“That bastard is not your father!” Roan screamed, proving Fleur’s words about yelling. “I am! And no test your lying mom forges will change that.”
He strode the two steps to Fleur and grabbed her arm, shaking it while he continued to berate her. Sulen debated shooting Roan right then and there but he was too close and the sight could traumatize Fleur more than this experience already had.
“You’re mean! A stupid meanie!” Fleur cried.
A loud roar ripped through the night. Sulen decided now was the time to come forward. If he continued to watch Roan treat Fleur like this, he’d kill him, trauma or no trauma.
Shocked, Roan stared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s over, Roan.” Sulen kept his blaster aimed at him.
“Daddy!”
Sulen’s heart tugged. He checked her over and other than the torn skirt and dirt stains, she seemed fine.
Fleur jerked and tugged against Roan’s hold but he didn’t release her. His face was a mask of rage as he glared. “She’s mine and I’m taking her back. Amelie had no right.”
Stunned, Sulen stopped his approach. Roan actually believed what he was saying. Did he forget he’d tried to kill Amelie and the baby? “It’s all over. Let Fleur go and this came be discussed calmly.”
More roaring and growling exploded in the night. Fleur screamed and Roan whipped around, looking for where the sound originated from. The ground shook as a large golden cat leaped into the clearing. It stalked toward their group. Head lowered and its upper lip curled to reveal razor sharp teeth, snarls rumbled forth.
Fleur began kicking and flailing. To Sulen’s horror, Roan flung the little girl in the direction of the three hundred pound animal that stood at least five feet in height. She skidded in the dirt, landing on her hands and knees.
“Fleur!”
Roan turned and ran. Sulen went straight for a screaming Fleur. The large cat rushed forward and leaped. His claws were extended from massive paws bigger than her head as it soared over her, hit the ground with a boom and raced after Roan. Sulen reached Fleur and snatched her up in his arms.
Her tiny hands gripped his jacket and she smashed her face into his shirt. Sulen held her tight and leaned his head against hers. Her entire body shook. “It’s alright, Fleur. I’ve got you.”
Her tears soaked the bare skin at his throat and Sulen’s chest grew tight. Throat clogged, he continued to encourage her. “You’re so brave. You did good.”
She sniffled and mumbled something he didn’t hear. His palm covered her back as he pulled away to see her face. “What is it?”
Her lashes fluttered and she lowered her gaze. “Not brave. I wet myself.”
Now that she’d mentioned it, he could feel the dampness spreading through his shirt. Turning to start the trek back home, Sulen assured, “Don’t worry about it.”
Amelie wouldn’t care how Fleur came back as long as she came back.
The trip through the woods was quiet aside from Fleur’s occasional sniffs. Sulen didn’t know what to say or if he should say anything until Amelie had a chance to talk to her.
“He’s not my daddy,” Fleur whispered belligerently.
Sulen froze, then kept moving. He clutched her closer and she rested her head on his chest for the duration of the walk. Amelie was outside waiting when Sulen reached her street. She must have heard his steps and lifted her head. When she spotted them, she ran.
At the halfway point, she slammed into him, grabbing for Fleur at the same time. He let her go and Amelie fell to her knees right there, crying and hugging her daughter. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. So sorry.”
To his surprise, Fleur grinned and patted Amelie’s head. “I’m okay, mommy.”
They were drawing attention and Sulen preferred they were inside. Roan was still running free. He leaned over and clasped Amelie’s arm to help her to her feet. “Let’s get her home.”
Amelie studied his expression, her teary face confused. She glanced around then noticed the stares. “Right.”
They reached her home and the door was guarded by the same enforcer who had been there earlier. Inside, Saedra was sitting on the sofa and Garik stood beside her with one hand on her shoulder. She must have been well enough to discharge from medical care.
Garik held up his comm and spoke. “No response from Amar. I’m assuming he’s still on the hunt.”
Roan wouldn’t escape Amar’s brand of justice. In his large golden cat form he was more animal than man and would have no trouble chasing Roan down. The bigger question was if he’d bring Roan back in pieces. Amar’s claw grouping believed children and women were to be protected above all else.
“Saedra!” Fleur struggled to get down and Amelie lowered her to her feet.
She raced for Saedra and climbed in her lap to hug her. “I was worried. He hit you and you felled down.”
“I’m fine. We were really worried about you.” Saedra held her close against her chest and closed her eyes.
And then Fleur broke. The sobs pouring from her were enough to have every adult in the room filled with murderous rage.
Chapter 18
Garik and Saedra left with promises to touch base in the morning once they saw how exhausted Amelie and Fleur were. Sulen locked the doors and waited while Amelie gave Fleur her bath and settled her in bed. She didn’t last long and was out like a light.
Amelie reentered her living area to Sulen seated on her sofa, one arm stretched over the back. She walked toward him suddenly shy. He caught her hand and tugged her onto his lap.
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “How are you feeling?”
Looping her arms about his shoulders, Amelie nuzzled his jaw, took in his musky scent and sighed. “Better now.”
Amelie allowed herself a few moments to borrow his strength then sat up. “Where is he?”
He knew exactly who she meant. “My friend managed to track him to an animal den. He was hiding in filth.”
That wasn’t enough for Amelie. “Where is he now? I want him to hurt for what he did to Saedra and what he did to my baby.”
“You have no idea the hurt Roan is in,” Sulen muttered.
“Take me to him. I can call Scarlett to sit with Fleur for a little bit but I want to see him. This needs to end here and now.”
“You’re right.” Sulen stood with her in his arms and set her on her feet. “Call Scarlett and I’ll notify Amar to meet us at the Enforcement Center where Roan will be taken into custody.”
“Is...is he an assassin too?” Amelie wasn’t sure how much she was supposed to know about Sulen’s work. Saedra stressed to her the importance of secrecy while they were still active.
“He’s from the Guild, yes. Later, though, you and I need to talk about our future.”
Which reminded her. Hoping he was as receptive to the news as she thought, Amelie said, “While you were gone, Roan filed claims for custody of Fleur based on paternity and he also demanded a test to prove he was her father.”
Sulen stiffened. “When I found them in the woods, he kept shouting at her that he was her father and that you’d lied.”
Amelie bit off the hateful words she wanted to say. “Well, he lost the custody suit. I think that’s what made him react and kidnap Fleur.”
Sulen blinked. A crease formed between his brows. “He lost the custody case? Did negative information come to light regarding his background?”
Taking a deep breath, Amelie blurted, “The test came back with Fleur’s father being Gerelin. Your medical record was on file and cross matched. You are Fleur’s father, Sulen.”
Sulen scrubbed a hand down his face. He shook his head and asked, “What?”
It was hard to explain, let alone believe. “I know it doesn’t make sense. It’s like a weird medical miracle. I’ve never been so grateful in my life for whatever caused Fleur’s genetics to be changed because of the hormone my...friend stole.”
Sulen hiked a brow and sent her a knowing glance. “Your
friend Scarlett, I presume?”
Amelie gripped his arm. “Please don’t take it out on her. She was only trying to help.”
“Fleur’s my daughter?” he repeated.
Was that relief and pride she heard in his voice? “Yes. Without a doubt, she’s yours.”
Sulen pulled her back into his arms and kissed her like his life depended on it. Amelie moaned and laughed through the kiss.
“Roan can wait. Amar won’t let him go anywhere.” Sulen picked her up and carried her to her bedroom.
“This is getting to be a habit with you.” She joked as he laid her on the bed.
“I have a daughter,” he said softly and there was a glow of amazement on his face. No anger. No regret.
“We have a daughter.”
“It’s four years late but it seems only fitting that we consummate her birth.”
Amelie burst into laughter again as Sulen ripped off his clothes and joined her on the bed. Naked, he crawled over her prone body and suddenly, she wasn’t laughing any more.
“Since we consummated the bond, I agree it’s only fair we mark the occasion of your fatherhood with sex as well.”
With loving care, Sulen removed her shirt and pants. When he got to her bra and underwear, he ran his hands over the yellow lace trimmings and grinned. “I almost don’t want to take these off.”
Amelie ran her hands over the width of his shoulders. “I’m glad you’re already naked.”
“Hmm.” Sulen’s thumb hooked into the edge of her panties and tugged. The thin fabric snapped. His grin was full of mischief.
Shimmying so the straps of her bra slipped, Amelie quirked a brow. Sulen didn’t miss the hint and soon her bra was in two pieces on the floor.
They kissed, stroked and rolled from one side of the bed to the other. Amelie couldn’t get enough of touching Sulen.
“Now, Sulen. Please.”
He notched his shaft at the apex of her thighs with one hand, the other at her hip as he gazed down at her. “I love you.”
His thrust snatched the reciprocal words from her throat. She grasped onto his shoulders and hooked her ankles about his back as he surged into her again and again. Her body fluttered around his length, clasping it with each flex of her inner muscles. The climax hit with little warning.
Amelie wrapped her arms about Sulen’s shoulders, dragging him down so she could muffle her scream into the hollow of his throat. His breathing grew heavy, every pant and grunt getting lower and rougher as his lower half ground against her until his body stiffened. Another choked groan and he buried his shaft full on as he shuddered.
Sighing, Amelie couldn’t speak or form words for several minutes. To convey her satisfaction and pleasure, she smoothed her hands down as much of Sulen’s back as she could reach until he heaved and rolled to the side, pulling her with him.
He nuzzled the space behind her ear. “Did you hear me?”
Amelie smiled at him. “Yes. I love you too, Sulen.”
A quick flash of his grin. “I didn’t expect to find my bond mate but I’m glad you were on the other end of our connection.”
Amelie snuggled deeper into his arms. Her respite was short lived as Sulen nudged her head. “I wish we could stay but we need to deal with Roan once and for all.”
He was right. If she could put all of this behind her, she would.
***
Sulen and Amelie arrived at the Enforcement Offices to a slight crowd in the main lobby. Uniformed men were on one side of the room and then there was a group of formally dressed people. The Ambassador of Trigodor was in the middle reigning over everyone, his daughter Aviana smiling smugly at his side.
The one ranting behind the energy bars of his cell was Roan. His clothes were torn and ripped, his hair sticking up in spots. Long scratches marred one side of his face and he held a hand cradled to his chest.
He spotted Amelie and pointed with his other hand. “She lied. She changed the test somehow and is doing this to make me look bad.”
The officers present rolled their eyes as it was evident Roan was doing a good enough job of that on his own. The ambassador puffed up his chest. “We would like an explanation for why my daughter’s husband is being held.”
“Because he took a child from her home!” Amar roared.
Sulen had almost missed seeing his fellow assassin in the melee. Feet bare, Amar wore only a pair of dark pants. Sulen assumed he’d left his shirt and boots somewhere in the woods when he’d shifted.
Aviana pushed to the front of the crowd. She wore an elaborate red floor length gown with a deep dip in the front that showed an abundance of cleavage. Completely inappropriate for the setting but she didn’t seem to realize that.
“My husband was distraught. His actions may have looked wrong but he only wanted a chance to get to know his daughter because that woman refused to discuss the matter pleasantly.”
Amelie gritted her teeth. Sulen squeezed her hand for support. Her voice was sharp as she explained. “The test came back conclusive that Roan could not be Fleur’s father. He was sent the same legal notices I received explaining this as well as a denial for the custodial paternity suit he filed.”
Screaming profanities, Roan kicked at the back wall of his cell then stood before the energy bars huffing. His face was blotchy and his eyes were wide with desperation. “You know she’s mine. We were together first. You don’t even know him.”
Amelie smirked. “Of course I know him. Sulen’s been my bond mate for four years and the records all show that nice and legal. It’s not like I suddenly picked him to be Fleur’s dad when you arrived here. That would have looked suspicious.”
Sulen had to withhold his chuckle at how cleverly she worded things. Roan fumed and started to launch into a new tirade when the Head Enforcer stopped everyone. “This office received a call in reference to the disappearance of the child Fleur Czen. Witness accounts state Roan Dunn took her from our home.”
“Because she’s my daughter!” Roan yelled.
The Head Enforcer continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “We have received word from the lab along with a notice from the court system. Both are clear that Roan is of no relation to Fleur. A crime was committed. Roan will be taken to the appropriate authorities to be officially charged and pay for his actions.”
“No!” Aviana cried, darting a look around at the accusatory stares aimed her way. “Do something, Father!”
The ambassador stuttered and brushed out his clothes. “Uh...well. I was under the impression Roan only wanted access to his child.”
“She’s not his,” Sulen growled. As far as he was concerned, Fleur had always been his, he just hadn’t known it at the time.
Aviana tugged on her father’s arm but he waved to his entourage. “Come along. I need to leave and continue my trip. It seems there was a gross mistake but the authorities have everything in order.”
He turned and marched out with his chin held high. Aviana gaped then looked around once more. Her gaze settled on Roan behind the bars and narrowed. With a sharp cry, she chased after her father. The ambassador’s people quickly followed suit leaving Roan without a backward glance.
When Roan realized he’d been abandoned, his jaw dropped. He started yelling again but Sulen linked arms with Amelie and turned to leave. He’d contemplated ending Roan but the thought of him spending his days toiling away at a penal colony was even better. He’d pay for his crime in the best way possible, always knowing the Amelie and Fleur were finally free of him.
Chapter 19
Amelie had a full house again and her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. She’d been content with her life on this Gerelin colony over the last four years. It was a safe place for her to raise Fleur and the people were welcoming. Getting the job at the garden center increased her feelings of contentment and of course, having Scarlett, her best friend and sister nearby was perfect.
Now Amelie felt she was drowning in an abundance of riches. Her friend circle was growing and not w
ith superficial relationships. She was building bonds forged through shared experiences.
Amelie pulled out the dessert she’d baked and glanced around her home. Conversation flowed around her.
“We moved all of our things two weeks ago but it took forever to get everything set the way I wanted,” Saedra said to Scarlett.
“I’ll have to come by for a visit. I still live in a one bedroom unit near the medical facility.” Scarlett grimaced.
Garik played with the ends of Saedra’s hair, his look indulgent as she and Scarlett chatted back and forth.
Amelie wasn’t sure why Scarlett hadn’t bought a larger place to live. They’d have to discuss it later since she’d complained before about her tiny unit.
“I like cookies!” Fleur sang out, having smelled the dessert.
She spun on her toes from person to person, secure in the knowledge that she was safe. Amelie had been worried there would be lingering issues from her experience with Roan, but to her relief, her daughter had moved past it. There had been nightmares for two or three nights but once Sulen sat with Fleur and explained that he’d never let anyone hurt her, she’d relaxed.
Amelie let her gaze settle on Sulen. He stood in conversation, head to head with his friend Amar. The assassin had not been pleased with Roan’s sentence of five years on a penal colony. According to Sulen, Amar had wanted to eat her ex. She still wasn’t sure what that meant and Sulen hadn’t explained it further.
His tawny hair, chiseled features and engaging smile set Amelie at ease immediately. She couldn’t thank him enough for helping to save Fleur. And unlike Garik, Amar didn’t make her afraid to turn her back on him.
Sulen looked up and caught her stare. He raised a brow in inquiry and she widened her smile to let him know she was fine as she started cutting the cake, not cookies, into even squares.
Scarlett joined her at the counter and leaned a hip against it. “Sooo. Tell me about Amar.”
Amelie snorted and paused in her cutting. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
Scarlett peeked over her shoulder and eyed the lean assassin from head to toe before facing Amelie again with a smirk. A devilish glint lit her blue eyes. “I would not kid about a man who looks like him.”
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