Rocked to the core, and torn to shreds. The beast prowled through his mind, on edge and inconsolable. They could have lost her. The way Baden’s friends had once lost him.

And really, Baden could have lost Galen and Fox, too. Hellhounds had had the pair pinned in the kitchen, ready to attack. As exasperating as both warriors were, he’d realized he liked having them in his life.

Thankfully, upon seeing Katarina, the hounds had backed down and joined their pack in the yard, where they had remained.

“Everything’s going to be all right.” He cupped her cheeks, wet skin against wet skin. “The dogs are your personal army now. You’ll never be in harm’s way again.”

“I’m not afraid,” she muttered.

“Tell me what’s wrong, then, and I’ll fix it.” He would fix it and every other problem for the rest of her life. She was his. His to pleasure and to pamper. His to protect, right alongside the dogs. Will always protect.

Never letting her go.

She gazed up at him through water-beaded lashes. “I don’t want to talk right now. I want to enjoy you, to make a memory that will last forever.”

If she wanted a memory, he would give her a memory.

He sat on the bench, pulling her onto his lap. She straddled his thighs, the showerhead at her back. Without preamble, he thrust a finger deep inside her.

She was ready for him. But then, desire remained on constant simmer between them.

“I need inside you.”

“Yes.”

He gripped her by the waist, lifted her, and impaled her with a single thrust. No foreplay. Just raw passion.

Crying out, she arched her hips, moving sensuously on him. He grit his teeth and forced her to wait, motionless. Sweat rolled from him, the strength he displayed superhuman. The lack of friction was agonizing, but it was an agony he willingly endured.

“Well,” she said and nipped his bottom lip. “That is certainly interesting.”

“You have no idea. And I’m only getting started.”

“Mmm. I hope so.” Her eyelids lowered to half mast. She placed kisses along the line of his jaw. “I’ve never wanted you more.”

She wanted him, not because he was a weapon to be used, but because he was a man. Her man. He had worth, not because of what he could do for her, but because of who he was to her. A truth as powerful as it was humbling.

“You’ll get your climax.” Eventually.

He angled his arm, two of his fingers finding her bundle of nerves. He stroked and stoked her desires. She moaned. She groaned. She breathed his name and writhed her hips in an attempt to follow his movements. When that failed, she grinded on his shaft—or tried to. He continued to hold her immobile.

“Baden!” She beat at his shoulders. “You’re determined to kill me, yes?”

“I am an assassin, desire my weapon.”

“Move!”

Her inner walls clenched his length tighter and tighter, growing hotter and hotter, wetter and wetter. Destruction wanted to give in. Baden wanted to give in. But the outcome was far too important.

Eternity versus momentary. Eternity won.

“I’ll move,” he vowed. “After we talk.”

She unleashed a string of Slovak profanity.

Destruction laughed, delighting in her temper. The beast knew, like Baden, she would never betray them.

“Bodaj ta porantalo.” I wish you got a stroke. “Z chujem si˛e na głowy pozamieniałe´s.” You swapped heads with your own dick. “Id´z pan w chuj.” Go to the dick.

“That’s twice you’ve mentioned my dick,” he told her. “Are you, perchance, trying to tell me you wish to give me my reward at long last? To take me down your throat?”

“ˇCo ti jebe?” Are you insane? “You tease me now?”

“I’m not teasing, but I am determined. You’re going to tell me what’s wrong with you. And I’m not demanding, mind you. I’m simply giving you a reason to want to tell me.”

“Such a dirty trick.” She attempted to maneuver to her knees. When it proved unsuccessful, she leaned into the waterfall. He merely followed her, fitting his mouth around a succulent nipple and suckling, tasting her sweetness.

The curses stopped—until he stopped.

“Chod materi do pice.” Fuck off.

“I will fuck you...just as soon as you give me what I want. Like for like. Nothing is free in this world.”

She melted against him and combed her fingers through his soaking hair. “You are a diabolical fiend...but...but...oh! Please.”

Please...yes... He suckled her nipple while once again rubbing his fingers between her legs...but when she gasped, close to falling over the edge, he forced himself to stop.

Eternity wins.

Destruction banged at his skull—more!—as Katarina banged her little fists into his shoulders a second time.

“Your decision, Rina,” he prompted. His mind was so fogged with arousal, his every nerve ending shouting; he wasn’t sure where he found the strength to remain immobile. “Talk or stay just...like...this.”

More beating before she finally gave up, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head against the hollow of his neck.

Panting for breath, she told him, “I have the coin.”

He stiffened. Well, he stiffened worse. “When did you find it?”

“Today. Alek hid it inside his black heart.”

The one place Baden hadn’t thought to look.

“My options are limited. Use it to free you from Hades’s rule. Save the hounds from his ire. Or become immortal and be with you. I can have one, but not all.”

“There is no decision, krásavica. While I wear the bands, I won’t bond with you. I won’t allow you to fall under Hades’s command. So you must use the coin to become immortal, and together we will save the hounds.” He would have her always and forever.

Creases formed in her brow. “What happens when the bands are removed?”

“Not removed, but absorbed. I’ll become Hades’s son. A supernatural adoption. He won’t hurt what’s mine.”

She looked hopeful, but shook her head. “I can’t trust—”

“Trust me.” Finally Baden moved, sliding in and out of her once...twice...before stopping again. She clung to him. “Promise me.”

Her claws scratched his back, every mark stinging. “I’ll do what I think is best.” That said, she bit his ear and then, oh, then, she turned the tables on him, whispering all the things he made her feel, telling him how deeply she ached for him, how only he could satisfy her.