Love Like No Other

by Michelle Howard

  Cordie went to one knee, expression grim. Mud lined the hem of her gown where she’d ripped the bottom tackling a man who thought to sneak up on them. Talire sat behind Cordelia, pale and shaking but holding it together.

  “What did your Commander say?”

  Not bothering to correct the Queen about Jax, Cellie answered, “He says we need to get to the HQ.”

  Cordie nodded. “Then that’s what we do.”

  A sudden flurry of activity pulled Cellie’s gaze. Her eyes narrowed on the lone man in an ankle-length leather coat approaching. She couldn’t make out his features but unlike the other attackers, he made no effort to use the buildings or shrubbery for cover.

  Son of a…recognition flared. The leather gauntlet on his wrist was a dead giveaway. “Nevo Xyman.”

  Cordie jerked and aimed her laser in the air. “Who?”

  “Notorious mercenary and assassin for hire.” Deadly in his strikes and not known for failing when given a task. Her heart sped up. This took the situation from bad to downright ugly.

  Cordie straightened her arm as she leaned forward and fired at a rebel who recklessly charged forward. He dropped mid-stride. Cellie yanked on Cordie’s shoulder and pulled her back. Dirt spit up from the ground as one of the others responded to the blasts, barely missing the ruler of Zephil.

  Cellie glared. “Are you crazy?”

  “No, but how long do you think we can stay hidden here before the rest of them do the same?”

  She’d thought of that, but didn’t want to give credence to the possibility. Cellie made eye contact with Cranz and Efan. “Protect the Queen. Talire, stick close and keep your head down.”

  “Senior Guard Manx of Zephil, I recognize you. Give up before someone gets hurt.”

  Xyman. Cellie peered around the corner. The ruthless assassin crouched behind a retaining wall, taking refuge by a beautiful garden with the destroyed remains of a statue depicting the first Director of Xenol.

  “Why are you violating the neutral zone, Xyman?” she yelled back.

  “I don’t want the Queen of Zephil. I’m after someone else.”

  That didn’t answer her question. Cellie didn’t know if she could believe him or not. His reputation bespoke a thin line of integrity in the man, if one trusted that a killer could be honorable. If she listened to him, she risked the Queen’s life as well as those huddled behind her. Business leaders, rulers on their own worlds. These men and women came to Xenol without defense under the assumption they’d be safe.

  A slow smile spread on Cordie’s face. “You need a diversion before we make a break for it, don’t you?”

  Cellie’s brow furrowed. She knew what her friend planned. “Can you control it?”

  Cordelia’s red eyes flared and her voice deepened. When she spoke, deep vibrations rumbled forth, chilling Cellie with the pure evil spilling out. “I will do what I must.”

  Cellie held eye contact with the being before her. “Only kill if you have to.”

  Cordie cocked her head to the side and stood slowly. A growl preceded her next statement. “Killing makes for good sport.”

  Then the Queen released her darker nature and raced ahead with an eerie scream that froze Cellie’s blood. She turned behind her. “Let’s go!”

  Efan and Cranz led with guns blazing. Talire hunched between them as Efan locked his hand about her elbow. The three officials jumped up, half-running and glancing around. Terror glazed their eyes. Cellie covered the rear, a laser in each hand as she sighted the black clad figures. They made perfect targets. With measured steps, she picked off the ones foolish enough to stand up hoping to get a bead on her.

  Cordie added to the mayhem with loud screeches as she tore through two men attempting to run. She grabbed a third with hidden strength and dragged him behind a fallen barricade. A spray of blood showered the stone walkway then a deep belly laugh trilled out. The crunch of bones had Cellie swallowing, but she didn’t turn back.

  Swiveling her head from side to side, Cellie searched for Nevo Xyman. Her senses tingled seconds before his stealthy form slid behind her. A muscled arm banded about Cellie’s throat. His other arm curved around her mid-section, pinning her arms to her side but not enough to shake the weapons from her hands.

  “Go, go!” Cellie shouted when her men turned back.

  They disappeared down the path to HQ, the officials and Talire within Efan and Cranz’s protective circle. Cellie took a deep breath and drove her elbow backward. Her assailant danced aside, dodging the blow, and whispered in her ear. “Where’s Ambassador Trudin, Manx?”

  Trudin? Cellie hadn’t seen the man since the day before. She side stepped and hooked her foot around Xyman’s calf. He braced his weight and tightened his hold about her throat, constricting her airways. “Ah, ah.”

  Spots blurred her vision, but Cellie stayed conscious by sheer will power. No one got the best of her. Struggling to break free, she aimed the laser in her left hand behind her and squeezed the trigger.

  “Damn it!” Leather rustled.

  Cellie fell forward the moment his grip slackened, but when she turned around she stood alone, remnants of blood drops on the ground the only sign she’d hit him. No time to give chase, Cellie hurried toward HQ. At the last minute, she called out, “Cordelia, we need to go.”

  Cordie came flying around the corner, a man in black in hot pursuit. Breath sawing in and out, Cellie dropped to one knee and took out the pursuer. He hit the ground hard as she pushed off her back foot and caught up with Cordie.

  Blood stained the upper half of the Queen’s gown but Cellie didn’t ask questions. There were some things Cordie refused to discuss in detail and her inner demon was one of them.

  “How are you feeling?” Cellie asked instead.

  Wiping the smear of red from her mouth, Cordelia said, “I’m fine, Cellimina.”

  Chapter 16

  It took every bit of patience Jax could muster not to go in search of Cellie when her guards arrived without her or the Queen.

  “Where is Senior Guard Manx?” Jax demanded, holding his breath for the response.

  Efan approached, his black and purple uniform ripped across the front. “Someone grabbed her and she told us to keep going.” Efan’s gaze shifted to the side as he mumbled, “The Queen’s…with her.”

  Jax cursed and kicked at the wall, startling the new arrivals. Fear beat at him as minutes ticked by. He and Aran barricaded the back area. The number of dignitaries and officials crowded into the single room continued to grow as word spread about the attack. They’d managed to scrounge up a few weapons. Unfortunately, not enough to arm everyone.

  Aran came to his side. “No Senior Guard or the Jessin ruler yet?”

  “No.” Jax dragged in a deep breath and released it. “Apparently she has a hero complex and sent the others ahead when she was snatched. I need to go back for her.”

  “Go back for who?”

  Jax whirled about, coming face to face with Cellie. She leaned against the frame of the doorway, lasers gripped loosely in her hands, and strolling in behind her was Queen Cordelia.

  Relief sent him storming across the room to grip her shoulders. “Why do you do this to me?”

  She arched a brow, then taking nerves to a whole new level, aimed the blaster in her right hand at his groin. “Back off, Jax.”

  “I should shake you,” he growled, and in fact lifted her two inches from the floor bringing her to his eye level for the deed.

  “Do it,” she returned, eyes flashing. “And I really will neuter you.”

  Allowing himself a moment to stare at her flushed features, the narrowed brown eyes and her pouting lips, Jax eased Cellie back to her feet. “We will talk about earlier.”

  Her lips twisted as she holstered both lasers. “I think we said enough.”

  “Am I the only one eager to go home?”

  The Queen of Zephil’s question interrupted Jax’s response to Cellie. He bowed to the ruler who’d always been respectful toward him
. “I’m glad you’re well, Your Majesty.”

  Cordelia Jessin waved her hands in the air in a dismissive gesture, and now that his worry for Cellie was put aside, Jax took in the Zephil ruler’s unkempt appearance. Blood, soot and other things he couldn’t guess at splattered the front of her purple gown. The ragged edges at the bottom also bore stains and mud. Her left knee sported a large hole, but the grip on the laser in her hand didn’t waver.

  “Director, what does one have to do to get off this rock?” Cordelia tossed out the question and left Jax standing alone beside Cellie.

  Cellie tried to brush past him but Jax grabbed for her. She swiveled away, avoiding his touch. “Cellie!”

  Aran stopped him from following as she hurried toward the two royal guards. “Let it be for now, Jax. We’ve got bigger worries.”

  Jax didn’t resist as Aran pulled him to the front window, which revealed at least twenty armed men setting up a perimeter around the HQ building.

  “Any luck on disrupting the block to get some of our men from the Z down?”

  Aran’s expression answered for him. Jax cursed.

  “Listen up, everyone.” The chatter died down and all eyes turned in Jax’s direction, including Cellie’s. “As you’ve guessed, Xenol is under attack. We’re not sure by who or what they want. While we wait for assistance, we need those capable of handling a weapon to step forward.”

  Dar and the other five members of the Zanian IX security team moved immediately. They reported to Aran. His Chief of Security hustled them to a corner and began giving instructions. Jax judged the four others he didn’t recognized. They seemed capable, and right now that’s all he could count on. He pointed to the exterior door. “Keep eyes opened over there and shoot anyone that comes past the tree line.”

  “Jax, Nevo Xyman’s here as well,” Cellie announced.

  Jax froze. “Where did you see Xyman?”

  Cellie came back toward him, the saunter in her hips drawing his gaze. Not as roughed up as the Queen, dirt covered Cellie’s white tank and her black cargos sagged about her hips, two loops broken at the waist of her pants. The worn leather of her double holster hinted at its frequency of use. Her blonde hair lay in a sleek wave about her face, determination stamped on her features. The noise, the explosions, all of the conversations faded as Jax let himself take in every confident stride she took in his direction.

  “Xyman says he’s here for Ambassador Trudin.” Her brown eyes scanned the room on alert as she whispered the information.

  Trudin was one of the men in the room. “Hit or ransom?”

  Her slim shoulders shrugged. “Not sure. We didn’t get that far in our conversation before I shot him.”

  Tension thrummed as Jax’s blood boiled. Xyman could have killed her. The merc was ruthless enough to do it and not blink. “You…shot him?”

  Cellie glared, meeting his gaze. “Yes. Was I supposed to let him take me down?”

  In the midst of all that was going on, Jax’s lips twitched. “I love your ballsy attitude.”

  “Fuck you, Jax.”

  “Anytime, anywhere.” He didn’t back down.

  “You should be so lucky.”

  Cellie rushed to get passed him, but Jax caught her shoulder. Her muscles tensed beneath his touch. “No. You don’t get to run out on me this time.” Jax glanced behind him before facing Cellie again. He leaned in close. “No more running, Cellie. I love you and I know with every fiber of my soul that you love me, too.”

  Cellie flinched and Jax wanted to snap. Taking a deep breath, he kept his voice calm. “Take a chance. On me. On us. That’s all I’m asking, because I can’t light step around you wondering if something I say will bring up memories about a past you won’t even share with me.”

  “You want to know about my past?” Cellie’s eyes spit brown fire. “Fine. I was abandoned at the age of three by both my parents. They decided having a kid wasn’t as fun as they thought. I was raised in a group home for other dumped children. No one wanted to take home the little girl who stuttered when spoken to, coughed every time a breeze blew through the cracked windows or one who woke screaming from nightmares every single day for years.”

  Jax brushed his knuckles down her flushed cheeks. If he could go back in time, he’d destroy her parents for the hurt they’d caused. “You’re not that girl any more.”

  “Don’t you get it? Listen to what I’m saying. ” Her voice choked and she grabbed his shirt, fingers clenched around the material. “I’m still her. Deep inside I remember what it was like to not be wanted. I can’t go back to that, Jax.”

  “Now you listen to me. I want you. I wanted you yesterday, I want you today and I damn sure know I’ll want you tomorrow.” Jax peeled her fingers from his shirt and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pressed his lips to her brow and murmured, “If you stutter, I’ll ease your worry. If you cough, I’ll soothe you. If you wake up crying from nightmares, I’ll hold you. But you will never go back to being unwanted.”

  ***

  His words shattered her. Maybe because Cellie wanted to believe him. Instinct kicked in and she wanted to run. Anything to keep from facing his intense stare. She needed to hold on to her anger. It was all she had to use as protection. With determination she broke his hold, freeing herself.

  What they shared was over. Done. Jax’s earlier words proved it would never work between them. She was the one who had been a fool for thinking it was possible to do her duty and keep the pleasure she found in Jax’s arms.

  “Cellie, look at me.”

  She refused, lips pressed tight. If she faced him her ability to remain distant would collapse. Helplessness crashed over her. Cellie had to get away from him. “I need to see to Cordie.”

  His control broke. She witnessed from the corner of her eyes as his grey gaze burned. The muscle in his jaw ticked. “It’s that easy for you, Cellie? One mistake and you wash your hands of me. Of what we had.”

  She turned away once more to stare at the wall, unable to withstand the hurt on his face any longer.

  “I expected more from you. I tried to respect the boundaries you set.” He laughed and Cellie curled her arms about her waist in self defense. “You’re beautiful inside and out. You’re the most courageous woman I’ve ever known. How could I not love you?”

  Pain slashed over her chest. Her heart began to ache with a persistent pinch. Why wouldn’t he stop? But Jax wasn’t done. Cellie stood there and accepted it, deciding every sting her punishment for thinking she deserved love.

  “You’ve pushed me away time and again yet I haven’t left. I’m never leaving you so get that through your head.”

  He couldn’t mean that. Cellie jerked around to gaze at him, knowing there was no way to hide the fear in her eyes. “And my duty to the Queen? How will you deal with that, Jax?”

  “With love.” He snagged her wrist and pulled her back slowly into his arms. Cellie couldn’t find it in her to resist. Sincerity blazed from the gunmetal grey looking down at her. “I won’t come between your obligations as long as I know I have a place in your heart.”

  “Damn you, Jax.” She choked.

  “I’m sorry about my words earlier,” he whispered in her ear. “I would never seek to come between you and the Queen.”

  Guilt about her earlier reaction prodded her. She let fear rule when she should have trusted in what they shared. Cellie pressed closer to him, her hands like vise on the back of his shirt. She sniffed, forcing back a sob. Tears leaked down her cheeks anyway.

  “Cellie?”

  She couldn’t speak, couldn’t say anything that wouldn’t result in her crying harder.

  Jax kissed the top of her head. “My sweet, Cellie. I love you.” His hands stroked up her back. “I adore you. Nothing in my life compares to what I feel for you.”

  Stars! How did he do this to her? “Shut up, Jax,” she mumbled.

  He leaned back and glanced down. Cellie ducked her head, but his finger nudged her chin up. “I love you, C
ellie.”

  Jax helped her to be strong. Taking her heart in her hand, Cellie stared into his amazing grey eyes. “I love you, Jax.”

  He smiled, lips curving slowly. “You won’t regret it. Ever.”

  The explosion that rocked the building prevented her from making a joke to lighten the moment. They broke apart instantly, Jax drawing his weapon and Cellie whirling around to meet the threat.

  “They’re closing in,” Aran yelled from his crouched position by the door.

  The other men of the Zanian IX assumed positions about the room, their grey and black uniforms making them indistinguishable from one another.

  “Game on,” Cellie laughed, walking backward, her eyes never leaving Jax.

  A smile tipped up the corners of his mouth. “Game on, Senior Guard.”

  Lighthearted, Cellie spun to confirm Cordie’s position in the room. The Queen leaned forward at an open window, blasting away, a gleeful expression on her face each time she hit a target. Efan, Cranz and someone she didn’t know had their weapons out firing through the missing panes at another window.

  Someone had also given Talire a weapon. The woman’s hand shook so bad, Cellie approached her first and eased the firearm away. “I’ll take this, Talire.”

  The Queen’s assistant slumped to the floor with a weak smile. “My thanks, Senior Guard Manx. They wouldn’t listen when I said I’d never shot a living being.”

  Talire underwent basic defense and weapons training. Cellie demanded it from anyone who worked around the Queen, but Talire was an awful shot. “Stay down and out of the way.”

  “I can definitely do that with much more success.” Talire managed another grin.

  Nodding, Cellie allowed her mind to focus on what she did best. She leaned her shoulder and back to the wall and sighted the men coming closer. Easy pickings because they made no effort at stealth.