Tangled

by Rebecca Zanetti

  THE PLAN TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT:

  YOU AND I GET THE BENJAMIN FILE

  WE TAKE IT AND THE FLASH DRIVE YOU STOLE TO THE MEET WITH SAUL. WE’LL PRETEND WE COULDN’T GET INTO HIS DOCUMENTS.

  Ginny read the last line and shook her head, pointing at the script. Saul wouldn’t believe them. He couldn’t afford to. Theo calmly pointed at the next paragraph.

  SAUL CAN’T AFFORD TO BELIEVE US. SO WE MOVE IN AND TAKE HIM, FORCING HIM TO GIVE UP THE CONTROLLER FOR THE ANKLET.

  Ginny sighed. It was a nice plan and she hated to disagree. But it wouldn’t work. She motioned for a pen, and Theo handed one over, and she started to write:

  THE MEET IS SET FOR OUTSIDE MARIO PIZZA’S BACK ENTRANCE. A CAR IS PICKING ME UP. I DON’T ACTUALLY KNOW WHERE THE MEET IS. I HAVE TO GO ALONE, BUT YOU CAN PUT A TRACKER ON ME. IT’S THE ONLY WAY.

  It truly was the only way. Saul wouldn’t let his guard down if she had a vampire soldier with her. He’d already proven he was smarter than she’d feared.

  She started writing again:

  YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRUST ME THIS TIME.

  Theo studied her, his eyes veiled. “I’ll be back in a few,” he mouthed, turning and shutting the door so he could probably speak with his brothers without being overheard by Saul.

  She waited two minutes, looking at the closed door. Everything she’d ever wanted was on the other side, but she had to save her father. The flash drive she’d stolen had been cracked, and Saul would assume it had, so there really was no reason for her to return it. What he wanted she had stashed across town.

  Glancing at the bed that had changed her life, she stood on the table and opened the vent. There was only one path to take here. God, she hoped Theo forgave her.

  If she lived.

  Chapter 15

  A town car pulled up next to Ginny outside the pizza restaurant at exactly midnight. She opened the door and slid inside, grateful to be out of the snow. They drove through town, and the merry Christmas lights and decorations covered most surfaces in sparkle and spirit. She swallowed, her mind on Theo.

  There had been so many things she’d wanted to say to him, but there hadn’t been time. And a stupid anklet broadcast her every sound. She really tried not to think about that.

  The partition was up between her and the driver, so she settled back in the seat and watched the Christmas lights fly by. The car smelled like new leather.

  They finally pulled up in front of a closed jewelry store. She stepped outside, noting the door was open. Glancing around, she couldn’t see anybody on the street. Was this some sort of odd trap? Steeling her shoulders, she moved gingerly through the heavy snow and strode inside the shop.

  The lights came on, and the door shut behind her. “Saul,” she murmured.

  Saul Libscombe sat across the room and behind a low counter of what looked like opals. “I commend you for coming alone.”

  “You didn’t give me a choice.” She jumped when a man stepped out from the shadows behind her, slapping him when he tried to frisk her. “I’m not stupid enough to bring either flash drive.” The goon gave up, and after Saul nodded, he walked around the counter and went through a door to the back room.

  Saul stood about six feet tall, with light brown hair and stark blue eyes. He was fit and strong at about five centuries old, and he dressed like he enjoyed luxury in designer pants and a perfectly pressed silk shirt. His watch was a Rolex that wouldn’t be released to humans for at least a year. “Where’s the Benjamin file?” he asked, his gaze sharp.

  “Where’s my father?” she returned, holding her ground. There were counters of jewels all around her, but all she wanted was her da.

  Saul let out a low whistle, and the goon from earlier shoved out her father.

  “Da!” she cried out, rushing for him.

  He enfolded her in a huge hug, smelling like peppermint and bourbon. His normal smell. “Ah, my girl. How I’ve missed you.”

  She leaned back. At nine centuries old, Elroy O’Toole was one handsome man. Blue eyes, blond hair, and sharp features. Like her. She checked him over, noting a scarf over his neck. Oh God. She grabbed for it, revealing a planekite collar. No wonder he hadn’t been able to escape. She’d thought about it, but she hadn’t wanted to really consider the possibility. “Oh, Da.”

  He hugged her again. “Hasn’t been so bad. Only a decade, really. I’ve been worried about you.” He smoothed back her hair.

  She forced a smile. “I’ve been fine.”

  He paused, studying her. “Something’s different.” His eyes widened. “Oh, my.”

  “Aye,” she murmured, knowing he could sense the mating. “You always did like Theo, remember?”

  Her da slowly nodded. “’Tis true. I did.”

  That was good, at least. “Where have you been? I’ve looked everywhere.”

  “Moving around quite a bit,” her da said wearily. “Ready to get this collar off.”

  Saul lifted a remote control in his hand. “Last chance, Ginny. Give me the location of the Benjamin file or I press the button. You both die.”

  She turned to face him, wanting nothing more than to be able to throw fire again. Wait a minute. She’d mated. Truth be told, she did feel stronger. A little. There was only one chance, but she’d take it. “I have it.” Stepping away from her father, she made her way toward Saul. “The second you release these collars, I’ll hand it over.”

  “No,” Saul said. “Collars stay on, but I won’t kill you. That’s a good bargain. Take it.”

  She stood a foot away from him. The room had an odd lemon minty smell. Probably something Christmas related. “You’ve kept me enslaved for a decade. Do you really think you’ll ever be safe from me?”

  He smiled, revealing a crooked front tooth as he lifted the controller. “Aye. I truly do.”

  She drew deep, going for power, thinking of Theo. His strength, his humor, his passion. That lived in her now. She only needed a little. Just a little. “All right.” Her shoulders slumping, she batted her eyelashes and looked fragile. Beaten. Weak.

  Saul lowered his hand.

  She shuddered hard and reached inside her coat. Theo. Power. Love. “I can throw fire now.” Power flushed through her on the thought, and she drew out her hand, throwing her hand toward him.

  Nothing happened, but the bluff worked. He yelped and jumped out of the way, not realizing there was no fire until he was already in motion. In one smooth movement, she planted her hands on the counter and flipped over, catching the controller with her ankles. Then she swung around, hit the ground, and kept rolling, coming up in front of her dad.

  Saul bellowed and quickly lifted a green gun to point at her. The kind that shot lasers that turned to lead in immortals. Shit.

  Her dad held out his hands. “Enough, Saul. Enough.”

  Saul fired, and the impact hit Elroy in the chest, throwing him back into the wall. He pushed Ginny out of the way as he fell. She glanced frantically at the controller. It had three green buttons. What the hell?

  Saul laughed and moved toward her.

  Her father struggled to a seated position, blood pouring from a wound near his neck.

  “Heal that,” she hissed. Oh, she was going to fight. She lifted her hand and nothing happened. Fire sputtered for just a second. Wow. But that was it. No more fire. Damn it. That was all she had for the moment. She backed away, holding the controller. Saul came nearer, and she leaped up, kicking him beneath the chin. His jaw cracked. He stumbled back, his arms windmilling, fury in his holler.

  His chin lowered. He turned and pointed the gun at her.

  The front window crashed in, two bodies dropped from the ceiling, and the goon from before crashed through from the back, smashing into one of the counters and sending glass flying through the room.

  And then all hell broke loose.

  * * * *

  Theo zeroed in on the threat to his mate immediately as he sprang through the glass window and kept going, straight into Saul Lib
scombe. Lasers impacted Theo’s vest and pummeled his still healing ribs, but he didn’t care. His knife was out, and he slashed across Saul’s arms until the shifter dropped the gun.

  Then he punched the bastard in the face. Once, twice, and then enough times he lost count.

  Saul fought back, kicking and changing his nails into claws to rip into Theo’s flesh.

  Three shifter soldiers poured in from the back, and Theo caught Jared, Chalton, and Benny engaging in battles involving guns, knives, and some serious fang slashing.

  Saul kept slashing at Theo, even while he took hit after hit after hit.

  Theo didn’t feel a thing. A raw possessiveness overtook him, destroying his ability to think rationally. He didn’t give a shit. Ginny had been in danger, and now that threat was bleeding all over Theo. His neck was bleeding from deep gouges, and he kept swinging, carving pieces until Saul was one open wound.

  A body flew over Theo’s head, and he ducked after making sure it wasn’t one of his team. Nope. Saul sliced a claw beneath his chin, and Theo bellowed. He saw red.

  Shoving the shifter down onto his back on the floor, Theo followed him, straddling the bastard and punching all the way through to the cement. Bones shattered. More bloody claws, more temper. Damn it. Theo struck hard beneath the jaw and could hear Saul’s skull crack.

  Finally, the shifter stopped moving.

  Theo panted, straddling the enemy, waiting for him to strike. Nothing.

  “He’s out, dude,” Jared said, leaning down, his upper lip split wide open. “Totally.”

  Chalton wiped glass off his shirt, leaving a trail of blood from his bleeding knuckles. “You could kill him, but I think the Realm would really like to discuss his future kidnapping plans first. After going through the plans, it doesn’t appear he was working alone. He has allies.”

  It was no fun to kill a guy he’d knocked out, anyway. Theo shoved to his feet, immediately turning. Shifter soldiers were unconscious in the corner, Benny was talking to Elroy O’Toole, who was already healing the bullet holes along his upper chest.

  Ginny was watching him, her eyes wide, her face pale, and a black box held tightly in her hand.

  Theo moved toward her. “You okay?”

  “I kind of made fire,” she said slowly, peering around him at Saul’s body beaten to a bloody pulp. “He’s gonna feel that for a long time.”

  “Good.” Theo gingerly took the box from her. “Chalton?”

  Chalton hustled over, yanking a tablet from his back pocket. “Yeah. Give me a sec.” He started pushing buttons.

  Theo brushed Ginny’s hair away from her face, his heart finally settling. “You scared the hell out of me.”

  “I’m sorry.” She leaned into his touch, her eyes darkening. “There wasn’t a choice.”

  “I know.” He pressed a soft kiss to her nose.

  “You did?” She stiffened and then leaned back, studying him. “Wait a minute. How are you here right now?”

  He was still too keyed up and pissed to grin, but it was nice catching her off balance for once. “Remember we hacked into the anklet? We followed you, lady. The entire time.”

  Her eyes lit up. “You knew I’d leave?”

  “Yeah.” He knew. It had been the hardest thing he’d ever done to let her go, but she’d been right. It had been the only good plan. And he’d covered her as soon as he could, although it had nearly eaten him up throughout. He’d discovered, right there and then, where his heart belonged. “I love you. Should’ve told you before. I’ve loved you for centuries.”

  She gasped, delight brushing even more beauty across her face. “I love you, too. Ever since we were kids so many years ago. It has always been you—only you.”

  He kissed her, going deep. A trio of clearing voices caught him, and he reluctantly released her mouth. For now. “Chalton?”

  Chalton handed over the tablet. “Here’s the frequency. You were right. It’s the same one we hacked. Simple but efficient.”

  Theo took the tablet, read the code, and then quickly started typing. Then he hit ENTER.

  Ginny gasped and kicked out her leg. The anklet went flying across the room to hit a counter and fall hard.

  She breathed out several times.

  Saul groaned and tried to roll over.

  “Hell no.” She stomped over and kicked him with the foot that had had to balance that anklet for so long. Then she kicked him again in the ribs. Hard. Then again.

  “Should we stop her?” Chalton asked mildly.

  Theo shrugged. “No. Let her play.”

  She kicked Saul in the temple, and the shifter fell into unconsciousness again. Her chest heaving, Ginny looked up and grinned.

  God, she was beautiful.

  Then she slowly looked around at all the jewelry on the ground.

  “No,” Theo said automatically.

  She bit her lip. “Well? Who owns this place?”

  “Saul does,” Benny said quietly. “Always has.”

  Ginny did something that looked like a cross between a happy hop and a charge for the nearest emeralds lying all over the demolished floor. “If Saul owns these, they’re coming home with me.” Then she looked up, delight in her eyes. “Right, Theo?”

  He couldn’t help it. The woman was definitely a thief because she’d stolen his heart and it had taken him this long to realize it. If she wanted to steal, especially from a jerk who’d hurt her, Theo would make it happen. “Right, sweetheart. Let me find you a big bag.”

  Yeah. This was definitely love. The forever kind.

  Epilogue

  Helen Reese kicked her feet atop the coffee table and sipped on heavily laced eggnog in her comfortable living room. The lights on the tree twinkled in tune with the festive music from the hidden speakers. Contentment filled her along with the warmth. Her three boys were mated and in love, all gathered around the Christmas tree with strong and modern women.

  “You did good.” Benny sat next to her on the couch after having spiked the eggnog, his gaze on the younger generation. He flattened his boots on the coffee table, loudly breaking it in two.

  She sighed and let her feet fall to the floor as the coffee table did the same. “Benjamin,” she murmured. Centuries ago, she’d mated his brother, and Benny had become her brother. Even now that she’d been widowed for so long, she loved him as a brother. A pain-in-the-behind brother, but family nonetheless.

  He snorted, his boots smashing the fallen magazines. “Sorry.”

  She shrugged. “It’s just furniture.” Then she smiled. “I did do good.” Sure, she’d committed treason and possibly espionage when she’d maneuvered Chalton and Olivia together, but just look how happy they were.

  Chalton leaned against the wall, his legs extended, his arm around his pretty Olivia. She rested against him, so much smaller than the vampire. She talked animatedly with Ronnie, who sat on Jared’s lap on the settee, idly playing with his dark hair. Even after all these years, Jared still looked like a pirate. Helen grinned at her eldest son.

  Benny patted his flat belly. “Yep. A journalist, a police psychologist, and a thief. All good mates for the boys.”

  “Yes,” Helen murmured. She’d done it. Now that Theo had mated Ginny, they were all happily mated and would hopefully soon give her grandchildren. “You’re next, Ben.”

  He snorted and drank his eggnog in one gulp. “Nope. Not me.”

  Helen turned toward him. He was huge, even for a vampire soldier. Solid barrel of a chest, long legs, dangerous hands. With his black hair and greenish-black eyes, he looked like a compilation of her sons. But bigger. “Why haven’t you ever mated?”

  He lifted a shoulder the size of a small mountain. “Why would I?”

  Hmm. Maybe she’d just found her next project.

  “Don’t even think it.” A small smile played on his lips as he watched his nephews. “Glad I didn’t have to cut off anybody’s head. It’s a good holiday.”

  She rolled her eyes. Benny was a big talker, but he�
�d die for family. “It was kind of you to spare them.” She could play along as his Christmas gift.

  He nodded sagely. “Aye. It was.” His sigh reminded her of a slumbering bear in the sun.

  Ginny laughed at something Ronnie said, the sound tinkly and fun. She cuddled with Theo in the ottoman, pretty much lying in his lap.

  Helen smiled. “They’re happy.” That made her happy.

  “Good.” Benny reached over his head for the pitcher on the sofa table and refilled their glasses. “Because peace ain’t gonna last. Something’s coming.”

  “I know,” she said softly, as always attuned to the winds. “But not yet.”

  Benny shook his head. “Disagree, sister. The atmosphere is heavy. With change.”

  She sighed and watched him from the corner of her eye. Benny was older than even she knew, and he had a sense of the world she’d never understood. “What do you know?”

  “Nothing. Yet.” His solid block of a face remained calm, but a thread of caution rode his words.

  “Benny,” she said softly, to remind him they went way back. So many people thought Benny was crazy or just a big brute. But she knew him. There was more to Benjamin Reese than most people could see, and he enjoyed it like that. “Tell me.”

  “Helen, if I knew, I’d tell you.” He set his glass down. “Whatever is coming will make an appearance soon enough.”

  She ignored the chill dancing down her back. Destiny always seemed cold. “What now?”

  “Now?” He grinned and raised his voice. “Now my nephews are going to ply me with presents for being so damn fucking understanding when they blew up not one but two of my very nice homes.”

  The three boys groaned, already reaching for a myriad of wrapped presents.

  “There had better be a pony in there,” Benny rumbled.

  Helen couldn’t help but chuckle. For now.

  Keep an eye out for more Dark Protector books in 2018. We’re going back to the originals. (

  XO

  Rebecca

  * * * *