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he held out his hand.
    “Don’t come in.”
    “Why not?” Another wail greeted her question and she hurried inside, ducking through the window. Frigid air surrounded her and Tempest gasped in shock. It was colder in here than it was on the balcony. What was happening?
    “Tempest! Go outside.”
    The feminine wailing had stopped. What the hell had it been?
    Don’t listen to him, sweet one. Her feet seemed rooted to the floor. He is not the one for you. I am.
    She couldn’t move. Her senses reeled as she tried to figure out what was happening. It was almost as if she’d stepped inside a ride at a county fair. The room seemed to spin and then she was on her back, a heavy weight on top of her.
    Had Franco changed his mind? Was he taking advantage of her while she was sleeping? It didn’t seem like something he would do, but who knew? She’d only known him for a few hours, after all.
    The pressure on top of her increased, compressing her chest making it hard to breath.
    You know how much I love you. Say you love me, too. Say it.
    Pleasure swirled through her, her clit twitching and demanding more attention.
    “Fuck me,” she whispered. “Oh yes, please.”
    “No! Tempest, don’t allow yourself to succumb to him. It’s a trick! Tempest, answer me!” Franco’s voice sounded as if he shouted across the miles.
    The force on top of her pressed down, the feeling incredible. “More, more.”
    “Tempest!”
    You must call for me, little one. Call my name, say it.
    From far behind, Tempest heard Franco talking. He said the word Martin, then Dev, then get here now. Who was he talking to?
    It does not matter, my sweet. All you need do is say my name and I will take care of you. I will give you all that your need, all that you want.
    No, this wasn’t right. What was this…thing on top of her?
    Say it, sweet little Tempest. Say my name.
    “What…what is it?
    Arland. It means pledge. Pledge yourself to me, and I will care for you always. We belong together.
    “Tempest!” There was that voice again. Franco’s voice. And were there other voices with it? Men were in the room, shouting. What was happening?
    Ignore them. Say it!
    The pressure on her chest seemed almost unbearable and she pushed up, but there was no relief.
    Say it, you little cunt!
    “Tempest! You can control him. Push him off, come back to me, remember? You’d walk through—crap, what did she say? A woman would…Tempest!”
    What was he saying? Oh yes, a woman would run through fire and water for such a kind heart. She’d just said that earlier in the night, to Franco. He was so kind, so sweet. He would never call her a cunt, like the—thing on top her. The incubus. The demon.
    “Shit! Get off me! Get off me!” Tempest flailed out, her breath coming in great, heavy gasps. Her clothing was in disarray, and she was sweating. How long had she been in this position? To her point of view, it had seemed like only a few minutes. Yet Franco was here, and she could hear Dev and Martin, too.
    He’d had time to call them, time for them to get here. Even though they all lived in the Quarter, it would have taken at least ten minutes, if not longer.
    Someone grabbed her and it took a few seconds for her to realize it was Franco, trying to lift her off the ground.
    No! Not again!
    “Command him to leave you alone.” It was Martin’s voice, deep and authoritative. “Take control of the situation. Until he has form he can’t hurt you.”
    She pushed again, surprised when the weight lifted off her. “Leave me alone. Go away, now.”
    The room grew silent but the cold lingered. Within seconds, Franco had lifted her off the floor and wrapped his arms around her.
    “It’s all right,” he whispered in her ear. “He’s gone. He’s gone.”
    “For now.” She didn’t want to be frightened, to let the demon get the best of her, but right now, he’d done exactly that. Tears leaked from her eyes and she nestled against Franco’s chest. She felt like she