…Shaking fingers caught the neck of her dress. One yank scattered buttons. Cold air sent chill bumps over her skin. Another yank ripped the shoulder seams. The dress fell open, exposing her to Zantar's lustful gaze, then dropped. Macris' LifeLock clattered to the stone floor amid the whisper of the silky fabric.

"What's that?" Zantar hoisted himself off the bed and stalked toward her.

The blonde dusted her fingers into the dress and pulled out the device. "This…sir." Her voice shook.

Zantar snatched it from her, then tapped the display with his long nail. "Macris'."

His gaze zeroed in on Anne. Grabbing her elbow, he yanked her arm up. "You found it." His snake-like tongue looped out to lick the tiny wound. "Sweet. So sweet."

Anne bit back her disgust.

"Obviously, Macris won't be joining us after all." He tossed the LifeLock down. "Too bad, but I'm sure that won't stop Kestral. We'll just have to amuse ourselves until then."

He rested his hand on her belly. Anne swore she felt the baby move as far away as possible. Zantar's black gaze bore into her. She struggled to keep the guards in place while trying to peek into his mind. The cuffs ate away at her, weakening her defenses. He wanted Kes. He wanted their baby. He was going to feed off them until the baby was born, then take her and…

"No!"

Zantar grabbed her face in one hand. "You do not dictate to me," he said through clenched, yellowed teeth. The battle had cost him, too.

"You might get me, but I'll be damned if you'll have Kes and I'll be double-damned if you'll get my baby."