Chasing the Storm by Aliyah Burke Page A

go?”
    “That pendant is worth millions. We looked it up one day before she died and had plans to sell it. When the old bitch died she gave it to her. ”
    “Which is where it will stay. Listen to me and listen well. You even sneeze in her direction again and I’ll find you. When I do, you’ll wish you were dead because I’m really good at making your desire for death last a long time.”
    “You can’t threaten me.”
    “I just did. And if she wasn’t here watching us right now, I’d kill you. Just because I don’t think you’re anything more than a waste of oxygen and space in the universe. You and your stupid friends.” He took another deep breath to try to calm down. “Let me repeat this. Taylor is mine, got it? Mine. And I will die to protect her, and go through whomever or whatever is sent after her to keep her safe. You don’t know what you’re messing with because if you think by killing me, you’ll get to her, you’re wrong. She’s well protected and will always be.” He leaned closer. “Forget her, forget the pendant. Live longer.”
    “You and I will meet again.”
    Cale’s smile was feral. “I do hope so. I can’t wait to strip the flesh from your bones. This was a warning meeting. I see you again, I will learn what your blood looks like.”
    “You’re sick, man.”
    “I’m a man who will do anything to protect his woman.” Sparks began to flash along his skin.
    “What…what is that?”
    “My power.”
    “Power?” Jeremy’s word more resembled a gasp than anything.
    “Yes.” He stared down his nose at Jeremy. “Do us both a favour and never show your face around us again.”
    “What about my friends?”
    “Hope they’re still alive, I don’t know. Tiarnán is the warrior and looks at Taylor as his. He’s very protective of her as well.”
    “We’ll go, let me down and we’ll go.”
    Cale squeezed tighter then dropped him. Jeremy hit the ground with a whimper and rubbed at the mark on his neck before scrambling to his feet and bolting out of the door. Cale turned once he’d vanished to spy the woman standing behind him. Taylor watched him with wide eyes and her hands were knotted before her.
    He beckoned to her. “Come here.”
    She followed his directive and moved into his embrace. Cale wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose into her hair.
    “He’ll not bother you again.”
    “I thought you were going to kill him.”
    “I wanted to,” he admitted.
    She didn’t move away. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
    “Why?”
    “He’s an asshole and a jerk, but I don’t want you to have his death on your conscious.”
    “Make no mistake, Taylor Kenyon. I would kill for you. And I’d die for you.”
    She pulled back, staring intently at his expression. “Why?”
    “Why?”
    She nodded.
    “Because you are my mate.”
    “But that could have been anyone.”
    He shook his head. “No.”
    “Yes. You didn’t know who would set off that spark thingy. It could have been anyone. I’m not special and while I thank you for standing up to Jeremy for me, I don’t need more than that.”
    “You aren’t seeing what I do.” He had to get her to understand.
    “So explain it to me.”
    He led her to the couch and sat beside her. Propping an arm along the back, he held her hand with his other.
    “You see this as you could have been anyone. That any person could be sitting here with me that causes the rainbow display of sparks.”
    “Exactly.”
    He brushed back a few strands of the diagonal fringe from her forehead and allowed his touch to linger along her smooth skin before returning his hand to the couch.
    “Allow me to enlighten you, Taylor. I see this, us , as something beyond our comprehension. I’m sitting across from a woman who was handpicked for me. There could be no other because not any other person could give me what you can. The Guardians have been given a task that’s dangerous. We didn’t have a choice, but we’re given…extra to help us deal