by Fall, Carly
“Get out of my head, Liberty.”
“Of course, dear brother.” She smiled again, and Noah closed his eyes and shook his head like a dog.
“I didn’t know you could put thoughts in people’s heads,” Noah said, glaring at her.
Total game changer. Noah was on the ropes getting the piss beaten out of him.
“Don’t you see, brother? We don’t have a lot of girth, but if Jovan is okay when they move him, I can communicate with him and tell him what’s going on. He is a strong male, and very . . . girth-y, if there is such a word.”
Noah was now on the mat. Blake could see the ten-count coming.
“I will also be able to distract the others by implanting thoughts into their heads. From the series of events that Blake and Annis described, it sounds like Jovan did that to confuse the captors. It can be a very effective tool, Noah.”
Noah stared at Liberty for a long moment.
One, two, three, four, five . . .
“What’s going on with you and Jovan?” Noah asked, narrowing his eyes. “Did he touch you?”
Liberty blushed, but she didn’t look away. “Yes. I have had the sex with Jovan.”
Whoa! Didn’t see that one coming! Blake wondered when that had happened and felt like he should leave the room, but he had to stay and see where all this led.
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I told him to stay away from you.”
“Well, he didn’t, and I’m very pleased.”
“Is he going to mate you?” Noah said, meeting her gaze.
“No.”
“I’m going to kill the guy. As soon as we get him back, I’m going to kill him.”
“You will do no such thing, Noah. My relationship with Jovan is none of your concern.”
They stared at each other for a long while. Finally, Blake cleared his throat, and both looked at him as if they had just realized he was in the room.
“I don’t want to interrupt the family drama, but we need to figure out what to do about Jovan.”
“Yes, we do,” Liberty said.
Noah was quiet a little bit longer and threw up his hands. “Okay, you’re in, Liberty. I don’t know what else to do.”
Six, seven, eight, nine, and ten.
Liberty smiled widely, and that was the end of the match.
Chapter 42
Jovan.
Jovan cracked an eye, his head aching like someone had drilled a hole in his skull.
Oh, wait. He had.
If he ever got his hands on that doctor, that guy was going to pray for death. He tried to move his hands, and he was shackled down again . . . or still? Who knew. At least this time he had some clothes on, even if it was one of those hospital gowns. And how nice—they had provided him with a scratchy wool blanket as well. But at least he could move his appendages, and he seemed to be thinking somewhat clearly, so whatever the doctor had done to his brain hadn’t caused any permanent damage.
Looking around, he saw he was in some sort of box. He heard a humming of an engine, and realized he was in the back of a truck. It looked like something to move furniture from the local truck rental place. That needs new shocks, he thought as they ran over a bump.
Jovan.
And now he was hearing voices, specifically, Liberty’s voice. It was like hearing a marble in a tin can: it just bounced around on all sides of his skull. The nice part was that it didn’t sound like that, but her voice was a warm blanket on a cool night, soothing. It was nice to have such calming thoughts as he prepared for his death, which he was certain wasn’t too far away.
Jovan, it is me. I am near, Jovan. We are coming for you.
How fucking fab that would be. He knew this had to be a figment of his imagination, as Noah would never allow Liberty to go on a mission. At least he hoped not. Liberty was small and fragile.
His mind traveled back to the first time he had laid eyes on her in that strip club. She hadn’t belonged there, and it was so apparent to him that there was something different about her. He was happy he had the chance to know her and to pleasure her body. He had been with many women throughout the years, but little Liberty was perfect for him in so many ways.
He was certain that she could very well be the only person on Earth who understood what he went through before she had taught him to harness his gift, and he wondered if she had ever suffered as he had, or if she was taught early on how to manage.
Man, all that submissive subservient bullshit she had going on when they first met had really irritated him. He was glad that she was now more certain of herself and that she had become a strong female. She would make an excellent mate to someone one day.
That didn’t sit well, but it was the truth. So far the good doctor had stuck a needle in his eye and drilled a hole in his head. He wasn’t long for this world. There was no way he was going to make it out of this alive.
And sexually, they seemed to fit together perfectly, despite the size differences. He knew they had only shared one sexual experience, but it had been the most satisfying for him of any he had.
If things were different, he would mate her.
The thought jolted him, but as he tossed it over, it settled within him and felt very right.
Jovan, please open yourself. Allow your . . . shield to drop and focus on my words.
He looked around the truck. There was an armed guard who looked bored out of his mind. He wondered where that fucking doctor was.
What if it was Liberty contacting him? Hell, he’d been able to throw out thoughts, and she had better control of her gift. So logic stood that she would be tossing thoughts like softballs if she chose to do so.
Besides, what did he have to lose? He might hear the thoughts of one guy, maybe whoever was driving this heap of steel, and how horrible could that be? Maybe it would give him a little more information on where he was going and what the plan was.
Taking a deep breath, he let down his shield.
The guard was thinking about leaving his wife and how much he hated the military. Damn, were there any happy humans?
Jovan, I must know if you can hear me.
Yes, I hear you. He felt a little stupid having a conversation with himself.
Oh, thank goodness. Jovan, we are close. I’m here to be the link to you. To tell you what is going on and when it is going to happen. Noah wants to know about your surroundings.
Okay. This was sounding way, way too close to being a real operation, and if Noah had brought Liberty along, both he and Noah were going to end up in next Thursday by pounding each other out over her.
He already knows about us, Jovan.
Oh, hell. This had to be his imagination.
No! Now focus, Warrior!
A little kindle of hope fired up at the snappy tone, and he reached out.
Liberty? Are you for real?
Yes.
So this isn’t my imagination.
No. Please describe the inside of the truck, Jovan.
He looked around. It’s like a moving truck. It looks like the walls are wooden, but reinforced with steel beams. There’s a lock on the door on the inside, so I’m locked in with an armed guard who is thinking about leaving his wife and how much he hates the military.
After a moment of silence, he heard, Very good, Jovan.
What exactly did that mean? A Boy Scout badge?
I’m not certain what a Boy Scout badge is, but Noah is happy with what you have told me.
Jovan shut his eyes as he felt worry tear through him. This was real. Liberty was close. And she shouldn’t be. She should be in one of the silos or the mansion, not on some lonely highway headed to who-knows-where.
Especially trying to rescue the likes of him.
Chapter 43
Liberty let out a long breath as Jovan let down his shield and communicated with her.
He was alive.
Through the rain, she saw the taillights of the truck he was in a few miles ahead. Her and Noah followed
in a Hummer with the lights out. It was a bit frightening traveling in this fashion, but they weren’t going very fast, and she trusted Noah’s judgment.
They rode in silence waiting to hear from Blake.
After it had been decided that she would accompany Noah and Blake on the trip, they had left the mansion with Noah and Liberty in one Hummer and Blake in the other. They had then parked a few miles away from Area 2, and it became a game of waiting and patience, which she was discovering she lacked.
“Are you certain that the program Talin designed will work?” she had asked.
Noah had looked over at her. “For the third time, Liberty, yes. I have never seen anything that Talin designs not work.”
She nodded, put her feet up on the dashboard, and picked at her nails. Noah took out his cell phone from his jeans pocket and placed it on the console between them.
“Liberty, as your brother, it is my duty to protect you, and I feel as though I’ve failed.”
“Why is that?” She looked over at him as he stared out the front window, his profile strong and handsome, and she felt a well of pride of being able to call him her brother.
“I should have warned you about males who are looking to take advantage of someone like you.”
“Like who? Who wants to take advantage of me?”
He turned to her and met her eyes. “Like Jovan.”
She didn’t believe Jovan had taken advantage of her. She believed they had experienced something wonderful together, and she hoped that it would happen again. “Jovan did not take advantage of me, Noah.”
Noah sighed and looked out the front window again. “Liberty, Jovan has been alone for a long time. He has kept himself distanced from everyone, and I don’t see that changing. He’s not one to get close to others. You can’t expect anything out of him on a relationship front.”
Thinking about what her and Jovan had been through, he had far exceeded any expectations she had of anyone. She had been lonely, afraid, and wary of everyone, looking for anyone to trust, but finding no one. He had literally come to her rescue when he didn’t have to and taken her in. He had been kind and insisted that they were equals in social stature, something that no one had ever even hinted at. He had encouraged her to grow, to be strong, and for that, she would be eternally grateful.
She had been so proud when she realized that she was the only one who could help Jovan get a “lasso on his gift,” as he liked to say. As they worked together, she became stronger in the knowledge that she was helping another person instead of serving. She was helping an equal.
The sexual attraction had taken her by surprise, but it had turned out to be a nice dividend. She wanted more of the sex from Jovan; she wanted him to teach her about her body and his. The first joining had been so pleasurable, as had the experience he gave her with his mouth. If they had more time together, she felt it could only get better.
She cared deeply about the male, and he had far exceeded her expectations.
Noah was wrong. The others might not be able to expect anything from Jovan, but she could. They were bound together by their gifts, and she expected that bond would only flourish.
“I do believe you are wrong, brother.”
Noah sighed. “Liberty, don’t get too attached or you are in for a world of heartache, okay?”
She didn’t have time to think about that as the phone began to vibrate. Noah picked it up and dialed. “It’s a go, Blake. You’re on.”
A few minutes later, an old, gray truck pulled out from the dirt road where Area 2 was housed. It rumbled down the road, and a few minutes later, Blake’s Hummer pulled out from behind them and sped down the road. The plan was once they figured out the direction of the truck, Blake would run ahead and find a good place for the ambush. It wasn’t like there were a lot of options down Highway 19 for turn-offs or highway changes. The road was a desolate stretch of pavement that led directly into Mexico.
As the last rays of the sun said goodbye over the horizon, Noah turned on the ignition and the Hummer rumbled to life.
“Here we go,” Noah had said.
Presently, Liberty closed her eyes and concentrated on reaching Jovan. She had never attempted anything like this before, and she prayed she would be able to make a difference in his rescue.
When she connected, the link between them was so strong, it was almost as if they had become one. She could feel his pain, and it brought tears to her eyes. She reminded herself that he would be able to feel her sadness for him, and clamped down on it. She needed to focus on him.
She couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like having this intense emotional link with him while having the sex with him.
I can’t believe you’re thinking about sex, Liberty.
Heat warmed her cheeks. She had to be cautious with her thoughts.
I’m sorry, Jovan. I need to be more focused.
There was a long silence where she felt or heard nothing.
You’re right. We both do.
She let the connection rest, firm and in place, but she couldn’t help wonder if he was thinking of the same thing.
I am.
Those two words sent shivers through her body, and she had to fight to control the physical response.
Noah picked his phone when it vibrated and looked at the text that had just come in. “We’ve got a ways to go, Liberty. It looks like about ten minutes, so if you want to rest for a few minutes go ahead.”
“Thank you, Noah. I will.”
She closed her eyes and concentrated on Jovan.
If we were in bed right now, what would you like me to do to you?
She thought for a moment. I would not like you in bed with me, Jovan.
Really? Okay. It’s probably best for us to get off this train of thought—
I would like you in the shower bathing with me.
It was a strange sensation telling someone else what she wanted, instead of anticipating the needs of others. In servitude, she had to constantly be one step ahead of those who she served, predicting their wants and desires.
She had been in charge of making sure the daily meeting of the Royal Council was set to take place. It was never a set number either, so every day was different. Some days all twenty members would show up, other days it would be just be a few. Her duties included setting up the food and making sure that everything was in place for the opening ceremonies where each member of the Royal Council walked down a long runner colored his SR44 color. He would then pledge his allegiance to the other members of the Royal Council and to SR44 as a whole.
The runners needed to coordinated on who was showing up and where they were to be seated for the meeting. She also needed to be on hand to fetch anything else that was needed during the conference. Her time was never hers; her desires were never considered. And now she was telling another—a member of the Six Saviors—what she wanted.
She smiled, and suddenly, her mind was flooded with images Jovan projected, streaming together as if she were watching a TV show.
She stood with her back against Jovan as he soaped up her hair, working his way down, taking a few moments to knead her shoulders. His hands traveled to her breasts, where the white lather became thick as he massaged her breasts, gently touching her nipples, and then grasping them between his forefinger and thumb and softly pulling and twisting.
Heat pooled between her legs, and her breathing became jilted.
His hands moved to her stomach, where he took his time teasing her, dipping lower and lower with every pass of his hand to her “lady parts,” as Beverly had called them.
When he reached the small patch of curls, he stopped the circular motion and just let his hand rest there as he wrapped his big arm over her shoulders and drew her closer to him.
She could feel the heat of him against her back and the warmth of his hands on her body even though she was only reading his thoughts, and she wished the cooling system of the car was turned on.
His hand traveled downward,
his finger slipping into her folds, rubbing her slick flesh slowly, back and forth, taking his time at her swollen nub, lazily circling it with mild pressure as he massaged her breast with his other hand, his lips suckling her neck and the side of her face.
He turned her around, his thick shaft against her stomach as he kissed her deeply. Their tongues danced, and his hand caressed her wet hair, traveling down her back to her bottom.
They rested there, gently kneading the flesh, and her hands grasped his neck. Abruptly he lifted her, and her legs wrapped around his waist. He pushed her up against the wall and entered her.
The movements were slow and easy at first, but then a sort of urgency took over. She fisted his hair as he pounded into her roughly.
“Liberty, tell Jovan it’s go time in five minutes.”
Startled, Liberty opened her eyes and looked around the car. She wasn’t wet, soapy, and in Jovan’s arms. Her breathing was slightly erratic and heat had pooled between her legs. She needed to focus.
Jovan, Noah says it’s time to go in five minutes.
You mean go time?
Yes.
There was silence for a moment. Did you like what you saw?
Oh, yes, she liked it a lot. Yes, Jovan.
I want to do that to you, Liberty. I want to make you feel good. I want to watch you come.
Liberty inhaled sharply.
“What’s wrong, Liberty?” Noah asked.
She shook her head slightly to try to clear Jovan’s words so she could focus. “Nothing, Noah. Everything is fine.”
I would like that as well, Jovan. Very much so.
I’ve got something to do here, Liberty, so if you don’t hear from me for a bit, don’t worry, okay?
Okay.
“Jovan said he had something to do, Noah. He didn’t say what.”
Noah nodded and grinned. “Wonder what he’s got planned.”
Chapter 44
Jovan knew he had to get free before the ambush took place. It would make getting the hell out of here easier and faster.
As the rain pounded on the roof of the truck, he looked over at the guard again and hoped he didn’t have to kill the guy. Yet, he would if he had to.
