The cave rocks glowed as Mic let her take control. Her eyes opened wide and the high sunk into her veins. In just a few more seconds, she’d be hooked.
The leader with the vortex shouted, “Get her out of here.”
Mic hadn’t counted on her flame-throwing mate getting hooked, but his eyes grew glassy as well. Perfect.
“Jace. Dammit, bro. Snap out of it. I can’t hold onto this much longer.”
The younger Iesco’s eyes cleared, then his brows furrowed. He picked up the girl by the waist while she kicked, clawed, and bit like a wild animal.
Steaming, Mic put both hands to the floor. He’d bury them. Bury them all. Stones fell all about and the three fell to their knees as the cave floor broke into nothingness. With one final furious burst of energy, he blasted the cave into bits and pieces.
His last thought was, “I won.”
Chapter 23
Dust and debris burned Jace’s eyes, and clogged his throat. He coughed and collapsed on the hard ground, panting. “Everyone here?”
Josh moaned an acknowledgment and Jack stood, rolling his shoulders and nodded.
Terra lay on her back beside him, her eyes still glassy, staring up at the night sky. A giant mound of rubble lay beside her.
“Hey, you okay?” Brushing his knuckles across her cheek, Jace sent a small burst of energy into her body. She needed a healer, but it would have to do for now.
“Mic? Is he…” Terra blinked up at him, blue eyes still unfocused.
“The mine collapsed on him. There’s no way he survived.” As the dust cleared, the Rockies materialized behind the now missing hilltop.
With a small nod, she sat cross-legged, her face emotionless.
“My mine. It’s gone.”
“I know.” Jace kissed the top of her head, stood, and brushed himself off. “We need to get that turquoise to a secure location.”
“Josh and I will drive the trucks back to the hotel.” Jack glanced over at Terra, who now had arms wrapped around her legs, staring blankly at the collapsed mine. “You know what this means for her? For you.”
Jace exhaled roughly and ran his hands through his hair. He knew exactly what it meant, but he doubted she did.
“Mic’s men heard him acknowledge her as his daughter.” Jack’s face was tight, eyes dark with concern as he explained, no doubt for her benefit. “As his only child, she’s the next in line for clan leader.”
“She’ll be expected to fight for it. Prove her place.” Jace kicked at the dirt with the toe of his boot. They both would. As her mate, he would be expected to lead beside her.
“I’m sitting right here. I can hear you.” She glared up at them.
Jack tilted his head, then motioned him around the new top of the hill, searching for signs that Mic had survived. “With your combined powers, she’ll be strong enough.”
There’s no way in hell Jace wanted her leading a bunch of gangsters, but he nodded nonetheless. His chest constricted when he squatted on his heels and put a hand onto a pile of earth. No tremors. No nothing. Mic had to be dead.
His brother shot him a grin. “You already care about her.”
“She’s a pain in the ass. Stubborn as fucking hell, but yeah, she’s gotten under my skin.”
“Some weekend getaway.” Jack’s grin widened.
Jace huffed out a laugh, afraid to believe the worst was truly over. “No shit.”
One chance encounter with a feisty little witch and his entire world had flipped on its axis.
Mated.
Leader of a clan.
Damn.
“Take Terra back to the hotel. I’ll deal with this shit.” Jack patted Jace on the shoulder. “I’ll call you when we’ve got things sorted out.”
“Thanks.” He trotted back to where Terra still sat, watching them, with both hands dug into the dirt.
Fuck, she was beautiful. Her hair had slipped free of the ponytail she wore, and hung in long golden waves down her back. Her face was smeared with dirt, but it only reminded him of their time alone in the desert.
He cursed his responsive cock. She’d disobeyed him. Gone against his orders. He should be fucking pissed, but all he wanted to do was scoop her up in his arms and make her his again.
“Let’s go,” he said a bit too sharply.
“Where?” She blinked up at him, blue eyes finally clear.
“Home.” Because whether he liked it or not, that was where he was now.
Chapter 24
He’d been silent the whole way home, the tension as thick as the dust they’d left behind. Despite his command that she sleep, she was too wired.
“I know you’re mad at me, but–”
“Mad doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling.” Jace slammed the suite door behind them and stalked towards the bar.
“I had every right to be there.” She kicked her shoes off and stretched.
The rising sun in the plate glass window cast long blue shadows over the Vegas skyline, contrasting with the orange sky. Behind that, the ever-present mountains towered over the desert like sentries.
Jace slammed his glass on the bar. “I’m trying to keep you safe.”
She escaped his wrath by heading toward the bedroom.
Heavy footsteps followed behind her.
She shrugged her shirt over her head and tossed it on the bed, too tired to argue.
“What are you doing?”
“Having a shower. Want to join me?”
“We’re having a discussion. You can’t just–” He groaned when she shuffled out of her pants and opened the bathroom door.
Stepping into the shower, she turned the complex faucet. A myriad of waterspouts shot forth from of the wall. As expected, a second later he was behind her, his hard body pressed against her back, his lips nuzzling her ear.
“You’re a tease.” Strong arms wrapped around her, one hand gently squeezed her nipple, and the other slipped down between her legs.
Desire spiraled through her. She arched back, pressing her ass against the hard ridge of his cock. He pushed two fingers inside of her and she moaned.
When she rocked back against him, his fingers delved deeper.
“I’m still upset with you,” he said with his sexy voice.
“I know.” Her eyes closed at the growing pleasure.
His clever tongue trailed down her damp neck, playing in the creases. “You taste like pure fucking perfection.”
She turned in his arms, needing more than he was giving her, and braced her feet against the ceramic. His soft lips covered hers and his large hands bracketed her hips.
A low growling sounded in the back of his throat.
“I nearly lost it when I saw you there tonight. Promise me you won’t put yourself or our child in danger again.”
“You don’t know for sure that I’m pregnant.” What would she do if she was?
“You are, and you changed the subject.” His hand roamed up her back, tangling in her hair. The air around them filled with want and need. “Promise me.”
Her skin prickled at his touch. So hot. He shot a small blast of energy into her and her knees nearly buckled. The musky, male scent of him filled her senses, making her dizzy. And when he looked down at her with those green, piercing eyes, her body seemed to sizzle out of control.
“I promise,” she whispered against his lips.
“Good.” His cock, hot and hard, throbbed against her stomach. His desire, so intense, it heated her skin.
When his thumb stroked across her nipple, it sent electric pulses of desire racing through her body. She ran her hands down his chest, across his hard abs.
The shower rattled as Brasmatia energy slipped unbidden from her.
“You need to control it.” His mouth brushed over hers, then down her neck. “Instead of releasing the power, draw it into yourself, then share it with me.”
Damn, she’d never thought of that before. Was it even possible?
She sucked in a breath and
concentrated on pulling the energy back into herself. Jace’s mouth found her taut nipple at the exact moment, and she had to grip his shoulders to keep from collapsing.
A shiver raced up her spine, and despite the warm water that pelted against them, goosebumps broke out across her skin.
“That’s it,” he murmured, as his fingers slipped between her thighs.
She moaned and arched against him. “So good.”
“And it can be so much better.” He smirked, then in a heartbeat, had her pinned against the shower wall. The head of his cock pressed teasingly against her entrance. “Hold on.”
The anticipation of having him inside her was almost too much to bear. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair.
Her leg lifted, he spread open her thighs, and eased inside of her.
There was no initial pain this time. Just the incredible sensation of his long, thick cock stretching her. It was all she could do not to completely unravel in his arms.
He withdrew, then thrust into her, deeper than before. She moaned and moved with him as he increased his pace. Pleasure crashed through her like a tidal wave, and her body throbbed with the need for release.
His rhythm became more and more demanding. He pushed harder, faster, forcing her closer to the edge.
When the sensation grew to more than she could bear, she arched her back and cried out with pleasure. She exploded and jolted around him. Jace’s body tensed and he drove into her one last time, holding himself deep inside of her as he found his own release.
Unable to stand, they both sunk slowly into the tub. Terra rested her head on his chest, and listened to the sound of their erratic breathing as it slowed to a steady cadence, savoring the warmth of his body.
“I like showering with you,” she murmured.
He laughed and kissed the top of her head. “I like a lot of things with you.”
She moaned in protest when he turned off the water. “It’s cold.”
“I’ll warm you up.” He nuzzled his nose against her ear, and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. Laying her in the huge bed, he lowered himself between her legs, already hard again. “I’ll keep you warm all day and all night long.”
Chapter 25
Jace held his cell to his ear with his shoulder while buttoning his shirt. He glanced at Terra who sat on the bed, brushing through the tangles in her blonde hair. Exhausted, they’d slept most of the daylight away.
“I’m loading the turquoise on the plane now,” Jack said through the phone’s speaker.
“Good. And Josh?”
“He needs to stay and sort out the details with Nicole’s family. Touch base with him when you can. He’s not doing so well.”
“No. I would imagine not.” Jace pinched the bridge of his nose. What a fucking mess.
“I’m sending you everything I have on the Brasmatia clan. The sooner Terra meets with them the better.”
“She’s not going to like it.”
Terra glanced up at him, frowning, and mouthed, “I hear you.”
“At least she’ll have you by her side,” Jack said.
Always. But Jace wondered how much that really mattered to her. Despite everything they’d been through, she was still holding a piece of herself back. He could feel it, as if there was a tiny piece of him that wasn’t quite whole.
Was she regretting mating herself to him?
Jack interrupted his thoughts. “I’ll call you when I land.”
“Have a safe flight.” Jace hung up his cell, and stuck it in his back pocket.
“What won’t I like?” Terra asked, her brows drawn down. She jumped off the bed and headed toward the smells of Vdara’s breakfast special.
He followed her to the bar and scooted a stool under her fine ass.
“We need to go and meet with the Brasmatia clan.”
The heavenly scent of coffee wafted as she poured two cups. He made a mental note. Three creams, no sugar, for her. She raised her eyebrows at him, waiting for his preference.
“That’s fine. Black.” The hot coffee warmed on the way down. Soon the rush of caffeine would follow.
She frowned and slurped noisily. “Why?”
“Hmm?”
Not bothering with utensils, her fingers stole a round sausage from the serving tray and took a bite.
“Why do we need to meet with Brasmatia?”
It was hard to take his eyes off her as he loaded his plate with eggs and bacon.
“With Mic dead, you’re the next viable option for clan leader.”
She frowned and then grabbed a half slice of toast. Abruptly, she put it down on a small plate, opened four miniscule packets of jam, and dumped them on top. Despite the abundance of knives, she slathered it with her index finger, popped it in her mouth, and licked her fingers.
Her eating was as wild as her love making, and for a moment, he lost his train of thought.
He tried to regather the threads of the conversation, and said, “You’re his only child. His men heard him admit it. Not that anyone would question you once they’ve seen your powers.”
“No.” She shook her head.
“No, what?”
“I don’t want anything to do with them.”
Jace scooped up a forkful of scrambled eggs, and said after swallowing, “Just because Mic was bad, doesn’t mean they all are. They’re your family.”
“I’ve done fine without them up to now.” The look that crossed her face made his insides turn–so vulnerable, yet so full of pain.
“Maybe it’s them that need you.” He scooted her stool close so he could hug her.
Snuggling, she murmured into his chest, “I don’t know anything about being a leader. And what if they don’t want me?”
“I’ll be with you every step of the way. No matter what happens.” He gave her a squeeze, then handed her a glass of orange juice. Babies needed vitamin C to grow.
“You’re ready to move here? What about your home?” The look on her face was dubious.
“You’re my mate and you’re needed here. From now on, where you are is my home.” When the cat purred at his feet, he scooped to pick it up.
She frowned and played with her toast. Not the reaction he was hoping for.
He put the cat down, and it scooted away with a slice of bacon in its jaw. Purring just out of reach, it licked its paws and stared.
“I get that this whole thing has been a bit of a whirlwind, but we’ll make this work.”
“You’d really be willing to move here?”
Big sad eyes glanced up at him. How could he make her understand that she was his whole world?
“Yes.” He cupped her face in his hands and brushed his lips over hers.
She closed her eyes and let out a long, slow breath. God, what he wouldn’t give to get into her head and know what she was thinking.
“We can make a life here.” He ran a hand over her flat belly, where he was certain his child already grew. “Raise a family.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, frowning.
“If you want something different–”
“No.” She shook her head, but the line between her brows didn’t disappear. “It’s just a lot to take in. Everything’s happened so fast.”
Dark circles marred her pale face, reminding him of all the shit she’d gone through. Alone in the desert for years, most would’ve had a harder time coping. But Terra was strong. He’d give her that.
Damn. This was falling in love. The revelation made his chest hurt and his heart beat erratically in his chest. But looking into her eyes, he could tell she was still holding back from him.
“What’s wrong?” He ran his thumb across her cheek, begging her with his eyes to open up to him.
“Nothing.” She glanced down and stared into her mug of coffee.
She was lying, but he wouldn’t push it. They had time. Eventually she would trust him, and he would do everything in his power to make certain of it.
<
br /> He kissed her forehead and released her. There was still so much to be done.
“I need to go out for a couple of hours. Josh is on his way to the Police Station and wants me to meet him there. Promise me you won’t leave the room.”
She gave a small nod.
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Good.” He pulled her to him and kissed her hard on the mouth. “I’ll have security post a guard at the door–”
“That’s not necessary.”
“I don’t care. I’m not taking any chances.”
The last thing he wanted to do was leave her. Hell, he’d spend every last moment in bed with her if he could, but there were things to do, and with Mic gone, she was safe.
Chapter 26
Mic crawled out of his burrow, lay on his stomach, and squinted into the morning sun. His body ached all over, but mostly his right leg. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out his sat-phone, and called Eddie.
Ring, no answer, not even a machine.
Traitor.
He scrolled through his contacts, found the number for the sniveling kid, Falcon, and tapped. After four rings, the healer answered. “M-M-Mic?”
“Yeah, kid. I’m a mile back from the wreckage, on the south side. You need to come get me. Now.”
Silence met him on the other end.
“You there, Falcon?”
Finally, the kid said, “Ye-Yeah. I’ll be there.”
“You better be.”
Behind him, about a quarter mile back, a hill of rubble stood where the vein of black turquoise had been all but destroyed. From this distance, he couldn’t make out the faces that wandered up and down. He didn’t recognize any of the vehicles, either. Probably fucking flame-throwers.
Where are my men? Eddie?
Did they all double-cross him? Planning to take over his leadership? Get the black gold?
It didn’t matter. Earth power was all over the world. With the enticement of the powerful turquoise, his clan would quadruple in size in no time.
Dark Tremor (Mated by Magic #2) Page 12
