Tommy lowered his face over mine. “It's going to be ok, Briella, trust me. I will not let anyone else hurt you.” His eyes blazed scarlet in his head for a second. A spark of something otherworldly in his otherwise human face. “You are mine.”
“Take her with my apologies then, Bloody Bones, but be warned.” Acco’s voice rose, the threat in it clear. “If I find out that this is a lie, if she remains unclaimed then I will take back what is mine. My scent lays on her skin now and nothing you or the Legion of Vidar do will stop me finding her if she is left unmated.”
“She won't be unmated.” Tommy slung his arms about my shoulders, turning me back towards the door.
“Oh, and Bloody Bones?”
Tommy paused.
“Leave the other human woman here.”
A scream sounded from my old principal, filled with so much terror that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
Tommy didn't say a word as he led me from the room. The two other men he had arrived with followed close behind.
“The children…” I tried to snatch myself out of his grasp, but his arm tightened, pulling me closer into his side.
“There is nothing I can do to help them, Briella, keep walking.”
Risking a glance behind me, my vision swam with tears. I couldn't just leave them, could I? Not if there was any chance of helping them? I struggled against his grip.
“You need to get her under control, Tommy.” The taller of the two men behind me growled. “Before she ruins this.”
I didn't get a chance to argue back.
“Forgive me, my love.”
I blinked up at him in surprise as his hand came out of nowhere. He jabbed his fingers into my neck with lightning speed. I slumped before I could help myself, and he caught me easily, lifting me into his arms like I weighed nothing at all.
“Let’s get the fuck out of here and go home,” were the last words I heard as blackness took over.
