Primal Bargains

by Raleigh Davis

  We all ignore that wrinkle. “I’ve been trying to catch them. But pretending to be wounded hasn’t worked.”

  Gage snorts. “You’re shit-ass bait.”

  “I think I’m excellent bait.” I bare my teeth. “Very tasty.”

  Cassian’s smirk turns wicked. “All you’ve caught so far is Ms. Robards.”

  I growl at him because what I have with Tess isn’t open for discussion. Or jokes.

  “Oh leave him alone,” Archer says. “You know he’s shy about his crushes.”

  I look to the ceiling and pray for patience.

  “He’s so embarrassed he can’t talk,” Bishop says.

  Gage makes a grunt that could be a laugh.

  “Awesome. Very funny,” I say. “Do we all feel better now?”

  Bishop’s mouth kicks into a half smile. “Actually, I do.”

  “Great.” My tone is gruff, but there’s a weird warmth in my chest. “Can we get back to this?”

  Cassian crosses his legs, swinging his foot. “I’d rather keep riling you up about Tess. You like her.”

  More than like her, I’m pretty sure, although I’m not quite ready to put a name to how I feel about her. Besides, keeping her close to me only puts her in more danger, thanks to the very thing we’re discussing right now.

  “Yeah, I like her, and I’d like to deal with this situation so I don’t need to worry about her safety while she’s here.” I sit back, square my shoulders. “So what are we going to do?”

  “Find whatever Tynan might have left behind,” Gage says.

  “Okay, so we’re going with the blackmail angle.”

  Cassian shakes his head. “No, that makes no sense. Who knew we put the system into Ira’s car? Just us. There’re no records of that. And we don’t even know if it was on when the car crashed.”

  “If it was on,” Archer says, “Tynan must have switched it on.”

  Bishop turns to him. “So you’re blaming Tynan for his own death?”

  Archer lifts his hands. “I’m not blaming anyone.” His gaze flicks to me because I probably am the most to blame. “I’m only saying.”

  With a faraway look in his eyes, Bishop lifts his head. “We should confess.”

  There’s a long beat of stunned silence.

  “Confess to who?” I say. “We have no proof of anything.”

  We’ve got nothing but a lingering sense of guilt that hasn’t lessened in the past five years. And rank suspicions that we’ll never be able to shake.

  “To Raven.” Bishop’s gone pale. “And Morgan.”

  There’s a heavy, considering moment. We’re all running through the possibilities in our heads, scoring the potential outcomes.

  All the outcomes I come up with add up to less than zero.

  “We’re not saying anything.” I set my palms down on the desk. “We’re making copies of our notebooks—physical only—and giving them to Archer. He’s come the farthest on actually figuring the things out. Put the originals somewhere safe. Like… a safe.”

  “And where’s Tynan’s notebook going?” Cassian asks.

  “It stays here. As bait.”

  Gage nods. “I’ll send over a team. A discreet one—we don’t want to scare this person off.”

  “And when you catch them?” Bishop asks quietly.

  Gage and I exchange a look.

  “We’ll deal with that if we actually catch them,” I say.

  Bishop doesn’t look pleased, but he doesn’t say anything else.

  Archer gets up. “I guess I’ve got some long nights ahead of me.”

  “I’ll help,” Bishop says.

  “Me too.” Cassian rises and stretches. “It’ll beat acting as bait. By the way, is Tess still living here?”

  I point to the door. “Goodbye.”

  They all laugh as they leave while I scowl. But beneath the scowl, I might be laughing too.

  Chapter 26

  “So…” I set my chin on my hand. “How did your meeting go?”

  Gideon pauses with his fork halfway to his mouth. We’re having pork chops for dinner, and he’s somehow made them so perfectly juicy I want to die. “You were waiting all day to ask me about that.”

  “Maybe not all day…”

  He snorts. “Since you saw them all walking in.”

  I shrug. “Rustem was gone, and I got bored. Mostly I was waiting for programs to install and tests to run, so my mind was free to wander. And I managed to run out of the conversations stored in Gulizar’s memory. Where is Rustem?”

  “She should be able to compose new ones,” he says. “And Rustem is running errands for me. He won’t be back until tonight.” Gideon goes back to eating.

  I clear my throat delicately. He still hasn’t answered my original question.

  He lowers his fork and gives me a look. “It went fine. We’re working together to figure out what’s going on.”

  I raise my eyebrows but press my mouth shut tight.

  “I haven’t ruled any of them out,” he says. “But they all have notebooks too. It made sense to go through them together. Oh, and Gage is sending out a team.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I say dryly. “I saw them on the monitors. Thankfully, Gage stopped to tell me they were coming.”

  “Oops.” His grin is disarming. “I should’ve said something. But I got caught up with work. There’s all this shit to do for the gala and making sure that the equipment is installed correctly before the opening. They want to let all the VIPs troop through the OR with a simulation running on the machines.” He shakes his head. “Just a big dog and pony show.”

  “People love dogs and ponies. But I’m pretty sure your surgery center is more than a circus. How exactly will it work?”

  He sets down his fork, his eyes lighting up. “So, you have to be awake for brain surgery. There’re no pain receptors within the brain itself—did you know that?—so no need for deep anesthesia. And they need you awake so you can talk and perform tasks while they’re cutting so they don’t cut out the wrong bit.”

  My eyes are so wide I can feel my lids drying out. “That sounds… really primitive. The patient is just like ‘hey, dude, you went far enough, you can stop now’? How would a person even know?”

  Gideon’s smile is wide and excited and proud. “That’s where our setup comes in. We’ve got electrodes recording all around the areas where the surgeon is cutting and even within the scalpel itself. The computer is analyzing the neuronal activity in real time and using our deep-learning algorithm to identify what’s normal and what’s not. The signaling of the neurons themselves guides where to cut, not the input of the patient. Although that’s important too. Of course, we had to build a whole new neurosurgery clinic for the hospital to accommodate it, and while we were at it, we paid to upgrade the entire surgery ward. Not just the neuro department.”

  I blink. It’s so genius; it’s like… it’s like brain surgery. Only even more complicated and amazing. “That’s brilliant. No wonder they want a dog and pony show. And a circus and probably fireworks and maybe even to give you the key to the city.”

  He dips his head, but his smile stays on. “Well, it was the team in charge of the programming who did most of it. I had the idea, but that was it. They put in all the hard work. And they’ll probably tell you I yelled too much at them during development. But clearly I yelled just enough.” He lifts his head. “I’m considered a horrible boss.”

  “Did you make them all live in your house while they were doing the work?”

  “Um, no.”

  “I’m glad to know I’m special.” I roll my eyes. “But I have no doubt that you’re an utter ass to them in person, except Raven told me all about the stuff you do behind the scenes to help them. And even though you only came up with the idea, it was pretty brilliant.”

  His eyes narrow. “My parents would say it’s not actual medicine. They will say it—they’re going to be there.”

  “And you care what they think because…?”

&n
bsp; He leans back, rolls his shoulders out. “I guess I want them just once to admit they’re wrong. That I did the right thing in leaving med school.” A hint of a crack comes in at the end.

  “Do you think they’ll ever do that?”

  “Hell no.” His answer is immediate. “But that doesn’t stop me from wanting to hear them say it.”

  I can imagine him and his parents butting heads over this forever until their skulls crack. But they still wouldn’t stop, because they’re all that stubborn.

  “Ira thought dropping out was a good idea.” I tilt my head, take him in. “What would he think of what you’ve done with the surgery center?”

  He goes very still. “I know what you’re doing.”

  “You’re a supergenius. Of course you do,” I say. “Now answer my question.”

  “Ira would have loved it,” he snaps out. “But he’s not here to see it.”

  “That doesn’t change the fact you’re doing what you should be. So seriously, screw your parents.”

  He’s got an odd expression, like he can’t believe I said that, and he also wants desperately to believe that he can just do it. Just let go of those old, bad feelings. “You’re one to talk.”

  “The difference is, my parents support me. After I got out of the Army…” I lick my suddenly dry lips. “I kind of fell apart a little bit. Not like I had a full-blown mental issue, it was just… It was really hard to get out of bed. Every morning. They helped me get through that, fought with the VA, found a doctor, watched my reactions to medications—it was a lot, even though I wasn’t that sick. But it would have been much worse if they hadn’t been there to help me.”

  Gideon has said nothing this whole time, merely watched me with a shuttered expression. It’s unnerving, so I dip my head.

  “Anyway,” I go on, “I’m fine now. But we stick together, us Robards. That’s the difference.”

  “If that had happened to me…” Gideon’s voice dies. “It did happen to me. Med school was fucking killing me. And my parents told me to keep going or die.”

  The bleakness in his voice hits my heart like an ice storm. I reach for his hands, both of them, grateful that we’re eating at the small table in the kitchen and not that dining room monstrosity. “Then just say fuck them. And mean it.”

  He doesn’t say anything. I can see the struggle deep in his blue eyes. He wants to let go… but he can’t give up that twisted dream. Not after holding it for so long.

  I lean forward and kiss him to make him feel better. He shoves aside the food with a sweep of his arm, dragging me into his lap. He deepens the kiss so fast I go dizzy.

  “Are you trying to distract me?” I say once I can get some air.

  “I’m trying to distract myself.” He gathers me up. I don’t mention his ribs because he’d get mad. And it’s also insanely hot that he can straight up lift me like a caveman. “We’re going to bed, because I can’t hold back another second. It’s not even how you look, although you’re amazingly fucking hot.” He gives me another deep kiss. “It’s the shit you say to me, the way you make me feel. Raw in the best fucking way.”

  I pull in a shaky breath, the oxygen scorching my lungs. Or maybe it’s the intensity of his words that does it. “I feel the same.”

  From the moment I first met him, in the dark, sensing his presence, he’s overwhelmed me. And he keeps doing it.

  He carries me up to his bedroom, kissing me the entire way. Thank God he learned how to navigate this place in the dark. He takes his time undressing me, kissing and touching each new inch of bare skin he uncovers. The time he takes with my breasts and nipples is so decadent I’m sobbing by the time he gets to my stomach. And when he finally reaches my panties, my brain is fried. I’m reduced to pure throbbing, begging need. The second he looks at my clit, I’m going to explode.

  With infinite care, he eases my panties over my hips, down my thighs, then tugs them off. I’m swollen and aching, and just pressing my thighs together has me biting my lip.

  Gideon kneels before me, setting a hand on my thigh. “You need me, don’t you? Look at how wet you are, how flushed your pretty pussy is.” He opens my legs for a better look. “And that clit… Achy, isn’t it?”

  I nod once, frantic.

  “I can do it like this, make you scream as you come,” he says, “but I don’t think you’ll be able to hold yourself up. And I don’t want my Tess to get hurt.”

  I grab his shoulders, dig in with my nails. I’m so far gone that even the walk to the bed looks impossible. But I can’t form the words to tell him that.

  Brilliant man that he is, he knows what I need without my telling him. In a moment I’m picked up and placed on the bed, the sheets cool and slick under me. Even that is almost too much in my overheated state, and I thrash my head and spread my legs, desperate for relief. Desperate for him.

  He grips my knees, his fingers digging deep, anchoring me. “I’ve got you, beautiful.”

  Oh, he does. He has me so securely I never want to be released. His fingers skim my folds, testing my response. I suck in a breath because even that light touch is a lot. And I want more.

  I lift my hips. “Please.”

  He lowers his head. The first swipe of his tongue has me panting. The second has me moaning. The third…

  I come with a scream, my entire body seizing. He shouldn’t be so good at this. I’m going to die of pleasure.

  But I’m so, so glad he is.

  He’s got the condom on and is entering me before the aftershocks have faded. To be still half lost in my orgasm while he fills me so completely is beyond everything.

  “Gideon.” My voice splits around his name.

  “I’ve got you, beautiful.” He begins to move. “I’ve got you. Got you.” He chants in time with his thrusts, telling me and showing me how deeply we’re entwined.

  My head falls back and I rise to meet him, to pull him even more into me. When he comes, he goes still, buried so far inside me I don’t see how we might ever come undone.

  Chapter 27

  I come dead awake when the alarm first sounds, sitting straight up in bed, my eyes wide open and my heart slamming into my ribs.

  “They’re back.”

  I’m up and out of bed before Tess even stirs. In a flash I’ve got my shirt and shorts on, ready to finally catch this fucker.

  “What?” Tess sits up, blinks the sleep out of her eyes.

  “Get to the security room,” I tell her. “Now. And shut down the audible alarm and all the lights up here.”

  There’re stairs hidden in my closet, leading straight to the security room she’s set up. Eventually the plan is to have it lead all the way to a panic room, but she should be safe enough in the security room. I fucking pray she is.

  Thank God she doesn’t argue. She simply pulls one of my T-shirts on and disappears into the closet.

  I step out into the hallway, the alarm still blaring overhead. I know it’s supposed to alert me no matter where I am in the house, but right now I’m worried it’s scaring off the thief. A light flashes in the hallway—green. The proximity alarm. Someone’s come over the fence and triggered the outdoor sensors.

  I look right, look left. They might already be in the house, but if the system detected him, the alarm light would be orange.

  “Rustem,” I call down the hallway. There’s no answer. Damn it, he was supposed to be back by now.

  I don’t know how long I have before the intruder tries for the safe. Suddenly the alarm is cut off. Everything goes quiet, and in the next second, everything goes dark.

  Tess has reached the security room. I slink back into my room, my muscles remembering the route. Hopefully the thief thinks the power has gone off. I want him to feel nice and safe in the dark. And then I’m going to catch his ass.

  I wait in my bedroom, hardly breathing, my muscles relaxed but ready.

  There’s a soft snick and then the slide of a window opening. The dude is coming through my bedroom window.

>   How the fuck did he get up to the second floor? He would have had to parachute onto the roof. But something definitely set off the proximity alarm by the fence.

  No, I’m not dealing with any kind of superman here. This guy can be brought down, same as anyone else.

  I keep waiting. One leg comes over the sill, then a torso. He straightens up, looks around the room. The dude is entirely in black and wearing a balaclava, which is a nice touch. Definitely got the cat burglar look down pat.

  Without hesitation, he goes for the wall with the hidden door. Like he already knows how to trigger the mechanism and knows the safe is behind there. Fucker.

  I rush him, aiming for his waist. He’s not expecting it, and I catch him full on, lifting him up and over my shoulder. I wrap an arm around his chest and find—

  Breasts? Those are definitely breasts.

  Holy shit, he’s a woman. I drop him—her—out of complete instinct. I just full-body tackled a woman.

  She raises her forearm and punches me hard in the side of the head.

  I stagger back. “Fuck.” She’s got a mean right hook.

  What the fuck do I do know? She might be trying to steal from me, but I can’t punch her back. I grab her wrist, try to twist her arm up behind her back. I can at least hold her here until I figure out what’s going on.

  She does this whip-snap twist, somehow tossing her body out of position and breaking my hold on her wrist.

  Okay, I might have to play rough here. No way is she getting away.

  I crouch and spread my arms, ready to grab her in a bear hug. Let her try to do some acrobatics out of that.

  I get one arm around her, holding her tight. She doesn’t fight, just goes very still. So I reach up and pull the balaclava off her head. A long fall of dark hair is released, and I get the impression of brown eyes.

  Got you. I’m finally going to bring an end to this.

  One knee lifts, her foot trailing along my leg. And then that foot cuts up between my legs. Hard.

  I fall to my knees, my lungs emptying. Everything goes bright, then dark, then bright again, as if my eyes are on the fritz.