Driving forty miles per hour in a damn thunderstorm, but I didn't care.

Rain slammed against the windshield in sheets, and deep within me, the beast stirred. Restless. Hungry. Wanting to break free.

Not tonight.

Rage coursed through my veins, my thoughts circling back to tomorrow's mission. I felt wound up, tighter than I had in years, which meant something given all I'd done and seen-the nightmares I'd become.

Loyalty was what tomorrow depended on. My unit's loyalty to the mission, to each other, to me. Because if even one of them faltered and betrayal seeped into our ranks, it would mean death for us all.

The strategy meeting had run three hours. Three hours of contingency plans and kill orders, of studying blueprints until my eyes burned. Three hours of being reminded that I'd never be normal. That I'd never live the quiet, simple life other people took for granted.

My father had made sure of that.

The ugly memory came back making me sick. My mother's funeral when I was six. She'd been the only person who looked at me and saw a child instead of potential. The only one who held me when I cried, who kissed my scraped knees, who called me her miracle.

Three months after we buried her, my father came into my bedroom at 2 AM.

I still remembered the cold leather of his car seats. The drive to the facility. The fluorescent lights that turned his face skeletal. He was a scientist, brilliant and completely insane. A maddened genius who decided his own son would make the perfect test subject. They pumped things into my veins that rewrote my DNA. They broke my bones and watched them heal in hours. They did things to my mind that I still can't name without wanting to put my fist through a wall.

I was seven when I stopped being entirely human.

Twenty-three now, and I'd never forgive him. Never forgive the government that used me. Never forgive myself for the bodies I'd left behind.

The wipers could barely keep up with the downpour so I had to slow down to the actual speed limit, twenty-five miles per hour. I should've been home, should've been preparing for tomorrow, but sitting still felt like suffocating. My skin itched. My jaw ached from clenching. The beast inside me snarled, scraping claws against the inside of my skull.

"Let me out," it whispered. "Let me hunt."

"Shut up," I growled.

"You need to run. You need to kill. You need-"

"I said shut the fuck up."

My knuckles went white on the steering wheel. The last thing I needed was to lose control. The last thing the world needed was me losing control.

I needed a distraction. Anything. I would've gotten drunk if my body could still process alcohol, but they'd taken that from me too. Nothing worked anymore. No pills. No booze. Just this constant, gnawing awareness.

I reached for the radio, eyes off the road for half a second.

The headlights flickered across something in the road.

I looked up. Saw the figure directly in my path.

"Shit!"

I slammed the brakes. The Mercedes fishtailed, tires screeching against wet asphalt. My stomach lurched as the car spun, and for one terrifying second I thought we'd flip. Then the wheels balanced, and I jerked to a stop sideways across both lanes.

My heart was beating fast. The beast roared to life, flooding my system with adrenaline, sharpening every sense until I could hear the rain hitting individual leaves.

I threw open the door.

Another flash of movement in the headlights came closer now. Before I could process what was happening, a body slammed into me, all desperate momentum and wild energy. The impact drove me back against the car door, and instinct took over.

My hand shot out, fingers closing around a throat. I spun, using the collision's force to reverse our positions, and slammed the person against the side of my Mercedes. Hard. Metal dented under the impact.

One squeeze. That's all it would take. I could feel the pulse fluttering under my palm, rabbit-fast and fragile. Could snap this neck before my next breath.

Then I saw her face.

The world... stopped.

She was soaked, hair plastered to her skull, mascara running in dark rivers down her cheeks. She reeked of alcohol. Looked like she'd gone over her limit while having fun.

Despite all that, she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

The beast went silent. Completely, impossibly quiet. And my heart, my dead, frozen heart, beat. Not the mechanical pump of blood through veins. An actual feeling. Like something that had been dormant for sixteen years suddenly woke up and remembered what it was supposed to do.

The wolf inside me didn't snarl or fight. It preened. Paced. Made sounds I'd never heard from it before, eager, excited, almost desperate.

Her eyes locked on mine, wild, terrified, desperate and I became breathless.

Oh.

Oh no.

My fingers loosened on her throat, but I couldn't make myself let go. Couldn't step back. Couldn't look away. Rain poured over us both, cold enough to sting, but I barely registered it.

"What the fuck?" The words came out rough, confused.

She didn't pull away. Instead, she grabbed my wrist with both hands, not to pry me off, but to hold on. Like I was the only solid thing in her universe.

"Please help me!" she begged. "Please. I'll do anything. Anything!"

It was rare that anything shocked me in my life, but as the torrent of rain pelted down on our heated bodies, a single flash of lightning allowed me to see the look of terror in the beautiful girl's eyes. I also noticed her lip was split. Some asshole had hit her. She was running, trying to escape.

I was a violent, dangerous man, my penchant for bloodshed adding to my heinous reputation. What I couldn't tolerate in my life was violence toward a woman and children. Under any circumstances. I had far too much respect for a beautiful feminine creature and that came from my relationship with my mom.

However, the girl was either nuts or had a death wish jumping out in front of a moving vehicle in the middle of a raging thunderstorm.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I barked. "You could have gotten yourself killed!"

"I..." Her entire face froze. Then a venomous look darkened her features. "Fuck you. You were driving like a maniac!"

"Excuse me?" I cocked my head and the defiance I could see in the glow of the dome light was unbelievable.

"Just let me go, you jerk!" Her mouth twisted, but I kept my hold.

"I'm afraid I can't do that. Now, you heard me. Spill it or I'll leave you right here on the side of the road. Now, do you need my help or not?"

"Yes. I do."

"Help you do what, little one? Who did this to you?"

I scanned the area before returning my attention toward her. Even though her clothes were soaked, I could easily tell she was dressed for a party or a festive event, the stunning silver dress highlighting every voluptuous curve.

She was also young, an innocent flower who'd appeared out of the shadows as if an angel of mercy. She couldn't have come from a far place, especially since her feet were bare and the road was pavement.

Given I was in a protected area of exotic housing the most powerful, influential, and ruthless families in the entirety of Sin City, that likely meant either her family or someone she was visiting was equally as wealthy and dangerous. Even the Hiltons didn't compare to the number of notorious people the neighborhood held. The girl was someone of importance. Or she was being used would be my guess.

I'd say she was the daughter of someone important, the necklace she wore worth a cool half million. That didn't mean she came from a loving home. What went on behind closed doors was certainly the things horror novels were written about.

"I need to get away from here." Her pleading tone dragged at the beast inside of me.

The girl was trying very hard to maintain a calm composure, which I admired. The fact she didn't want to share who'd done this to her meant she was in partial shock.

I returned my gaze, cognizant the storm was right over us. What the fuck was I supposed to do with this?

My gut told me not to get involved, but the primal savage inside of me said something else altogether.

"I'm sorry. I'm just scared," she added.

"Get in the car," I commanded.

She offered a slight smile yet didn't move. It was obvious she was paralyzed by fear. I reached inside the car, unlocking the passenger door then walking her around the front of the vehicle, easing her onto the seat. Hell, I wasn't a gentle man, but she was teetering on the same kind of edge I was.

After she was safely settled inside, I headed to my trunk, popping it open. I always carried an emergency bag of supplies including several dry towels, although their anticipated use was for cleaning up my injured self when it happened, not drying off a damsel in distress.

I knew I could be making a very bad decision, but at this point I didn't give a shit. As soon as I jumped onto the driver's seat, I tossed the towel into her lap, shutting the door then taking a deep breath. There were no headlights from oncoming vehicles, but it was a matter of time before someone came looking for her.

"I want answers. Who are you running from?"

"I..." She nuzzled her face into the towel, and I rapped my fingers on the leather console under the driver's window.

The girl remained quiet, which was as unnerving as the situation. I leaned back against the seat, wiping water from my face with the other towel.

"Spill it, little one. What the hell is going on?"

When she continued to remain silent, I turned my head, the overhead streetlight providing a more than decent look at her face.

A bruise was starting to form under her eye where she'd been hit. Rage tore through me. She was shivering and I watched as she dragged her tongue across her lower lip, digging the tip into the area where it had been split.

Sighing, I turned up the heat, trying to keep my patience with her. A full two minutes passed.

"Talk, little one. I'm not a patient man. By all rights I should punish you right here and right now."

"Punish me? Are you out of your mind? And I'm not little one. Don't call me that. Ever." Even though she whispered the few words, her tone was defiant. "My guess is you're just another one of them."

Them.

The single word had left a nasty taste in her mouth.

"Hmmm... The little fawn has claws. Then what are you? Did you escape from a mental institution?"

She snorted and I laughed softly. A single moan slipped past her lips and I wanted to crush the person who'd hurt her.

"O-kay. Did your boyfriend do that to you?" When she tensed, I could tell I was on the right track.

"No," she said softly, glancing at her lap as if embarrassed.

I shifted in my seat, gently sliding my hand under her chin and turning her head. Her eyes opened wide, so doe-like that my cock twitched. She was insanely beautiful, my balls tightening.

"A crush?"

Her eyes opened even wider than before, fear tearing through them. Motherfucker. What kind of man hits a woman?

"Where is he? I'll take care of him for you," I told her, meaning every word.

"No!" She clawed at me as she'd done before, leaning in as her eyes searched mine. The scent of her was intoxicating, floral yet mixed with a vibrant hint of vanilla and other spices.

"You can't do that. He's dangerous. He'll hurt you." Her voice was imploring but not nearly as much as her sultry voice. She was shaking her head slightly, as if a heavy burden would be placed on her shoulders if I dared consider helping her.

I allowed my gaze to fall down the length of her face, concentrating on her plump lips, a mouth I wanted to kiss. It was obvious she had no clue who or what I was. That made the electric connection that much sweeter.

"I assure you, little one, that I would come out victorious."

"You don't know who he is. He'll kill you."

Chuckling, I folded my fingers, rubbing my knuckles across her cheek as gently as possible. I wasn't known for my tender touches, my needs crossing into the realm of true sadist years before. But with her, I wanted to be gentle, careful so I didn't terrify her even more, or cause a single bruise to her lovely skin.

She glared at me through thick eyelashes and for a few seconds I felt powerless, drawn into her beauty like a moth to a flame. That wasn't a good idea. I wasn't meant to have any weaknesses, but here I was unable to take my eyes off her. As if she'd already become my possession.

"And you don't know who I am," I told her.

"Who are you?"

"A dangerous man."

"Then why do I feel so protected?"

Maybe I was a fool, blinded by the fact someone had offered a helping hand. But I knew what I felt. If anyone had told me I'd end up here on a night that should've been fun and carefree, I would've laughed in their face. Turns out you can't really trust anyone-not even someone who promises safety. Maybe except this stranger who wasn't promising anything at all.

"What do you want me to do?" His voice was gentle, careful not to frighten me further. And believe me, I was already terrified to my core.

"I... don't know." I couldn't meet his eyes, my tongue darting nervously across my lower lip.

"I think you do, little one."

Little one. The name stirred something in my chest. Was I really that small at five feet? Did I look tender and fragile, especially with alcohol still swimming through my veins? Maybe that's why the guy from the bar thought he could take advantage of me when he invited me back to his room.

The truth burned-this was my fault. I shouldn't have left Mom to wander off alone. Her soon-to-be husband had flown us to Sin City for her bachelorette party, a celebration before their wedding this weekend with a few of her friends. But I was bored, restless for excitement, so I slipped away to explore the resort. That's when I met him-the handsome devil with the soft voice who made sure my glass was never empty.

Things escalated fast once we reached his room. Got physical. Uncomfortable. But somehow, with whatever clarity I had left, I'd escaped and found myself with this breathtaking man-someone who looked like he'd never held back a day in his life.

"What's your name?"

"Seraphina."

"Then I think you do know, Seraphina. Tell me what you want." He lifted my chin, his pupils dilated as I stared into those warm brown eyes.

"You're very handsome."

"You think I'm handsome?"

"Very much. But you already know that." I swallowed. "What's your name?"

"It's best you don't know."

My fingers curled around his shirt, using the leverage to pull myself closer. "I want to know. Please."

God, I sounded desperate-some needy girl begging for attention. Hadn't I learned anything from tonight? The thought was ridiculous, yet the pull toward him was magnetic. Resisting would hurt more than giving in. How messed up was that? He had no idea what his voice alone did to me.

"Azriel." He studied my face. "Now tell me what you desire, little one."

"Make tonight disappear."

"I'm not certain I can do that." His thumb traced my jaw. "What can I offer you right now?"

The rain was still falling, wind rocking the car. My breathing turned ragged. "Help me feel something other than fear."

"How?"

I tilted my head until our lips were almost touching. "Fuck me. Please. Make love to me tonight. Just one night."

Jesus Christ. Where did that boldness come from? The adrenaline mixing with alcohol must've stripped away every filter I had.

When I pressed closer, his gaze darkened. I refused to take it back.

"Do you understand what that means?" His voice could seduce angels into falling.

"Tell me. I want to hear it."

"First, I'll bury my face between your thighs until you come on my tongue screaming my name. After that, I'll fuck you like an animal-like I hate you. It won't be gentle. It won't be making love. Not tonight. It's going to be hard, brutal, raw. The kind that leaves every inch of you aching and breathless but completely satisfied. If I fuck you, you'll remember it forever-you'll crave it, dream about it, do anything to have it again. And you will try."

Heat flooded between my legs. My pulse thundered in my ears. I'd never imagined anything like this, but it was exactly what I needed.

"Now tell me if that's really what you want."

My chest heaved, the dim light catching the glassiness in my eyes, the tremble in my lip. I wanted to devour his mouth.

"Yes," I whispered. "That's exactly what I want."

He cupped my face, the rough pads of his fingers pressing into my skin. When he captured my mouth, I knew this was a terrible decision. I didn't care. As long as I got one taste of this gorgeous man.

"Azriel." I whispered his name, the sound tickling my lips. My world. My heart was thudding against my chest. I was dizzy with want, every nerve ending alive with anticipation. To be taken-that's what I craved so desperately I didn't care that I'd placed my life in the hands of a beautiful stranger.

Azriel could be a monster. But no worse than the one I'd just escaped.

His crude words about what he'd do to me were precisely what I needed to hear.

When his hand slid to my thigh, fingers digging into my skin, being his felt completely different from earlier tonight. Azriel wanted one thing-raw pleasure. And I was giving it freely. No force, no violation. Just intensity we'd both remember.

He was almost too beautiful to be real, and I found myself mesmerized in a way I'd never experienced. The fact that he left me speechless spoke volumes about my attraction.

Here I was in a car with a mysterious stranger-someone who could be a serial killer for all I knew-yet I felt perfectly at ease. The horrible experience from earlier had already faded, leaving only bitter residue.

"Be careful what you ask for, little one." Azriel's growl sent shivers down my spine. "I won't stop even if you beg me to."

"Good. I don't want you to stop."

I wanted this man with the devastating eyes to fill my thoughts with sin. He was insanely hot-so much so my pulse skipped with every breath.

He looked amused, aroused, his nostrils flaring. His dark laugh awakened something primal in me, conjuring vivid images of the filthy things I wanted him to do.

"One thing, little one. You're not in charge. I am. I'll make certain you understand that."

"Meaning what?"

"I'm giving you exactly what you need."

He shoved his seat back and yanked me over his lap. Shock froze me in place.

"What are you doing?"

Mortification flooded through me when he pulled up my wet dress, exposing my bare skin, the thin thong doing nothing to hide me. Before I could process it, his hand came down hard. Again. And again. He didn't hesitate.

The shock dissolved into pain, the kind that made stars dance across my vision.