Roseland rises, hands clasped in front of his hips. It’s his introductory stance I’ve grown familiar with over the past months. He also does a nod before he speaks, no matter the news. “I’ll start by congratulating Tracey, Scott, and Glen on graduating today. We would celebrate, but under the current circumstances, that will have to wait.” He looks for Nathan and questions him with a slight squint to his eyes and crane to his neck.
Nathan shakes his head and stands. “The plan for Roehl has been pushed off. Olar’s been taken by Lunis. The details are pointless. We’re going for him in an hour.”
“We?” Natalia bursts, appalled. Her face quickly reddens with anger, and as she rises to her feet, she’s balling her fists.
“Sparks, Scott, I think Glen, and myself.”
“Why on earth would you take Tracey with you to Lunis? How do you know Olar is still there?” Roseland asks in a way that leads me to believe this isn’t a good idea.
“I have nowhere else for her to go. And I don’t know. I won’t know until I get there.”
Roseland’s brows furrow. “Leave the girls here. You two go.”
“Okay, and Scott and I will come back, and this time Glen and Sparks will be gone,” Nathan states sarcastically, yet oddly peaceful.
“Nathan, what happened to Glen was an accident,” Roseland counters.
Natalia cuts Nathan off. “That is a conversation for later. Roseland, we will talk.” Roseland gives her a nod but doesn’t seem to want to drop the matter that easily. “Nathan,” Natalia continues, “it’s not safe for Tracey and Glen to go with you.”
“I know that. But I’ve got no other choice. She’s safer with me than she is here.”
“Nathan, invest more thought into this,” Roseland says, disapproval for our plan contorting his face. He sits and leans over on his knees, hand clasped around his chin.
“I’ve thought about it, and juggling killing my family for allowing harm to come to my heart, or taking her with me and killing someone who tries to hurt her.” Nathan pauses, tipping down the corners of his mouth. “I think each of you would prefer living.”
“Who’s to say something will happen?”
“How many have come over here in the last couple weeks?”
“A lot.” Little Nathan emphasizes. “Too many. You would think we did something serious with how many Sephlems and Mulens have been trying to get in here looking for Taylor and Tracey.”
“They aren’t staying here.” Nathan closes it, and he and Roseland leave the floor open to Natalia.
An etched expression of her disapproval churns her eyes red. But she says, “Alright, son. All of you leave, each of you come back, plus one. Be careful and keep your mates close. As close as possible. Link up and try not to break contact at all. Lunis and his entourage do not ask questions. They don’t speak. They only act, and I need all of my children to come home tonight,” she emphasizes. “Lunis and your father used to be very close, and I’ve witnessed the ruthlessness of that man, Nathan. Don’t blink if you can help it. And do not take a risk without using your maximum potential. You hear me, son?”
“Yes, Mother. I’ve got us.”
“Scott, don’t take your eyes off Glen. They’ll assume the ladies you show up with are your mates and are aware of the loss of one, they steal two. Shield her.”
He nods, and everyone in the room chatters.
Nathan leans near my ear. “Those two.” He points toward the two guys to our left, who I noticed when I walked in. One waves and the other puts up two fingers. “They’re our cousins. They came to that party with us.”
I nod and give a quick finger wave. The chatter grows louder, and it seems this meeting is over. “Can we go?” I’m not comfortable sitting here. Taylor keeps giving me puppy dog eyes. She can’t be sorry. Or maybe she is and I’m having a hard time forgiving her now that I know the truth.
Nathan rises, saying, “Excuse us.” We’re followed by Scott and Glen on our way out of the great room. “Want me to make you something to eat?”
“Yes. Please? But nothing heavy. It’ll just make me tired, and I want to be as attentive as possible tonight.” Natalia has me rattled. I’m not backing down, but I’m nervous.
“You got it,” Nathan says, a little calmer than I expect him to be. Usually, calm is good. But not for Nathan. A modulated tone, amble steps, and relaxed demeanor means he’s upset about something. When he’s more upbeat and smiling, that’s when he’s doing fine.
He looks down at me from the corner of his eyes. “Why are you trying to read me?”
“Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“You want to talk about it?”
He looks over his shoulder, then back. “Nah. Maybe later.”
I bump his hip. “Well, if you change your mind, I’m here.”
He bumps me back. “Thanks.”
Nathan cooks a batch of fries, enough for the four of us. I listen to the house as I eat, unable to avoid doing so. The kids laugh and play with Little Nathan in the backyard. He’s been trying to put up a swing set for the past week, but it’s been a fail. Either the slides upside down or the poles are backward. The children are having more fun playing with the pieces than they would the set anyway. A deep discussion’s going on between Natalia, Roseland, and Ann. I block them out as not to be nosey; I don’t want to invade anyone’s privacy. I respect them too much.
“But you don’t mind invading my privacy,” Nathan mutters, attention seeming to be totally on his phone.
“You’re one to talk.”
Nathan puts the phone down on the counter and comes around the island to where I sit. “We need to go.” He’s been on that phone for the past hour and a half, texting and talking. “I was finding out what I could about Olar. Do you not like me on my phone?” he asks, bumping my shoulder with his.
“I don’t like you in my head,” I sass, eating my last fry. Images of us from last night float around in my mind like popping bubbles. Erotic currents surge through my body, forcing me to gnaw on my bottom lip.
“Hmm. Don’t see you complaining now.”
Too wrapped up in the memories, it takes me a second to realize he placed them there. I scowl at him now sat in a chair at the table. “That was low, Nate.”
He chuckles. “I know, Sparky. I’m sorry.”
I unwillingly stand from my stool, cross the kitchen floor to him, and sit on his lap. “I hate it when you do this,” I grumble. I lean in to kiss him, not wanting to do this either. “This isn’t fair,” I complain, as my arms lift and wrap around his neck. “Ugh, Nathan, can you stop?”
Glen laughs from behind me. I can’t turn around to look at her. “That has to suck, Cey.”
I stare into Nathan’s eyes, mumbling, “It does to an extent.” They swirl into this new, radiant forest green. A deeper brown circles his pupils. His eyes churn and the colors mix in a way that’s affectionate. I don’t have the words to explain it, but they speak to my soul. “And then there’s that,” I mutter under my breath, gazing. They’re more beautiful than the most serene view of mountains near the water with a perfect sunset.
“You two should get a room,” Scott declares.
Nathan and I whirl around, lowering at him. “We have one,” Nathan starts. “But every time we’re in there, so are you.”
“And with the way you two would go at it in school, this is G compared to your rated R,” I add. They were overly nasty. Many days I was a victim to witnessing Glen’s tongue down Scott’s throat or Scott’s hand too high up Glen’s skirt.
“You’re right, Cey. We can’t talk,” she chortles, kissing Scott’s cheek. He almost melts, blushing.
Able to move my own body, I leave Nathan for the sink to wash my hands. Glen meets me, handing me the soap. “Thanks for showing me Scott.”
I bump Glen’s hip and flash her a smile. “You already knew it was Scott. You just needed to realize it for yourself, in your own time.”
She gestures over her shoulder. �
��You and Nathan seem happy even with all this mess going on.”
“You can say that.” I turn off the water and grab the paper towel she’s handing me. “We have our good days and our bad, but I’m not going anywhere, and neither is he.” I pinch my lips together and shrug. “We’ll fight each other for each other if need be. You know?”
“Yeah. I need that attitude with Scott. I mean, it says a lot when a guy jumps off a mountain for you.” She lowers her voice to say, “I do miss Monahan.” And boy, can I see it in her eyes. “But what’s real is better than what someone makes you believe.” She drags her gaze away from me.
I follow it, seeing a quick swirl in Scott’s eyes as they churn to a bright blue and green.
Glen goes to him, and he stands at her approach. “I know, but we’ll get past it,” he says to something she didn’t speak aloud. “Where we’re going today, it’s not safe. I’m talking the worst kind of dangerous. I need you to stay with me. I won’t lose you again.” The back of his hand glides across her cheek.
She grabs it.
“I love you, Glen, more than myself. Thank you for coming back to me.” His voice cracks, and he clears his throat. A deep breath stalls him from finishing, but she pulls him closer, almost encouragingly. “Thank you for accepting me,” he continues, taking her face in both his hands. I can’t see Glen’s face, but Scott wipes what must be a fallen tear from under her eye. With every word he speaks, his eyes grow brighter, shining every emotion he holds within them. “Glen . . . Thank you for finally choosing me.” His tight face twitches a smile before he dives in, placing his lips to hers.
I lean against the counter, admiring their exchange. Glen curls her arms around him as they kiss. “I’m sorry, Scott,” she says against his mouth. “I love you, and even though I may get chaotic and it may not seem like I’m with you, I am. I’m carrying your heart forever. I promise I’ll never break it again.” She whispers to him to keep us from hearing, but we did.
That’s because you’re being nosey.
I wrinkle my nose. You are too, I nag at Nathan. His ‘stop and stare’ smirk pinches a dimple in his cheek. He nods for me to come over, and I do, willingly, leaving Scott and Glen to their moment of perfection. You think this time it’s permanent? I ask him.
I sure hope so, Sparks. I can’t take it.
Life’s got you stressed. I round him to his back and massage his boulder shoulders.
He grabs my left hand and kisses my palm. It does.
Hmm, I’m sorry. Wish I could make it better.
You do. When you’re not pushing me away or telling me to leave.
Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have to do that if you weren’t an asshole sometimes.
You’re right, Sparks, he drones, voiced laced with his bullshit, sarcastic tone.
Like you’re doing right now. I push his shoulders and walk into the hallway, down to the living room. I can feel him rise from the chair and slowly follow behind me.
“Sparks,” he calls in that deep voice of his.
I’ve already cornered the living room. I’m not answering, and I empty my mind so he can’t easily find me.
He turns the corner, instantly locating me leaning against the wall.
Dang it! “What do you have, a Tracey GPS or something?”
“What are you up to?” he asks, stepping in front of me, providing me with no breathing space. Each time I inhale, his scent fills my nose, making me lightheaded.
“Trying to figure out what you did to me last night.” I avoid looking in his hypnotizing eyes.
“Doesn’t matter, as long as you felt good while I did it,” he seductively drawls.
“Mmm.”
He takes another step closer, grabs my waist, and lifts me up with my back to the wall. I clench my legs at his sides. “Did you?” he asks, stealing my gaze.
“Probably.”
“I don’t like that answer.”
His eyes swirl for a minute before settling on this color that’s going to drive me crazier than I already am about him. Loose hair brush forehead, and I push it back like he does and let my hands rest at the back of his head. Breathing, I say, “I love what you do to me. No matter how you do it to me. Better?”
“Much.” His eyes turn hazel. “Tonight is going to be dangerous. You wouldn’t be going if I had someone I could trust to look out for you. But know that I don’t want anything to happen to you, so only tonight will we link up and you’ll be able to be inside my head.”
My heart excitedly jumps around in my chest. “Sorry,” I mutter, noticing his tight-lipped expression.
“I need you to stay focused. That mind of yours goes off sometimes.”
Yeah. . . Like now, watching your lips curve over those words as you speak. Argh. Those lips can make any girl lose focus.
Sparks.
I jump from him invading my headspace.
“See. Anytime you fade out like that, I’ll take you over. We can’t leave anything to chance.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. You’re just really close, and you smell so good, and your lips distract me.”
His lips spread as he smiles.
I peck them. “But I heard everything you said.” Letting my head fall back against the wall, I recite his words.
“Good enough, my love.” He grabs my thighs. “Now, come back, so your lips can distract me.”
I do, falling into him, never hitting bottom. Butterflies burst in my chest and volcanoes erupt in my veins.
“Calm down, Sparks.”
I break away. “I can’t. It’s . . . addicting, Nate. How do you do it?”
He carries me over to the couch and sits with me on his lap. “A lot of control. Except for last night, I lost it.” His head tilts back on the couch, exposing his neck.
I lean in, placing my lips on it for a single kiss. A hard chill makes him shudder. “That was interesting,” I say.
“That’s what you do to me.”
“I like it,” I say, beaming.
He bites his bottom lip and takes me in for a split second. Then he seizes me, grabbing the back of my neck, drawing me into his caress. Our lips lock and tongues twist as we break personal boundaries. Nathan pulls back before I can float away. “I won’t be able to take it if anything happens to you.”
“Nothing will happen to me, Nate. As long as you’re safe, I’m safe.”
He nods.
“Alright. What time are we leaving?” Scott asks, entering the living room with Glen tightly wrapped in his arms.
I move from on top of Nathan to sitting beside him.
“Now,” Nathan answers. “I just figured we needed some time.”
“You figured right,” Scott agrees.
Glen asks, “Time for what?”
“With each other,” Scott answers.
“Why?” I ask.
“Would you prefer us not share some alone time and we get caught tonight? Then, probably not see each other period?” Nathan asks.
Panic pricks the back of my neck. “No. . .” I drag. “I’d prefer not to have known that.”
He shrugs. “I told you curiosity killed the cat.” He grabs my hand, filling me with the confidence and reassurance I need to tackle this mission.
Everything is going to be fine. “Olar’s worth it,” I say, wishing he were here to say something witty.
“Yep, let’s go get him.”
“You’ve done stuff with them like this before, right Cey?” Glen asks as we head out.
“Yeah. But not rescue missions. More like we’re on defense. The only other time we went for someone was when we were saving you, which seems like blowing bubblegum compared to this.”
“Or just chewing gum,” Scott jokes.
“You’re taking this easy,” Glen tells him.He shrugs. “Another day and another near-death experience.”
deafening silence
The sun is setting and the day’s still warm. Our ride to wherever we’re going is long and silent, save the exchange of saliva
and smacking going on in the backseat. It’s disgusting, but it’s relieving Glen’s happy—what seems like a true happiness. The look in her eyes when she looks at Scott, the weight of her promise, her conclusive tone, they may have finally met their point when their hearts, bodies, and the bond agrees. Now, besides dealing with family drama, and the intensity of the bond, they’ll have smooth sailing from here on out. Hopefully, we all will.
We drive a few hours to a small city with a few moderately sized buildings in its center. From a main street, Nathan turns into an underground tunnel. I find relief in seeing we aren’t the only ones entering this underpass. In another mile, Nathan takes a turn and pulls off to the side of the road.
Twisting in his seat, he asks me, “You ready?” I shake my head. “I’ll open up once we get in there. Step where I step, move where I move, think how I think. Stay by me, don’t look around or study this place. You’re going to see some weird shit, but don’t let it distract you. We want to be in and out.” His phone buzzes. Swiping it from the cup holder, he brings it to his ear, saying nothing.
A woman on the other end speaks quietly, informing, “They are moving him in two hours. You come now or never.” She gives a jumble of directions. I lose her after straight through the gate and to the left.
Nathan lowers the phone, and the screen displays the call has ended. He looks in the backseat. “You ready?”
Scott shakes his head, saying, “Yes.” This tickles Glen’s funny bone.
Nathan’s brow jumps in a single up-down flash, and then he gets out. I wait for him to open my door, and I join him on the sidewalk. “If you get scared, grab me. I’ll take it away until you get it together. I don’t want to be in here long, Sparky.”
I grab his hand. “I know, in and out, too risky, focus, stick to you. I got it,” I say, bouncing on my toes. It’s more of me pumping up myself than reassuring him.
“Calm down, Sparks.” My anxiety eases when he interlocks our fingers. “I got it. And if anyone comes at you, tap into me and don’t hesitate to turn them into ash. This is the only time where it won’t matter who can see. We don’t want to take any chances.”
Brazen: A Dark Paranormal Romance (The Sephlem Trials Book 2) Page 34
