aHunter4Life (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  “Tarrin would never leave Gates alone.” Selena walked into the room. “We need help.”

  “And you think these men can find the boys?” Steve shook his head.

  Selena nodded. “I know they can.”

  “How?” Steve’s tone was belligerent. “You’re the nanny for Christ’s sake. How would you know anything about them? They look like soldiers.”

  “I didn’t always live in the United States.” Selena’s voice was defensive. “Besides, they advertise on the internet. If you have a problem, they help.”

  “We can’t take the chance that they’ll mess things up.” Nikki’s voice was conciliatory. “It’s best to leave this to the authorities.”

  “We do not fail.” Partlan crossed his arms. “Our help was requested and we are here.”

  “What do you know about kidnapping and children?” Nikki’s eyes narrowed. “It looks like you’d be more comfortable in a gun battle.”

  “We have handled these situations many times. We are Hunters. Searching for people is what we are skilled at.”

  Nikki frowned. “Like bounty hunters?”

  Partlan looked back at Catal with a raised eyebrow. Catal moved forward to interpret. “No. We are warriors, but part of our training is finding what is lost.”

  “Warriors.” Steve’s voice rose to a shout. “Are you kidding me?”

  “They are the best.” Selena’s voice was firm.

  “What right did you have to call in men like them?”

  “The right of a mother.” Selena clenched her hands into fists. “Your efforts are going nowhere. I want my son returned before it’s too late.”

  Steve lunged toward Selena. Catal jumped in front and grabbed the man by the throat. He lifted him off the ground and shook him. Nikki screamed and rushed to defend her husband, but Partlan blocked her.

  “Put him down.” Partlan’s voice was a low demand. “He will not harm the woman.”

  Catal threw the actor to the ground. He crossed his arms and blocked access to Selena. His eyes narrowed as he continued to watch Steve. The man was rubbing his neck and glaring at him with hatred. He didn’t care. If all Selena wanted from him was protection, then that would be his role. She might reject him, but he would never betray her.

  “By Cygnus and Warrior, I will not have any human threatening my pair bond.” Catal forced his breathing to slow. “That is the code by which every Hunter lives.”

  Chapter 2

  He was the last person she had ever expected to see again.

  Her heart beat in a furious staccato as she let her eyes roam over him. Catal hadn’t aged a day since she’d last seen him. Tall and broad shouldered with dark hair and eyes, he stood out in a room. He always had.

  Her mouth went dry and she started to tremble as she remembered the feel of his arms around her. She still woke up in the middle of the night restless with the memories of their lovemaking. After all these years, she still craved his touch.

  Then she remembered his betrayal.

  Selena’s body tensed and her fist clenched as she motioned for him to stay away. She lifted her chin and glared at him. How could she forget his betrayal? The love she thought they had shared had never been real. He’d only been stringing her along so he could infiltrate her brother’s defenses. He’d succeeded once, but never again would she trust him.

  Now he was making a claim that he was her pair bond. She didn’t know what that meant, but he’d given up any rights to her eight years ago. All she needed now was for her son, Tarrin, to be found. She tried to move, but Catal blocked her.

  “It is the code.” The man who looked to be the leader nodded.

  Selena inhaled as three of the warriors surrounded her on all sides. Catal still stood in front of her with his arms crossed. All she wanted was her son back. That’s why she had contacted aHunter4Hire. The name of the organization was different from the old days in Columbia, so she thought that Catal would no longer be involved. Back then, they had just called themselves Hunters, so Selena had believed she’d be safe.

  Her hands clenched into fists and she gritted her teeth together. “What do you mean pair bond?”

  “You are my pair bond and we did mate.” Catal’s tone was gravelly and low.

  His voice had always sounded like that after they’d made love. A shiver of desire curled deep in her womb. She pushed it away.

  “That was before you betrayed me.” Selena moved past the giants who surrounded her and turned to Nikki. “I called these men in because they’re the best.”

  “They’re mercenaries.” Nikki’s eyes narrowed. “Where would you have heard about them?”

  “I had a life before coming to the United States.”

  “Can they be trusted?”

  Selena shrugged. “We’re out of choices. The boys are running out of time.”

  “We’re doing everything possible.” Steve picked himself up off the rug. “The FBI say the drop information should come soon.”

  “They’ve been gone for a week.” Selena fought back the panic that was twisting in her gut. “There’s something wrong. I feel it in my bones.”

  “My son was taken too.” Nikki’s tone was cool. “I know the FBI has everything under control.”

  Selena threw her hands up in the air. “This isn’t a contest. Our boys are in danger.”

  Steve went to Nikki and put his arms around her shoulders. “That’s not a reason to hire thugs.”

  “We are Hunters.” Catal moved to her side and crossed his arms. “Our training makes us the right people to call in.”

  Selena battled between approval and revulsion. To be standing so close to the only man she had ever loved was torture. To know he had betrayed her was hell. He was unparalleled as a soldier. The sooner Tarrin was found, the easier life would be.

  “Where did you find these guys?” Steve’s voice was contemptuous. “And what is a hunter.”

  The man in charge stepped to her other side. “We are warriors. I am Partlan. These are Catal, Firbin, and Ranon. We have two others outside. We are well equipped to find the boys, but we need to know the details.”

  “You’re not the police. You have no authority in this matter.” Nikki tilted her head. “Why should we trust you?”

  Partlan crossed his arms. “The kidnappers will be dealt with according to our code.”

  Steve raised an eyebrow. “What’s that supposed to mean? You let them go?”

  “We will kill them.”

  Selena inhaled a sharp breath. It was as if she were transported to the past. Instead of the jungle, the posh surroundings of a Beverly Hill’s mansion surrounded her. Catal had often said those exact words. He had a code he lived by. It was what had helped him survive.

  Nikki cleared her throat. “Can you promise that?”

  “Yes.” Partlan’s voice was firm.

  Steve turned to her with wide eyes. “You’re not serious? We can’t have these men kill someone.”

  “Why not.” Nikki shrugged. “They didn’t consider what they were doing to Gates when they took him. Our son is in the hands of monsters. Who knows what they’re doing to him. He’ll be scarred for life.”

  “Then let the law deal with it.”

  “So they get away on a technicality?” Nikki shook her head. “No. I want justice.”

  “There has to be a better way.”

  “This is it. They are the last resort and we can’t wait any longer.”

  Selena’s voice was low and pleading. She had to make these people understand that the only way for the boys to be returned, was with help outside of the law. Already she was sensing that Tarrin was weakening.

  Catal put his hand on her arm. “We will find them.”

  A rush of peace and calm filled her.

  For a few seconds, she surrendered to the comfort he gave. It had been a week of hell. Every waking moment had been consumed with trying to connect with Tarrin. To feel his presence surround her was what she’d relied on to get through each da
y. As long as she knew he was alive she could force herself to function. When her connection started to weaken, she’d contacted the Hunters.

  “How did you find these men?” Steve walked to a couch and flopped into it. “I’m beginning to think we made a mistake when we chose you as Gate’s nanny.”

  “I had contact with them when I lived in Columbia.” Selena straightened her shoulders. “You can find them on the internet.”

  “We are for hire.” Catal walked to a window and looked out.

  Selena watched him from narrowed eyes. As much as she needed their help, she didn’t trust him. A shiver went through her as she considered what Catal’s reaction would be if he knew how much she was deceiving him. It couldn’t be helped. Her son had to be found and she would do anything to make that possible.

  “So what did you look under, HitMenRUs.com?”

  Selena shook her head. “I knew they called themselves Hunters.”

  “You mentioned your past.” Nikki spoke now. “Do you know these men from there?”

  Selena looked at the other men in the room and shook her head. “I’ve only met Catal. These others are strangers to me. I know that they’re the best, though.”

  “How can you be certain?” Nikki hesitated a second. “This is my boy’s life we’re talking about.”

  “It is my son too.”

  Catal turned away from the window. “Selena contacted us. We will do what is necessary to bring her son back to her. If you have no wish for our help that is fine.”

  “Your so called efforts might interfere with my son’s safety.” Nikki’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I’ll stop you before that happens.”

  “You can try, but you will not succeed.” Partlan’s voice was a growl. “We do not fail. It would be a mistake to interfere.”

  “You’re just overgrown louts on steroids.” Steve rolled his eyes. “You’ve watched too many of my action movies, and now you think you’re heroes. One word from me and your butts will be thrown in jail.”

  Selena glanced between the two men and fought the urge to run. A cloud had descended over Partlan’s face and from the corner of her eye, she could see that Catal had edged away from the window. If she didn’t do something soon, they would be at each other throats. Past experience had taught her that the Hunters would win.

  “Stop.” Her voice cracked. “If you don’t want these men helping, I understand. I want them to find my son.”

  “I have vowed to always protect Selena.” Catal’s voice was low and sincere. “That includes her son. Nothing will stop me from doing that.”

  Silence followed Catal’s words.

  Selena fought back the sense of déjà vu. Catal had said those same words in the past and she had been foolish enough to believe him. She’d been wrong. Dare she risk trusting him again? She looked at him and her stomach clenched. Determination and strength emanated from him. She looked at the other Hunters and saw the same resolve in their faces.

  “You promise you’ll find him.” Selena looked at Partlan.

  “By Cygnus and Warrior.” Partlan crossed his arms. “No woman or child has ever been hurt on my watch.”

  Selena believed him.

  “Just how long has that watch been?” Steve’s voice broke the spell that Partlan’s declaration had woven.

  “Eighteen years.” Partlan turned to the actor. “I have been fighting since the year I turned fifteen. I killed my first man when I was thirteen. My ability in battle saw me promoted to the High Council’s personal guard.”

  Steve’s mouth gaped open for a second and then he leaned forward. “That’s impossible. Nobody goes to war at that age.”

  “A Hunter does.” Partlan’s voice was firm. “We are trained from birth to be the best.”

  Steve laughed. “You’ve been watching too many science fiction movies. What planet are you from anyway?”

  “We are from Cygnus.”

  “You’re good, I’ll give you that.” Steve shook his head. “You should be writing screenplays.”

  “We do not jest.” Partlan turned back to Selena. “We need the details of the abduction.”

  “Wait.” Nikki’s voice was urgent. “I want you to rescue Gates too.”

  “What?” Steve grabbed his wife’s arm. “These guys are lunatics.”

  “No.” Nikki shook her head. “I believe them about being the best fighters. That is what we need to get our son back.”

  “They just told you they’re from another planet.” Steve’s voice rose. “They’re certifiable.”

  “We do not lie.” Partlan gave Steve a look of disgust. “That is a trait only humans have. We are the best warriors in the universe.”

  Selena’s head felt as if it was full of cotton balls. Her stomach churned with nausea as Partlan’s words echoed in her head. It was obvious he didn’t understand Steve’s sarcasm. She glanced over at Catal and found his dark obsidian eyes boring into her. There was a flicker of emotion within their depths and something that looked like an apology. It couldn’t be true. She’d made love with the man. He was definitely not an alien.

  “Selena, you contacted these men. Do you trust them?” Nikki’s strident voice interrupted her thoughts.

  She glanced at Catal and then moved her eyes to Nikki. Did she believe them? She knew they were the best soldiers on the planet. Her brother Juan had sworn he had never seen better fighters, and Juan knew what he was talking about. He’d been fighting since he was a young man.

  She had been eighteen and innocent when she’d first met Catal, but even then she knew he wasn’t like other men. As the younger sister of the leader of a paramilitary group she been exposed to men her whole life. She’d warded off their passes since she’d turned sixteen. Catal was different. There was a connection. He made her feel safe and she couldn’t’ resist him. Her whole world had revolved around him until he had betrayed her.

  She cleared her throat. “I have seen them fight. They are better than anyone else in the world.”

  Nikki nodded. “I’ve decided. I want you to find Gates also. I will hire you no matter what the price.”

  “There is no fee in this case.” Partlan crossed his arms. “Catal has declared Selena his mate. We are sworn to protect the mates of our brothers. Her son is family now.”

  “But Gates isn’t.” Nikki’s voice was soft.

  Partlan glanced behind at the other two men who nodded. “The boys were taken together, so we will find them both.”

  Nikki heaved a sigh. “Thank you.”

  Partlan nodded. “Tell us where the boys were abducted from.”

  Before Nikki could speak, the door opened and one of the FBI agents who had invaded the house rushed in. “We’ve received more information.”

  He came to an abrupt stop when he noticed the other men in the room. His eyes bulged and he reached for his gun before shouting, “Intruders.”

  Firbin grabbed the agent’s arm that held the gun and pushed it up. A shot fired into the ceiling before Firbin had wrestled the weapon out of his hand. He elbowed the agent in the gut. The man dropped to his knees on the rug. Firbin kneed him in the chin and sent him sprawling backwards before dragging him upright by his jacket lapels.

  Racing footsteps came toward the room. Catal, Partlan, and Ranon stationed themselves at the door. Firbin dragged his opponent to the far wall.

  One by one, the warriors disarmed and subdued the ten agents that rushed into the room. The men were relieved of their guns and pushed against a wall. Firbin kept a pistol trained on them. The last agent at the doorway was Special Agent Kelly. She was in charge.

  She scanned the situation before entering the room with her gun drawn. She stood at least six feet tall with blond hair that was scraped back into a tight bun. Her navy blue pant suit hung loose about her body, but Selena suspected she hid her beauty behind nondescript clothes. It was probably the best way to maintain her authority over so many men.

  Partlan grabbed the weapon out of her hand. Deep blue eyes flashed an
ger. She reached for a second gun behind her back, but Partlan clasped her arm and held his hand out for the weapon. She sighed and handed it over. He didn’t let her arm go. Instead, he led her into the room and closed the door behind them.

  “We mean no harm.” Partlan glanced over at the other agents against the wall. “If we did, these men would be dead.”

  Agent Kelly gave him a long look before she nodded, and then eased her arm out of Partlan’s hand. “Why are you here?”

  “I called them in.” Selena’s voice was hesitant. “You’re working hard to find Gates, but I needed someone to find Tarrin.”

  “We are working to save both of the boys, Ms. Duarte.” There was a mild reproof in Special Agent Kelly’s voice.

  Selena didn’t care if she had upset the FBI. Life had taught her that the rich and powerful were the only ones that got taken care of. No one was really looking for Tarrin. He was just the illegitimate son of the nanny. If the son of two famous movie stars hadn’t been kidnapped, Selena doubted that there would have been any FBI agents looking into the case.

  “I know these men’s reputation. They’ll find the boys.”

  “So shall we.” Agent Kelly glanced at Partlan. “Let my men go.”

  “Do I have your word they will not attack?” Partlan crossed his arms. “I do not want to hurt them.”

  Agent Kelly nodded. “We’ll hear you out before I decide what to do. You broke the law by breaking into here, but I’m impressed. Not many could breach our security.”

  “It has holes.” Partlan nodded to Firbin, who started to hand the weapons back to the agents.

  Agent Kelly only raised an eyebrow when Partlan gave her back her guns. She holstered them and turned to Selena. “Explain about these men. Do they have anything to do with your brother’s activities?”

  “What are you talking about?” Selena asked.

  Agent Kelly tilted her head at Selena. “Are you going to tell them about your life in Columbia or should I?”

  “What life?” Selena’s breath caught in her throat.

  “A life that included murder, torture, drug smuggling, and the targeted disappearances of people considered undesirable.” Agent Kelly’s voice became stern. “You were a member of one of the most notorious paramilitary groups in Columbia. You are well versed in kidnappings.”