Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 2

Payton

I look down at my hands, which are curled into loose fists in my lap, pretending to find them interesting.

The man sitting in the chair across from me is probably the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, although not in the classical sense.

His cheekbones are high and sharp, giving him a severe look, and the effect is enhanced by the contrast between his deeply tanned skin and his white-blond hair.

And then there are his pale turquoise eyes. I’ve never seen eyes that color before.

For a fraction of a second, they seemed to heat, giving them an earthier tone, but it was gone so quickly I’m sure I imagined it.

I should get up and tell him I want to leave, but for some reason I can’t make myself move. And it’s not just because he might be the only one who can help me.

“Why didn’t you leave when I told you to? Staying and following us into the alley wasn’t a smart move.” I can hear the disapproval in his voice.

A snort escapes me when I raise my gaze to his. Perhaps I should be offended that he practically just called me stupid, but I’m not. I can’t remember blacking out, but I can remember watching this man fight the vampire in the alley, instead of running away like a coward like most people would have, and I should have if I was smart.

Except I had a reason to stay, and unbeknownst to the man in front of me, he has just given me the perfect opportunity to ask for his help. “I’m trying to locate my best friend, Olivia. She’s being held hostage by one of his friends.”

He frowns and sits forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “A friend of the vampire I fought?”

I nod. “Yes. That’s why I approached him. I saw her with him and his friend three days ago when I was out searching for her. They disappeared before I could get to her, but last night I saw him again.”

“How do you know she’s being held hostage and isn’t spending time with the vampire willingly?”

“She sent me a text six days ago, begging for my help, and that’s the last I heard from her. I’ve called and texted her numerous times since then, but her cell phone is switched off.”

He nods. “Do you know the name of the vampire who’s got your friend?”

I give him a weak smile, my heart sinking in my chest. “His first name’s Barry, but that doesn’t help much when I don’t know his last name.”

He cocks his head. “It isn’t Wilson by chance?”

My eyes widen, and renewed hope makes my heart rate speed up. “I don’t know. Why do you ask? Do you know a vampire named Barry Wilson who might hold a woman against her will?”

He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “I do, and I’ve got a picture of him right here.” After a few seconds of searching his phone, he shows me the screen.

My pulse starts rushing in my ears as I stare at the picture. It shows a smiling man that could be mistaken for a nice guy, but I already know he isn’t. “It’s him.”

The striking man across the table from me gives a sharp nod. “Then you’re in luck. We’re already on his trail. Hopefully, we’ll locate him within a day or two. I’ll let you know when we do.”

Narrowing my eyes, I study his determined expression. “I have no intention of sitting on my ass, waiting until the asshole vampire is dealt with by someone else. I want to help. Olivia is my best friend. It’s the least I can do for her.” She’s my only real friend, as well, but he doesn’t need to know that.

He gets to his feet and heads over to the window, but not before I see the wry twist of his lips. “No offense, but I think we’re better equipped to handle a vampire than you are, and I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

My brows push together in a frown. “Again?”

He shrugs but doesn’t turn to look at me. “You blacked out.”

I stare at his broad back, letting the silence fill the space between us while I wait to see if he’s going to elaborate. He’s wearing a loose hoodie, but there’s no hiding the fact that he’s got some serious muscles going on.

When it’s clear he’s not going to say anything more, I get to my feet. “So, was I hurt or wasn’t I?”

He lets out an audible sigh before turning to face me. “You were hurt, but I…healed you.”

I blink at him, stunned at his admission. My direct question was intended to force him to answer me, but I didn’t actually expect him to give me the truth.

His amazing turquoise eyes hold me hostage as I struggle to come up with a response. “Thank you.” I have questions about what happened, but I don’t know how to formulate them right now.

One corner of his lips curves up in a small smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re welcome.”

I suddenly feel bad for not being nicer to him since I woke up. This man jumped to my rescue without any hesitation. Then he healed me and brought me with him to allow me time to recover. Not to mention that he’s going to find Barry and presumably rescue my best friend as well. So, the truth is, I owe him a lot more than a simple thank you.

***

Ronan

I should look away and pretend she doesn’t affect me. But I can’t. Her large dark-brown eyes framed by thick black lashes hold me captive and make me wish for things I shouldn’t. Particularly with a human woman I don’t know at all.

When I finally manage to tear my gaze away, my cock is at half-mast, and my hands are itching to touch her soft-looking skin.

There’s a knock on the door. “Ronan, are you awake?” Markus’s impatient voice sounds through the door.

I breathe a silent sigh of relief as I stride across the room. It’s a welcome distraction that might help me snap out of my unwanted attraction to a stranger.

I pull the door open and nod at my team leader, who’s standing there with his hand poised to knock again. “I’m awake.”

“Good. I…” Markus’s gaze focuses on something behind me, and his brows push together. “You have company.”

“Yes.” I turn my head to look at the beautiful woman still standing by the couch. “This is…” My lips press together when I realize I didn’t have the decency to ask her name.

“Payton.” Her eyes meet mine. “My name’s Payton.”

Leaving the door open for Markus, I hold Payton’s gaze as I approach her. “The man behind me is Markus, my boss, and I’m Ronan. I’m sorry I forgot my manners and didn’t introduce myself earlier.”

She shrugs. “That’s okay. We didn’t exactly meet in a conventional way.”

“So, how did you meet?” I can hear the apprehension in Markus’s voice as he comes to stand next to me.

I lift an eyebrow at my team leader as I turn my head to look at him. His alarm is warranted since two of the elementals on our team of enforcers have broken our vow and found their mates recently. But there’s no reason for him to be concerned, because I have no intention of becoming the third.

“We bumped into each other a few hours ago. She had a vampire on her tail, and as it turns out, the vampire is a friend of Barry Wilson.”

Markus’s eyebrows raise. “Does that mean you know where he’s staying?” His gaze stays on mine for a second before it moves to Payton.

“No.” Crossing her arms over her chest, she shakes her head firmly. “If I did, I would have broken down the door and rescued Olivia myself already. But from what Ronan was just telling me, you can help me with that.”

Markus’s expression doesn’t change. “With all due respect, I don’t—”

“Respect, my ass.” Payton huffs, and her arms drop to her sides. “I’m going to save Olivia if it’s the last thing I do. And if you won’t let me tag along, I’ll conduct my own search and rescue.”

She takes off toward the still-open door, but I can’t let her leave like this. I reach out an arm as she passes by me, wrap it around her, and pull her close, effectively stopping her escape. “You can join us.”

Payton stills before raising her gaze to mine, the look in her eyes uncertain, like she doesn’t believe me.

“Ronan.” There’s a warning in Markus’s voice, but I’m not going to listen to him, not this time.

I stare into her beautiful dark-brown eyes. “But you have to promise me to do exactly what I tell you. I don’t want a repeat of what happened in the alley.”

Her brows push together, and she bites her bottom lip. Then she nods. “Okay. As long as you don’t expect me to wait in the car. I need to be close enough so I can get to Olivia as soon as the vampire is out of the way.”

I nod. “As close as possible without being in danger. You can’t help your friend if you’re dead.”

She stiffens against me, and I suddenly realize her body is flush against mine.