by Daisy Dunn
“This is a terrible situation.”
“What? How can two of the sexiest men adoring you be terrible?”
“Believe me, the situation is horrible. I haven’t told them, but I’m falling in love with both of them. However, they want me to choose between them. No matter who I choose, we’re all going to be hurt in some way. They’re brothers as well, so unfortunately, there’s another complication.”
“Okay, you win. It’s a mess, but in the meantime, what a fun mess.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I’ll have to take things one step at a time and see what fate has in store. Now, what brings you here?”
“Ivy sent me over to spy on you.”
“Why?”
“She’s got a bad feeling about the man who came into the shop yesterday with your picture.”
“Oh my God, I’ve been so preoccupied with my men troubles, I completely forgot about him. Has he come back?”
“No, he hasn’t.”
“What’s he like?”
“He seemed rather pleasant and quite handsome for an older gentleman. He had an English accent, too. Ivy suspects he’s one of the Hunters.”
“I can’t imagine what he’d want with me.”
“He might have more than a picture of you. Maybe he’s got a video of you using your powers.”
“Sadly, a video of me controlling the wind would explain why he’s after me. However, I’m not afraid of him. You know I can rob any attacker of breath if I so choose. He doesn’t stand a chance against me.”
“Your bravado is inspiring, but your attitude can also get you killed. Please be careful, Skye. We’ve decided you are not to come to work until we know he’s left town. Also, we think you should stay in your house and not wander around the city.”
“So now I’m a prisoner in my own home?”
“Yes, for your own safety. Luke and Levi are prowling the city looking for him, and later today, they’re going to head up to the same place Ivy had been held prisoner to see if anyone has been poking around. We’re looking into this so you won’t be stuck at home forever. Besides, I’d love to be stuck at home all day with those two sexy men.”
“Yes, they are a bonus,” Skye said with half a smile. “Thank everyone for their help. I guess I’ll stay put until you tell me otherwise.”
“I will. I don’t want to leave you here until the boys get back.”
“Don’t be silly, Raine. You know I can take care of myself. The Hunters don’t stand a chance against me. You don’t have to babysit me, although, I appreciate the thought.”
“All right, I’ll go, but it’s under protest.”
“Duly noted.”
Walking Raine to the door, she hugged her friend one last time. She loved her growing elemental family because that’s exactly what they had become, family. With their special gifts of the four elements and the new addition of werewolves and shifters to the fold, they were a force to be reckoned with.
“I’ll keep you posted on what we find out,” Raine said, walking down Skye’s front steps.
“Yes, please do.” She waved and walked back into her house, her mind confused and her heart conflicted.
A few minutes later, Skye noticed Raine had left her purse on the coffee table. Oh, Raine, you’re so forgetful. Shaking her head, she decided to leave the doors unlocked, so Raine could let herself in if she showed up when Skye was in the shower.
* * * *
When Nigel had watched the two men leave Skye’s home, he pulled out the picture of the man the syndicate had sent him and found neither one of them a match. The mystery man would have to wait. Right now, his focus laid on Skye. Trying not to arouse suspicion from any neighbors, Nigel edged along the tree line out of site.
A short time later, the black-haired beauty he’d followed earlier, left Skye’s home, hopefully leaving her all alone. He cut through the dense brush and inched his way into her backyard. Pulling out his tranquilizer gun, he loaded it with a dart and crawled onto her deck. Standing up against the back of her house, he peeked through the sliding glass doors into her home, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He did. She wandered across a hallway from one room to the next, naked.
The arousal of the hunt had given him a pulsing movement in his loins. However, since he saw his prize naked, his thick erection now strained against his jeans. Soon, she’ll belong to me.
Gingerly reaching for the handle, he slid the door open, relieved she hadn’t locked it. Way too trusting, my dear. This will be your downfall and my benefit. Listening at the entrance, he heard the sound of a shower. My God, this is way too easy.
Stepping inside her home, he slowly made his way to the sound of the running water. The door sat slightly ajar. Peering into the bathroom, he watched her sexy outline behind her white shower curtain. His hand started to rub his rigid shaft, slightly alleviating the burning desire he had for this woman. Shit, get your act together, Nigel. Knock her out and get her out of here. Then playtime will begin.
Removing his hand from his rod, he lifted the tranquilizer gun, aimed, and fired at his target. Hearing a sharp scream, he knew he’d made a direct hit. He rushed to the shower and pulled back the curtain in time to catch her helpless body. Noticing the dart in her neck, he pulled it out and threw it into the bathtub. The running water quickly washed the evidence down the drain, prompting Nigel to turn the water off. He grabbed a bath towel from a hook on the wall and wrapped the terry cloth around her delicious body.
Dammit, I didn’t bring my car. He cursed his stupidity. Carrying her out of the bathroom, he placed her on the couch, and hunted around her house for her car keys. Finding them on a small cherry table by the front door, he ran back to her unconscious form, picked her up, and threw her easily over his broad shoulder. Placing a hand on her tight ass, he held her firmly in place while he dashed out of her house, hoping the neighbors wouldn’t spot him.
Luck seemed to be on his side, as the doors of the car unlocked when he clicked on the remote entry device on her key ring. Opening the back door of her SUV, he slid her body onto the floor, tucked her feet in, and stopped to look at her. The towel had slid down, exposing her rounded breasts to his lusty gaze. Knowing he needed to get out of the area quickly, he stuck to his plan and would wait until he had her alone at his rental home. Oh the fun we’re going to have, little lady.
He practically skipped to the driver’s side of the vehicle, his excitement palpable. Climbing into the driver’s side, he immediately pulled the seat back to make room for his long legs and then started the engine. Too easy. He backed up and started to drive down her street, passing a familiar raven-haired woman who looked him directly in the face. Bloody hell.
Chapter Nine
The brothers had a quick cup of coffee together at a diner, but Conner felt edgy, the pull to be by Skye’s side overwhelming. “Something’s wrong. We need to head back to Skye.”
“I’m feeling the same way. Let’s go.”
Without waiting for the bill, the men left ten dollars on the counter and ran out the door. A few minutes later, they were turning onto her street when an SUV went hurtling past them, with Raine running behind. Waving them down, she hopped into the front seat of Conner’s truck. “Follow Skye,” she said, pointing at the disappearing vehicle.
Conner turned his truck around and floored the gas pedal, praying Raine had been mistaken. “Did you see her in the vehicle?”
“No, but I saw him, the Hunter. Besides, the SUV he’s driving belongs to Skye. She has to be in there,” Raine said, panic filling her voice.
“You know about the Hunters?” Dillon asked.
“Yes. Ivy was taken by one about a month ago. Flame, Skye, Luke, and Levi worked together to save her. Sadly, I wasn’t around to help. Now, it’s our turn to save Skye from this creep, and by God, we’re going to save her. Now step on it!”
Conner followed the Hunter through the winding roads of the city’s outskirts, but lost sight of him at a fork in the road. Frustrated, Con
ner slapped the steering wheel, thoughts of never seeing her again ripping his heart in two. “Dammit. Which way do we go?”
“I think I know where he’s heading,” Raine chimed in. “Go straight ahead, and then follow the curves in the road.”
“Where are we going?” Conner asked.
“We’re heading to the rental property of the Hunter who took Ivy. Something tells me he’s taking her there. I believe Luke and Levi are at the house right now snooping around. I’m giving them a call.”
A minute later, Raine got off the phone with Luke. “It looks like they aren’t there yet. We have to deal with him ourselves. However, they are on the way.”
Conner felt optimism rise inside until Raine mentioned the men weren’t at the house yet. With his hopes dashed, he continued down the highway, blowing past the speed limit to save his precious Skye. They rode in silence, Conner feeling helpless and cursing himself for leaving her side. If only he’d know about the Hunter on her trail, he would have stayed to protect her at any cost.
“Turn right, turn right.” Raine excitedly pointed out the turnoff to the driveway.
As they headed down the long winding path, Skye’s SUV came into view. While standing outside of the vehicle, the Hunter cradled Skye in his arms. Conner’s gaze met the Hunter’s, while his cat clawed relentlessly for release. He almost gave in to the vicious call of the wild inside of him, but with every ounce of strength he could muster, he held on to his human side, gripping the steering wheel tight, waiting for the Hunter’s next move.
Turning back to the vehicle, he tossed Skye’s limp body into the front seat and followed behind her. Starting up the engine, he drove around the back of the house to an abandoned roadway, grown over with weeds and brush. Conner remained close behind him, the three of them bouncing relentlessly in the cab.
“I sense water ahead,” Raine cried out, closing her eyes and reaching her hands forward. “Oh my God, there’s a gorge ahead.”
“How do you know? I don’t see anything,” Dillon said, confusion laced in his tone.
“The water below told me,” Raine replied quietly.
Suddenly, the SUV’s brake lights came on, and it skid across the ground. The front tires slid off the edge of the cliff, while the vehicle teetered back and forth, precariously balanced. Conner slammed on the brakes as well, stopping ten feet from the SUV.
“Stay here where it’s safe, Raine,” Conner commanded, getting out of his truck, followed closely by Dillon.
Conner and Dillon crept along the ground, getting closer to the back bumper. With every movement the Hunter made, the vehicle rocked violently. Conner heard the driver’s side door open, and the men dove for the back bumper to stabilize the SUV, but they were too late. It started to plunge into the ravine.
“No!” Both men cried out in heart-wrenching unison. Conner watched helplessly as the vehicle disappeared from sight. He loved her and now he’d lost her forever, without telling her how he truly felt. Waves of sadness wracked his body and tears sprang in his eyes.
A rumble shook the ground around them, followed by a loud roaring sound of water churning. Conner looked up from his prone position to see a huge column of water with the SUV sitting on top of it. A smaller column of water rose beside the passenger side, deftly lifted the handle, opened the door, and flooded the compartment with water. Skye floated on the surface of the churning mass, bringing her body to the edge of the cliff and placing her delicately on the ground. The water immediately rescinded and the SUV crashed into the hungry gorge below, waiting to be swallowed up by the deep water of the river.
Conner and Dillon ran to Skye’s side, making sure she lived. Noting her pulse beat strong and no bones seemed to be broken, relief flooded his soul. He now had a second chance with Skye, and he didn’t intend to waste it. He had a secret to tell his brother and Skye, and vowed to share it with both of them tonight once she had recovered.
“Raine,” Dillon shouted, running toward her.
Conner turned to see Raine slumped over the roof of his truck, her body half sticking out of the sunroof.
Dillon jumped on the hood with ease and grabbed her hand. “Raine, can you hear me.”
She tilted her head slowly toward him and said, “I didn’t leave the truck.”
“Did you control the water? Are you a water elemental?”
“Yes to both questions. But damn, does it ever sap my strength.” She smiled. “Is Skye okay?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“It’s a little something I whipped together to save one of my dearest friends. Can you help me back into the truck? I really need to lie down.”
“With pleasure.”
As Dillon helped Raine into the cab, Conner looked at Skye and noticed her eyes were fluttering open. Pulling her tighter in his embrace, he kissed her forehead tenderly.
“Where am I?”
“I’ll explain what happened later, but more importantly, I have something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“I love you, Skye, and I always will.”
* * * *
Skye opened her eyes and glanced around the room, the surroundings unfamiliar to her. An antique wardrobe and matching dresser flanked her on either side of the queen-size bed she laid in and a homemade patchwork quilt, which draped over her body, had a masculine scent she recognized immediately as Conner’s.
Everything came flooding back to her, the bumpy ride home on Dillon’s lap, while Raine leaned against his shoulder, the jealousy that brewed inside of her briefly for a vaguely perceived indiscretion, and finally, Conner’s words. He loves me. Dillon loves me, too.
They had explained what had happened to her and how Raine had saved her life. She immediately felt horrible for thinking Raine had made a move on one of her men, knowing all too well the toll their power took on their bodies when used to such great extent. The haze of the tranquilizer had lingered in her system, so the men had insisted on her going to straight to bed.
She had no idea how much time had passed. Feeling as if she had had a good night’s sleep, Skye sat up in the bed, noticing the springs squeaked under her shifting weight.
The men ran upstairs and burst through the bedroom door, smiles pasted on their faces, but concern seemed to flash in their eyes.
“Skye, you’re awake. Can I get you anything?” Conner asked as they came rushing to her, one on either side.
“How are you feeling, honey?” Dillon stroked her bare back tenderly.
“I feel fine. I think sleeping off the effects of the drug in my system really helped. Besides, I have what I want right here.” She tapped their thighs in unison. “However, we need to figure things out. You two have been honest with me, and I believe you deserve the same courtesy. I’m in love with both of you.” She took a deep, shaky breath, while quickly wiping the tears from her eyes. Folding her hands back in her lap, she continued with a quivering voice. “I can’t choose one over the other. The connection is strong to the two of you, and if I did choose one over the other, I would feel heartbroken for the one I’ve lost. This is a situation none of us will win.”
“I think what I’m about to say might help you make a decision,” Conner stated while Dillon and Skye gave him their full attention. “Before our father died, he pulled me aside and told me to see the shaman of the Great Eagle Tribe. They had been friends for many years, and he knew dad’s secret of being a shifter. I dragged Dillon to see him with me, and he gave us private messages we weren’t to share with anyone until the time felt right. Dillon, why don’t you tell Skye the words of wisdom the shaman gave you?”
Skye looked at Dillon, confused yet curious about his message.
“He had told me one day I would see the air symbol first and then I would know I’ve found the air elemental. He went on to say I must protect you at all costs. I feel terrible I didn’t protect you and almost lost you. I’m so sorry I left your side.” Tears formed in Dillon’s eyes. The guilt he felt over her abductio
n had been obvious.
“Dillon, don’t blame yourself for what happened. I take full responsibility for the Hunter taking me. Ivy and Raine warned me over and over to be careful, but I chose to be cocky and self-assured. I didn’t take precautions. My poor judgement led to my capture, not you. Please don’t either one of you take on this responsibility.”
Dillon and Conner nodded in silent agreement. She knew immediately it would take more convincing on her part to absolve them of their own guilt. However, she planned to work hard to make them understand the abduction fell on her shoulders only.
Suddenly, Skye realized the importance of Dillon’s message from the shaman. Turning to him she said, “You were meant to find me and be in my life.”
“Yes. I didn’t put much stock into what the shaman said until I saw the air elemental sign on the wall of your home. I knew you were the one I had to protect, so I went back to your home to find you, and not long after, we made love. I knew right away you were meant for me.”
Skye knew Fate had brought them together, and thanked the mother earth silently for such a gift. Throwing her arms around Dillon, she kissed his cheek, and swore she heard purring coming from his throat. Smiling, she let go of Dillon and turned her attention back to Conner. “What message did the shaman give you?”
“I didn’t understand his words at first. They seemed so vague, but now I know the importance of his omen. He had told me one day the sky would become precious to me. She would become my world, and I would have to learn to share the sky with my brother. I had no idea what those words meant until today. Fate has brought us together for a reason. We’re ordained to be joined, all three of us. When we made love to you, yes, I wanted you to myself, but I was surprised by my lack of jealousy toward Dillon when he touched you. I’m not saying there will never be jealousy, but I feel we can make this work.”
