Hearts of Darkness Read Online Free

crackpot who makes up titles for himself?”
    â€œYou might not want to call him that.”
    â€œWhat, Raven Lord?”
    â€œCrackpot.”
    â€œWhatever. Is this a friend of yours?” Hart shook his head, but he looked amused. Kayla couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. She tried to veer back to the topic. “You think this guy had something to do with my sister’s death?”
    Hart began to stuff the clothes back in the bag and didn’t look at her. “Lady, I think you should accept your sister died of a drug overdose and leave it at that.”
    â€œAs a nurse, I can tell you she didn’t. Do I look like a chump?”
    He thrust the bag at her, and they both held on for a moment. The pupils of his strange eyes were encircled by a thin band of violet. His gaze raked her body, head to toe and back again, taking extra time to visually fondle her chest. She resisted the urge to cover herself, proud she didn’t back down. But when he took a step forward, she couldn’t help a hasty step back. Her shoulders knocked against the cold metal wall.
    â€œNaw.” He leered, towering over her. “You look smart. Are you smart, babe? ’Cause nothing you do can bring her back.” The half smile dropped like a mask. His pupils dilated until his eyes shone, two pools of violet-black, otherworldly and somehow inhuman. He bent down to whisper in her ear, breath hot on her sensitive neck. “Take some advice.” His lips brushed her ear. “The smartest thing you can do?”
    She smelled musk and pine, thought of dark forests and the wild hunt. A shiver that had nothing to do with fear raced down her spine.
    â€œRun.”

Chapter 2
    Kayla licked dry lips. “Are you threatening me?”
    Hart opened his mouth to answer, but the door crashed open. Men burst through. There were six of them, all hulking brutes with chiseled features and dark hair. The long black dusters swept out like wings as they moved. The black sunglasses were laughable against the dim indoor gaslight; the guns were not.
    This was not her day.
    â€œToo late, babe,” Hart said softly. “The cavalry has arrived. Another damsel saved from the big bad wolf.” He straightened and adopted a half smirk. “Ladies.”
    Three men rushed to restrain him. They pulled him away from Kayla and yanked his arms roughly behind his back, one man on each side. The third man pressed a rifle barrel to his temple. Hart grinned, daring them to shoot him.
    The leader of the band was a wiry, red-haired man with a goatee. He strolled forward, all lanky, oiled grace. “Hart. Getting sloppy, aren’t you? Johnny, please.”
    One of the younger men—early twenties with crow-black hair pulled back in a ponytail—stepped up to Hart and smashed the butt of his rifle into Hart’s head.
    Kayla screamed.
    Hart crumpled to the ground, blood running from his forehead, unconscious.
    She rushed forward to help him, but steely arms caught her and swept her off the ground. She couldn’t move.
    The red-haired man made soothing noises in her ear. “Don’t trouble yourself, Miss . . . Friday, is it?”
    â€œHe’s hurt! I’m calling the police.” The arms around her squeezed, almost cutting off her air.
    The man only laughed. “Let me introduce myself: Rudrick Todd. I’m part of the city’s security force. I’m the guy the police call in situations like this.”
    â€œI don’t believe you.”
    He shrugged.
    â€œPlease,” she begged. “Let me help him. I’m a nurse. Head wounds are serious. You don’t want him to die.”
    â€œForget him,” Rudrick said. “Benard, be quick about it.”
    The largest henchman—a hulking brute with long brown hair and a monstrous unibrow—approached the metal table. He yanked the sheet off Desi’s body, exposing her naked limbs to the frosty air.
    â€œDon’t