by M. S. Parker
His eyes were dazed as he looked up at me, but he couldn't keep himself upright. As he slumped down on the floor, I drew back my foot and kicked him in the stomach, ignoring the sharp pain in my toes. He retched and I pulled back again.
“Nami.” Reed grabbed my arm and I looked up at him. His eyes were hard. “You shouldn't do that without shoes.” He held up a pair of slip-on tennis shoes. “You could hurt yourself.”
I pulled on the shoes and then reached for the dress he'd pulled from my closet. I didn't look down at Tanek who was still coughing and whimpering. I pulled the nightgown over my head, stiffening as I heard Reed swear under his breath, but I didn't look at him either. I pulled the sundress over my head, thankful that Reed had picked something that wasn't too rough against my bruises.
“I'm going to kill him.” Reed's eyes were as dark as I'd ever seen them. Pitch black and full of something I'd never seen before. Hate. Not just anger, but pure hate.
“No.” I grabbed Reed's arm. “We're not going to kill him.” I didn't mention the fact that I'd been thinking of doing just that. Now that Reed was here, I didn't need to do that. Besides...I looked down at Tanek. “Death's too good for him.”
I let go of Reed's arm and kicked Tanek again, this time without hurting my toes. He retched again, this time vomiting up whatever he'd been drinking. I made a face but reached down anyway and grabbed him by the hair.
“I will make sure you spend every moment of the rest of your life regretting you ever thought you were good enough to marry me.” I hesitated for only a moment before I slammed his head against the floor. His eyes rolled up, body going limp. I dug into his pants and pulled out the envelope before I straightened and turned towards Reed. “Let's go.”
Reed's eyes were wide as he stared at me. I waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn't. Instead, I watched two different emotions play across his face. Shock at what I'd done. And admiration. He held out his hand.
“We need to get to the garage. The one where your family's cars are.”
I nodded. We'd lost time that I was sure we needed. Tanek's guards wouldn't worry if they didn't hear anything or if Tanek didn't come out soon, but when he did wake up, we'd want to be as far away as possible.
We went back out the servants' door, but instead of going back towards the main hallway, I led Reed the other way. It looked like a dead end, but I knew it wasn't. Most of the big rooms had servants' entrances, which were common knowledge. The new guards Tanek had hired didn't know yet, but other members of the security team did. No one but family knew where we were going. And Tanek wasn't family enough for this.
Saja was a peaceful country, but when my great-great-great-grandfather had built the new palace, World War II had been enough of a reality for him to worry about his family. He'd had hidden passages built throughout the house. Even generations later, we'd kept the secret, and now I was glad we had.
I found the panel easily and pressed my fingers into the release. I heard a small sound of surprise but didn't look back. I felt along the wall and found the flashlight we kept inside. The beam was fairly weak, but it was enough. I listened hard as we walked, waiting for any sound that would indicate Tanek had woken up.
I slowed as we passed another panel that should lead to the hallway just outside the kitchen, which meant that the next one would be the garage. I had an idea of what the plan was. If Kai and Tomas were getting Halea, that meant they were probably planning to take us all out in one of my family's cars. How we were going to manage that without being seen by the outside guards, I didn't know, but I trusted Reed and the guys. They would get us out of here.
I pushed the release and the panel slid aside. Reed stepped in front of me before I could walk out, bending his arm so that he pulled me close to his back, shielding me with his body. A surge of love went through me, so strong that it brought tears to my eyes. Tanek had used and abused my body for his own pleasure, and even though the last time had cost him his freedom, Reed continued to put himself between me and any threat.
“Nami!”
Reed let go of my hand and moved out of the way so that Halea could run into my arms. I clutched her tightly, looking over her head at Reed. “Thank you.” I wanted to keep looking at him, but there were two others I needed to thank as well. I slid my eyes over to Kai and Tomas and repeated the same words to them. They nodded.
“What did he do to you?” Halea's words were muffled and I reluctantly released her. Her eyes were wide and concerned, though I could see the anger underneath it.
“Don't worry about it.” I started to tuck her hair behind her ear but stopped when she scowled at me. Shit. She was angry at me.
“Why didn't you tell me it was this bad,” she demanded. “Nami...” Her bottom lip trembled and tears welled up in her eyes. “Why didn't you...” Her voice trailed off and I watched things click. “Me. You stayed because of me.” She looked at the guys and then back at me. “That's why I had to go with you last time. Not because you were just afraid he was violent in general. Tanek threatened me, didn't he?”
“Nami.” Reed's voice was soft. “You may have knocked the bastard out, but we still need to go.”
“You did what?” Halea was startled into English.
I lifted my chin. “I gave him back a little of what he gave me.”
“Good,” Halea said. The anger in her voice surprised me.
“Princesses,” Tomas spoke, an urgent tone in his voice. “We need to go.”
“Right.” I turned towards my former bodyguards. “How are we doing this?”
Tomas opened the trunk to one of the town cars. “I am sorry.”
If I hadn't seen the look of chagrin on Tomas's face, I wouldn't have believed it.
“We told the other guards we are taking Halea shopping for your father's birthday,” Kai said.
“Which means she can sit in the car,” I realized. “But I can't.” I looked at Reed. “And neither can you.”
He shrugged, his expression blank but his eyes dancing. “It'll be a snug fit, but I think we can manage.”
I was surprised at the sudden flare of arousal that went through me. Even with all that had happened, the thought of being crammed into a tight space with Reed...I wanted him. It may have been crazy, but I couldn't help it.
My throat tightened when I saw the same desire shining in Reed's eyes.
“It'll make more sense if I get in first.”
I wasn't sure if anyone else noticed the rough edge to Reed's voice, but my body certainly recognized it. I watched as Reed climbed into the trunk and then climbed in after him. As Tomas closed the lid, I settled back against him.
“Is it okay if I put my arms around you?” Despite the desire I could feel radiating off him, Reed sounded almost hesitant.
“Please.” I leaned my head back so that it was resting on his shoulder. I sighed as his arms went around my waist.
Neither of us spoke again until we knew we'd passed through the front gate and were on our way to the airport. When Reed did break the silence, what he said wasn't what I'd expected.
“What's in the envelope?”
I'd completely forgotten about the envelope until now, and was almost surprised that I still had it. “Oh, that.” I couldn't turn to look at him, but I held it over my shoulder so he could take it. “It's your...confession.” I put as much derision into the word as I could.”
“Really?”
“That piece of shit got this from the police so he could show it to me. It is the only copy.”
Reed chuckled, surprising me again. He kissed the top of my head. “You are the most amazing woman, Namisa Carrmoni.” His arms tightened briefly around me. “I love you.”
Four words didn't seem adequate to express everything I was feeling, but they were all I had at the moment. “I love you too.”
Chapter 15
Reed
I grimaced as my vertebrate made loud popping sounds. I stretched my arms above my head and twisted my waist.
Being crammed into a trunk two times in a short period of time wasn't exactly friendly on the spine or muscles, no matter how pleasant the companionship had been the second time.
I glanced at Nami and then looked away. I was already half-hard from being pressed tight against her. Continuing to look at her was either going to give me an uncomfortable erection for the plane ride or piss me off. The bruises I'd first seen on her when I'd walked into her room had been bad enough, but then she'd taken off the dress and I'd wanted to beat Tanek to death. There wasn't an inch on her that didn't have a new or at least fading bruise. The only thing that had kept the bastard alive was that Nami had stopped me. I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to make sure Tanek spent the rest of his life as another inmate's bitch.
“Mr. Stirling?”
I turned as the pilot approached. He wasn't anyone I knew, but I'd chartered private jets through this particular international company before and I knew them to be professional and, more importantly, discreet. Right now, the most important thing was to keep as many details as possible quiet for as long as we could.
“My name is Antonio Russo.” He flashed impossibly white teeth when he smiled. “I will be flying your party to a private airstrip just outside of Padua. Another plane will be waiting to complete your trip to the United States.”
I shook his hand. “Thank you. Are we ready to go?”
“Yes, Sir.” Antonio nodded. “Whenever you are.”
“We'll board in a minute,” I said. “I just need to have a few words with the gentlemen who won't be coming with us.”
The pilot nodded again and then picked up the luggage Kai had pulled from the backseat. I gave the bodyguard a surprised look. I hadn't even thought about my things. I was glad he had though. It was one less thing I had to bother with.
“Princess Namisa,” Tomas spoke, his voice surprisingly emotional. “Before you leave, we must beg your forgiveness.”
Nami's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't say anything.
“Kai and I had been charged with keeping you safe for years and we have failed in our duty.”
“No.” She shook her head. “The blame for this lies on no one but Tanek Nekane. You protected my sister. You made sure that she was not harmed by my husband. There is nothing to forgive.”
Kai opened his mouth as if he'd protest, but a sharp look from Nami stopped him.
“Now we have to finish what we have started,” she said. She looked over at me. “I am assuming that running to Philadelphia is not the end of the plan.”
“It's not,” I said. “I'll give you the details on the plane, but the short version is that Kai and Tomas are staying here to implement the last part of the plan to get Tanek arrested.” I glanced at the plane. “We need to go.”
“Reed is correct,” Tomas said. He gave a bow to Nami and then to Halea before turning to me and holding out a hand. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” I repeated. “And you two be careful.”
“We will.” Kai shook my hand as well. “Take care of our princesses.”
“I will,” I promised.
The pair got back into the town car and drove off to wherever they intended to hide it. After that, they'd go to Kai's car and head for Ina's apartment. Then it became a waiting game for them until the king and queen returned. For the princesses and myself, our time of waiting was beginning right now.
I held out a hand to Nami and she took it, then put her other arm around Halea. Together, we headed for the plane.
I hadn't bothered to ask for their nicest one since availability was more important, so it was more compact than some of the others I'd used before to entertain business associates, but it was still better than a commercial flight, even in first class. I'd been thinking of needing privacy because of who Halea and Nami were, but after seeing the marks on Nami's body, I was doubly glad I'd gone with private flights. The last thing she needed was people staring at her injuries.
Halea settled in one of the seats and, after a quick look at me, Nami went to sit beside her. I was a bit disappointed that she wasn't sitting with me, but I could see why she needed to be near her sister. I headed up to the cockpit to let the captain know we were ready to go and then went to the bar to find out what sort of drinks they had to offer.
By the time we touched down in Italy, both princesses seemed to be calmer and I'd finally started to relax as well. That, I assumed, had just as much to do with the couple of now-empty bottles of liquor I'd consumed. It wasn't enough for me to be drunk or even tipsy, but they'd definitely taken the edge off. I wouldn't be completely tension-free until we were home, but Italy was definitely safer than Saja. Kai and Tomas had assured me that, while relations with Italy were good, Tanek would still have to go through a process to try to get Nami and Halea back from there. It'd be even harder once we were in the States, and that would be if he could find us at all. Considering I trusted the only two people who knew we were coming, I doubted Tanek would be able to figure out where we were before the king and queen arrived back in Saja.
The plane in Italy was a little bigger than the first and included a long seat that Halea immediately claimed. As soon as we were airborne and allowed to unbuckle, Halea stretched out, falling asleep in seconds. I found a blanket and covered her with it, tucking it in so it wouldn't fall off. She looked even younger and more innocent, and I felt a surge of anger that Tanek could even consider hurting her.
“He's never going to touch you,” I promised quietly. I knew she couldn't hear me, but that didn't matter. Even if the king and queen refused to lock up Tanek, I would do whatever it took to protect Halea and Nami.
“Reed.” Nami slipped her hand into mine.
I turned around and looked down at her. I used my free hand to tuck an unruly curl behind her ear. “I don't care what it takes. I will make you safe again.”
She raised herself on her toes and pressed her lips against mine. It was a fairly quick, chaste kiss, but I saw the bright flare of arousal in her eyes.
“You will do anything to make me feel safe?”
That wasn't exactly how I'd worded it, but it was close enough. “Yes.”
One side of her mouth quirked up in a partial smile. “Good. Come with me.”
I was confused, but let her pull me after her. As soon as I realized where she was going, I knew what she wanted. At least, I thought I did, even though I had to be wrong. What I was thinking was crazy.
“Do you know when I feel the most safe?” she asked as she opened the door to the bathroom. She backed inside and pulled me towards her. “When you are inside me.”
Fuck.
“I don't know, Nami,” I protested weakly.
She reached around me and closed the door, locking it. This bathroom was slightly larger than the one on a commercial plane, but it was still a tight fit.
“Do you want me?” she asked, reaching up to trace my bottom lip with her finger.
“I always want you,” I said. And it was the truth. My brain said this was a bad idea, but my cock was insisting it was the best idea I'd heard all day.
Nami slid her hand down my neck and down my chest. Her eyes locked with mine as her hand dropped lower and cupped me through my pants. My entire body jerked as she grasped me. Fuck.
“You're hurt.” I tried another protest even though my cock was screaming at me to shut up.
Nami nodded. “So are you.”
“Not even close to the same.”
She let go of my cock and lifted herself onto the sink. As she parted her legs, she pulled up her dress until the hem rested on her thighs. I let out air in a hiss as she moved her hand between her legs. She made a sound and her eyelids fluttered. I swallowed hard, my pants suddenly and impossibly tight. When she pulled her hand out, her fingers were glistening. Without taking her eyes off me, she raised her hand to her mouth and licked her fingers clean.
“Oh, fuck, Nami,” I breathed.
She nodded. “Yes, please.” She held out her ha
nd. “Fuck Nami. I need you. I need you to make me clean again.”
A better man than me wouldn't have been able to refuse her. I was pushing my pants down on my hips even as I took the two steps I needed to end up right between her legs.
“Fast,” she said as she grasped my cock and led it to her entrance.
I nodded. I would go fast in a moment, but I needed to ease inside the first time. I rested my forehead against hers as I moved forward inch by inch. I kept one hand on her back and put the other beneath her dress. If this was going to be fast, she'd need a bit of help to get off and I was determined to give her at least one orgasm.
A sharp pain went through my earlobe as she bit down. Her mouth started to move down my neck, lips and teeth setting my skin on fire. I took that as my cue and started to move. Fast but deep strokes that left her empty one moment and filled the next. My thumb played across her clit and she whimpered, a sound of pleasure and not pain, one that made my stomach clench and my balls tighten. I was so close. Her thighs quivered around me and I knew she was nearly there too.
I thrust into her two more times and groaned as I exploded, unable to hold back anymore. I rocked against her, giving her the friction she needed to follow me over the edge. We stayed that way, locked together in an embrace, our bodies still joined, breathing harsh, blood rushing in our ears. The world outside would wait a little longer. Right now, we were safe and she was in my arms. That was all that mattered at the moment. We'd face the rest soon enough, but I would keep her here as long as I could, letting her know without words that she was safe and I wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her again.
Chapter 16
Nami
I wasn't sure when I managed to fall asleep, but with Reed's arms around me and my head on his shoulder, it didn't surprise me. With the exception of that one night in the hotel, I'd only been sleeping in fits and starts since I’d met Tanek. An hour here and there, waking suddenly with a pounding heart and the certainty that Tanek was there in the dark. In Reed's arms, with his scent around me, the memory of him throbbing between my legs, I was able to let myself go. Even in sleep, when the darkness tried to frighten me, I knew he was there and the thought was enough to keep the demons at bay.
