“That was Rowninda. My first mate.” Geno swayed and bumped into Wynter.
Chapter Twenty-six
GENO WOULD HAVE FALLEN on his ass if Reno hadn’t grasped his shoulder and steadied him. He wasn’t sure what to think. Why would Rowninda visit Wynter from the beyond?
His chest ached at the thought that she might not want him to have another mate, no matter what he might have imagined she’d told him the night she died.
“What—“ The words didn’t come easily, but he had to know. “What did Rowninda say?”
Wynter wouldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, she stared down at her lap, twisting her fingers together. That wasn’t a good sign.
“Well, at first, she kept telling me to wake up. I didn’t want to. It was so damned hot in that trunk, and I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted to stay asleep and dreaming of—“ Her cheeks reddened, and she pressed her lips together.
“Dare I ask if you were dreaming of me?” He smiled gently.
“No.” Wynter shook her head. “I was dreaming of the beach.” She looked everywhere but into his eyes. That could only mean one thing. She wasn’t telling the whole truth.
“We might have just met, and I might not know much about you, but I know when you’re lying, Wynter. I can smell it.” Geno smiled to soften the accusation. “Now tell me what she said.” He was almost afraid to hear it because she was so reticent to repeat what she’d heard.
“She asked me to tell you all that she loves you.” She squeezed her eyes closed. “She said, Tell them I love them. Tell them everything is okay. Make sure Geno knows it is not his time. She was adamant about that because she said that at least twice.” She took a deep breath before imparting the rest. He has too many children to teach, and too much love to give. It is not his time.” Wynter opened her eyes. “That’s it.”
Gregor cleared his throat and gave her a narrow-eyed glare. “It is never good to keep secret the messages from the dead.”
“Fine!” She returned Gregor’s glare. “She looked at me and said, You are good for him. I am glad he finally found you. It is not his time. Then she screamed at me to wake up.” She gave Gregor a narrow-eyed glare. “Satisfied now?”
“Isn’t it nice to have the first wife’s approval?” Gregor raised a brow. “At least now, you don’t have to worry that she’ll haunt your bedroom.”
“I think I liked you better when you could only speak in three or four-word sentences,” Wynter snapped.
“You might not like repeating her words, but it has been my experience that it’s not wise to ignore messages from the dead, or to keep what they’ve told you from those they are attempting to contact.”
Geno had no idea what Gregor meant by that, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
“Is that it?” Was she keeping something else from him, or had Gregor managed to glean everything from her?
“Yes. That’s it.” Wynter crossed her arms, still glaring at Gregor.
Was she upset with the other man because he made her tell him about Rowninda’s message, or was she embarrassed by his previous mate’s approval of their match?
Wynter stared at her lap, her fingers picking at the material covering her thighs. Geno wanted to cover her hands and tell her there was nothing she could ever do that would change the way he felt about her. It was unfortunate that she would most likely take that the wrong way.
“Why are you upset?” He leaned down to meet her gaze.
“Because.” A tear slipped down her cheek, and she bowed her head.
“That is not an answer, Wynter, and I think you know that.” Resting his fingers beneath her chin, he gently lifted until her gaze met his. “Now, tell me why you are upset.”
“Your wife was so beautiful.”
“She was.” He nodded. “I believe I told you that.”
“I know you did, but I didn’t realize how beautiful she was until I saw her. I don’t even know how she appeared to me, but she did, and now I know I can never—“ Wynter's voice broke on a sob. “I-I can’t compete with that. I’ll never be as beautiful as she was.” She shook her head. “I can’t live my life knowing that you’ll always remember her beauty. That-that you’ll wish I was her every time you look at me.”
Geno bowed his head, closed his eyes, and sighed. Maybe he’d have the computer work out a way to make time travel work so he could go back in time and kill Wynter’s husband before he met her. No. That wouldn’t work. If he did that, they might never meet. He scrubbed his face with his hands and sighed. God, just thinking about time travel, gave him a fucking headache.
“You are right about one thing.” He lowered himself to his knees when a sob wracked her. Pulling her into his arms, he held her tight, her head resting on his shoulder as she cried. “I will always remember Rowninda. She gave me six sons. Forgetting about her would be a disservice to her. She is as much a part of me as she is of our children. I loved her with all of my heart.”
Her sobs grew more intense. Geno didn’t want that, but this was something she needed to hear.
“But she is gone, Wynter. She has entered another dimension without me, she is with the Goddess now, and from what you said, I have yet to finish my work here.”
Geno pressed a kiss to her temple and pulled her closer, drawing the sorrow from her. She needed to cry. Perhaps when she finished, she would finally hear him.
“I might remember Rowninda’s beauty once in a while, but I will see your beauty every day. You might not believe this because it is too soon for you, but my sons will tell you I do not lie. I love you, Wynter. I love the way the sun shines on your silky hair, showing me a fiery rainbow of red, gold, and brown. I love your generous curves. Would you believe me if I told you your curves make my mouth water? No?” He met her incredulous gaze with a smile. “And I love your eyes. Did you know they are the color of Kala river stones? The river once ran behind the home Rowninda, and I shared on her world. They are my favorite color.”
Gently, he set her from him and took her face in his hands. Staring into her tear-filled eyes, he smiled. “Looking at you reminds me of the beauty of her homeworld that she loved so much. It reminds me that there is still love in my heart. For you. For my sons and their mates. For our children when they come.” He sighed. “If they come.
“Rowninda was right. It is not my time to join her. When I finally make my journey to the afterworld, I will go, knowing that I have loved you well. If you will allow it.”
Geno smiled down at her splotchy face and red-rimmed eyes. Her runny nose mixed with her tears, dampening his hands. It was then that he realized that he had never loved another woman so much in his life.
“I love you more than I can express with words.” He would be overjoyed if she could learn to love him even a little. He could work with that. Geno had already loved one woman and had been loved well in return. He knew he had enough of that tender emotion for both of them. “And I think you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. Don’t ever think I find you lacking.”
Geno vowed then and there that one day, Wynter would believe those words. It comforted him to know he had a lifetime to prove it.
“Welcome to the family.” Reno smiled and moved away. “Not to rush things, but we should get moving before someone comes back for Wynter, if they haven’t already. We need to follow them since we have no idea where they are.”
“Have one of the younguns dig up that car she escaped in again. Maybe we’ll get lucky.” Geno took Wynter’s hand in his and squeezed.
“We tried. The GPS puts it in a parking garage at a mall. The guy could have the day off, he’s using the mall as a park and ride, or he got fired.”
“Great.” Xeno paced away with a sigh. “How will we ever find them now?”
“The two men who grabbed me were talking about where they were going to take me, after the traffic died down. They said it was near a bridge about ten miles from here, and it was in an underground facility.” Wynter wiped her tears away with her
fingers.
“That’s not going to be easy to find.” Reno moved back, his gaze searching the area around them.
“I have no idea how it works, but...” Wynter paused and met Geno’s gaze. “Does your ship have a way to detect underground power or power sources? I know that might have been a dumb question, but the spaceships on all of the science fiction TV shows I’ve seen always have something like that. I mean, if there is something underground drawing a lot of power, their ships have sensors or something that could find it. Does your ship have something like that?”
Genius! His takana was a certified genius.
“We do have sensors on board, yes.” Geno nodded. “They aren’t for detecting underground bunkers, but I’m sure with a little modification, we could see through a few layers of soil and rock.”
Why hadn’t he thought of that? Not only would it help them find the bunker, but it would also help them find untapped resources on unoccupied worlds. At the moment, the ship’s sensors could only detect surface metals and energy sources. They’d never needed it to do anything more.
Perhaps with the new modifications, they could adapt it to read what was underground on Zolon and other planets in their galaxy. For a group of spacefaring raiders and warriors, they weren’t a very bright bunch. Thank the Goddess. It seemed their women had the brains they lacked.
“We need to get back to the ship.” Geno turned to Reno and then looked at each of his sons in turn. “I need all of you working on that modification while I spend some time with Wynter. She needs me right now. Besides, we can’t do anything until tomorrow anyway. By the time we find the place, if we find it, it will be too late to go in tonight. We’ll need to work up a plan.”
“Yes, sir,” the four men said in unison. Turning, Deno smiled at Wynter. “Welcome to the family, new mother.” The smile slipped from his face. “Or am I jumping the gun?”
“I think you’re jumping the gun. Let her get used to the idea of possibly being my mate before you throw six grown sons at her, will you?” Geno scowled. “Get moving. We’ll be there by the time you slow asses walk to the ship.” Geno turned back to Wynter with a smile. “Let’s get you comfortable, shall we?” Kneeling, he grasped her legs and helped her turn in the seat before fastening the safety belt around her waist. “There you go.” He shut the door and walked around the front of the car and slid into the driver’s seat.
Now, how would he tell Wynter he couldn’t let her go with them when they raided the lab looking for her friends? He was damned lucky to have found her in that trunk before she perished. He wasn’t about to risk losing her again.
“I have no excuse for losing you. I would tell you how badly I feel about it and apologize, but I know how you feel about—“
“Saying you’re sorry?” Wynter met his gaze. Her expression didn’t give away even one of her thoughts. Usually, her face was so expressive he could guess, within a certain degree of accuracy, what she had on her mind. Not this time.
“Yes.” He nodded, then put the car in gear and hit the accelerator. “I should have protected you. Those men should never have been able to...” Jamming his foot onto the break, he slammed his palm against the steering wheel with a growl. “Damn it!”
Wynter jumped and fumbled with her seatbelt.
“Let me out. Let me out.” She yanked on the strap and reached for the door.
“Don’t.” Geno took a deep breath. “I won’t hurt you.”
“I-I can’t. I d-don’t...” Wynter was in a near panic.
“Sh...” Geno turned in his seat, wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and leaned close. “I might get angry, Wynter. One day, I might even get mad at you. But there is one thing you can always be sure of, takana. I will never, ever, raise my hand to you in anger.” He rested his left hand on her knee. “On my world, it is against our highest law to mistreat a female. It means death to any man who harms his mate. Most males cannot live without their mates, and if a female should die from abuse or leave, the result is the same. Our body chemistry drives us to commit the cal’tratu.”
“H-How did you get around that?” She rested her trembling hand on his and met his gaze.
“I’m glad you asked.” Geno took a deep breath. “Before she died, Rowninda gave me a selfless gift. One she claimed wasn’t hers to give. It was from the Goddess. She forced an oath from me to live on, at least until all of my sons were grown. The Goddess knew you were here, and she had already made you my takana. My second chance mate.”
“But that doesn’t explain how you managed to beat the body chemistry suicide thing.”
“Yes, it does. A death vow is stronger than any chemistry. There is no way to break a vow to a dying mate. Once made, our will to adhere to our vow overcomes the chemical need to commit the ritual suicide. I promised Rowninda I would raise our sons to adulthood. Our youngest sons will reach the rac’ha, or the age of knowing, in about a year. I had planned to return to Zolon and complete the ritual then.”
“So, that’s what the others were talking about.” Wynter paled and raised her hand to her neck. “They said they would lose you.”
“Yes, they might have referred to that. None of my sons or their mates wanted me to go.”
“Are you still going to do it?” She cleared her throat. “This cal’tratu thing?”
“I don’t plan to at the moment.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” A little crease formed between her brows.
“As long as I have a takana, the chemistry between us will keep my mind and body balanced. In my mind, I have hope, and I can avoid the ritual.”
“Let me get this straight. You’re telling me that if I don’t agree to be your mate, something in you will cause you to kill yourself?”
Chapter Twenty-seven
WYNTER STARED AT GENO, her heart shattering all over again. So that was why he wanted her. Why he claimed to love her, she was nothing more than a means to an end for him. If she didn’t agree to be with him, his body chemistry would force him to kill himself.
All his vows of love were for show. He wasn’t much better than Ben. Why was she such a horrible judge of character?
“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I can tell it’s nothing good.” Geno thrust his fingers through his hair. “Knowing me, I probably explained it badly.”
“No.” She pressed her lips tight and shook her head. “I think you did an excellent job of explaining things to me. I understand completely.”
His choices were to take her as his next mate or lose his life. Of course, he’d choose her. It was a no-brainer for him. But not for her. She was tired of being second best. She would stay alone for the rest of her life before she’d settle for a man who didn’t love her heart and soul. Ben’s reason to be with her was greed. Geno might have a better excuse, but it wasn’t enough.
Maybe she was selfish, but she wanted it all. The whole ball of wax, as the saying goes.
“You know, I-I think I could have loved you.” She shook her head with a laugh. “Hell, I might be in love with you already, but I can’t do this. I won’t be with someone who doesn’t really love me.”
She held up her hand when Geno opened his mouth to say something. “Let me finish.” He closed his mouth, and she continued. “Ben wanted me because I had money. Now, I’ll admit your reason is at least a better one, but I’m not sure it’s any less selfish.”
Wynter crossed her arms over her aching chest. Why did it feel like tiny bits of her heart fell from between her breasts and onto the floor? Geno stirred, and she didn’t even flinch. She closed her eyes with a sigh. Let him strike her. She wasn’t sure she cared anymore. At least she’d have bruises to attest to her agony. Some of the worst pain didn’t leave marks. She already knew that from experience. Geno couldn’t hurt her more with a blow than he had with the truth of his situation.
“Are you ready to listen now?”
“Listen to what? Your sweet declarations of love?” Turning, she stared through her window
so he wouldn’t see her tears.
“Yes.” Geno pulled the keys from the ignition and opened his door. “Stay there. I’ll be right around.”
Wynter fumbled with the seatbelt. No matter what she did, she couldn’t get the stupid thing to release. The door flew open, and she jumped.
“Don’t!” Wynter flinched away when Geno knelt and leaned close.
“Wynter.” Geno sighed, gently placing one of his hands on her thigh and the other on her shoulder.
Why did her skin burn every time he touched her? Even when she was angry with him, she couldn’t ignore his touch, no matter how hard she tried.
“Have I not already told you I will never intentionally hurt you? I don’t know what I said to make you this way, but whatever it was, I want to make it right.”
“You want to make it right?” Wynter took a deep breath, the strange monster the scientists injected into her blood reared its ugly head.
Suddenly, she wanted nothing more than to strike out at him, to hurt him as much as he had hurt her with his selfishness. How dare he get her hopes up? How dare he claim to love her and then admit it was all a sham to preserve his life?
Her gums ached, and she realized she could very well change into a wild beast on the side of the road with some passing motorist bound to witness it.
“I don’t know how you could ever make this right. You aren’t any better than Ben. Greed drove him to do what he did. Your reasons might be understandable, but the execution of your plan is just as self-centered. I don’t blame you for not wanting to die, but I never thought you were the type of man to—” Her voice broke on a sob.
“Wynter, you’re seeing something that isn’t there.”
Right. Next, he’d tell her she was crazy. Could things get any worse?
Wooing Wynter Page 19
