“Okay. I’d like to go today, please?”
“I’ll make the call.”
20
Kade
Since we spoke, I knew what I needed. Her in my bed, in my life, and in my heart. Letting her leave the first time was a mistake. I know that now. Even though I haven’t told her everything about my past, I knew it would take time to get to the whole truth. When she asked me to let her go to her parents, I couldn’t refuse. It’s been four long days, and I miss her more than I let on. More so now that I know she wants me.
I keep replaying the night of our dinner, of our apologies, and our confessions. When I carried her to bed, I was so tempted to have her, but I kept to my word. I laid her down and watched her sleep. Her body was small, warm, and so fucking tempting. I wanted to kiss her, feel her around my tongue, pulsing and writhing until she came all over me. When I finally got into bed, I laid awake until the sun rose.
I got up, made breakfast, and when she padded into the kitchen, I felt her innocence swirl around me. She smiled, asked me to help with a flight to see her parents, which I did, no questions asked. Knowing my brother was in town, I wanted her to be safe. Far from him.
We’ve been playing a tug of war for too long. Tonight, when she gets back, I’ll make sure she commits to me. At first, I didn’t want to ask her about children. All I wanted was for her to be safe, but now that the two months are almost up, I need to make a play. And I need to do it as soon as possible.
She’s coming back today. I’ve planned dinner where I can sit her down and talk to her. Give her everything and ask her for the same in return. I want her. I can’t push her away anymore. It’s becoming ridiculous, the number of times I’ve feared losing her. Of never seeing her again.
Tonight, all bets are off, little Princess, because you’re mine, and you’re never leaving my side again.
“Kade.” Ley’s voice infiltrates my thoughts. “How is your precious little Witch?” she smirks, settling herself in the chair opposite my desk. Regarding her through narrowed eyes, I shrug. Feigning indifference has never been my strong suit when it comes to this woman.
“She’s not in town. I don’t know.”
“Where is she?” Her voice piques with interest, but I’m not telling her shit. She’ll have to kill me first to find out where Talia is.
“She took some time off.” My responses are clipped, but I know that won’t deter this woman. She’s a pain in my ass.
“Kade, lying was never something you could do with me. I can see right through you. I see the dark filth you hide. All the blood you spilled.”
“What do you want, Ley? I don’t have time for this.” Her bright red lips curl into a smirk, satisfied and sickening.
“Well, since you’re in such a rush, I won’t have time to tell you Killian paid me a visit last night.”
With that, she rises, but I’m beside her in a second. “Where is he?” I reach out. Gripping her arm, I tug her against me. “You’re going to tell me everything.” My hiss is an order. “And do not lie to me.”
She shrugs out of my grip and turns to regard me. Her eyes have turned red, as bright as her lips. “He wants the Witch Princess. Said that he gave you two months, and he’s here to collect. His plan is foolproof, Kade. Your brother isn’t messing around with this little girl. He’s going to take her and make her a little pawn in his game. This time, even I’m scared of Killian. Oh” — she stalks to the door, her hand on the doorknob — “he fucked me real good. Nothing like the way you did me, but it was toe-curling.”
Then she’s gone. I allow the anger to course through me. To heat my blood. Shutting my eyes, I call to the link between Killian and me. My mind flits around the city, searching for him. Usually, it’s easier to find him, but right now, like the past few months, I’m unable to locate him.
Frustration gets the better of me when I waste twenty minutes yielding no results. Where are you, little brother? If he plans to hurt Talia, I know he’ll be following her every move. Picking up my phone, I hit dial on Gordon’s number.
“Mr. Montgomery,” he answers on the first ring.
“I need you to wait at the airstrip. Talia will be arriving at five, then I want you to drive her directly to the penthouse. Do not stop anywhere. Take her up to the apartment, and don’t leave her alone until you’ve searched the whole place. And I mean every fucking corner.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything I need to be wary of?” Gordon being part of the Elder Knights is the only man I trust with Talia. He’s been with me since I was born. My father was often away on business, but Gordon was there to watch me as a painful little brat.
He was there for me when my father died, and he hasn’t left. “My brother. He’s here to take her. And it’s not time. I need to talk to her. To explain things. Please, Gordon. I’m relying on you to make sure she’s safe.”
“You know you can trust me with anything you need.”
Nodding, I hang up. Taking in the city below, I wonder where he is or what he’s planning. My brother is good. I give him that. But I’m better. I’ll find him, and when I do, I’ll end him once and for all.
A knock on the door alerts me of my newest client. “Come in.” I turn to find a beautiful brunette. Her green eyes are piercing. She’s dressed in a knee-length, gray dress with black, four-inch heels. Her long, brown hair is cut to her chin, sleeked straight.
“Mr. Montgomery, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” she murmurs in a voice so husky I’m almost certain she’s turned on by the veneer humans are always so addicted to.
“And you too, Ms. Foster. Please, have a seat. Is there anything I can get you?” I offer, watching her glide into the room.
Her green gaze lifts to my blue one. “A divorce?” she quips. A smile curls her beautiful lips, and I nod.
“Well, that I can certainly do. Let’s start,” I smirk, settling into my seat, and readyinggetting ready to help this lady walk away from a ten-year marriage.
As much as I want to help my client, today all that’s on my mind is Talia and getting her to my place safely. But I shake my head, attempting to clear my little princess from it and focus on work.
“Now, tell me more.”
21
Talia
Spending the week away from Kade has given me a new perspective on things. It’s also confirmed that as much as he’s an asshole, I want him. Each day without him, he’s the only thing I thought about. Tonight, I want to tell him everything, I want to tell him I do love him. I want to be with him. If that means having a baby, then so be it.
When my mother explained about what is going to happen on my birthday, I was shocked, filled with apprehension, but now that I’m back, I know what I must face. What my future holds.
“Honey, the night of your birthday, your life will change. Once you’ve made the choice between the brothers, you’ll need to perform a ritual. Your powers will allow you to focus. There’s a light in both brothers. You’ll need a connection with the brother who is going to die. A physical one.”
“I’ll need to be in the same room with Killian?” She nods, opening the book to the page in question. There’s a diagram which looks like it’s drawn in the shade of purple that matches the blood that seeped from Killian’s leg.
“The color changed the day you were born.”
“I choose Kade,” I murmur, stroking my fingers over the drawing. Lifting my gaze, I find my mother nodding in agreement.
“As Queen, you’ll rule over our people, but once you’ve married Kade, and you join your souls, there’s going to be a war within the Order. Kade will be made king; he’ll rule beside you. There’s a strong chance the Elders will keep an eye on you both.”
“Why?”
“If your souls unite as I think they will, you’ll rule over all the planes, Talia. Heaven, Hell, and Earth will be yours. It’s only ever happened once in the history of our people.”
“What happened to the King and Queen?” I ask, but I already know t
he answer. It’s written in my mother’s face. In her darkened expression.
“The Elders, they . . .”
“Mom?”
“They were stripped of their powers. There’s a prison in our realm where they were locked up, left to . . . They were left to die.”
Her words stun me, and I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. “Mom, Kade said if I were to be pregnant—”
“Talia, I don’t want you to rush your life. If you choose him, then he’s yours.”
“It’s not that. It’s Killian. I’m afraid he’ll hurt me.” I meet her worried gaze again, but she merely nods.
“You’re stronger than Killian. Than both brothers. I’ll show you the powers you have, baby girl. We’ll spend the week training. Defense is first. I’ll show you how to use your light to blind an attacker. How to use your mind control to your advantage, but you need to remember, because Kade and Killian are Warlocks, they’re not as susceptible to your powers. It’s muted with them. Also, they both have had years of training.”
“They have,” I admit.
“You’ll come into your own, Talia. Your strength will only grow from here.” I nod as my mom pulls me into her arms. Affection cocoons me as my mother offers me her calming energy. This week is going to take a lot out of me, but I’m ready. To learn who I really am.
When I left my parent’s home, I was focused on one thing — coming here to make sure Kade knows I’m committed. I want this. I can see myself with him. Not just for a short time. That excites me even though I’ve never thought about marrying someone and spending forever with them, besides Rhys. But I’ve allowed myself to open fully to the idea of marrying Kade, and I’m not as fearful as I thought I’d be.
When the car collected me moments ago, I wished Kade was in the back, but Gordon said he was still in a meeting and would be late. He did let me know he’d meet me at the penthouse tonight, but I can’t wait to see him. As the car weaves through traffic, I wonder what’s going to happen when I come face to face with him. When I tell him about what I’ve learned, he’ll be proud of me.
I want to show him my powers, to see the pride on his handsome face. But most of all, I want to be in his arms. I want those perfect lips on mine. I want him to tell me he wants me too. Excitement races through me, and I can’t help smiling. Pulling out my phone, I tap out a message to him to let him know I’ve landed safely and I’m on my way to the apartment.
When he doesn’t respond, I realize he must still be busy, which frustrates me, but I understand his job is important. Pocketing my phone, I sit back and relax. The ride is silent since Gordon isn’t a very talkative person. Instead, I watch the city pass by and plan my move. The lingerie hidden under my clothes will be step one. As soon as he sees it, I know he’ll not be able to resist, and that only sends a heated tingle to my core.
I’ve missed him. But no more. This time he’ll know how much I want him. We were destined. I know it in my heart and mind. Even if we don’t rule all realms, at least I’ll rule my people with the man I chose by my side as King.
The first thing we will need to do is talk to Killian. Nothing will change my mind, my choice, I know that much. Kade won’t agree with that, but I’m stronger now. I can defend myself.
Moments later, we pull into the parking garage that reminds me of the night I stabbed Killian. The night I’d first heard Kade’s fury at his brother. I’ll never forget the moment I heard his feral growl, the roar that sent a cold shiver down my spine.
Gordon insists in following me up to the penthouse, but I know my way there. “I’ll be okay. It’s a private elevator, I promise.”
“I’ll escort you up in the elevator, and you’ve got my number, Ms. Talia. Please call me if you need anything.” I agree. His intense stare watches me as the car ascends to the top floor, which opens into the hallway. The dark blue door beckons, and my excitement increases. The steely gaze of the man who’s meant to keep me safe until Kade appears is serious as he regards me with a nod. “Take care.”
“Thank you, Gordon. I’ll call you if I need anything.” He nods. It’s a swift movement, and when I step out of the elevator, my belly flips with nervous excitement.
Pushing the door open, I step inside the beautiful apartment. His taste in furnishings astounded me the first time I walked in. “Kade,” I call out to what looks like an empty penthouse. Silence greets me when I step farther into the living area. The lights are dimmed to almost darkness, and I wonder if he’s not home yet, but there’s soft, classical music in the background. “Where are you?” My voice echoes slightly in the vast space. Once again, my question is met with no response.
A bottle of champagne sits in an ice bucket in the living room beside the table. There are two glasses and a roaring fire in the background. Everything seems so romantic. Set up. Unlike the man, himself. Granted, Kade’s surprised me with some of the sweeter things he’s done, but this isn’t him, which sets my body alert with confusion.
Tugging off the coat I’m wearing, I drop it on the sofa and kick off my tennis shoes. I normally hate flying, but using the Montgomery jet was a reprieve from the bustle of flying coach. Making my way to the kitchen, I grab a glass and fill it with ice water. I take a long gulp and make my way into the living room. Soon, I’ll need to get back to work, to my life I’ve made here with the man who now holds my heart. Everything I’ve planned to talk to him about tonight includes the baby, my powers, and of course, our future.
The one thing I know he’s going to fight me on is me talking to Killian. My choice has been made. When my mother showed me the prophecy change before my eyes, I knew there was no backing out now. Yes, Killian is dangerous, and I know what I must do, but what my mother told me might be a way for us to work it all out. Another option in the convoluted mind trip our ancestors put us in.
Even so, it’s not a guarantee that Killian would even want to go for it. Would he want second best? Somehow, I doubt it. I’ve met him, seen the glower of hatred in his eyes, but I also saw another emotion, one that he’s hidden easily from the world, but not from me. I didn’t know it at the time, but my powers of reading the thoughts of everyone I’m around came easily.
It’s not what you think. It doesn’t come in words. Instead, I see what they think. As if I’m watching a film. The same way Kade showed me our future. And I know what Killian wants. I just need to figure out how to get it for him.
The problem is, he’s fallen off the radar, which has Kade stressed even more now than ever. It’s been less than two months since he came here in search of my blood. Even though Kade’s hired a private investigator, along with a team of men, they can’t find the man who’s probably still out for blood. Mine.
Shaking my head of the thoughts, I finish my drink and plan to find Kade. Perhaps he’s in the bedroom, or even somewhere hiding, trying to taunt me. “Kade, this isn’t funny. Where are you?”
“Right here, Princess.” Spinning around, I find the source of the voice on the staircase which leads to the second level. It’s dark, but I can make out he’s dressed in a crisp, white dress shirt, black slacks, and shiny Oxfords. I can’t help wondering why he’s standing in the dark.
“What were you doing?” I question, taking a step toward him.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” he offers with a smirk as he descends the staircase. One step at a time he nears me, his gaze never faltering. That’s one thing about him; he moves soundlessly.
“Are we celebrating?” I gesture to the champagne and glasses that sit behind me.
He nods, passing me without a kiss or any affectionate greeting. Lifting the bottle, I watch him unwrap the foil and uncork it with a pop. The liquid bubbles from the lip in a golden fountain of alcohol, and I notice it then. Something very wrong. He pours the fizzy alcohol into each of the glasses before returning it to the ice bucket. Holding one flute toward me, he smiles. The darkness that surrounds him is palpable. A living, breathing force.
Inhaling a calming breath, I know I
can’t do anything just yet, so I accept the glass and wait.
“To us.” Two words that should mean a lot to me, but the tone he’s using is cold, disinterested. With a small smile, I sip my drink, then set the glass on the table, watching as he stalks toward the kitchen without another word. Plates, cutlery, and glasses clink, echoing through the vast, modern space.
He’s being so strange tonight, unlike the Kade I’ve come to know over the past couple of months, and I know why. I glance over at him as he busies himself, and a shiver runs through me. My intuition that I’ve come to trust kicks in, and I pad over to him, stopping at the counter that sits in the middle of the kitchen. “Are you okay?” I question with a furrowed brow. Be honest. Be honest. I want him to tell me the truth. To look me in the eye and grant me something I know deep down he won’t. I watch for the usual smirk he loves to give me, but it doesn’t come, and I knew it wouldn’t.
“I’m fine. Why?” When he doesn’t look at me, I realize I’m right, and he’s lying. I need to get out of here. My fight or flight instinct kicks in, and it tells me to get the hell out of here now.
“Nothing. Just wondering.” Before he notices my change in demeanor, I turn and leave him staring at my back. In the bedroom, I take in my surroundings, trying to see if there’s something out of place, but nothing catches my attention. Opening the closet, I quickly change into my sweatpants and a T-shirt. When I find my sweater, I’m about to pull it on when I feel his presence behind me.
“Are you going somewhere, little one?” His voice is gruff, and his hands grip my shoulders painfully. Closing my eyes, I take a deep, steadying breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I can do this. I know I can.
“No, I was just cold.” My words are weak and jittery. He spins me around, lowering his hands to my ass, gripping it and lifting me against him.
“Let me warm you up.” His body feels different, harder, colder. He walks us to the wall, pinning me against the hard surface of the concrete and his chest of solid muscle. When he leans in, his mouth captures mine, and I know for certain this isn’t the man I’ve fallen in love with. The taste of his tongue, his breath, the way his lips press against mine are all warning signs.
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