Till Death Do US Part

Her Scent

[Kane’s POV]

I don't speak as the little delinquent shoves past me, causing the scent of cinnamon and spice to attack my senses. I have to admit, she smells so f*****g good. Did she also taste good? As this thought hits me, I feel the flare of desire, but I remain in place, watching her carefully as she stops long enough to meet my gaze so that I find myself getting lost in her deep grey pools while the odd sense of longing that I felt when I first saw her returns.

It can't be I tell myself as shock and wonder rushes through me. There's no way that she is my destined one.

It was a f*****g joke that the one I had been waiting all these years for was standing in front of me. But even now, as I stare into her grey eyes and feel that same damn draw urging me to take her and claim her for my own, I don't move or dare claim what is mine.

It is driving my hunger wild. It was becoming restless and frustrated with my inaction, but I wouldn't move, and I wouldn't acknowledge her. She would never be mine, and I would be the one to make sure of that.

“You've been warned,” she snaps, oblivious to the danger the monster standing beside her poses. “And be sure to stay away from me; otherwise, I'll make you regret ever crossing my path.”

“I look forward to it, little delinquent,” I call at her retreating form before heading downstairs, where Frank and Trinity still stand. “Kids, am I right?”

“I'm so sorry for my daughter's behavior,” Frank says, bowing his head. “I don't know what has gotten into her; she's usually much nicer.”

“She is probably just stressed from her entrance exam,” Trinity offers. “She studied quite hard for it. You know how badly she wants to get into that criminal justice program.”

Entrance exam… So what she was spewing earlier in front of Principal Garcia was true and not an attempt to get out of detention. I almost felt bad. Almost. She should have thought about staying out of trouble when she attacked my car.

“Sometimes I just don't know about that girl,” Frank sighs. “Kane, would you like a drink?”

“Sure.”

Even though I didn't particularly care for alcohol, I was a guest, and as such, I could at least accept Frank's offer. He was also my mentor, and because of that, I needed to stay on his good side. For that reason alone, I wouldn't bother him with the bullshit his daughter pulled, but that didn't mean I wouldn't have some fun with it either. How much would she squirm while waiting for me to reveal to her parents what she did? I couldn't wait to see.

“Trinity,” Frank says now. “Would you go and make sure that Remi remembers our dinner arrangements for this evening?”

“Of course,” Trinity beams, giving her husband a quick kiss. “You two go enjoy your pre-dinner drinks.”

Nodding, Frank smacks her ass while she scurries past him, and I fight the urge to hurl. These two were almost exact replicas of my parents, and they didn't even have a supernatural bond between them. I guess humans were also capable of loving beyond limits.

“Shall we?” Frank asks, tearing his gaze away from his wife's retreating form. “The drinks are in my office.”

Opening my mouth, I prepare to agree but stop as my phone begins to buzz in my pocket.

“One moment,” I say apologetically, pulling it out. “I need to take this.”

Nodding, Frank motions for me to go, allowing me to sneak outside and swipe the answer button.

“What's up, Hans?” I ask the minute I'm out of earshot.

“Your father wants to know if you've managed to find the files.”

Of course, this would be the reason my father had his lackie call me. I just arrived the previous day; when the hell did I have time to get into Frank's files?

I knew that, as a king and businessman, my father was willing to do whatever it took to climb up the corporate and power ladder, but to steal company secrets from a human was pushing it.

Oh well, I just did as I was told and didn't ask questions. Even I knew it wasn't good to step up to the one that led me and the one that would determine my future. And even if it meant betraying the trust of my mentor, I was willing to do it.

“Not yet,” I sigh, pulling my cigarettes from my pocket. “I start at the company tomorrow and will get them then.”

“Don't take too long,” Hans warns. “Sandra is already causing trouble due to your leaving right before your engagement ceremony.”

“She will live,” I huff. “And she is more than welcome to go through with everything without me there.”

“She is your future queen; you should be more caring of her.”

“Are you lecturing me?” I growl, lighting my cigarette. “Last I checked, I am your boss, not the other way around.”

“I apologize for overstepping,” Hans sighs. “Do forgive me.”

“Was that the only reason you called?” I ask, sensing someone just above me. “If so, Im hanging up now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hanging up, I snap my gaze to the large balcony above me, where I can just see strands of violet hair blowing in the breeze. f**k, was she listening in on my conversation?

Cursing my not sensing her sooner, I turn and head inside, then beeline for the room I can feel her inside of, and when I arrive, I don't knock before I'm barging in.

“Little delinquent,” I growl, storming toward the glass sliding doors that sit open. “Don't you know it is rude to eavesdrop?”

As I speak, I fix my gaze on her lonely back, which is exposed due to the flowing black dress that she wears for her family's dinner plans. She looks so damn beautiful yet so forlorn standing there, and I immediately feel the need to comfort her but push it aside.

“Oi,” I hiss when she doesn't turn to face me, “I'm talking to you!”

Moving forward, I reach out and grab her shoulder and pull so that she whirls around and fixes her wide-eyed gaze on me.

“What?” She snaps, reaching up and pulling her earbuds out. “What the hell do you think you're doing?”

“What did you hear?” I growl, tightening my hold. “Tell me!”

For a moment, the little delinquent doesn't speak as she examines me like I'm some foreign creature. With each passing moment, I feel our bond urging me to take her. Stirring my desire to life. It's f*****g maddening, but I refuse to give in.

“Are you deaf or dumb?” I snap when she continues to remain silent, a look of shock slowly forming in her eyes. And just as I prepare to snap her out of whatever ridiculous daze she is in I see myself lying on the ground broken and bloody.