War's Passion (Sons of War) Read Online Free Page B

her new neighbors’ home—the five men lived in a large castle-like mansion on a high cliff over the Atlantic Ocean. The mansion towered over her, dominating the landscape as she emerged from the car moments ago, but being this close to it gave her chills and made her stomach roll into knots. Scanning the stone facing around her, she spied a gargoyle perched in one of the corners a few feet to the right of the large wood double door. After staring at the thing, she wondered if it was real or just a statue.
    The gray stone exterior reminded her of something out of a horror movie, or at least a paranormal thriller. Perfect place to dump the bodies.
    Elle covered her hand, drawing Gwen’s attention to her best friend. “It’ll be fine. You can trust them.”
    “How do you know?”
    “I know.” Elle tapped her temple and winked. “Now , stop worrying.”
    Gwen knew she could trust Elle’s judgment —she could sense darkness in people and see the creatures that humans believed to be fables.
    The door opened to an elderly looking man in a tuxedo. Yet, the man didn’t seem like he was fully human. She wasn’t sure what he was, but his magical signature flowed around him in slow iridescent waves. His aura was warm, soft, and welcoming. It was nothing like she’d ever sensed before. Gwen leaned into Elle and said through her teeth, “They have a butler.”
    Smiling, Elle whispered, “Shut it and smile.”
    A giggle threatened to bubble out. Oh, great. Here comes the hysterics, and in front of strangers. Anxiety always rose when she met new people.
    The butler gave them a short bow. “Good evening.”
    Gwen nodded, but didn’t pay too much attention as she entered the foyer. The house was even bigger on the inside. Massive staircases were on either side of her, and straight ahead was a large great room. The room was decorated in Grecian art and accented by red and gold drapes that reached from ceiling to floor.
    Elle looped her arm with Gwen’s and together they walked into the great room where five men sprawled in various activities. The two she recognized, Seth and Ty, sat on the sofa playing a video game. Two more perched on barstools next to a mini-bar on the far end of the room. With his hands stuffed in his pockets, the fifth man peered out a window away from the others.
    Studying the man at the window, Gwen felt a strange pull toward him that she’d never experienced before. The feeling was more of a knowing. There was something familiar about him—which was ridiculous, because she’d never met him before. As if sensing her intense stare, he turned. Gwen took a step back at the intensity in his gaze—his eyes were so dark, they looked black.
    When he walked toward her, her heart sped up and a wave of hot desire rushed through her. Without realizing it, she crossed the room until they met in the middle. She blinked as he raised his hand and ran his knuckles down her cheek.
    “Impossible.” He whispered, but it didn’t quite register.
    Breaking eye contact, he took her hand and spoke with a smooth, but husky voice. “I’m Markus.”
    “Hi .” Wow. Was that all she had? A gorgeous man touched her and suddenly she regressed to fifteen, crushing on the quarterback? You’re pathetic .
    Gathering what composure she had left, she tugged her hand out of his and stepped away . She needed to clear her head. “This is a beautiful house.”
    “Thank you.”
    His husky, sensual reply heated her skin, making it feel tight and highly sensitive to how close his body was to hers. Sidestepping him, she put a few more feet between them and glanced at Elle. Annoyance rose up at the sight of her sitting next to Seth and watching him playing a stupid game.
    Seriously? Wasn’t she supposed to have Gwen’s back?
    Frustrated, she turned , only to find Markus several inches from her. Startled, she lost her balance and had to reach out and grab his biceps to steady herself. That was it. “What’s your problem?”
    The