Free Into the Mist by Maya Banks Page A

eased, and the urge to claw at his skin in an effort to free the predator inside abated.
    â€œListen to me,” Jonah said close to his ear. “You insult me by suggesting I’d ever let Ty place herself in harm’s way. She won’t be going after Eli Chance. If I have to tie her down and drug her ass, I’ll do it. Your only concentration needs to be on defeating this thing that has you in its grip. Do it for yourself and for those of us who love you.”
    â€œI won’t…let her sacrifice…herself…for me.”
    â€œNeither will I. Now sleep, D. You need your strength.”

Chapter Six
    Tyana scanned the occupants of the outdoor café until her gaze alighted on her target. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips formed a tight line as she strode toward the table on the far end of the patio.
    Two bodyguards stood on either side of the man, and Tyana sneered as she approached.
    â€œNot exactly subtle, are you?” she said as she slid into the chair opposite the man who had phoned her.
    He flashed her a sleazy grin and raised his hand to snap his fingers. Pete and Repeat slunk away and stood at a distance.
    â€œTake off the sunglasses,” she directed. “I like to see who I’m speaking to.”
    He paused for a moment before he slowly raised his hand to remove the expensive shades. Dark, soulless eyes stared back at her, and she resisted the urge to shiver.
    â€œSo glad you could make it, Miss Berezovsky.”
    â€œYou have me at a disadvantage,” she said sweetly. “We were never introduced.”
    â€œEsteban Morales. You may call me Esteban.”
    â€œI may call you asshole,” she muttered.
    He laughed and sat back in his chair. “You’re fortunate I have a sense of humor, my dear. Another man might not be so tolerant of your snideness.”
    She made a show of checking her watch. “Look, can we get on with this?”
    â€œBy all means,” he said smoothly.
    She leaned forward. “How the hell do you know anything about Damiano Ruiz?”
    His eyes glittered with amusement. “Ah, your shifter friend. Not doing well, is he?”
    â€œHow do you know anything about him or how he’s doing?”
    His teeth flashed again in a smirk. “Because my company engineered the chemical that made him into what he is.”
    Tyana exploded across the table, her hands wrapping in the collar of his shirt as she yanked him toward her. “You son of a bitch!”
    â€œGet your hands off me at once,” he said calmly. “Or I’ll have my friends give you a few lessons in manners.”
    â€œFuck you and your friends,” she snarled.
    â€œRemove yourself or I don’t give you the information you need.”
    She slowly uncurled her fingers from his shirt. Then she shoved him back in his seat before retaking her own.
    â€œTalk and make it fast.”
    He chuckled. “Quite demanding aren’t you? You see, Miss Berezovsky, I hold all the cards. If I were you, I’d be very nice. And exercise some restraint.”
    She sucked in a breath through her nose and blew it out around tightly clenched teeth.
    â€œThere, much better. Now, I have something you want, and you have skills that I want to utilize. I see no reason we can’t come to an agreement.”
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    â€œIan and Braden Thomas. Dead or alive. Preferably dead. They’re a liability. Eli Chance, on the other hand, I’d like alive. If he dies, the deal is off.”
    She studied the worm closely. He was adamant about Eli Chance. As adamant as she was about Eli. Which left the question why? What did Esteban want with them?
    â€œIn return,” he continued, “I’ll give you what you want most.”
    â€œAnd what is that?” she drawled.
    â€œA cure for your brother.”
    She sucked in her breath. Was the bastard telling the truth?
    â€œI own the largest pharmaceutical corporation in