Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

“Helene King.”

The moment my name left my mouth I knew it was a mistake, one I could never go back from, and the impact was like a bomb.

“You’re…who?”Riven snarled, his dark eyes glittering with rage.

But I couldn’t stop. I was a runaway freight train, one fueled by terror and sheer fucking satisfaction. I pushed upward and snarled back. “That’s right,motherfucker.My real name is Helene King. You know, the sameKingyour fucking leader has been hunting for the last goddamn decade. Well,” I pushed against his hold around my throat. “Here I am.”

My breaths were light and fast. My body was screaming at me to fight or run. But I couldn’t run, not now…not when I was so far in. That left my only option to fight, and fight I could…the only way I knew how.Dirty.

Riven’s grip eased around my throat as he jerked a glare at Kane. “Did you know about this?”

The doctor’s eyes were filled with fear. “No.”

Riven released his hold, his brother now his sole focus. “Are you sure about that? Something like this would come under doctor-client privilege.”

You’ve got to be kidding, right?I unleashed a hard bark of laughter. “Somehow I doubt any of you ruthless fucking bastards would think twice about any goddamn oath you took.” I glared at The Priest. “Including one made to God. So no, Kane didn’t know, because I never told him.”

Riven swivelled his focus back to me. “So why tell us now?”

I jutted my chin in the air. “Because right now, you have as much to lose as I do.” I jerked my head toward the connecting doors. “Those men out there are my enemy, not you, not anymore, at least. Nor am I yours. We can work together.”

“Work together?” He lashed out to grasp my throat once more. “I don’tworkwith my food.”

Rage burned inside me and if I was honest…desire.How could someone so vile be so fucking hot? “Is that all I am to you?”

His lips curled as he searched my eyes. Still, I saw the truth, even if he was too gutless to admit it. I saw it in the way he looked at me, especially when his brother looked at me the same way. He was so fucking jealous he couldn’t think straight.

The edge of his lip curled before he rose. “What makes you think I won’t kill you?”

“I could ask the same,” I murmured. “After all, I’ve had plenty of opportunities.Ifyou remember.”

The deep scowl came. Stars ignited.There it was…thatunderstanding.

“You planned this?”

I smiled, for a second at least. Until he clenched his grip, cutting off my air. Panic plunged deep inside. I kicked and thrashed before he let go, and instead, gripped my mouth. I gasped, spluttering, trying to tear my head away as he shoved his thumb into my mouth, forcing my jaw to open.

He leaned down. “You think this is going to give you the upper hand? This changes nothing between us. If anything, it makes you fair game.”

Movement came from behind him. Riven’s cruel grip held me still. I couldn’t track Thomas as he shuffled toward a cupboard.

“Are you ready for that, HeleneKing?”Riven asked.

I jerked my gaze to Riven’s as he reached behind him. Steel shone as he grabbed my wrist and slapped a cuff tight.

No!

“What the fuck?” I yanked from his hold.

All three moved in like predators cornering their next kill. Riven yanked the cuff, pulling me forward. “Kane, cuff her to the heater until we decide what to do with her.”

I lunged, swinging my fist, aiming right for the bastard’s cock. I didn’t get there. Riven grabbed my wrist, stopping my blow. “Careful with this one.” He stared into my eyes. “She’s trouble.”

Kane grasped the cuff his brother held. “Think about what you’re doing here,” he started with that low, dulcet tone that lulled me. “We knock you out and you’ll be helpless. You don’t want that, do you?”

I fixed my focus on him.

And gave in.