by Sydney Addae
Noah nodded and clapped him on the shoulder. “No worries there. After walking in my dreams, and the day I’ve had, nothing much would surprise me.”
“Good.” Ryan looked at Mia. “My father sent that information regarding the club to your email. We’ll talk with you tomorrow.” He and Ryder headed to their vehicle.
“Ready?” Noah asked.
“Yeah.” She waved at the twins and slid into the passenger seat. “You okay?” she asked when he started the car. “I didn’t fully process what today was like for you until just now.”
With a ridiculous boyish grin, he nodded. “I’ve got super-fucking powers.”
She stared at him and then laughed. “Goof-ball.”
<<<>>>
By the time they reached the hotel, Mia was a quivering mass of contradictions. Noah had lost his mind. The man smiled continually, held her hand and sang, yes, sang along with the radio. She didn’t know how to deal with him. What happened to the surly, closed off, refused to smile Noah she met? Him she could handle.
The new Noah scared and excited her.
He opened the door for her and his hand lingered on her back as they walked toward the entrance. Since he carried her bag with her computer, she couldn’t send him away and he refused to give it to her.
The elevator ride to the third floor was silent. Nervous, she fidgeted until she realized her actions and forced her body to remain still.
“If I had my computer, I could help with the research,” he offered as they turned the corner to her room. “Do you have a flash drive?”
“Yes. I have a few, why?”
“We can use the business center downstairs and I can help you.” They entered her room.
“That’s a good idea, give me a minute.” Mind back in the game, she pushed aside the hum in her body, the tingles spiking her core and searched through her supplies. Finding the drives she nodded. “Let’s go.” He walked behind her. She felt his hot gaze on her ass.
Her skin sizzled, something she’d never felt before with the few men she had sex with. Throat tight, she remained silent during the short ride down and as they walked to the business center. Inside he grabbed the lone computer and waited for her to do the same with her laptop.
Over the next hour, they read the information sent by Tyrone and researched Aaron Mosely, Peter Drum, Purity Products and Saul. By the time they finished, she was exhausted and hoped they didn’t dream that night. She printed specific pages from the email and sent everything to Thomas.
So far, he hadn’t responded to anything she sent, neither had Tip. Since she all but demanded to remain behind to finish the op, she tried not to be angry. He told her he would be out of touch for a few days when he asked her to go with him. Still, there was a part of her that wanted his approval, just a nod saying she was heading in the right direction.
For now, she believed Leviticus Club was definitely involved with the murders but had no definitive proof.
“Let’s take this upstairs,” she said packing up her laptop and receiving the flash drive from him with his research. She yawned, it was well after midnight.
Upstairs, she placed her bag on the table and moved quickly to the bathroom. She’d been holding it in for the past 30 minutes and breathed a sigh of relief.
Noah sat at the small table watching her when she re-entered the bedroom. “Too tired to talk?” he asked.
She was tired but they needed to talk. “No, what’s on your mind.” She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him.
Leaning forward, with his elbows on his knees and hands dangling between them he snared her gaze. “I’m damaged. My last tour I was hit by something that lodged in my head. Took a while to pull it back together. Had to relearn basics, walking, my speech was off, processing information was a bitch. Spent months in physical therapy. They say I’m a walking miracle.” He snorted. “I talk to a therapist. From time to time I’m right back there, right in the fight, seeing my buddies on the ground. Guys I’d just eaten a meal with, gone in an instant. Fucks with me, so I obey my doctor and talk to a shrink.” He paused. “Never thought I’d smile again or want to. The dreams are a nuisance. The mist chokes and paralyzes me. At least it did until you entered my dreams.”
The intensity of his gaze stopped her from swallowing or responding. She forced herself to breathe.
“Whatever you did last night when you broke through that barrier, freed something in me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully explain to you how I felt today. It’s like I’ve got my life back, and anything’s possible. Didn’t expect the extras but they’re worth it to be whole or as whole as I’m going to be.”
Unable to speak through her tight throat, she nodded.
“Like I said, I’m damaged and yet as whole as I’m going to be. I like you, Mia. I want to get to know you better, spend my days and nights with you. Earlier, I said I wanted to be on your team, I meant that. Maybe when Thomas and the others get it together we’ll talk but right now, this isn’t about them. It’s about me and you. I want all of you or as much as you can give me.”
“You want me?” Her eyes widened slightly.
“Yes, you.” He pointed at her with a soft smile.
How pathetic was it that no one had ever uttered those words to her before? The ring of truth, intertwined with a ping of certainty delivered his response with clarity. Her heart expanded as she continued staring at him.
“I know there’s an age difference between us, but it’s just a number,” he said. “We can make it work if you give me a shot.”
“Age difference?” She cocked her brow at him.
“Figure I got, what 10 - 15 years on you?”
She laughed, more like she had 95 or more years on him. She’d have to calculate it. She stood and entered his embrace. Now wasn’t the time to share her past with him, she needed Thomas’ okay for that. It was a part of their pact. But for now, she would relish the sweet words he spoke and hold them close to her heart.
“It’s time to rest, we’ll talk in the morning.” She turned off the light and undressed with the assurance he watched her every move.
“The twins are coming to my place in the morning to work with me,” he said shoving his jeans and boxers down his long legs.
She faced him and allowed her gaze to drop. His cock rose as she stared at it. “In the morning?” she asked meeting his gaze.
“Yeah, don’t want to talk about them now.” He kicked off his pants and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a scarred, wide muscular chest.
She traced one long wicked scar that trailed from his nipple to his soft pubic hair and looked up at him.
“Damaged.”
“Beautiful warrior. A gift from God,” she said wanting him to believe it.
He swallowed hard, pulled her close and kissed her. Nothing could’ve prepared her for this feeling of drowning and being rescued at the same time. He took and gave. Her hands wrapped around his neck as she tried to climb him to get closer to his heat, needing more. His arm came under her hips as he lifted her with apparent ease.
They broke apart gasping.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” he said.
Her heart stuttered. She’d been called princess, sweetie, babes and a manner of other endearments, but no one ever told her she was beautiful with such earnest heat and care.
Her forehead touched his as she pulled her thoughts together.
“There’s this light inside you, so bright, sweet and pure. The first time I saw you, I pretended to be looking at the house but you captivated me from the beginning. Didn’t think I had a shot, not with all the shit going on with me. Then you smiled and I was gone. You light up my fucking life, I mean that, Mia. I mean that.”
Tears leaked from her eyes and she scrubbed them away with the back of her hand. She never realized how much she needed to hear those words from someone. Never occurred to her that she needed to matter, to have someone believe she was special. After years of searching for the child of her womb, no mat
ter how it was planted the babe was a part of her, she wanted her child to know he or she mattered. Know that she thought and prayed for them constantly. They mattered.
In less than five minutes Noah broke through the walls surrounding the failures of her past and watered her thirsty heart.
“What’s wrong?” he rubbed her back as he lay her on the bed. With his thumb, he gently wiped away her tears. “Don’t cry, I can’t take it.”
She scooted up and over so he could join her. “I’m not... sad,” she said extending her hand to him. He took it and lay beside her.
“Lay with me tonight. Sleep here, hold me close,” she said. “I need a moment to breathe.”
His warm arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. “Whatever you need.”
The hard length of his cock pressed against her and she smiled as she yawned again. Sleep pulled on her, there were a few things she wanted to say to him. But the darkness dragged her under.
CHAPTER 17
“YOU CAN’T TELL HIM.”
Mia’s eyes flew open as she sat up quickly, looking around. She lay in the middle of a rich, green field with rolling hills that smelled like spring. It was beautiful and unlike anything she had ever seen. She patted the grass, smiled at the smooth texture and wanted to roll around in it.
“You can’t tell him.” The words drifted toward her.
“Who said that?” She slid to her knees, gaze keen as she searched for the voice. “Who’s here?”
A tall man with green eyes, long white hair wearing a black robe walked toward her. “Hello, Mia.”
“Hello, Grandfather. You scared me. Is this your place?” She looked around again. “I’ve never seen this one before, it’s beautiful.”
“Yes, one of them. Come sit. Let’s catch up.” He folded gracefully onto the grass.
Inhaling deep, she sat back and looked at him. “You look good, at peace.”
He nodded. “Things are changing but that’s good I think. How about you? Still searching?”
Did she hear mocking in his tone? Possibly. Grandfather had been around as long as she remembered. He first came to her in a dream in her early teens when she first escaped the Liege. She’d been lost and afraid, he told her how to find Thomas and the others which literally saved her life.
“Yes, I am.” She explained Thomas’ mission and her working the case. When she discussed the murders her heart wept. Emotions intensified in dreams.
“There is much evil in the world. At times like these there must be a balance,” he said. “You cannot tell the young man of your past. The time is not right. He’s not ready.”
Mia thought about what she had seen in the mist and agreed. “He’s been through a lot, thinks he’s older than me.” She offered a bittersweet smile. “You’re right, I cannot and will not betray the others by sharing our secret.” She looked at Grandfather. “Will he stay? With me I mean?”
He smiled. “That’s between the two of you.”
She hadn’t expected an answer but it never hurt to ask. “He changed. He’s fully human but has similar powers to us. How’s that possible?”
“Perhaps his injury required surgery that tapped into the same areas of his brain as yours. You’re human with a little extra, so is he.” He shrugged. “How would I know these things?”
“He’s lonely,” she said speaking of herself as well. She’d never realized just how lonely she had been.
“He’s not alone. There are others like him, coming together because of the war. Choices and alliances will be made, could be good, could be bad. Who knows what’s in the hearts of men?”
She took note of his words and didn’t bother asking for explanations. Most times she thought he was an oracle with no idea of the things he said.
“What about us? Are we going to survive all of this change?” Granted she told Thomas she knew she’d die one day, but if that day was in the distance, she wouldn’t be mad.
He gave her one of his rare smiles. Green eyes lit like shining shamrocks. “You will indeed survive dear child. One might think your journey is just beginning.”
Warmth filled her.
“There you are,” Noah said, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet from the rolling gray mist. “I didn’t see you.” He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.
They stood in the middle of the campus, watching students come and go. She blinked several times to get her balance and waved at the fog. It rolled away so she could see clearly.
“I’ll be glad when I’m able to do that,” Noah murmured against the top of her head.
She leaned back and patted his cheek. “You will. Why are we here?”
Holding her hand they moved forward. “I don’t know. Green’s van hadn’t been on campus.”
“Could he have been here without his van?” she asked as they moved toward the student union.
“I suppose so.” They stood just inside the large building for a few seconds. “There.” He pointed. “Saul, the guy from the meeting.”
Saul moved quickly through the building, turned and walked down a long corridor. He opened a door into a small office with Leviticus Club on the door.
Noah whistled as they followed. “Somebody made a serious donation for that.”
Saul entered a small room in the back, closed the door and pulled out his phone.
Mia and Noah looked at each other and moved closer to look at the number. Noah wrote it down.
Moments later a male answered the call.
“Drum, we may have a problem,” Saul said. “The FBI is investigating Green’s death. My contact at the police department sent word to go to ground.”
“FBI? Hmm. Okay, I’ll pass it on. Your numbers are down for that area, what’s the problem?”
“Working on it. But we may need to hit the other campus soon, give this area a break. Or should we work the streets and hostels? We have decent success with those.”
“Not yet. Not until I speak with the Priest, see how he wants it to go. Sacrifice or worship? I’ll let you know. Don’t worry about the FBI either, that’ll be handled and I’ll let you know when the heat’s blown over.”
“Good to know.” He disconnected and stared out the window.
“That was two days ago when you arrived in town,” Noah said. “Someone called to let them know.”
“Because they knew this guy and his group was involved in the murder.” She looked at Noah. “But who? The Detective? Receptionist? Those are the only two I’ve ever seen.”
“There are more,” Noah said watching Saul pace. “He’s nervous. Wonder why?”
“Murder makes a person nervous.” She watched Saul bite his fingernail while staring at the wall.
“But that happened last week. I spoke to him last night, he seemed fine. Can you read his mind?”
“What? No, I can’t do that, not fully,” she said. They watched Saul a few moments longer.
“What next?”
“You’re driving, I’m along for the ride,” she said easing her hand into his much larger one.
“Wonder if we can find Peter Drum or Aaron Mosely,” he said looking around.
Nothing happened.
Noah had no real idea how the dream-walking thing actually worked. In the past, he revisited places he had been before and was able to see what transpired in that location. But what if he could see places and people by choice, direct the dream to his specifications? That would be a big help.
“Look at me.” He stared at her. “Think Peter Drum with me. We want to see Peter Drum.” He squeezed her hand.
“We want to see Peter Drum,” she murmured.
“We want to see Peter Drum with the Leviticus Club,” he clarified staring at her.
She repeated what he said.
Seconds later the mist swooshed over them. They moved at a tremendous speed and stopped in an office. A man sat at his desk talking on his phone.
“Not yet. Not until I speak with the Priest, see how he wants it to go. S
acrifice or worship? I’ll let you know. Don’t worry about the FBI either, that’ll be handled and I’ll let you know when the heat’s blown over.”
Slender, blonde, well-dressed with every strand in place, he put down the phone and sighed as he made another call. “Henry, Saul needs a permanent vacation never to be seen again. The place is hot right now, make it happen in two days max.” He hung up, stood and brushed his shirt. “I hate when people get sloppy and make excuses.” He paused. “We may need to take out his contact at the police station as well.”
“Last night may have been the last time Saul is seen,” Noah said.
Mia nodded as Drum left the office. She looked around his desk to see if he left notes or anything lying around. Nothing.
“Can we follow him?”
“No, I’m wearing out,” Noah said.
“Same here,” she said as they disappeared into sleep.
<<<>>>
The morning sky didn’t burst onto the horizon with brilliant colors announcing its arrival. It rolled through the blinds in shades of gray, an omen of the day to come.
There was a bit of chill in the room when Mia woke. She stiffened at the arms wrapped around her waist and slowly remembered Noah’s declaration of wanting her last night.
Her gaze flicked to the window noted the gray clouds and a darker lining on the horizon. They were running out of time. She desperately wanted to prove she could do this type of work, not just to Thomas but to herself.
Yesterday, she hummed as pieces to the puzzle locked into place. She knew, with uncanny certainty Leviticus Club was somehow involved the moment the skinny chick approached Noah at the buffet.
A clap of thunder rolled across the sky. She burrowed closer to Noah’s warmth. They wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.
He pulled her closer, brushed a kiss across her forehead. “It’s a Texas morning.”
She smiled.
“Thunder and lightning’s the best way to greet the day.” His warm breath rolled across her scalp. His masculine scent filled and touched her. Why hadn’t she ever noticed that before? The men on the team had scents, everyone did. But she never thought of their scents as masculine. Interesting.
