Free Rylan's Heart by Serena Simpson Page A

the nape of his neck with a piece of leather. His intense gaze was ruby red. He wore a leather vest minus the shirt. His pants were leather too. They stretched over him showing off every well-defined muscle he possessed.
    She shivered against Rylan as the personality from their unexpected guest wrapped around her, stroking the fear she felt.
    “What the hell are you doing here?”
    “We are here for the bonding trials.” Rylan told the stranger who hovered over him by almost a foot.
    Aviana felt Rylan’s body hardened as he prepared to defend her. He wanted to keep her safe from the man who reminded her of that dark night in the alley. She shivered as the memories came back in a rush.
    The man laughed. “Do you really think you can take me?”
    His eyes flashed and the ground around them began to shake.
    “Rylan?” she said his name softly.
    “Don’t worry, he won’t hurt us.”
    “Don’t be too sure. That’s what happens to lots of couples; they are so sure until they’re dead. Then there are no do overs.”
    “I won’t let you hurt her.”
    “Really? Look at you. I can see your anger and hatred hovering over you like a cloak. How can you protect someone when you’re too busy letting your feelings dictate what you do?”
    Rylan growled and the male laughed.
    “Come get me. Show your woman how badass you really are. I think I like her, wouldn’t mind sampling the goods. Come to Poppa, Baby.”
    Rylan moved a little closer to him after moving Aviana further back.
    “Take your time. I’m willing to wait for her, she’s cute. You should know the name of the male who is going to take your female away from you. It’s Voyager. Use that name, Precious, when you scream for me.”
    Rylan attacked with a roar. Voyager held up his hand catching Rylan around his neck. He choked him as he brought him struggling off the ground to dangle in the air.
    “Your life now belongs to me. It’s what happens when you charge without knowing anything about your opponent. Now I am sure your lovely little mate will want me instead.”
    Aviana launched herself at Voyager. “Let him go!”
    Taking his other hand, Voyager stopped her cold before she could reach him.
    “She put herself in danger because you let your darkness overtake you. Do you really think you’re worthy of a mate?”
    He lifted Aviana with the invisible hold he had on her and threw her into the door that was now open. Taking one last look at Rylan, he shook his head with disgust and threw him into the void where the door had been.
     
    *~*~*~*
     
    Aviana’s alarm clock went off. She reached out blindly hitting the snooze button. Turning over, she snuggled deeper into the covers not wanting to get up. When the alarm went off a second time, she turned it off and dragged herself out of bed.
    A huge smile lit her face when she remembered it was the first day of the new job she studied so hard to get. They took her with only the experience she picked up as an intern. She was being given a job that rarely went to first time job seekers.
    She quickly took a shower and got dressed. The city wasn’t New York, but this was the first step to getting there. The hustle and bustle of the city overtook her as she left the steps of her condo.
    Her parents would be so proud of her. She walked down the street until soft sobs caught her ear. No one seemed to hear the child crying. Stepping to the side, she stood at the end of an alley. She wasn’t crazy enough to walk through it by herself.
    “Is anyone in there? Come out please, I’ll help you find your parents.”
    A little brown skinned girl stepped out of the shadows. Aviana’s mouth opened wide. She dreamed about that little girl last night.
    “Tell me who your parents are and I will help you find them.”
    She was in the process of crouching down when a man put his hand over her mouth and picked up her shaking body. The little girl disappeared faded away like a mirage as the man half carried half pulled her into