What the fuck am I thinking? I watch Rayne’s retreating ass. The ass with the perfectly rounded globes I suddenly want to grab and hold. I’m a little stunned by how much her long face affected me. The whole episode shocks me. I masturbated in front of her. Without more than a second’s thought. Something in her draws me. Something in her compels me to see how she’ll react.

After playing with her, common sense prevails. What the hell? The girl is damaged, maybe even broken. If I want to do damaged, I can look in the mirror. And she’s so young; yet in some ways, she looks through me with the wisdom of the ages.

It’s time I put my head back on straight and hunker down. I let a moment of guilt wash over me—what have I been doing while Viper has Sasha? Trying to forget. Has he hurt Sasha? Beneath her tough exterior, there’s a deeply vulnerable side that might easily be broken. I can’t let my mind go there. I should be focused on finding clues, but instead, I let my dick do the talking. A ping from the computer brings me to attention. Two a.m. I traverse through the gateways into our forum. There’s Joker, right on time.

There’s nothing else to do at the moment. I need shut-eye. I’ll be no good to anyone if I’m not on top of my game. Sasha—what was that bastard doing to Sasha? Rage wells in my chest, making each heartbeat like a punch. I massage my chest and will myself to think of something else, anything else. That’s what I was doing when Rayne drifted into my world. Rayne, who I have to protect . . . at least until I can find someplace safe for her. Another problem to figure out tomorrow. I think about doing a round on the speed bag, but I need sleep. I lie on the couch and let my mind drift.

The MitM attack means I have access to all the computer traffic flowing between Viper’s computers and the Internet. Joker located most if not all of Viper’s computers and put a tracer on them. Now, we’ll know every move Viper makes on the Internet. I’ve instructed Joker to find and stop Viper’s travel plans in the hope that will buy me a little time. Then he’ll offload Viper’s assets once all downloads are complete.

What to do with Rayne? What to do with Rayne? I tip my head back and let my mind roam over the feel of her skin, skin that shimmers like golden honey. Skin as soft as a baby’s bottom. Skin I never want to let go of.

Worse—I’ve caught her scent. Or rather, it has ensnared me, wrapping its tendrils around every atom in my body, captivating me. She wants me, and that desire is part of her delicate perfume. But something subtle lies beneath, an undertone, something that hints of mystery and challenge. Her scent still lingers on my hands. I put a finger in my mouth and taste her. So good. Sensuality just begging for discovery. She’d licked then rolled her lower lip between her teeth, a quick little gesture—then shook herself as if she’d caught herself wanting something beyond her reach. Something vulnerable with an undertone of kink. Endearing. She’s a conundrum. I drift off with her scent and taste conquering my senses.

I wake full of resolve. Today, I get Sasha. Today, I stash Rayne with Connor and his beloved Kat, both friends and owners of the Masquerade Club, a rather sophisticated and very private sex club. With their security, they’ll keep Rayne safe until I’m back with Sasha safely in tow. I refuse to entertain any other result. I will find Sasha. I will kill Viper. Strike three, asshole.

I grab a quick shower, shave, and dress in my usual uniform—a black hoodie over a black tee, jeans, and my Wolverine 1000s. I push the sleeves up on my forearms. Good to go.

I check the monitors for Viper’s men. No sign. Excellent!

Rayne comes out of the bedroom as I head toward her.

“I see you’re ready. Good.” I keep my tone businesslike. No way I want her to get the wrong idea about where things stand. At least until I figure out where things stand . . . where I want them to stand. Oh, hell.

“Good morning to you too.” She sounds bitchy enough, but she keeps shifting and looking away like she’s nervous.

”Come on. Let’s change your bandages before we get going.”

“I’ll do it myself, thank you.” Her tone is cold, removed.

“I need to check for infection. Why are you such a bitch about this?” Not that she’ll tell me the real reason, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to put up with this attitude all day.

She sighs as she sits on the gurney but sits quietly while I inspect her wounds.

“Looks good. I’m grabbing a coffee and shower, then we’ll be out of here. I’m hoping Sasha finds a way to turn on her tracker.” Any second now. Please, Sasha. The thought of what they may have done to her makes bile rise in my throat. I swallow it down and head to the elevator with Rayne following closely behind. Time to rejoin the real world.

“Where are we going now?”

“Get cleaned up and meet me in the kitchen. The elevator doors open on the cyclone left by Viper’s men. “Goddammit.”

They’ve ripped apart most of the books and tossed the room. The monitors haven’t prepared me for the extent of the damage. There was no reason to be that destructive except for spite. Another layer of hurt will be administered when I find them.

“We’d better clean this up.” Rayne picks up one of the leather-bound volumes and carefully dusts it off before placing it on the shelf.

“Leave it. The cleaning crew will get it.” I stride through the room, heading toward my bedroom. I need to get this woman’s scent off my body and out of my head. Rayne runs to keep up with me, cursing under her breath.

“What cleaning crew? I thought no one else was here but that Steve guy. Where is he, by the way?”

I grimace at the thought of answering her myriad of questions. There’s no way she can know, but she tends to ask questions that ripple the curtain hiding my despair.

“How long will we be gone?” She pulls on my hoodie, bringing me to a halt. I turn and stare her down. She draws back a step.

I keep my tone even. “Can we save the questions for the car? Right now, all I want is a shower and coffee.”

The hurt on her face makes me think I’ve kicked a kitten. Coral weaves in between Rayne’s legs. I reach down to pet her, but she turns her back on me, giving me a view of her royal hindquarters as she rubs against Rayne’s leg. Rayne picks her up and buries her face in Coral’s fur. I feel like a heel.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’m tired and worried. Let’s just get ready and get out of here, okay?” I reach down and brush one of her black curls from her forehead. A tight smile makes another appearance. While I talk, I inch closer to my bedroom.

She smiles back, a genuine smile that reaches her eyes. God, she’s beautiful, bruising notwithstanding. “How long will we be gone, do you think? Will we need clothes?”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be staying with some friends of mine. Kat and Connor. Kat loves shopping, and she’s about your size. She’ll no doubt have you in a new wardrobe by the time I get back.”

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“To get Sasha.”

“Not without me, you’re not.”

Willful. Just like the little dragon she is. Thus starts our pattern—we go from bed to battle . . . and hopefully back again.