by A. C. Arthur
“When I got up there they’d just dispatched whichever vamps were there.” Ziva hadn’t budged from her spot on the couch, but chimed in. To do what, Mel wasn’t sure. Her words had neither defended nor hurt Mel’s position.
None of it mattered. Theo kept his discerning gaze trained on her. “How did you know this was where Duncan would be? Our intel reports him just arriving in this area in the past few days.”
“I did the legwork involved in getting my job done.” He might be the Drakon leader, but he was just another preternatural being to her. She didn’t subscribe to any of the Drakon beliefs or their foolish hierarchy designed to keep anyone not born into the perfect family beneath all others.
“Collectors are given minimal information on the target, as the most important aspect of the job is the payment.” Aiken was speaking for her again and she wanted to punch him for interfering. “To successfully track the target she would’ve had to do exactly what Ziva and I were doing—talk to those that most likely knew the target or knew of the target. Following those leads until it led her to that townhouse.”
What he wasn’t saying was that her abilities kept her from having to do as much talking as others. Being a chameleon allowed her to be in places others couldn’t and to hear all the things others wanted to hear. That’s partly how she’d known where Duncan was going to be and why she’d gone into a cloak instead of immediately taking him when she first saw his face. Before Aiken and Ziva had so rudely appeared, she’d planned to listen in on the meeting and then take her target into custody. It never hurt to have information that could possibly be useful in other circumstances. Then again, being useful was what now had her standing close to Aiken, the man she’d hoped to never see again.
Theo stood and the air in the room stiffened. He came closer, staring at Aiken for a few seconds, before he stopped. Aiken hadn’t moved, so while Theo could definitely get to her if that was his plan, it was apparent to everyone in the room that Aiken was protecting her. She’d deal with that later. For now, Mel focused on holding the Drakon emperor’s gaze. The last thing she was going to let this gang of winged, so-called security agents do was intimidate her.
“It seems we have a common goal.” If he weren’t an arrogant dragon, she would concede that Theo was a very attractive man, with an aura of authority and control she didn’t see in many. “We both need to get to Duncan Sankano. So, here’s what we’re going to do: you two work together to bring him in. We get the information we need from him and then you may turn him over to collect your payment.”
“What? You just pointed out that I don’t work for you and I don’t care what information you need. I only came to Burgess to do one job and that’s what I plan to do. You and your agents just need to stay out of my way.” If he wasn’t going to give her the payment Aiken and Ziva had cost her tonight, that was fine. She’d known it’d been a long shot demanding it of him in the first place. But she wasn’t leaving Burgess without Duncan in custody and none of the dragons in this room were going to stop her.
Except when she’d turned, grabbed her bag and intended to storm out of that room and head for her car, that’s exactly what Aiken did. “Hold up a minute.”
The moment his hand touched her arm to keep her from going any farther, a blast of heat soared through her body. Thrown off by the unfamiliar sensation and pissed off by his audacity, she yanked away.
“Don’t!” The single word came through her teeth in a hiss and she held her arm close to her side, keeping it out of his reach.
He huffed, dropping his hand but stepping closer. “Running isn’t going to work this time. There’s too much at stake.”
As if what she’d stood to lose eighty years ago hadn’t been too much. Squaring her shoulders, Mel refused to go there with him again. “Yeah, there’s a million dollars at stake, which is why I’m getting out of here and back to the city so I can make up for the lost time you’ve caused.”
“This is bigger than money, Mel. And it’s better if you just accept Theo’s terms now than causing an unnecessary fight.”
“I didn’t come here to fight with you, Aiken.” She hadn’t even known he was here in Burgess. Not until he’d walked into that house. It’d felt like a light had flicked on inside her and she’d known he was near, even before he’d found her hiding along the wall. Damn her infuriating Drakon blood.
“No.” He shook his head. “You never wanted to fight with me.”
“I wasn’t alone.” The retort came before she could think about holding it in. Neither of them had fought on that long ago night. They’d accepted and moved on because there’d been no other option.
He wasn’t going to comment on that. She could tell by the way his shoulders relaxed suddenly. Aiken rarely argued and he didn’t give a lot of time or attention to discussions that he considered finished. They were definitely finished. She’d seen to that.
“If we don’t get to Duncan he’ll help the Royal Blood raise an ancient vampire army. In the meantime, they’re increasing their numbers aboveground by taking humans to change into vampires, killing the ones not worthy of the bite. With the numbers they’ll soon have and the type of power the ancient vampire army will bring, they’ll attempt to rule not just the Human Realm, but all the realms. You want that on your conscience?”
He looked so damn good. But hadn’t that always been the case? A fawn-colored complexion was highlighted by his otherwise darker features—russet brown eyes when in human form, close-cut wavy black hair, and goatee. His tall, lean frame was deceptively strong and beneath those dark blue jeans, black turtleneck and leather jacket she knew every muscle and every scar intimately. Warmth similar to what she’d felt when he’d walked into the townhouse sifted through her, and she gritted her teeth.
“Without payment I’ll be poor and homeless. You want that on your conscience?” It may have been an overexaggeration, but he didn’t need to know that. Aiken French didn’t need to know anything about her anymore.
“Let’s walk and talk,” he said after brief contemplation.
Aiken liked to think about his words. He always said the right thing, especially with women. She’d seen him in action on more than one occasion when they’d worked together as Collectors. The information his smooth talk and charming demeanor could solicit had been astounding to see. Until it became too uncomfortable to watch. Another downfall to being romantically involved with a coworker.
“As long as we walk toward the door, fine.” Problem was, she had no idea in which direction they should go to get to the door.
This place was a fortress and since it was the middle of the night, not many lights were on. Night vision helped, but hers had always come in a red haze, so things weren’t as clear as she suspected they were for other Drakon. They were in what seemed like a foyer, high ceilings, paneled walls, rugs over what might be cement floors. He led the way and she made a point to take note of everything she saw and felt this time. It had been sorely lacking on her part to not pay attention when she’d first arrived—an escape option was always an integral part of the plan—but she’d still been reeling from being near Aiken again and trying to be totally chill about that fact.
“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll make sure you get paid when this is over.”
She was so intent on his words she walked down the four stairs behind him. “I don’t want your money, Aiken.” He came from money. Had been raised with certain privileges on the Far Realm and had come to the Human Realm reeking with that sophisticated air. It had both attracted and annoyed her.
“All money is spendable,” he snapped and continued walking. “And if that’s truly all you care about, I’m just saying you’ll get it. But we stop this threat first.”
He was still walking, going in a direction she sensed was taking them deeper into this mountain. Instinct said she should stop, turn around, insist on getting out, but curiosity had her following him
without pushback. When he stopped at a door and used his thumb to disengage the lock, she watched him walk inside, but didn’t move.
“You’ve been in a room with me before, Mel.”
“We’re nothing like we were before, Aiken.” What they’d been before was combustible, to put it simply. Once upon a time their passion had been intense, their need to be connected physically almost surpassing their commitment to their jobs. She’d be lying to herself if she said she hadn’t felt that stirring again the moment he stepped into that townhouse.
He stood inside the room. “What’s the matter? You scared of being alone with me now?”
“You wish,” she snapped and took the few steps that had her pushing past him. “And don’t try to bait me. I’m going to give you ten minutes to make your case, only because I know this deep-seated need you have to save the world. But if I’m not convinced when you’re done, I’m outta here.”
She dropped her bag to the floor at the same time that Aiken closed the door and she heard the locks reengage. That’s when everything changed.
The second she turned around to see him standing with his back to the door, the way his gaze had shifted from barely restrained irritation that she’d seen moments ago when they were in the hallway, to a kindred longing she felt deep in her soul, she knew.
“I never thought I’d be this close to you again.” He took a tentative step toward her, his words sounding as conflicted as she’d felt since leaving the townhouse.
“I’m here because of business,” she said and tried to shrug away the tendrils of desire easing slowly through her body. “We both have a job to do.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
“And the sooner we get on with that, um, business, the sooner we can get on with our lives.” She paused and swallowed because he’d lifted a hand, rubbing it along his chin, before letting it fall slowly to graze over the thick erection now visible through his jeans. “Just business and then I’m gone.” The last words came on a whisper.
“You’re not leaving tonight and that has nothing to do with how much money you need, or undead vampires being pulled out of the ground.”
His words may have been refutable if he hadn’t quickly closed the space between them and pulled her to him in one swift motion.
Mel knew what was coming next. “Don’t do this, Aiken. It’s not smart.”
“Stop me.” He waited a beat for her to do just that, and when she didn’t, he pounced.
Chapter Three
There was no denying it, his beast still wanted her. And apparently, so did the man.
Wrapping his arms around her, pulling her so close he could feel the thumping of her heartbeat against his chest, and finally touching his lips to hers was the homecoming he hadn’t known he’d desperately needed. There was no preamble, his tongue simply slid into her mouth to tangle with hers. Yet it didn’t feel that simple. A complex flurry of emotions, new and old, swirled through his mind and sifted throughout his body. What was he doing? Why was she here? The beast within still needed her, craved her. Yet, the man knew the conflicts, the barriers they’d each erected in the last eighty years. How was it going to end this time?
She hadn’t embraced him in return, she couldn’t because of the way he’d grabbed her. Her arms were down at her side, but her head had tilted into the kiss, her body leaning into his in surrender. If there’d been any resistance, he would’ve immediately let her go. Forcing women was not in his repertoire. Hadn’t that been why he’d walked away so many years ago?
Enjoying every ounce of passion that was being poured into this kiss was exactly what he’d known would happen. It was the way it’d always been with Mel. His beast wanted more, pressing him to lean in closer to her, if that were possible. To push for more, move his hands, grip her ass, feel her breasts, remove her clothes.
That was the physical hunger that beat against his beast like an incessant drum. The stronger pull came when she pulled back slightly, as if she were changing her mind. Aiken prayed she wouldn’t. A moment of indecision on her part quickly changed when she leaned her head in the opposite direction, but eagerly came back for more of the kiss. Was that a little moan he heard? Please let it be so. Please let her want this as much as he did. Let her need him the way he needed her.
Furious with the implication of weakness that thought solicited, Aiken pulled back, breaking the kiss and Mel immediately eased free of his hold. She walked away from him, going farther into his suite, adding much needed distance between them.
“We’re not doing this.” Could her ass look any better in those jeans? Her hair was longer. The last time he’d seen her she’d cut it so short, her natural curls hadn’t reached her ears. The struggle for balance in his mind was clear and hard as hell to maintain.
“Why?” That wasn’t what he should’ve said.
“You know why.”
He’d known their bodies would fit perfectly together again, they always had. He also knew that his beast had missed her every day they’d been apart, while the man was still pissed at her for breaking his heart.
“You can’t run from it.” This conversation felt like a repeat of their last night together and a stark contradiction to his previous declaration of not expecting a happy ending between them. “That’s not how it works.”
She spun around to face him. “I don’t give a damn how it works. None of this matters to me, I told you that before.” Taking her jacket off while she talked only edged his beast closer to the surface. It pushed against everything Aiken wanted, thus adding to the conflict raging all around him.
What she wore beneath her jacket was a quick distraction. It was definitely a black sports bra and he clenched his teeth to keep from cursing. Why the hell had she come out on a job dressed that way? How was she supposed to catch a target dressed like that? Replaying the question and providing himself with the obvious answer only irritated him more, because if Duncan Sankano or any other target dared to touch her the way he was touching her... Aiken’s beast made the rumbling growl that didn’t reach the surface, but alerted him to its building anger.
“Denying who and what you are just because you’re pissed at your parents is no way to live.” He knew he was pushing a hot button with her, but that’s what they did to each other. The push and pull had always been present in the relationship, why should it be any different just because eight decades had passed?
“My parents were Drakon. They abandoned me, leaving me in a strange world to become an orphan. Don’t tell me how the hell I should deal with that, Aiken. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, so you have no idea what I’ve dealt with.”
She was partially correct, he had been born to Noble parents on the Far Realm, a status that secured his spot working in high command of the emperor. It didn’t mean he hadn’t had any hard times, or that he couldn’t understand the blunt pain of being alone.
“I know all that crap happened an awfully long time ago. Maybe it’s time you got over it.” He knew instantly that wasn’t what he should’ve said. If anybody knew about carrying burdens from the past, he did. That also made him an expert on how pointless it all was.
“Maybe it’s time you kiss my ass.” She turned away from him again for a few anxious seconds and Aiken took a deep, steadying breath.
“I’ll take that back, because it was a crappy way of saying, sometimes the best way to deal with our past is to move on with our future.” When she tossed him a bland look he knew that was the closest he would get to her accepting what he’d meant as an apology.
He shook his head, using every bit of his strength to still the beast inside, even if only temporarily. “It sucks because the Selection process is what it is, and there’s no getting around it. The beast will select one whose soul complements its own. As long as the two beasts are living no other will be selected for it, so you can be with someone else, but you’ll always
be at war with your beast, and thus with yourself.” He’d learned that the hard way.
“I’m not at war with anyone.” She sighed and picked up the duffel bag she’d dropped when she came in. A few seconds passed as she set the bag on his bed and paused before turning back to face him. It was obvious frustration still ruled her when she ran her hands through her hair and made a visible effort to steady her breathing. His gaze traveled down to watch her chest rise and fall with the effort. “I didn’t come to Burgess looking for you.”
“I know you didn’t.”
“Good. I’ll also add that I was doing just fine ignoring all that Drakon crap you choose to live by. I’m doing well on my own.”
No, she wasn’t. If her nights had been anything like his when he gave in and let his beast yearn for hers without fighting back, words like fine and well weren’t accurate in defining how she was doing. It was grueling being apart from the mate his beast had chosen. From joint pain to headaches, to an overall feeling of malaise. Aiken hated it, which was why he did everything in his power to avoid it. In the beginning, sleeping with as many other women as possible to get his mind off what his beast really wanted had worked. But then, as he’d just explained to her, the war between man and beast had come to a head. His beast had grown tired of his obstinacy and fought back. Now, whenever he came back from being with another woman, he was violently ill with symptoms that mimicked a human stomach virus. Mel had been at odds with her beast for so long, when they were together, he’d noticed her inability to hold heat. The beast could be a cruel bastard when crossed, but Mel didn’t care, she’d held firm to her denial.
“You never were good at lying,” he said. “But have it your way.” He took his jacket off and crossed the room. Unlike the large area rugs Bleu had commissioned throughout most of the Office, Aiken preferred the charcoal gray carpet that ran through every area of his suite except the bathroom and closets. The fortress that housed the Legion Drakon was built in the mouth of the largest mountain in the state of Pennsylvania and was surrounded by more than a hundred acres of private land owned by Theo.
