Shiver by Yolanda Sfetsos

accomplices nodded and Lian turned to Knox with a hopeful look on her face. She leaned close, brushing her lips against his and pulling back far too quickly. “I’ll be back for you. I promise.”
    Before Knox could respond, the three left the cell.
    The falling snow intensified and collected around his cramped knees, but he didn’t feel the cold. The heat of Lian’s blood coursed through his stomach, spreading until he felt as if she occupied every inch of his body.
    Her fiery passion filled him with anticipation, and hope.
     
     
    Lian raced out of the snowy cell and into the cool corridor, following close behind Vera and Hogan. The excitement of their plan and her encounter with Knox had her body buzzing. She’d never felt this way after kissing anyone.
    Hogan rounded on her when they cleared the cell. “What the hell are you doing?”
    “What’re you talking about?”
    “You kissed him.”
    “So?”
    “You don’t know the first thing about this guy. You don’t know how dangerous he is.” The anger in his eyes made her shrink back.  
    “If you’re talking about him being a vampire, I already know.”
    He shook his head. “I’m not sure we should be risking our necks for some monster. The slaves don’t deserve to be sold off, but we don’t know anything about this guy. Well, aside from the fact that he used to be a gladiator in the Clash Arena.”
    She shrugged. “I don’t care.”
    “Do you know how many of those fighters are criminals or pirates?”
    “Hogan, I said I don’t care! ”
    He touched her arm lightly. “I don’t like what’s going on between you.”
    “It’s got nothing to do with you.”
    He dropped his hand. “Sure it does. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to protect you.”
    Vera stepped between them. “Hogan, back off! We’ve got other things to worry about right now. We need to clear this area before anyone finds out we’re here. Otherwise all of our plans will be ruined.”
    “Well, well, well, what have we here?” an all-too familiar voice called.
    Lian’s blood ran cold. She looked up the stairs and spotted Meiling stalking toward them with three guards shadowing her—two positioned on her either side, one behind.
    “You know you’re not supposed to be down here, Lian.” She shook her head as if disappointed. “And you two should know better.”
    “It’s not their fault. I wanted to see the prisoner, that’s all.”
    “You don’t have to lie. I know what’s going on.” She glared at Lian, then Hogan and Vera. “You all think you’re so clever, convinced you’ve gotten away with it, but did you really think I didn’t know what you were doing behind my back?”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Meiling,” Lian snapped.
    “Boss, I was escorting her back to her room—”
    “Shut up, Hogan. You’ve disappointed me for the last time.” She raised a hand and motioned for the two guards beside her to step forward. “Remember what happened when I found you with my daughter?”
    He tensed, his hand moving toward the rifle at his side.
    “Well, this time you’ll lose a lot more than a hand.”
    Lian couldn’t help but turn toward him, horrified. Hogan started wearing gloves after they were busted together, but she hadn’t thought anything of it, and he’d never showed any weakness on either hand. She felt sick and was glad she’d skipped breakfast.
    She’d never felt such hatred toward a person before and wished her mother was dead.
    The bitch laughed.
    “He didn’t do anything!” Lian yelled.
    “Really?” Meiling turned to her daughter. “Are you going to look me in the eye, and tell me that the three of you had nothing to do with my missing cargo?”
    Lian’s heart pounded faster. No, no, no. We were so careful. Yet deep down, they all knew Meiling would figure it out. Any amount of missing slaves had to affect her business. Not to mention damage her treasured reputation. What happened with Sergei was probably the last