In preparation for the stench of cigarette smoke and wet dog that always accompanied him, I held my breath. Unable to hold it any longer, I expelled a large breath and placed a hand over my nose. Almost instantly I was struck by a strong aromatic smell. Spicy like a trendy cologne – similar to something Ash might wear. I dropped my hand and glanced at Kieran in disbelief. He raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “Good that you like my scent. We’ll be in close contact during your stay. Real close.” The eagerness in his tone made my skin crawl. Regardless of his newly refined hygiene habits, my anger bubbled to the surface. He might be cocky like Ash, but that’s where the similarities ended. Kieran would always be a repulsive, ruthless fiend in my eyes. Not wasting any more time, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face with the full force of my fury. “How dare you kidnap an innocent child,” I seethed. Rage flashed briefly in his eyes but disappeared in an instant. Rubbing his face and shaking his head, he said bitterly, “Watch yourself, Lexi.”
