Free Hellbound Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book Five) by Brenda Trim, Tami Julka Page A

jumping into the conversation.
    The woman tilted her head and considered Rhys. “I would say that you don’t have enough to pay me, but I recognize you. You are the son that got away. I think we can come to an arrangement,” the voodoo practitioner cooed. Illianna didn’t like the way the woman was eyeing Rhys. It made her flush with anger to see her so openly admiring her rescuer.
    Rhys rubbed his chin and paused before responding. “Well, if you think I have the wealth or power of my father, you’re wrong. I have nothing to offer but a few trinkets I brought with me from earth. A few gems and spells.”
    The woman walked right up to Rhys and stopped when their feet touched, reached out and grabbed his groin. Illianna gasped at the move and stepped away, not liking the direction this was taking.
    Rhys gripped the voodoo practitioner’s wrist, but didn’t shove her hand away. The woman stepped even closer, murmuring, “I don’t want your gems or spells. I have plenty of my own. What I want will benefit us both. I’m at the peak of my spawning and giving birth to one of Lemuel’s line will ensure my position.”
    Rhys shoved her hand away and spun on his heel. Their gazes collided and she saw the war raging behind his tormented eyes. She wanted to vomit at the thought of him being with this woman. It caused her chest to swell with hurt and tears to burn the backs of her eyes. She didn’t want this to happen and didn’t understand why she felt this way.
    Rhys meant nothing to her and if his sleeping with the woman and possibly giving her a child would earn Illianna’s freedom, she should be pushing them to the nearest bed. Rhys simply stared at her for several seconds and she saw the moment he resolved to agree to her price. His eyes went cold and dead before he turned back to the voodoo vixen.
    “I’ll do this, but I will not guarantee a child. Sex, one time, and you free her before we do this. And, no spells on your part to help a pregnancy along. The Goddess’ will determines the outcome. That’s how it works in my world and it won’t be any different here.”
    The voodoo practitioner tapped her chin with one, long-nailed finger as she considered. Sweat began to roll down Illianna’s spine. She was torn between begging for them to get on with it and not wanting her to touch Rhys.
    “A deal is struck. Come here, angel,” the woman finally instructed.
    Sick to her stomach, Illianna took the steps separating her and Rhys and knelt before the woman. As her collar clattered to the floor, Illianna lowered her head, refusing to watch as Rhys left the room to have sex with the incorrigible woman.
    It should be one of the happiest moments of her life. She was finally free after a century of slavery and violation, but she wanted to burst into tears that this man was going to be intimate with someone else. Worst part was she didn’t want him, but she had become fond of him and didn’t want to think about him with someone else. Hell had messed up her head. Collar or not, she doubted she would ever truly be free.

CHAPTER SIX

     
    Illianna looked up when a large palm landed on her shoulder. She didn’t even realize she had her head buried in her hands and was sobbing.
    “What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy about being free?” Dante asked.
    “Yes, I’m ecstatic to be free of those bonds, but it came at such a high price. I know he didn’t want to do this. And, truth be told, I didn’t want him to,” she admitted, wiping her eyes with the hem of the t-shirt Rhys had given her to wear.
    Understanding dawned on Dante’s face. “We don’t have to wait here while he does this. Let’s go outside,” he offered, holding out his hand.
    Illianna considered that, but wasn’t sure that was the best idea. “No, I’m safer inside. I am easily recognizable,” she explained, running her hand over her bare scalp. “I don’t want to throw away the gift he has sacrificed so much to give me. I know if he gives this