Darkest Night: Mercenaries and Magic: A scorching enemies to lovers romance

by Alessa Thorn

  "You were worried? Why?"

  Kon stared at her in disbelief. "I don't know, maybe because we were locked underground, and you put a knife to Ryker's dick? Or that you cheerfully got into a cage match to the death? That every man in that place looked at you like they wanted to fuck you? Take your pick, Athena."

  "Is this you being possessive again?" she asked.

  Kon grabbed her and pressed her up against the tiles. "No, it's me not wanting to watch the only person I've ever given a shit about die in front of me."

  Like his parents had. Fuck.

  "Both things were a calculated risk." Athena's chest felt like it was cracking open, and her hands shook as they rested on his cheeks. She needed to say something to get rid of that too intense, haunted look in his eyes.

  "You aren't going to have to watch me die, Kon. If for no other reason than if we do get into a firefight, you're going to die waaayyy before me."

  "That arrogance is going to get you into trouble one of these days," he whispered, with the edge of a threat in his voice.

  "Probably. You want to tell me where this newfound possessive thing has come from?" she asked. She didn't have the experience or trust herself enough to guess what he was thinking. She wanted him to say the words so she knew it was safe to feel the way she did.

  "I've just stopped fighting against the obvious. That you make my blood turn to fire, that your rage echoes mine, that our sharp edges and inner demons match. That you are mine." His large hand curled around her throat, thumb pressing into her pulse. "Your heart is beating so fast."

  Athena ran her finger down his slick side, her brain struggling to process what he had just admitted. "It's because you're touching me."

  "You're not trying to deny what I just said either." Kon leaned in and licked the water from her lips. "Is it because you know it's the truth?"

  "Y-Yes," she stammered. Kon had always made her feel flayed open, and the look that he was giving her at that moment told her that she wasn't alone in that feeling.

  Kon's hand tightened on her throat, pinning her to the shower wall as his other hand went between her legs. Athena whimpered, spreading her stance to let him have better access. His mouth crushed against hers, fingers stroking her, thumb pressing into her clit.

  "Say it, güzelim," he demanded, touch becoming more aggressive and sending her desire higher.

  "I'm yours," she replied. Her hand grabbed his dick, stroking him hard. "And you're mine." She jerked him roughly. "Never forget, you aren't the only one that's possessive of its things, Basty."

  Kon hissed through his teeth and pushed her to her knees, trapping her between the wall and his body, "Prove it."

  Athena tongued the tip of his cock, before sucking up one side. Kon's arm went up to brace himself against the tiles, his other hand sliding from her throat to the back of her head. She made sure he was staring into her eyes before taking him deep into her hot mouth.

  Kon trembled, a soft curse escaping his lips. "God, your mouth is perfection. You can take more of me. I know you can."

  So, Athena did, sucking him down. Kon's grip on her hair tightened, and he began to fuck her mouth slow and deep. Athena grew wet, loving the power she had over him. The worshipful look in his eyes undoing her. Athena reached her hand up to stroke and tease his balls.

  Kon groaned. "Fuck, that feels so damn good. I'm not going to last if you keep doing that." He pulled himself free of her and lifted her back to her feet. He ran a thumb along her swollen lips. "I need to be inside of you."

  "I was hoping you would say that," she panted.

  Kon turned her, stroking the curves of her wet ass before spreading her and sliding his dick against her. His hand curved around her thigh and went between her legs, his fingers slipping into her, making sure she was ready for him. Athena let out an involuntary groan and ground her ass against him.

  "God, Kon, just get inside me already," she said. His free hand went back around her neck, holding her tight as his fingers stroked and dick teased.

  "You'll get it when I'm ready to give it to you, goddess."

  Fuck, she didn't know why him being bossy was so fucking hot, but it was. Her pussy was aching for release.

  Kon moved away from her, making her hiss in protest. He only laughed and switched off the shower. She thought she was going to combust as he grabbed a towel and dried them both roughly, the bristly fabric against her hard nipples almost hurting.

  "Kon…" Athena slipped her hand between her legs, but he smacked it away.

  "None of that."

  Kon picked her up, and Athena kissed him, her mouth urgently taking his. Kon dropped her on the bed on her back and slid in her in one unexpected, hard thrust. Athena's head tilted back, gasping as her body adjusted to the sudden hot invasion.

  "Fuck, Kon."

  He let out a husky chuckle. "You are so beautiful when you are craving me, goddess. I can't get enough of it." He began to move at a frustratingly gentle pace. Athena thrust her hips up, fucking his cock, trying to make him go faster. He gripped her hip and held her down. "You really don't like not being in control, do you?"

  "I want it rough, Kon. Stop acting like I'm fragile," Athena complained, almost weeping with need. His grip on her neck tightened, pinning her. He dipped his head, biting and sucking on her nipples hard.

  "That's…more…" she stammered, words failing her. Kon's body crushed her into the mattress, and he began to fuck her hard and so deep that stars danced over her vision. Her eyes began to close, but he kissed her, biting her lips.

  "No. Look at me," he commanded, voice ragged.

  Athena opened her eyes, forced herself to look at the emotion swimming in his dark gaze. It wasn't like the other times; he was fucking her like she meant something important to him.

  This was Kon possessing her. All of her. She knew at that moment he would never let her go. It should have scared her, sent her running. It didn't. It made her feel more powerful and seen than she ever had in her life. Athena stroked his tense jaw, gripped his silky dark hair.

  "Fuck me like you own me, Zalam," she snarled against his lips.

  Kon's smile was triumphant, vicious. He pulled her legs over his shoulders, dragging her up, and fucked her even harder, her breasts bouncing every time he rocked into her.

  The change in angle made his dick hit her G-spot with each stroke, robbing her of all thoughts but the blistering electric jolts that began to shoot through her. Kon's hand went between them, stroking her clit in hard, slow circles.

  "Come for me. I want to feel it," he demanded. Athena's body short-circuited, responding to his command. Her back arched, the walls of her pussy gripping him tight as she exploded into a million pieces.

  "Fuck. That's it." Kon's breathing got ragged, his dick swelling even bigger inside of her before his own release had him crying her name in a hoarse shout as he filled her. He released her legs, and she wrapped them around his waist, holding him inside of her. Kon kissed her before his head dropped to her neck.

  Athena stroked her fingers through his wet hair, her heart beating too hard, lungs struggling to steady her breathing. She didn't want him to let her go. She pressed her lips to the top of his head, breathing his scent in, wanting to imprint the moment onto her memory forever.

  19

  Kon was almost asleep when Athena shifted under him, and he roused himself enough to lay a kiss on her chest.

  "Kon, I'm really going to need to put something over this cut," Athena said drowsily.

  Kon shifted off her and switched on the bedside table lamp. Blood was staining the sheets, her arm, over both of their torsos. "Shit, Athena. You should've said something."

  "There was no way in hell I was going to interrupt what just happened for a bit of blood," she said, sitting up and heading back to the bathroom. She threw a provocative grin over her bloody shoulder. "I think we both need another rinse."

  They made quick work of the shower, both of them quiet. Kon felt a little rattled and rough aro
und the edges, his emotions a roar inside of him.

  Wrapped in a towel, Athena sat on the edge of the toilet seat as Kon went through his first aid kit. He checked there wasn't anything in the cut before treating it with an antibiotic cream to ensure there was no infection already starting.

  God only knew what was lingering in Ryker's shit hole of a fighting pen. He took out some steri-strips and started placing them evenly on the wound.

  "You are looking very serious for someone who just got their brains fucked out," Athena said softly.

  Kon didn't look up. He just kept applying the strips. He forced his jaw to unlock. "You're hurt. I don't…I don't like it."

  "It's really just a scratch, Kon. I've got worse wounds training. Silas would just frown and tell me to suck it up."

  "Well, I'm not your gruff mercenary father, and you are not my daughter that I'm trying to turn into a tough ass. You are…" Kon faltered, unsure of what to say or how to say it.

  "I'm what, Konstantius?"

  Kon took out a bandage patch, peeled off the edges, and placed it over the wound. "You're the only thing that's made me feel alive since I dragged myself out of that fucking fire. All I've ever wanted is revenge, and now you have me in fucking knots all the time."

  "Don't worry, we'll get your revenge and then figure out those knots." Athena leaned forward, pushed her hands through his hair, and kissed him. "You're suspiciously sweet tonight, even after I admitted that I belong to you."

  Kon stroked her cheek. "Well, I only get tonight before we go back to Istanbul, where I'm barely game to look at you for too long."

  Athena's phone buzzed, interrupting the moment. She hurried to answer it and put it on speaker. "Silas? What's up?"

  "I got you and Kon a flight out, but you have to be at the airstrip in the next two hours. Hamburg will be too hot for you if you leave it any later. Ryker has put up a notification saying you were spotted in the city. It won't be long before you have every bounty hunter and merc close by up your asses," Silas replied.

  "Great. Where's the flight, and who's it with?" Athena asked. Kon dug out some fresh clothes and dragged them on.

  "You need to get across the river to the Finkenwerder Airport, Hanger Four."

  "Should I ask what they are transporting apart from us?" Athena said.

  "It doesn't matter. They will get you both back in one piece. Pilot owes me a favor. Tell me this trip was worth it," Silas replied.

  "It was. Ask Iz to look into the Amun-Ra House in Edinburgh."

  "Will do. I'll see you in five hours."

  "You better have some pancakes ready for me by the time I get home," Athena said. Kon's fingers faltered on his bootlaces. She had said home.

  Don't read too much into it. She might have agreed that she belongs to you, but that doesn't mean she's ready to move in.

  Kon shook himself. He didn't want to be thinking about anything but getting the fuck out of Hamburg.

  "What are you frowning at, Kon?"

  He pulled on a shirt. "The Amun-Ra was the name of the Golden Dawn headquarters in Scotland back when they were active. Liddell can't have been there because it's been closed since the society disbanded."

  "It can't hurt for Iz and Leo to have a look anyway and see what they can dredge up. If Ryker was lying, we can always come back and shoot him." She said it so matter-of-factly, Kon had to smile. She was so ruthless that he was gaining a new understanding of how much she must like him to let their rivalry go on for so long.

  Athena dressed and slid a holster of daggers over her shoulders. She rolled her bloody leather jacket up before pulling out a replacement from her bag and putting it on.

  "So much for our one night. Lucky you got all those sweet words out while you could," she said, throwing him a teasing grin. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

  Kon raised a brow. "I'm not worried. No one would believe you anyway."

  Athena started braiding back her hair. "Did you mean it?"

  "Which part, Edgeworth?" Kon said, doing a quick inventory of how many spare magazines he had for his handgun.

  "About me making you feel alive," she replied.

  Kon pulled on his jacket. "Yes. I meant it. I had only one thing keeping me going, and that was revenge. And now I'm thinking of a life beyond killing Liddell. I blame that on you."

  "I'm about as sorry for that as you are for stealing from me in Paphos. Kiss me," Athena said, standing on her booted toes to press her lips to his. Kon's brain hazed when her tongue touched his, his dick remembering that tongue on it.

  He let out a frustrated growl. "I can't believe that instead of getting to fuck you all night, I now have to get a flight out with fuck knows who."

  "Silas's pancakes will make up for it," Athena assured him, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

  "Pancakes are no substitute for pussy, Athena. Especially yours," Kon replied.

  Athena rolled her eyes at him. "Come on, Zalam. Let's get out of here."

  Dawn turned the sky a rose stained pink when they landed at a small private airport outside of Istanbul. Kon hated small planes and had remained strapped to a hard chair as the turbulence caused by the high winds threw them about.

  Athena spent the flight in the cockpit, talking to the pilot, hanging onto a cargo strap, and moving with every plane rock. It turned out that they weren't bringing in drugs like Kon had imagined, but guns.

  From the snippets of conversation that had drifted back to him, the pilot owed Silas a debt for saving his ass in Sudan five years prior.

  Kon had always worked alone, but Silas and Athena seemed to have friends and debts everywhere.

  Kon's shoulders didn't relax until they got back to the warehouse in Eminönü. He didn't expect anyone to be awake, but as soon as they opened the door, the sweet smell of pancakes hit them.

  "Ohhh, that's what I'm talking about," Athena said, dropping her bag and hurrying to the kitchen.

  Silas gave her a one-armed hug and kissed the top of her head. Athena sat down on a stool and started tearing into her steaming pancakes with her fingers. Kon wanted to collapse in bed, but Silas put a second plate down on the counter.

  "How was Hamburg?" he asked.

  Kon drizzled some syrup on the pancakes and looked at Athena. "Yes, how about you tell him about Hamburg."

  Athena's eyes narrowed. "Traitor."

  "Spit it out, Cub," Silas said, putting the kitchen towel over his shoulder and pouring some more batter into the pan.

  "Only way to get an audience was to fight in the cage. I won."

  Silas looked at Kon. "What's she leaving out?"

  "That it was a cage match to the death, and when we finally got a meeting with Ryker, she pretended to feel him up and put a knife to his dick," Kon replied. He thought Silas would lecture her, but the big mercenary just tipped his head back and laughed.

  "For fuck's sake, Athena. What was your opponent like?"

  "She was called Bärchen and tried to pull a knife on me," Athena said around a full mouth.

  Silas snorted. "She took a weapon into a cage match? She deserved it for being so dumb."

  "That's what I thought. Ryker told us that the last time he saw Liddell was in Edinburgh. He said something about Liddell breaking his toys and got all cryptic about predators hunting at the full moon." Athena let out a big yawn and put her already empty plate in the sink. "I'm sure Iz will figure it out."

  "Go on, go get some sleep," Silas said.

  "Thanks for the pancakes, Zeus," Athena replied, kissing his cheek.

  "You're welcome, little war daughter."

  Kon tried to ignore his throat tightening at their easy and teasing affection. He hadn't allowed himself to miss his parents in years, but seeing them together sometimes made his chest hurt with longing.

  "Thanks for having her back. I know she can seem really impulsive, but she wouldn't have gone into the fight without calculating the risk," Silas told him once they were alone.

  "She gave me a heart attack," Kon
admitted.

  Silas's smile widened. "She does that. I'd like to say you get used to it, but it's a lie. She's taken your bed, by the way."

  "Ah, fuck." Kon washed up their plates and tried not to sigh. The pancakes would help restore some of his energy, but he had been counting on his bed.

  "Thank you for breakfast. I've never returned from a job to find a meal before," Kon said.

  "Pancakes is tradition to Athena. One of the few she holds sacred." Silas gave him a knowing smile. "You should go up and get some sleep too. I'll wake you guys up if we find anything."

  Kon frowned. "You wouldn't care?"

  "Athena was the one that went up to your bedroom, which means she's chosen and is making that choice known whether I care or not." Silas raised a finger. "But I better not hear you two fucking."

  Kon laughed softly. "Noted."

  "Kon? She doesn't get attached to people very often, so try and keep that in mind," Silas said, the worried father coming through.

  Kon pushed aside his pride and admitted, "When I was in Indonesia, I was about to get a bullet in the head. Right before I was about to die, she was the last thing I thought of."

  "Well, shit." Silas's blue eyes filled with understanding. He had been in enough near-death situations to know you only thought about the thing that mattered the most to you at that moment. He jerked his head. "Go on, go get some sleep."

  When Kon got upstairs, Athena had drawn the heavy curtains and was tucked under the sheets. Kon pulled off his clothes and climbed in beside her. He had never come home from a job to find a woman he cared about in his bed either.

  Instead of overthinking it, Kon wrapped an arm around Athena's waist and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. Home safe and guarded by the mercenaries downstairs, Kon finally let his magical toll pull him under and was asleep in moments.