Noah’s lips pressed in a grim line. Jestin half carried Lukain. Milt and Toby brought up the rear.
Come on, come on. His heart pounded hard against his chest. Every breath rasped through his lips. A few feet and all of his men would be free of the building.
13
12
11
Riktor soared past the soldiers and leaped onto Hunter’s chest, knocking him back and all the way out. Before he could reprimand his partner, the war mongrel turned and raced back into the crumbling building.
“Haltzo! Las!”
Riktor picked up speed as he crossed the threshold. Fire burst through the windows as a series of mini explosions detonated. Heat seared his face.
3
2
1
Hunter’s last sight was of Riktor at the rear, trying to herd his men through faster with nips at their heels then the biggest explosion of all.
The past faded and the present wrenched Hunter violently forward in time to this moment. A moment in which every member of his team was dead and K9-3, Riktor had sacrificed his life in an attempt to save those very same men.
Except.
“How did you survive, Lukain?” Mixed emotions tore at Hunter’s psyche. He wanted to be thrilled at the knowledge one of his men had made it out after all.
Narelle groaned, pulling his attention.
Yet nothing about an injured Narelle and a very angry soldier lent itself to Hunter feeling the slightest bit of joy. He fought the urge to go to her. To check on how bad she’d been hurt. Dealing with his opponent took precedence. If it came down to it, Hunter would take him out.
Lukain stepped forward, setting off a fresh round of rumbles from Bogan. It also moved him away from Narelle. Hunter tensed, waiting for the opportunity to place himself in front of Narelle.
“Would you believe Riktor? During the final explosion, everything was smoke and burned flesh around me. Part of a wall sheltered me. I knew the others were gone and yet your war mongrel had more loyalty than you, Hunter. He dragged me to a section where the wall had been decimated. His biotronics failed once he managed to get me out.”
Pain winged its way through Hunter’s heart. He owed his life to Riktor as well. The bravery his partner exhibited in the face of death could never be matched. Knowing the war mongrel had continued to complete the mission and gave his life to save another meant a lot to Hunter though he wasn’t sure the revelation had been intended to uplift Hunter in any way.
Lukain shook his head. His mouth twisted in a wry grin. “Crazy animal always did have an intense rescue drive. Fur burned clear away and skin shredded, he locked on my leg and didn’t stop tugging until I was clear of the debris.”
The back of Hunter’s eyes burned. He swallowed past the thickness in his throat. “He was an excellent teammate.”
Trained to be great and he surpassed that on every mission.
Another chuckle came from Lukain and for a moment he was the jovial soldier Hunter remembered. “Reminded me of that time you were pinned and he set up a frenzy of barking that led us right to you before that squad of Vargos discovered our presence at the Enteg battle.”
Because Riktor had been more than any scientist could have imagined. Strength, intelligence and loyalty bred in his lean muscled body.
“Why stay hidden? It’s been years.” Hunter couldn’t fathom a reason that would have sent his friend and fellow soldier on this reckless path.
Anger wiped away whatever pleasantness had been on Lukain’s face. Blues eyes burned with limitless rage. “I got to a medic center off world, but was ruined. My adjustments were all blown and irreparable. Useless, Hunter! I was useless and all because of you.”
“You blame me when it was my war mongrel who got you out?! You’re alive because of Riktor. Both of us are.”
“This isn’t living, Hunter.” Lukain whipped back the side of his long leather and ripped upward the shirt he wore.
Bile rose in Hunter’s throat. From the shoulders down, metal panels intermixed with twisted scarred flesh. Certain sections of his chest and torso were concave. The jagged pattern continued down to the band of his pants, leading Hunter to believe the damage was extensive. This was nothing like the seamless military adjustments and synth skin they’d been given. “What did you do?”
A sneer crossed Lukain’s face. “Not pretty, right? My adjustments were shot. Blown and no good. The medics had to remove them or risk poisoning my blood from the leaks and fried wiring. I couldn’t get better because I’d been declared dead and even if I wasn’t, the military no longer had a need for me. The war was over. We’d taken out the Vargos fucking communications hub and their troops fell apart.”
Lukain let his shirt drop and the coat closed part way to hide his mutilated body. “Only thing left was to use scrap parts. Fucking scrap parts on me, a decorated soldier who helped win the shitty war!”
Lukain’s hoarse screaming set off Bogan and the war mongrel launched passed Hunter, snarling on the defensive. Lukain screamed as ninety pounds of genetically engineered K9 powered into him. Jaws snapped and bit until Bogan clamped a secure hold on Lukain’s upper arm, claws digging for purchase on the man’s chest. Hunter couldn’t risk firing without hitting the animal.
“Give it up, Lukain.”
“Never!”
His former friend and team mate punched at Bogan’s snout over and over until the war mongrel released on a yelp. Lukain shoved to his feet hunched over. Hunter raised his laser, but hesitated. Memories of shared laughter rang in his ears.
“This is far from over, Hunter!” Lukain used the opportunity to take off, black leather swirling about him as he vanished into the night. Bogan’s hind legs scrabbled as he spun around to give chase.
“Haltzo, Bogan!” Hunter didn’t want the animal chasing down Lukain and the unknown.
With Lukain gone, Hunter did what he’d wanted to do from the moment of arrival and hurried toward Narelle. He brushed a hand over her red waves, clearing his view to her face. She groaned, but didn’t wake. Hunter tucked his weapon at the waist of his pants, hands going over her body to check for injuries. An aggressive shoulder shove from Bogan knocked him backward before he could complete his assessment.
Oblivious to Hunter’s glare, Bogan nosed at Narelle’s face causing a flinch. Stunned at the war mongrel’s behavior, Hunter took a minute to give the order. “Bewachen.”
Ignoring the order, Bogan snarled, upper lip peeled back as he positioned himself over Narelle’s limp form. From his protective stance, Hunter sensed the animal wouldn’t give easily.
To make matters worse, he’d also somehow shut down the sync from his side again, preventing Hunter from accessing him that way. If the scientist had ever hinted at such a thing even being possible, he didn’t recollect yet Bogan had done it twice.
“Bogan, sitzen.”
Another low growl, flashing teeth which could tear through an enemy. Hunter had witnessed such during the war and it wasn’t pretty. Getting to Narelle was priority, but not if it put her at risk. Any abrupt movement would trigger Bogan to attack and Hunter didn’t want Narelle caught in the middle.
Commands rolled through his mind as he sought the best option to regain control of the situation. Hunter needed Bogan to stand down without traumatizing the animal further. He may have synced with him, but there was no bond in place. No opportunity for a rapport to develop. That came from months of working together and Hunter didn’t have months.
Keeping his gaze on the war mongrel, Hunter straightened from the kneeling position to emphasize his height. “Gott, biet rel. Gemfach.”
Brown eyes flickered and Bogan’s pointed ears twitched at Hunter’s soothing tone. He continued to croon, keeping his voice low which took minutes Narelle didn’t have.
“Gemfach,” he whispered and extended his hand palm up.
Bogan darted a look at Hunter’s hand, gaze confused. The growls shifted to a low whimper.
“Bewachen.”
Hunter repeated the command to guard, adding another layer of authority to his voice. “Bewachen.”
At last Bogan backed off on a low growl with stiff legged motions and shifted his focus to their surroundings.
Blowing out a breath, Hunter knew nothing would slip past the war mongrel in guard mode. Returning to Narelle’s side, he cupped her face in his hands, taking in the injuries with a quick visual scan. Injuries which seemed limited to a green bruise darker then her own jade skin tones under her left eye and a split lip.
Anger swirled at the thought of Lukain hitting her in the face, but Hunter tamped down the emotion. Now wasn’t the time or place. Leaning forward as his heart rate settled, Hunter tapped her cheeks. She’d been still the entire time, worrying him. “Come on, beauty. Open those pretty eyes.”
Another groan and then Narelle’s lashes fluttered. Relief sent Hunter’s breath escaping in a rush. He didn’t care what it said about him. This was the women he’d obsessed over for a long time. In his gut he knew she was special. They may have only shared one night, but already she had him hooked. Hooked to the point he wasn’t going to let her get away easy.
If Narelle thought to escape what they could have, Hunter would show her different.
Gray eyes met his, dazed confusion tipping her mouth down in the corners. “W-w-what happened?”
Hoarse and weak, the question held none of her usual fiery tones. Narelle blinked and creased lines formed on her brow. She lifted a shaky hand to her temple, glancing over her short horns. With a wince, she dropped her arm to her side.
Hunter scooted closer. “Narelle, baby, I need you to sit up. I’m going to lift you in my arms.”
As soon as he touched her, Narelle whimpered, shattering Hunter’s calm. He cursed and slid his hands under her hip and back, flinching when she moaned.
“Hunter.”
Relief crashed into him even as his lips flattened. “It’s alright, baby. I have you.”
Hunter stood cradling her close, arcs of fire lancing down his knee from the added weight. Didn’t matter. He’d withstand any hurt or pain for her. Hunter scanned the area. In the dark, he couldn’t see much. Bogan whined. Hunter switched his optics to night vision, but still saw no signs of Lukain returning.
This time, Bogan came closer to stand beside him and brushed against his leg.
“Gott, biet rel.”
With Bogan at his side, Hunter hustled back to The Zone, never stopping his scan of the area.
Chapter 9
Not as bad as she expected. Narelle stared into the mirror mounted on the wall in Hunter’s bathroom. Sure her lip was busted. She poked at her puffy eyelid. A black eye in her future too. Overall not more than she could handle. It helped that the pain shot Hunter gave her worked wonders.
Sighing, Narelle stepped back with only a breath-stealing twinge in her side. It could have been worse. Obviously, Lukain hadn’t wanted to do permanent damage. She flipped the light off and with a deep breath returned downstairs to where Hunter waited with the war mongrel pacing in front of him.
In the living area, Hunter leaned against one wall and studied her calmly. Beneath his gaze, Narelle felt like a bug under his attention. So far, he’d followed her every step only stopping once she entered the bathroom to clean her scrapes and slammed the door in his face, twisting the lock for added measure.
“Na-relle.”
She loved and hated the way he said her name. The tender look accompanied by a slight drawl as he curled the l’s on the end softened her ire. Dropping onto the lounger, her aching muscles sighed in relief. Hunter growled in annoyance, but Narelle added a raised palm to her warning. “Don’t, Hunter.”
Since returning, he’d at least taken the opportunity to put on a shirt doing Narelle the favor of covering his upper body from her lustful glances. She might have been slightly battered but apparently her libido was up and working fine thank you very much.
His brow quirked and his lips drew into a thin line. “Don’t what, Narelle? Throw you over my lap for being stupid?”
Hunter straightened from his slouch and his gaze darkened. He shoved his hands into his front pockets, pulling the pants taut against his thick thighs. The relaxed pose did nothing to ease the sense of danger emanating from his vibrant potency. “Or don’t care that you were almost killed shortly after leaving my bed.”
He said the last in a low even tone, making it all the more deadly for the whispered volume.
“I wasn’t almost killed.” Beneath his stare, Narelle fought hard not to squirm. “You’re being ridiculous. This is a rogue satellite station. The criminal element will always come and go. I’m fully aware of this and take the necessary precautions whenever I’m here.”
Her rational explanation had little effect on him. If anything, Hunter seemed to grow angrier and Narelle’s heart rate increased with a tiny frisson of fear. This wasn’t the bar owner who intimidated patrons enough they never caused trouble in his place. This was the former soldier who refused to waiver.
Both were completely unlike the man who’d touched her with reverence and passion earlier tonight. Another shiver. She needed to tread carefully.
“And did those precautions do you any good tonight?” he snarled.
She’d had enough of his derision and upped her glare to match his. “They would have except this guy had a hard-on for you.”
“Exactly!”
Narelle mentally banged her head on an invisible wall. She hadn’t meant to acknowledge the threat. No need to make this bigger than it needed to be since she planned to leave sooner rather than later. Hunter could deal with his own drama.
He dropped his hands from his pockets and prowled closer. “Do you know what it did to me to see you hurt like that?”
Why did he have to utter the question in such a soft voice? The look in Hunter’s gaze spoke volumes and as Narelle was quickly learning, he had no problem exposing his emotions for her.
Having nothing to counter with, Narelle held her silence. Hunter turned away, freeing her from the volatile moment. She felt like she’d disappointed him in some way by not answering.
He exhaled harshly. “I’m making a few calls to see if I can figure this out. In the meantime, you stay here.”
He didn’t even give her the courtesy of facing her when he made the decree. Instead, he jammed a finger in Bogan’s direction. The war mongrel sat in a corner, ears pricked at attention. “Bewachen.”
Not sure what instructions he’d given the animal, Narelle jumped to her feet intending to give Hunter a definitive piece of her mind. Much to her surprise, Bogan hip checked her and she stumbled back. When she tried to go around him to follow Hunter as he dashed upstairs, Bogan yipped and blocked her path.
“You’ve got to be kidding!”
Hunter’s laughter trailed behind him as he left her alone with the war mongrel, who suddenly looked as if he would take a bite out of her if she so much as blinked wrong. Gone was the injured animal she’d found in the alley. In its place was a creature bred to follow a soldier’s command.
He did it well too, brown gaze staring at Narelle waiting for her next move. She dropped back down on the lounger. Great. Now she had two stubborn males to deal with.
“You and I are going to have a talk about loyalty.”
His brown tail swished once then he sat directly in front of her and waited.
***
Bracing his palms on the desk, Hunter waited for the screen in front of him to load and connect. There was only one person he trusted to speak with about Narelle’s attack and Lukain’s sudden reappearance from the dead. It was a long shot using this long-forgotten link. One he’d had during the war, but no longer needed. Un
til today. Until Narelle.
“Code 76Z-8”
Hunter waited. Minutes he couldn’t spare if he wanted to get to the bottom of this. Please let someone else also still be monitoring the old frequency.
“Acknowledged. Go.”
Familiar. Not a strange soldier on the other end he’d have to rely on. “Ezra?”
“Here, Hunter.”
He and Ezra had been on the same last mission, but on different teams. Ezra’s team had walked away, Hunter’s hadn’t.
“I need your special help.”
A pause. Hunter held his breath.
“Whatever you need man. How soon?”
“Emergency. As soon as possible.” His friend wouldn’t question the urgency.
“Acknowledged. Send the data.”
Relief left him shuddering. Now there was another who’d be able to help get to the bottom of what was going on. Hunter needed to understand why there was a war mongrel unaccounted for and how Lukain managed to stay off the radar.
Hunter gathered what little he had and sent the file he’d compiled to the other soldier via the secured connection.
Ezra made no attempt to hide his amazement. “You completed another trijl with a war mongrel?”
Ezra alone knew Hunter’s reasoning for wanting to avoid that state. Unwilling to explain until they could get together in person, Hunter settled for a simple one word answer. “Yes.”
Another stretch of silence and then Ezra answered, “Expect me in two or three days at the most.”
Hunter exhaled. The feeling of having help to address the situation overwhelmed. “Thank you, man.”
A derisive grunt gave Ezra’s thoughts on the matter. “I owe you, Gils. We all do.”
Skin crawling and wanting to avoid any conversation shift about the war, Hunter ended the transmission. He headed back to the lower level and braced himself for Narelle’s ire. Using Bogan to keep her from leaving or disappearing to find more trouble was wrong, but Hunter didn’t regret it. Whatever it took to protect Narelle.
Wired For Love Page 7
