Dark Illusions: The Next Chapter Preview

This is still in draft format, but I will update it as the edits are done. I am including this as the preview located in the back of Dark Illusions: The Beginning.

     [. . .] Sean acknowledged being stared at so he shifted to regard Cameron without a care in the world. One shoulder raised before Sean continued watching Kat. Watching her with that fixed interest that would get his ass kicked soon if he didn’t stop ogling what belonged to him, not Sean.

     Cameron cleared his throat. “Does someone know when the fuck Cyrus plans on joining us?” He slammed his hand down on the desk. Everyone jumped. Even Kat did despite having seen him about to strike the surface. Sean received the point and lounged back in the chair, regarding Cameron with an impatient glare. Not before giving Kat a final once over with clear interest.

     Kat glanced at Sean and back to Cameron, sensing the tension. Cameron swore he caught a glint of amusement in her eyes.

     “Soon,” Sean growled. “Said he had a phone call to finish, then he’d head over.”      Cameron stared in shock at Sean. “And how long does a goddamn phone call take?” he snapped.

     “How in the fuck would I know that, Cameron? Relax.” A slow grin crept along his lips. Sean was fully aware he pissed Cameron off with the ideas brewing in his mind regarding Kat. He didn’t care one iota, which got under Cameron’s skin like an itch he couldn’t reach. Cameron’s skin crawled and the beast within prickled, wishing to show itself, to rip into Sean.

     Cameron cracked his neck left, right. Rolled his shoulders. Curled his fingers in, out. Sean’s caught it and his own jaw muscle ticked away faster and faster, his back stiffened. The beast within Sean whispered in response to Cameron’s reaction, craving release, desiring a fight, a hunt, death—

     Kat cleared her throat and made both the men shift their attention back to her. “If you gentlemen are done with your little tissy fit, can someone please explain why I’m standing here?” She dropped her hands to place them on her hips. “Or did you plan on me being eye candy the whole fucking day, Cameron?” She gave him a sneaky grin and Cameron leapt to his feet. She added to the anger and he’d had enough.

     The door opened. Cyrus finally chose to show his face. With a brief glance around the room, he knew what he dealt with, without having to ask.

     Cyrus shook his head and pinned Kat with a knowing stare. “Well aren’t you up to your normal tricks. Is it always necessary to rile a room full of men?”

     Kat shrugged and Cameron sat back down. “Why not? I find riling people enjoyable. In this case, I haven’t done a thing.” She pointed Cameron’s way. “You can talk to him.” Glancing back at Cyrus, she said, “And it’s nice to see you too, Cyrus.” The smile she gave Cyrus trickled down Cameron’s spine, his skin crawled. His jaw clenched and a deep growl slipped out, causing the phone on his desk to shiver across the surface.

     Kat watched the phone move and flicked her gaze to Cameron. Her eyes twinkled when he shoved the phone back.

     “Are you finished, Kat?” he snapped.

     She waved her hand, remaining quiet.

     Cyrus cut in, “Have you told her Cameron? I am taking a big guess and assuming not. Since she’s still picking on you, rather than trying to kill you.”

     Cameron narrowed his eyes at Cyrus. No, I haven’t had a chance you idiot. Kat’s soft laugh made Cameron jerk his head her way and pause. Did he say that out loud? He shook his thoughts away. No, he was certain she picked up on the way he regarded his sire.

     Sean was once more watching Kat with that look. Cameron leaned forward on the desk, suppressing the urge to snap Sean’s neck. A low rumble swept through the room. They all glanced at one another before facing the source.

     Cameron.

     Kat stared at Cyrus before casually shifting her attention to Cameron. “What does he mean? Tell me what?”

     Cameron glowered at her for so long she fidgeted. She glanced at Cyrus to avoid Cameron’s intensity. He grinned. Served her right. “I planned to continue our discussion from earlier.”

     “Oh. The one you didn’t finish when I’d mentioned wanting to talk to Julian. Or, I should say, needing to.”

     Cameron stood up from his desk with deliberate slowness. Kat pulled back and even took a step back the moment he moved around the desk. He sat on the edge that faced her and smiled. “I love that compliance. It’s nice to know I still get it.”

     The muscle in Kat’s jaw pulsed. “Don’t get too comfortable. As I said before. Some things will change around here.” [ . . . ]

Only took a thousand tries to get the formatting to show up right, haha.

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