Free Bond Betrayed by Chandra Ryan Page A

but she didn’t particularly feel like being honest with anyone right now, let alone herself. Besides, stubborn ass that he was, he deserved to be the center of the gossip—even if she was the only one with knowledge of it.
    If he’d only listen to her, she might actually be sleeping in his real bed. But no. He knew what was best for her. Hell, according to him, he was a fucking expert in all things Nicola Rathe, including her emotions. Please! He wouldn’t recognize her emotional state if it bit him on the ass, which was a rather appealing thought right about now.
    She hadn’t panicked three days ago because she was scared of him. And she hadn’t told him to stop because she didn’t want him. Much to the contrary, she’d panicked and told him to stop because she had wanted him. Suddenly it hadn’t been a manipulation or a game. She’d sincerely, desperately wanted him. But she hadn’t realized it until he’d looked at her.
    Just remembering that moment sent a wave of heady desire through her, strong enough to make her whimper and fist the covers in her hands. Nobody looked her in the eye—ever. And it wasn’t because they were gawking at her other assets. That would be normal. She could live with normal. People didn’t look her in the eye, though, because they were superstitious. A seductress could devour a person’s soul and leave behind nothing but a broken shell.
    She couldn’t blame them. Oh, she had when she was young. But that was before she’d seen what her father had done to her mom. It’d been a lesson she’d never forgotten. A warning she would never been able to get out of her head. If he was willing to do that to his mate just to get the high, what would she be willing to do to a stranger?
    Yeah, she understood why people never made eye contact with her. But it made the rare times that someone did that much more precious. Like when she’d been a child at Molly’s house. Though the memory had caused Isaac pain, she relished the warmth of it. Not only had he looked her in the eye, he’d entrusted his baby sister’s well-being to her.
    She realized he was just making an off-the-cuff comment to one of his sister’s friends, but the trust he’d shown that day meant a lot to her. And, now that the opportunity had been put in her lap, she was going to live up to her agreement. She was going to help him free Molly. But, in order to do that, she’d have to stand in front of the Council. And they weren’t going to like her being back.
    The thought was enough to cool the frustration and irritation eating at her. She’d have to be at the top of her game to make it through her encounter with them. After throwing the covers off, she tried not to cringe as her toes hit the cold, wooden floor. She may not be afraid of Isaac, but the same couldn’t be said for the Council. Since he’d told her the about the stupid disciplinary hearing she’d been a nervous wreck, worrying about what they might do to her. After all, the Council didn’t have a particularly forgiving reputation.
    Walking to the closet, she considered what she should wear to the hearing. Definitely something businesslike—respectable, she decided quickly. That way, even though she felt like shit, they’d never know it. And it wouldn’t hurt her feelings if Isaac paid her a little extra attention.
    Yes, looking awesome was just what today called for. And thanks to Izzy’s foresight, she had plenty of designer suits tucked away at Isaac’s to do just that. She picked a lovely slate skirt suit and finished it off with a bold peacock-blue cami. The single strand of pearls she’d been wearing when she’d met Isaac and a pair of black heels completed the look.
    And what a look it was. As she carefully examined herself in the bathroom mirror, even she was thrilled with the results. Granted, for modesty’s sake, she probably shouldn’t be quite so happy. But she couldn’t help it. She was image conscious. And she liked to be admired,