by Beck, Paloma
“I’m looking. Her location sensor tells me she’s in the vehicle with the boys en route. The stream from the video seems jammed. I’ll need a few minutes to pull it up.”
Gage and Granger came running in. “We got the call that something’s wrong.”
“It’s Layla. She was on her way home but something has gone wrong. Caedon is trying to get more intel.”
“Where the fuck are Tomas and Stefan? Weren’t they her security detail?” Gage asked as he sat himself in front of a monitor and pulled up the locating radar on all Santucci employees.
As if on cue, Madden’s phone rang. Looking down, he saw Layla’s number and answered it, sighing in relief. Too soon.“Layla.”
A very masculine chuckle came across the line. “I’m afraid she cannot come to the phone now. But I am willing to make a trade.”
Caedon switched the call to speaker so the man’s deeply accented voice filled the room.
“I’ve conferenced Lucas in,” Caedon mouthed.
“To whom am I speaking?”
“Ah, the mighty Madden has found he does not in fact know everything.” The man laughed again and Madden took deep breaths so as not to punch the nearby wall. “Let’s just say that I want Nassir returned before we discuss the return of your female.”
“Done. Where and when?”
“That was too easy. I think you have not given it enough thought yet. Tell me, which of these pretty girls is your female? I took them both. Perhaps I will keep one for myself. You wouldn’t mind, no?”
Madden pointed to Caedon who was running the tape back from the car to see who was with Layla. “Shit. It’s Gracie, her sister,” Caedon mouthed—now having the answer after performing a facial recognition scan.
“I will do what you say for the return of both women.”
“Very well. I would let you speak to your woman, but I am afraid she’s taking a bit of a nap at the moment.” Madden wanted to reach through the phone lines and throttle this man. The saving factor was Madden’s certainty he wasn’t aware of their Breed status. That gave Madden the advantage.
“I will do what you asked, but it will be a few hours for me to make the accommodations necessary.”
“I will call you back then. Two hours.” The call was disconnected. The room was silent for one millisecond before everyone sprang into action.
Lucas’s voice came across the room on speaker. “Madden, we picked Nassir up three days ago and secured him. I’ve informed the lines we have him.” He already knew. He had been following the entire mission from his handheld even though he hadn’t physically come into his office.
“I am aware of this.” Madden’s voice was strong despite the crushing panic he felt inside for his mate. He needed to retrieve her and then he would never let her go again. This was his worst nightmare come to fruition. It was up to him to see it to the end—and to get his mate back.
“You have a plan.” Lucas’s voice came across strong though he was thousands of miles away. The confidence Madden heard in his brother’s voice humbled him.
“Bring him in as planned. Stay on the mission and I’ll handle this end.”
“I’m out then.” Lucas was disconnected with a simple stroke of Caedon’s finger.
“We’ve got Stefan and Tomas on the phone,” Nicolaus called out. “What are your orders?”
“Speaker phone. Now.” As soon as Caedon threw the switch to connect them to the command center’s communication line, Madden spoke. “How’d the son of a bitch get to my mate, Stefan?”
“Some type of missile device cracked the glass. Then it seemed like a gas. It knocked us out. My guess is an average human might still be out, but we woke pretty quickly. I caught the plate on the van as it pulled away. He’s got Layla and Gracie.”
“We know.” Madden paced as Gage filled Stefan in on the phone call with Nassir’s guy.
“Stay down, Stefan. Caedon, get me her location. No one goes in but me.”
“Dumb ass didn’t disconnect her tracker. She’s moving north towards that old mining road.” Caedon pointed to the screen that showed her location.
“I’ll get one of the vehicles ready,” Gage said as he moved for the exit. “I’m going with you, brother.”
“What can I do?” Madden turned from where he was securing some weapons to see Anton standing in the doorway.
“Be ready to treat her when I return with her. I don’t know if there will be any injuries.” Madden shook his head as his voice broke. Madden felt the weight of this rescue squarely on his shoulders. So many people were counting on him to bring Layla home, the least of which was Anton, his best friend. Now was not the time to fold, but internally he was beating himself up over allowing this to happen. He was her protector and he’d failed.
Madden’s fist went through the wall like a knife through butter. Without a single scratch to show for it and still not feeling any better, he sat down, sighed and hung his head between his legs to think. He needed to think through his plan to be certain it was solid.
The room was quiet and a peacefulness filled Madden while he took a few deep breaths. Smiling a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, he connected with Anton from across the room and shook his head at his friend who’d used his powers to calm him.
“A clear head is all you need. You are her protector and you will protect her. You have not failed.” Anton’s words gave him the strength he needed to see this through. He nodded his thanks and stood.
“I’ll let your parents know all is being handled and wait with them until you return with her.” Anton left the room as quietly as he’d arrived. Madden turned to his men, his focus on finding his mate.
“Granger, take Nicolaus and get into position above the mine. If he comes out before me, shoot to kill.” Madden walked out of the room to catch up with Gage already sitting in the running SUV. Granger and Nicolaus jumped into the SUV sitting next to them.
Turning on his earpiece, Madden explained the plan to his men. It was simple. He did not intend to allow the son of a bitch to live. Best-case scenario, Madden killed him and brought the women home. Worst-case scenario, Granger took him out instead. Either way, he’d go down.
* * * *
“What the hell?” Layla came alert with a start, her heart racing like she’d run a marathon. Looking around the darkened room—actually, more like a cavern—she saw Gracie as her eyes adjusted to the muted light. Her head spinning, Layla tried to think. What was the last thing she could remember? The car—she was in the car with Gracie. And there was a blast, or a siren. Oh Goddess, what had happened to Stefan and Tomas? Instinctively, Layla knew it was bad. Whatever had happened was bad and she needed to get them out of this place. Fast.
She shook her sister gently, placing her hand on her arm, “Gracie, wake up sweetie.” No movement. Layla looked around again, twitched her nose and called, “Mother.” Still no movement. If her mother could hear her, she’d be here. They must be blocked somehow.
Layla searched around the cavern on her hands and knees. Crap. There was limited lighting and she couldn’t determine an exit. Tears of frustration crept from her eyes as she sat back down until she heard Gracie begin to move.
“Layla,” Gracie called out and reached for her. Gracie’s hand was cold as ice and she was shivering. Whatever sedative they had been given was wearing off, but Layla was fairly certain some of its effects remained.
“Oh, Gracie, I don’t know where we are. It’s all so foggy and I can’t even recall exactly what happened to us.” Layla’s voice was definitely not reassuring. Her fear laced every word.
“There was a blast—I remember that—and then this terrible smelling smoke.” Gracie’s gravelly voice was a mere whisper as she tried to sit up. She took in their surroundings. “We must be up in the mountains.”
“Yes. I tried to reach out to mother but she didn’t answer me.”
“Then we’re in one of the caverns along the western ridge. I’ve hiked up here a dozen times and they�
��re so steeped in boulder it must be blocking the link.”
“We need to move and find a way out. Whoever took us is not here, so we might have a chance.” Layla continued feeling her way around the cavern, gaining more sight as her eyes continued to adjust.
“Do you know who would’ve done this?” Gracie blinked as if an idea suddenly struck her, her eyes wide with shock. “Wait. Is this why you had security? Did Madden suspect this?”
“No. Well, actually, maybe. He has a dangerous job and he’s made enemies, Gracie.” Layla stopped to think things through. “But I don’t think he actually believed this would happen. If there’d been an immediate threat, he wouldn’t have let me go without him today.”
“Do you think he knows? How deep is your connection to him?”
As Layla considered this, her entire center heated. Like a light switch, everything inside her flipped. No longer scared, she was angry—pissed—yes, freaking pissed. How dare whoever did this. She was a Sinster, a Primary Witch and a Valendite breed mate, not an ordinary weak human. And she was not waiting around in this disgusting cave to be rescued.
“Gracie, mother said I have likely come into my full powers.”
“What?” Grace was as shocked as Layla had been when her mother mentioned it to her.
“Yes. I was telling her about some changes after my Claiming and she seemed to think my connected responses could be magnified from the Mating. Her powers became stronger when she mated with father.”
“Oh Goddess. You think you can teleport as she does?” Gracie’s hope bolstered Layla. She knew she could do this. She absolutely had to. There was too much to lose.
“I’m going to try. First we have to get out of the cavern’s depth so the rocks aren’t weakening any links. Mother said I could call upon my connections with each of you for strength but I don’t think I can do that in here.”
“Then let’s go.” Taking one of the tunnels that seemed to hold the most light, Layla held Gracie’s hand as they worked their way slowly forward. Layla watched for any wood on the ground that she could use to make fire.
Finally she found a stick and lit it to give them light. They moved slowly until they could hear voices and stopped to listen. Oh, Crap. Layla knew one of the voices was Madden but couldn’t make out the other. Staying quiet, they continued to move forward again.
Layla snuffed out their light as they reached the end of the tunnel. A formation of rocks hid them from view and with a bit of climbing, she was able to see Madden squared off with a dark-haired man she didn’t recognize.
“You were not supposed to find me. I wonder how it is you did this.” The greasy dark-haired man spoke in a broken accent of the Middle East. Layla remembered hearing Madden mention the name Nassir. Perhaps this was that same man.
Madden said nothing. His eyes shifted to where she hid and he gave only a slight nod. He knew she was there.
“I also wonder how it is you do all that you seem to do so easily. I was sent here to watch you and your secret band of men. You know they are not so very secret, no?” Layla couldn’t believe this. She was used as a pawn to push Madden to let down his guard and expose the Breeds. Had he done this? For her?
“What a foolish observation for you to share.” Madden moved closer to the man who stood his ground and did not move. He was indeed foolish, Layla thought.
“Now I want the women you kidnapped. And then we can discuss whether or not you’ll live.” Layla understood Madden could’ve chosen to simply kill the man in a single snap of his neck but he was hesitating. For her?
“It matters not if I live. I have done what was necessary. And I shall be rewarded justly.”
“And what of your commander? What of Nassir?”
“We understood the risks.” The man lifted his hands to the sky and smiled.
Muffled sounds of footsteps began moving closer. Layla sensed the movement. She squeezed Gracie’s hand. Three more men, all dressed similarly to the unknown man, descended the hillside and stood in front of the tunnel blocking the path between her and Madden.
Madden’s eyes flickered to where Layla stood. The man’s gaze followed.
“Ah, she has awakened. She is quite lovely, this bride of yours.”
“You will let her go. She and her sister both will be released,” Madden directed.
“This is something I will not do. You see, my men need some company as a reward for their work.” As the men moved towards her, Layla brought her arms inward, kept her hold on Gracie and focused on her home. She knew Madden could gain control if she wasn’t there, so she would do this. She could use her powers to save herself. Layla drew her mind away from the hillside, set aside all the commotion around her and focused only on being home.
* * * *
Madden couldn’t believe his eyes. He went from panic to awe in a split second. Nassir’s men moved in on Layla and in a cloud of smoke, she disappeared. Unmistakable purple swirls pulled her from the hillside as she became translucent and then simply disappeared. Layla’s powers were magnificent. His mate was magnificent. Now he needed to complete this mission and return to her.
“Truly incredible,” Nassir’s Commander clapped in excitement, as his men looked bewildered.
“And the last truly incredible thing you will ever see.” Madden spoke with authority so that all the men standing on the hillside turned to him. And with one word, “Go,” Nassir’s men fell. Each of Madden’s men positioned on the mountain took a shot and not a single one of Nassir’s men was alive to tell the tale.
“All four targets eliminated,” Granger spoke over the communication link.
“Let’s clean it up,” Madden instructed his men. Flipping to a private connection with Caedon, Madden asked, “You get that, Caedon? We need info on his claims about their knowledge on Breeds.”
“Already searching,” Caedon relayed, “She’s back at the compound. Anton has her.”
“ETA twenty. I’m off.” Madden left the three others on the mountain to clean up while he headed back to the compound.
Chapter Eight
From plumes of purple smoke, Layla appeared in front of Anton. There had been no warning and the air nearly vanished from his chest at her sudden appearance. Adelina’s voice broke his shock.
“She has come into her powers. As lovely as her mother, I dare say. And thank the Goddess she is well.”
Struck by her utter beauty, Anton grabbed her to him. Overcome by the simple act of Layla pressing her forehead against his chest, he took a moment to savor her. Then he noticed Gracie tightly clinging to Layla’s side at the same time Adelina noticed the small willowy girl. Flurries of explanations flew from the women as they told the story of their capture and rescue. Valentino questioned Layla about Madden and the other men but she knew very little.
“We are glad you are well then, Bella Donna. I am sure with you tucked safely away, Madden can focus on the elimination of this trouble.” Valentino seemed pleased with the details Layla was able to provide.
Anton saw Layla nod but still felt her uncertainty. Placing his hand under her chin, he raised her face so he could look into her eyes. “What is it, little one?”
“Madden.” Her lips trembled, “Will he be all right? I left him.”
“He is unstoppable,” Valentino offered. “The strongest mission agent we’ve ever had. Now that you are safe, he will do his job and return to you.”
Layla nodded again, tears spilled from her eyes silently as she spoke just to Anton. “I left him.” Her eyes pleaded with him for comfort.
“No, sweets, you did the right thing. If you stayed, Madden couldn’t do his job. Valentino is right. He is safer with you here at home.” Anton gave her a reassuring squeeze and turned to Adelina. He wanted to take Layla back to their home but he also needed to see Grace would be cared for.
As if reading his mind, Adelina spoke. “Anton, I will get Gracie home to her sisters. You care for Layla until Madden returns.”
“That will be wonderful.
My thanks, Adelina.” Anton waited for Layla and Gracie to embrace, bowed slightly saying his good-byes and then walked Layla back to their home. He called upon his powers to wrap his assurances around her like a blanket, cocooning Layla from her worries. The thoughts of losing her were nearly overwhelming before she had returned to him. Though Anton’s powers were only of the mind, he took solace knowing only he could do this simple thing for her. He would forevermore comfort her so she could find safety in his arms.
“A bath while we wait, Layla. It will help you to relax.” Expecting some reluctance until she knew more of Madden’s safety, Anton continued using his powers to soothe her and gain her submission. He needed to soothe her, to love her.
“Yes.” Layla spoke softly and yet Anton could feel her power radiating from her skin as she wove her fingers through his and ascended the stairs. Her powers began to push his out and she smiled at him with an eyebrow raised knowingly.
“You, my sweets, have new secrets.” Anton grinned at his mate.
“Anton, these are secrets even I am just coming to understand.”
Anton’s eyes took in Layla with obvious joy, believing her to be simply perfect. “Sweet, sweet Layla, you are magic. I have waited centuries to fulfill my Tre Adoro. And to receive such beauty and magic in you is more than I had ever dared hope.”
With a simple thought, Layla lit the suite with candles when they entered. Her control of fire was becoming masterful. “I do so enjoy the flicker of a flame and the beauty in its heat,” Layla said aloud, as she began to undress.
Anton was once again struck by her beauty. So unlike the shy woman he met on that first morning in Madden’s room, she seemed to enjoy his presence. Her gaze connected to his and desire pulsed in her veins. He watched the pulse point at the base of her neck and found it nearly impossible to swallow.
“Are you okay, Anton?” Layla’s voice was raspy, seductive. No, he had to be mistaken. Certainly he was transferring his own feelings.
