by Opal Carew
“We’re a pair.” He lay back against the mattress, then pulled her on top of him.
“What—”
“I need to rest my injured shoulder so I can fight Piaras and his blood-bonds later today.” He massaged her breasts, and she purred. “So you’re going to have to take the bull by the horn and ride him,” Adonis said, his voice already husky.
“Cowboy in a former life?”
He groaned. “Hurry, Rachael, after you touched me at lunch, I could barely think of anything else.”
“No wonder you were injured. If you’d come to see me before you left, you’d have had me out of your head.”
The chuckle deep in his throat amused her. “If I’d been with you before the fight with the bloodsuckers, you’d still have been on my mind.”
He tugged at her arm to pull her closer, then he nuzzled her face. She searched for his mouth in the dark and parted her lips for him. His tongue moistened her lips, then explored her mouth with a tenderness that was possessive as well as gentle. She centered herself on top of his erection and moaned as he slid deep inside.
“God, Rachael, you feel so good.”
She gasped against his mouth as his thumbs rubbed her nipples. Her pelvic muscles tightened.
“Relax just a bit, honey,” he whispered, his hands on her hips.
He steadied her pace, making her go slowly, then more quickly as the electricity sizzled between them. He touched between her legs and rubbed her swollen nub, eliciting the pleasurable sensations to build.
Trying to stay quiet, she bit her lip. Mary and Ned’s room was located next door when they stayed with Tobias, and Rachael didn’t want to think of what might happen if either suspected Adonis was with Rachael right now. She hoped the bed’s headboard wouldn’t bump the wall as she and Adonis did their gymnastics.
Again, Adonis fused his mouth to hers, his fingers working their magic between her legs, the crescendo escalating with his thrusts and skillful ministrations. She could barely keep quiet. Until he unleashed the passion exploded inside her, sending a wave of release rippling through their joined bodies.
“My, God, Adonis,” she mouthed against his lips. “I don’t want you to leave me, ever.”
His mouth curved against hers and he held her tight. But then he sighed deeply next to her ear. “We have to get this business over with Piaras. Then I’ll demand that Tobias marry us. He’ll have to.” He ran his hand over her back and kissed her cheek. “He won’t have any choice.”
A knocking sounded at the door. Instantly, Adonis vanished and Rachael dropped onto the mattress with a jolt. “Jeez, Adonis,” she whispered.
She searched for her nightgown, but couldn’t find it on the bed in the dark, so she scurried under the covers.
The door opened, letting the hallway lights filter into the room.
Danai whispered to Rachael, “The doctor came to see Adonis. Is he still here?”
“No.”
Danai crossed the room, then leaned over. She lifted Rachael’s nightgown off the carpet and handed it to her.
“Thanks.”
“Zachary’s been given babysitting duty.” Danai’s voice sounded amused.
“Uncle Tobias ordered it.”
“Yep.” Danai slipped out of her clothes and into a borrowed gown. “Poor Adonis.”
“About later today... “
“Shhh, Adonis will be leading the others to the house, while you and I wait for him nearby. The three of us will enter the house, he’ll present you to Piaras, and you’ll kill him. Anyway, that’s the plan. I don’t know who your uncle will leave behind to watch over you in the interim, but somehow we’ll leave here as soon as we’re able.”
“They can’t leave Gregory behind to watch me.”
Silence followed.
“Danai?”
“If others listen to him, and Adonis does anything more to cause doubt... “
Rachael took a deep breath. “We can’t worry about it.” But she knew that Danai worried just as much as she did. If push came to shove, Danai and Adonis were vampires. And the urge to protect themselves or others they cared about by any means available would undoubtedly come to bear.
***
Everyone slept late the next morning and later that afternoon, they ate fresh broiled salmon, baked potatoes, cauliflower and broccoli florets in silence. Rachael poked at her meal. She’d lost her appetite as her nerves felt ragged in anticipation of her meeting Piaras. The mood had turned contemplative, each hunter considering the role he had to play in the next battle. Killing Piaras was her family’s ultimate goal. With him dead, Rachael was free to live her life as normally as a huntress could. Freeing Adonis’s family—that was the secondary goal.
In silence, Tobias had watched Adonis throughout most of the meal and Rachael wondered what the matter was. Did he believe Gregory’s accusations? Finally, he asked, “Are you sure you’re going to be all right to wield a sword, Adonis?”
“He injured my left arm, not my sword arm. I’m going.”
Admiration lit in Tobias’s eyes, and then he turned to Brent. “Any word from Gregory?”
Brent shook his head. “Missing since he left the house this morning.”
Frowns creased Mary and Trish’s foreheads. Going into the dragon’s lair was a formidable proposition and neither wished to lose a husband over it. Rachael’s stomach twisted. She felt good about what she was to do, kill Piaras, avenge her parents’ deaths, and help to free Adonis’s family. But could she succeed?
Piaras had to expect that Tobias would attack him at some time. Would he figure they’d spring on him this afternoon?
Rachael shuddered. What if he had moved Adonis’s family to some other location? And if the word got out to the other vampires that Piaras’s main estates were attacked, what if he told the others to kill Adonis’s family?
Adonis ran his hand over hers. “You’re awfully quiet,” he whispered to her.
Several looked at them.
She took a deep breath. “Everyone’s quiet.”
“Frederick is remaining behind today,” Tobias announced.
Rachael glanced at the green-eyed suitor of hers, his long dark hair tucked neatly into a leather strap. He smiled at her.
Adonis reached down and squeezed her knee. Tickling her, she squashed the urge to laugh, quickly grabbed his hand, and looked back at him. In his not so subtle way, he was reminding her she was his and no matter how many suitors she had, none would truly have her.
“Now you behave yourself,” she whispered back to him.
His eyes sparkled with devilment.
When the meal ended, Tobias said, “I wish to meet with all of the hunters in the conference room for a moment.”
Rachael squeezed Adonis’s hand. It wasn’t usual for Tobias to call a last minute meeting before a hunt. Her heart picked up its pace when Adonis left her behind.
After all of the men walked into the room and Zachary had closed the door, Tobias said, “I didn’t have a chance to speak to you after the hunt early this morning as you were unconscious, Adonis. You saved my son, Michael’s life, and Gregory’s, too, with the skill of a true hunter. It isn’t often we have the opportunity to welcome a full-fledged hunter into our services. With the skill you provide, you should be able to make enough earnings to live comfortably here in Dallas. We welcome you into our family for as long as you wish to stay.”
Adonis bowed his head in thanks.
Tobias added, “That’s all I have to say to the group, although I wish a word with Adonis alone.”
Several of the hunters slapped Adonis on the back or shook his hand in congratulations as they exited the conference room. Tobias closed the door after the last of them left and faced Adonis.
“I know part of why you did what you did last night was to earn my favor. And I’m bound to give it to you. I can’t even thank you enough for saving my son’s life.”
His stormy gray eyes considered Adonis, but they lacked warmth. He motioned to a
chair. This didn’t appear to be a true welcoming into the family.
After Adonis sat, Tobias took a seat across from him. “Rachael is my only niece. When she was five, Piaras murdered her parents. I’ve raised her as my own daughter for all these years as best I could. My dear wife was killed by a vampire when Rachael was fourteen. So Rachael hasn’t had a mother figure for some years. She’s not been interested in the... male persuasion. Not until you came along.” He tapped his fist on the arm of his chair.
“Somehow you intrigue her. Maybe because you have a rogue quality about you like Michael has. She’s always admired him. But your sneaking behind my back to see her... well, you’re welcome to be part of the family, but I still don’t want you marrying my niece.”
Adonis’s neck muscles tightened beneath the black turtleneck he wore. “I care very deeply for Rachael, Mr. Bremerton.”
“Tobias.” He rose from his chair. “She’s a huntress, and we have standards of moral conduct we have to abide by. If you wish to remain with us, you must live by them.”
“I have not lived in a hunter family for a while. I’m afraid my instincts took over my better judgment where Rachael’s concerned. But I very much wish Rachael to be mine. You have my word, I’ll do everything in my power to keep her from harm.”
“Piaras wants my niece. He’ll stop at nothing to get her, I fear.”
“I’ll do everything I can to keep her from falling into his hands.”
“There are seven eligible bachelors who wish Rachael’s hand in marriage.”
“But it’s her choice, ultimately.”
“Where my niece is concerned, it’s my choice.”
Exasperated, Adonis tried to keep his cool. “If I want to see her... “
“You’ll be chaperoned. My niece is still a virgin as all huntresses are to be before they are mated with their lifetime mate. And I want to keep it that way until she’s married.” Before Adonis could speak, Tobias raised his hand. “You have gone far enough with her. If Gregory or any of the other men found out how you’d taken advantage of her, they’d kill you, and rightly so. But for now for what you’ve done for us, you’re in my good graces. Let’s keep it that way, shall we?”
“Chaperoned.” Inwardly Adonis smiled. No one was keeping him from Rachael.
“At all times.”
When they walked out of the conference room, Rachael hurried to join Adonis. Her uncle took a deep breath as he watched them, then he headed outside with several of the other men.
“What did he say, Adonis?” Rachael asked.
“He thanked me for saving Michael and Gregory and is allowing me to become part of the family.”
Her reserved enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed.
“What else, Adonis? I know the way you’re both acting, and the fact he said nothing about us to me, means he’s still having reservations about us.”
“I have to be chaperoned with you at all times.”
Her lips quirked into a smile.
“My sentiments exactly.” He kissed her deeply, then pulled away, and kissed her cheek. When he hugged her to his chest, she felt heavenly against him, and he wished he could take her away from all this, keep her safe from the rogue vampires, and from hunters who would want his death if they knew what he was. He took a deep breath. “Three hunter’s knives are hidden in Piaras’s bedroom, and a sword... “
“Yes, you’ve told me already, four times. Underneath the mattress, right side, left side and one in the drawer by the right side of the bed, and the sword beneath it.”
“I’ll pass a weapon to you if I get a chance.”
“I love you, Adonis.”
He kissed her cheek one last time. “I love you, too, Rachael. Somehow we have to get through this.” He couldn’t help the feeling that he needed to leave Rachael behind, to keep her safely away from Piaras. But he knew in the same instant, she was his only hope in freeing his family without causing their bloodshed. The adrenaline already coursed through his body, readying him to fight the devil, but a panic twisted in his gut, worrying over Rachael’s safety. With one last hug, he left, praying everything would go as planned.
***
A prickle of fear crept through Rachael when Adonis got into Michael’s truck and they drove off the property with all the other hunters following.
Dark-haired, black-eyed, Frederick joined her, one of her other wanna-be suitors, his expression hopeful now that Adonis was gone. “Would you like to walk with me in the gardens?”
“No. Danai and I are going to Trish’s house for a while to play with the girls.”
“Your uncle said nothing about your leaving here.”
“We’re just driving over to Trish’s house on the other side of the compound.”
“I can’t let you leave.”
Rachael folded her arms. “Trish and Mary have already returned to their homes. We’ll be back in a little bit.”
He blocked the door.
“My head still hurts, Frederick.” It didn’t really, but the excuse was convenient. “And wrestling with you is bound to give me a worse headache no matter how pleasurable it might be otherwise.”
The protective hunter nearly smiled, but his concern kept his expression guarded. “I’ll call your uncle and get his approval first.”
Danai stood next to her with her arms folded, and the look on her face was one of understanding.
“Mr. Bremerton. This is Frederick.” He stuck his hand in his pocket as he held the phone to his ear and looked down at the floor. “Nothing’s really the matter, sir. Rachael wants to go to Trish’s house.” He looked up at her. “With Danai. And me.” He smiled. “Yes, sir.”
He shut his phone. “It’s okay by him. You want to leave now?”
“Not now, Frederick. Maybe later. I didn’t sleep well so I’m going to lie down for a bit.” Rachael stalked off to her room with Danai following behind her before Frederick tried to stop them.
Rachael locked the bedroom door, then hurried across the floor to the window. Luckily too busy with other concerns the men hadn’t nailed it shut like they’d said they would. She pulled the window up.
Danai wrapped her arm around her waist, and the two women landed softly beside the evergreen shrubs next to the house.
With a quick step, they headed for Danai’s SUV. “Do you think it’ll drive all right?” Rachael asked as she considered the banged up condition of the backend.
“Yes, Michael drove it home last night when Adonis was unconscious. They said they’d repair it good as new in a few days, but it drove just fine.”
Danai climbed into the driver’s seat while Rachael buckled herself into the passenger’s seat.
Rachael’s skin crawled with anxiety. Facing Piaras now was going to be just like offering herself as a lamb for the slaughter. She was a huntress, but not really well trained to kill human vampires. She had the motivation, the drive, but she wasn’t sure she had the skill to do the job. Not against Piaras, the devil of them all.
Yet, if he wanted her, she would be the only hunter able to get that close and have a chance at killing him. It was her job to do, and she knew it. She was born for the role—or at least Piaras’s killing her parents and marking her—created the role for her. If she just didn’t screw it up.
Danai remained quiet the whole time as they headed across the city.
Rachael finally asked, “Do you think we have any chance to get out of there alive?”
Danai’s didn’t say a word, but her expression said it all. Whether she killed Piaras or not, Rachael wouldn’t celebrate another birthday.
Chapter 19
When Danai hesitated to answer her question, Rachael knew then that Danai believed she and Adonis wouldn’t make it out of Piaras’s estates alive as they drove to his place. She wondered if Adonis was more sure of Rachael’s abilities. At least she hoped someone believed she could succeed.
“I can’t lie to you, Rachael. I never believed you would. If we could have resolved this on o
ur own by killing Piaras ourselves, we’d never have involved you... believe me.”
“And Adonis?”
“He’ll die with you. He has no intention of living if he loses you. If I can, I’ll free my parents and my sister. But I’ll have lost my newfound sister and my brother, both whom I love dearly.” Danai’s voice shook a little at the end. She didn’t think any of them would be successful.
Rachael’s jaw tightened. She wasn’t really ready to be sacrificed. “You’re like the sister I never had, and I’ve enjoyed this time we’ve spent together, brief as it’s been.” She looked at Danai. “Will you continue to see Michael after this is all over?” She asked the question out of natural curiosity in part. But partly also because she wished to consider something else other than her upcoming gruesome ordeal with Piaras.
“No,” she said, softly. “If he were to learn what I really am, it would be the end for us. Michael would know what Gregory said was true about Adonis, too. If my brother was to make it out alive, he wouldn’t be safe with your family either. In the end, we’d all lose.”
“Maybe Michael will feel as I do. That you’re hunters first and foremost, and your new abilities will aid us, not work against us.”
“Old notions die hard, Rachael. Most likely a split would form between members of your family over us if any were to support us at all.”
Rachael stared out the window, felt the dagger hidden behind her back, giving her some comfort. “Then we’ll have to leave if…” She sighed. “…when we survive this.”
***
When they arrived at Piaras’s estate, an ornate wrought iron gate opened for them, like the gates opening to hell. Rachael’s skin prickled. There were no other cars in sight. The two-story, rambling Spanish-style mansion was surrounded by cacti, mesquite grass, and boulders and looked nothing like what she envisioned Piaras’s place to look like. A dark castle-like place with towers and black stone, while gargoyles with open-mouthed fangs clung to the eaves would have suited the tyrant.
