“But she doesn’t have my father’s blood gene.She can escape her fate.I’ll make sure of it.Besides, my father won’t be gone anytime soon.He’s determined to extend his life, and he’ll find a way.”
“Not if I put a knife through his heart.”
“Youwon’t.”
“Won’t I?”
“You claim to love my mother.He’s the father of her children.She may have no love for him, but she has a bond.You can’t fight that.”
“You’d be surprised what I can fight, and your mother is weak.”
My mind races...Back to what my father told me about my mother.
She was so beautiful—she still is—and so intelligent. Tall and graceful and full of vigor.
My father described a woman I don’t know.But she’s a woman I’d like to know.
“She’ll fight you.You doesn't know who she truly is.She’ll ultimately choose her children over you.”
He laughs then.A sleazy demonic laugh.“She hasn’t yet.”
“She will.When she finds out who you truly are, she will.”
“I suppose we’ll see if you’re right,” he says.“In the meantime, though, consider this.You’re controlled by nature.Nature has led you to Rogan.But the laws of nature also tell us that what controls us can alsobecontrolled.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
With another whoosh, I’m back with Rogan.
In his penthouse at the London.My muscles are sore and my legs are weak.But I’m here, and I’m still standing.
“Thank God!”He pulls me into his arms and kisses me.
I respond, of course.It’s my nature.I’m as mated to him as he is to me.
But I can’t help remembering Richard’s words.
His words about nature and about control.
And for a moment—even in the throes of Rogan's passionate and feral kiss—I feel like nothing more than a rat trapped in a maze.
51
Nature.
Control.
I’m controlled by my bond with Rogan, by my need for his blood.
And he’s controlled by…
By what?
What makes me his mate?
I break the kiss and gasp in a much-needed breath.