She bit his jaw. “Not why what?”
He leaned back, desire glittering in his eyes. “Your beauty. I do like it, but it’s your spirit that calls to me. Your attitude and your brains. Those turn me on even more than your unbelievably stunning eyes.”
Everything in her softened.
He released her, letting her slide down his body. “I’m not good with the mushy words, but I want this. I want you. Forever.”
She blinked. Those were great mushy words. “We’re rushing this.”
“Your survival is more important than time,” he said, running his hands down her sides. “Say yes. Please let me save you.”
It hit her then. Harder than any punch ever had. She wanted him. Had for centuries. When she saw her heart, when she daydreamed, it had always been him. But he hadn’t mentioned love. Didn’t even consider it. What better way to fall in love than to be mated? She could be what he wanted. They could find love.
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. The challenge of Theo Reese was hers to accept. “Yes.”
Chapter 9
Everything inside Theo settled. Right then and there. She said yes. “You won’t regret it.” He’d spend a lifetime making sure of it—after he saved her life. He slid his hand up her back to capture her nape, leaning down to kiss her.
His damn phone buzzed again. Swearing, he reached for it, reading the face. “Shit. Saul ordered a car at eleven.” He stepped back, his mind going into battle mode. “We have to go now.” Somebody banged on his door. “Coming.” He set Ginny to the side. “Get dressed, Gin.” He hustled out, shutting the door and jogging through the living room to the front door. At this point, he was never going to get inside the woman.
He yanked open his front door.
Jared and Chalton moved in, already shrugging into bulletproof vests. “Where the hell would he be going tonight?” Jared muttered, handing over a vest.
“Who knows?” Theo fastened the Velcro and then moved over to remove a long painting of an island that no longer existed in the Arctic. He planted his hand flat against the wall, and it slid open to reveal a small room holding a multitude of weapons. He stepped inside and started handing out guns and knives, already knowing his brothers’ preferences.
Ginny poked her head around the corner. “That’s a nice Fremt.”
He nodded and slid the green laser gun into the back of his waist. Lasers turned to solid bullets when impacting immortal flesh. “I don’t plan to use it. I’m better with a knife.” He didn’t want her to see this side of him, but maybe it was necessary. When they mated, they’d need to let each other in to their hidden worlds. “I’ve called for Realm soldiers to guard the door and exits to the building here,” he said, partly for her comfort and partly to warn her. “You’re to stay safe.”
She rolled her eyes. “I have the flash drive, which keeps me safe from Saul. You’re the one running into danger.”
“I’m glad we already have our roles straight,” he said, enjoying the instant swirling temper in her eyes.
Jared cut him a curious look, but he didn’t respond. So Jared finished suiting up and headed back out. “I’ll make sure the guards are at post out here.” He disappeared with Chalton on his heels.
Theo inserted a couple more knives along his right leg. “I’m sorry about earlier.” They kept getting interrupted.
She smiled. “That’s all right. We were both carried away. This is probably better.”
He stood to his full height. “It’s a done deal, Gin. There’s no other alternative for you, and you know that deep down. Don’t worry. We’ll make it work.” He grasped her and kissed her hard. “Stay here.” Without waiting for an answer, he moved into the hallway to follow his brothers down to transport.
He fully intended to end Saul Libscombe for good.
* * * *
Ginny’s mind spun, but she had to focus. The second Theo had departed, she moved toward his computer and read all the data from the queen. Her stomach turned queasy, but she forced herself to read the Realm notes. They were in line with what she’d already learned by research and by living with the damn anklet for the past ten years.
It had already killed her.
Well, if she didn’t mate. She’d meant it when she’d said yes to Theo.
Could they make it work? Maybe if they ever actually made it to bed, they had a chance. She grinned and closed the computer file. Another one caught her eye, and she didn’t hesitate to click on it.
Oh, she’d been studying Saul Libscombe for a decade, so she didn’t expect to find many revelations in Theo’s compilation. And yet, there was some new information there. “Look at that,” she breathed, taking note of a safety deposit box right there in the city, as well as some land holdings he had in Russia. Of course, Theo’s contacts in Russia were far better than hers. But how in the world had he found a safety deposit box she’d missed?
Squinting, she leaned forward and read the name of the bank. Oh. It was a Realm bank here in the city. No wonder she hadn’t found it. The Realm was notoriously secretive. And yet, vampires helped vampires. The king had obviously sent this file to Theo. The land didn’t interest her.
But the deposit box. Now that held promise.
Of course, she’d already known of several places Saul had stashed information and funds throughout the world, but she hadn’t been able to make a move because of the GPS in the anklet.
Saul would be busy with the Reese brothers tonight. If she was ever going to make a move against him, it would have to be tonight before everything went to hell. If Theo’s plan didn’t work, Saul would set off her anklet. Now was her one chance to get him. To maybe find leverage to use.
She chewed her thumbnail, thinking. It wasn’t like she’d vowed to stay in the apartment. No. Theo had just ordered her to stay, and he’d assumed she would. She’d never been a soldier, but she knew how to broker information. Breaking into a Realm bank was colossally crazy, and yet… Whatever Saul had secured there had to be good. He was a shifter, not a vampire. For a shifter to use a Realm bank, he must really want to keep something under wraps.
Reaching for her phone, she dialed up one of her many contacts.
“Phil’s Brewery,” said a chipper female voice.
“Hey, Sally. It’s Ginny,” she said evenly.
A series of clicks came over the line. Then, “Hey, girlfriend! It’s been so long since I’ve heard from you. What’s up?” Sally asked.
Ginny grinned. “So much I don’t have time to tell you right now, but we’ll catch up soon.” The thousand-year-old witch was one of her favorite people in life. Plus, she had skills. “I need the schematics for the Realm Bank in New York City.”
Sally tsked her tongue. “Are you crazy? Even you aren’t insane enough to rob Dage Kayrs.”
Ginny bit her lip. That was a damn good point. “I didn’t say I was robbing him. I just want the bank schematics.” It wasn’t like the king owned the box she was going to break into. “Besides, Dage is a friend.” Okay. Not her friend. But he was obviously close to Chalton.
“Then why not just ask him to let you into his bank?” Sally asked reasonably.
Ginny shut her eyes. “Because he might say no.” The guy probably had contracts with people who used the safety deposit boxes, right? “I don’t want to put him in a tough position.”
Sally laughed high and loud. “You are still so full of blarney. I have the schematics, but they’re going to cost you. A lot.”
Ginny sighed. “I’m sure. Email them to me, and I’ll send secured payment immediately.”
“Triple my usual price,” Sally said, her voice deepening with the pleasure of a good deal.
Ginny winced. “Fair enough. And if I get caught, I know the drill.” She had no clue where the schematics came from.
“All right, doll. Watch your email.” Sally clicked off.
Ginny waited for the beep and then sent almost her entire savings account across the world. If this worked, it’d be worth it. S
he stood and stretched. If Theo had the doors covered, she’d have to figure another way out of the building.
She couldn’t help but smile as she got to work. If she did this right, she’d take down Saul, and she’d be home before Theo walked through the door.
What could possibly go wrong?
* * * *
Theo crouched down in the snow after taking out the guard nearest the back door. The drive to Saul’s had taken more than two hours because of the damn weather. A snowstorm barreled around Theo, turning the world white and hard to see. He stepped over the unconscious shifter guard and moved silently for the window to the east. Libscombe’s New York home was on two acres in the middle of a high-end subdivision complete with gate, guardhouse, and patrolling security teams.
Human teams.
Theo lifted a shoulder toward Jared, who was silently waiting in the snow for the human duo to pass by the house. Immortals would be able to sense them, but apparently Saul felt safe enough with humans around. That was odd. There had only been four shifter guards near the house. Shouldn’t there be more? Theo closed his eyes and tuned in to the world around him.
Nothing. Just the billowing wind and piercing cold.
He stilled and held up his hand for his brothers to stop. Why weren’t there immortal signatures around? He moved closer to the white clapboard two-story. Shifters could mask their signatures, but there should still be some sort of hint. A blur of the atmosphere.
He was getting nothing.
The human guards finally passed, good-naturedly arguing about some movie.
Theo was just about to call his brothers over when he spotted movement inside the home. Ducking low, he moved to the window to see Saul Libscombe inside a rec room complete with wall-wide television, pool table, and dartboards. Last year’s Superbowl was playing across the screen in vivid color.
The bastard had a glass of amber-colored whiskey in one hand and the remote control in the other. Apparently torturing Ginny earlier that day hadn’t fazed him any. Oh, he was going to bleed.
Theo gave the hand signal, and his brothers disappeared around the corners.
He brushed snow from his eyes and angled back around toward the door. Chalton had already cut the feed for the alarm, so unless there were sensors Chalton hadn’t found, which was pretty much impossible, Theo could walk right in. Taking a deep breath, he slid the wide door open and crossed into warmth, just as quietly closing the door.
The sound of the game in the other room was the only noise. He couldn’t sense Saul, which was intriguing. The guy certainly had a way with electronics. Once Theo sliced him open, he’d have to search the place to see what all Saul had invented. After he turned off that damn ankle bracelet.
The ability to mask immortal signatures would be very much sought after. How had Saul done it?
Theo moved silently through the house, easily reaching the rec room just as Chalton and Jared entered from the other doors, their weapons already in their hands. Theo wanted to use his knife this time.
Saul turned. “Evening.”
Theo stilled. Something wasn’t right. He moved directly into the room. Holy fuck. The entire room was one massive screen. A modern-day hologram that looked fucking real from outside. “Retreat,” he yelled, turning and rushing for the door. He’d almost reached the back when the ground rumbled and the air bunched.
The home exploded, throwing him high and far into the wild storm. Pain pierced through his skull. His last thought was of Ginny and her pretty blue eyes. Then blackness caught him before he hit the ground.
Chapter 10
Ginny stood outside the double protected bank vault. The Realm had gone with massive cast iron, concrete, and steel rods for reinforcement. It figured the king would use modern designs. Human designs, actually. Getting into the bank had been fairly easy, even though her command of the elements wasn’t up to par.
Good thing she didn’t need fire for this.
Oh, she still swirled around the oxygen and created a bit of ice, but that was much easier than fire to make. Apparently the king of the Realm wasn’t too afraid of witches breaching his security.
He should know better.
The lock had a dual control mechanism with a time delay that was damn impressive. The biometric requirements were daunting as well. Of course, she’d helped to design this one as a side job more than a year ago.
One should never hire a thief to create security.
Humming softly, she drew out her key card and bypassed the design elements she’d installed. A backdoor was an absolute necessity, now wasn’t it? The thrill of the hunt raced through her.
Could she truly give this up? Unlikely. Though she wouldn’t steal from the king again. This was a one-time deal, and only because Saul had been torturing her for a decade. If he’d hurt her father, she’d destroy him. Three clicks echoed and then three more. The massive vault swung her way.
It was almost too easy.
She paused. It shouldn’t be so easy. Wait a minute. She glanced up and then to the left. Aha. So the king had made a few adjustments. Nice laser and heat sensors. Good thing she was a witch. It would cost her, but she could reduce her heat signature to nothing. Drawing in air, she did so and then eyed the floor, which consisted of a series of square cement tiles. Interesting. A pattern.
Drawing out a device she’d invented nearly twenty years ago, she ran a laser with a gas medium over the floor. Two to the left, one right, two forward on the squares. She hopped, truly enjoying herself. Then she had to perform a cartwheel that made her almost giddy. Before she knew it, she was in front of Saul’s safety deposit box. A wave of her hand, and any cameras went dark. Of course, when she waved, she blew high-pollinated PT dust, which she’d also invented. It would ruin the cameras for good.
She should probably figure out a way to send money anonymously to the Realm.
The actual box needed two keys. She withdrew the two masters from around her neck and inserted them, easily pulling out the drawer. One white envelope took up the entire thing.
She grasped it and shoved it into her back pocket before returning the drawer to rights. A quick glance around showed so many lovely boxes just waiting for her to explore. She sighed. No time. Maybe she could return if she didn’t leave any evidence.
After retracing her steps from the vault and through the bank, she found herself outside in the wild snowstorm. Humming to herself, she turned to hustle back to Theo’s place. The ductwork in his building was superior and had created an easy way in and out where she wouldn’t be detected.
Lights flashed on outside the alley. An SUV started barreling toward her.
She paused, her body going still. Bloody Hell. Lights from above shone down, illuminating Saul in the passenger’s seat. How the hell did he get free of Theo? Damn it. She turned to run, and pain licked up from her ankle. Crying out, she stumbled into the side of the building.
That asshole.
If he caught her, he could torture her until she gave up the location of the flash drive. Until she did that, he wouldn’t kill her. So she ducked her head and ran, drawing on strength she hadn’t known she possessed. Another prick to her ankle from the bracelet, and her leg went numb.
She fell into the snowy street, head first. Pain pummeled into her forehead.
“Hey.” Three college-aged boys ran toward her. “Lady, you okay?” The first one, a tall dark-skinned kid wearing a letterman’s jacket, gingerly lifted her up.
She sagged against him. “Sorry. Forgot my insulin earlier.” That sounded okay, right?
The second kid, one wearing a similar jacket but with blond hair and a multitude of freckles, instantly grabbed a granola bar from his pocket. “Eat this.”
She took it and forced a smile, glancing quickly around. The neighborhood held several bars with boisterous sounds emerging. A lot of young people strolled around in the snow, barhopping and being rather loud. She eyed the quiet SUV that had reached the end of the alley. Saul wouldn’t want to cause
a scene with so many security cameras around. She smiled at the young men, noting a stairwell down into the subway system. “I really need to head home, and I think that SUV is following me.”
The boys instantly turned, their chests puffing out.
“We’ll take care of it,” the freckled kid said, starting to move.
“Thank you,” she said, starting for the subway. If she could get on a car before she passed out, she might survive the night. “You’re all kind, gentlemen.” Oh, Saul wouldn’t hurt humans with cameras around. But this was her only chance.
She barely made it down to the platform to buy a ticket and then limped onto the first train. Going to the back, she took a seat, having no idea where she’d end up. She pressed her head against the freezing window. Where was Theo? Was he all right? The fact that Saul had tracked her GPS to the bank wasn’t good. Damn it. The GPS. She had to get back to safety before Saul tracked her.
Those boys wouldn’t stop him for long.
She eyed the snowy darkness outside just as her vision began to fuzz from the planekite. Oh, this so wasn’t good.
* * * *
Theo came to seconds after landing, his head ringing, snow up his nose. Groaning, he rolled over to see the entire house in flames. Fuck. He shoved to his feet, weaving, and tried to push through the snow. Chalton came barreling around the east side of the fire, burn marks across his head, his arm at an odd angle and blood flowing from his temple.
Relief caught Theo. “Jared?” he yelled.
Chalton looked frantically around, his clothes in tatters. Another explosion rocked the house, and he dropped to his knees. Theo ran forward and hauled him up, ignoring the pain as his broken ribs clattered together. He grunted and helped Chalton toward the other side of the house. Where the hell was Jared? Had he made it out of the house?
Sirens trilled in the distance, and people started coming out of homes to see the catastrophe. Fuck. They had to get out of there.