Tamsin frowned. “So none of the other men in your team will connect with me?”
“No.” Darrogh grimaced. “I am not even certain about you bonding with me.”
“I get that you don’t want to be near me. You don’t have to keep repeating it.”
Darrogh took her hand.
A shock of electricity raced through her fingers.
“You are wrong. All I desire is to be with you. It consumes me and is a fire that burns within me. My every thought is filled with you, whether it is about your safety, plans to protect you, or just to be near you.”
“That sounds a lot like love.”
Darrogh’s gaze was intense. “I do not sense that you feel the same way.”
“How do you know?”
“You would be able to hear my thoughts too.” Darrogh let her hand go. “That is why I am uncertain about what is happening to me.”
“Are you telling me that the mind reading goes both ways?”
“Of course.” Darrogh sounded surprised. “How else can it be a joining unless both partners are able to link to each other?”
“How is that possible?” Tamsin’s voice held a tremor.
“A pair bond is the true connection between two people who are meant to be together. There is no other person that they will ever bond with in this way.”
“So they are in perfect synch?”
“Yes.” Darrogh sighed. “Now do you understand why I doubt what is happening to me? It should not be one-sided.”
Tamsin clenched her hands together. “It’s not.”
Darrogh’s eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”
“When I was Saxby’s prisoner and couldn’t move, I saw you clearly in my head.” Tamsin hesitated for a second. “You told me you’d be there soon.”
“Why did you not tell me?”
“I was drugged and my memory was foggy.” Tamsin’s fingers fluttered against the cheek that Saxby had hit. “I thought it was a hallucination.”
“Was there anything else?”
“A couple of times I felt a sense of calm overcome me. Is that the kind of thing you’re talking about?”
Darrogh nodded.
“So what does this mean?” Tamsin’s voice rose. “Are we fated to be joined? In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t want to let another man into my life. How can I trust that you won’t leave me like Winchester did?”
“Winchester has no honor,” Darrogh scoffed. “Once a Hunter has bonded, there is no one else for him. It is a physical pain to be separated.”
Darrogh believed what he was telling her, but did she? She might sense when he was near, yet that didn’t mean she was reading his thoughts. She was attracted to him, and her body hummed with sparks when he touched her. Dare she trust that?
“What do we do now?” Her voice was a low whisper.
“I have always considered the bonding a curse because it lessens a warrior’s focus. Now, I am not so certain.” Darrogh’s tone was reflective. “I am focused on ensuring your protection. It has made me more effective as your bodyguard. My concern is what will happen once you do not need my services.”
“You said the connection lasts a lifetime.”
“A woman can refuse the mating. I would be bound to obey.” Darrogh winced. “The pain of not being with you would be unbearable.”
“Do you always do what a woman asks?”
“Yes.” Darrogh’s tone was solemn. “Women are obeyed. It is a man’s duty to serve her.”
Tamsin opened her mouth and then shut it.
Darrogh was serious.
Finally, she asked, “Is this something that Hunters have been bred to do?”
“All men on Cygnus obey women. They are the ones that rule and make the decisions.”
“I asked numerous times in the past week to be left alone, and you didn’t do it.”
“Women on earth are not used to ruling. A Hunter obeys unless it is a matter of safety. I deemed that you still needed protection. That is why I refused your requests.”
“So you don’t think I can rule?”
Darrogh grinned. “You are a very competent women. I believe we know more about security than you.”
“Well I can’t argue with that.” Tamsin shook her head. “I almost got myself killed yesterday.”
“It will not happen again.” Darrogh stood. “There is more at stake here than we first thought. We have proof that the Albireons are responsible for the threats on your life.”
“Who exactly are the Albireons?” Tamsin asked. “I know they’re in control of the corporation that is trying to take my father’s bank. You seem to have a past history with them. Have others been threatened by them?”
“They are the scourge of the universe.” Darrogh’s tone was disdainful. “They take over planets, strip them of their resources and genes, and then, they destroy them. They have been on Earth for several years and have infiltrated your governments to the highest levels.”
Tamsin frowned. “Are you saying they’re aliens also?”
“Yes.” Darrogh crossed his arms. “I have fought them in numerous battles. They have no honor and deceive with every promise. They are no match for a Hunter. Since we discovered their presence on this planet, we have looked for a means to eradicate them.”
“Why threaten my father?”
“They need economic control and his bank is part of the plan. We were unaware of how deep their influence on this planet was.” Darrogh’s jaw clenched. “They have more power than we thought. It will be difficult to defeat them.”
Tamsin wasn’t sure what she thought about this latest development. She had just accepted that Darrogh was probably telling the truth about being from another planet. Now he was asking her to believe that there was an alien conspiracy to overtake Earth. This morning, her biggest concern was trying to forget that she’d almost been raped and killed. Now, the world was at risk of being destroyed.
“It is a lot to accept.”
Tamsin smiled. “Reading my thoughts again?”
Darrogh nodded. “I have been in numerous battles with Albireons. I have seen many of my brothers killed because of the treachery of this race. I do not wish to see any more deaths.”
“Is my father at risk from them?”
“Once they have his bank, they will have no further use for him.”
Tamsin’s heart skipped a beat.
Her father was all she had.
“How can we protect him?” Tamsin didn’t care what it took, she wanted her father alive. If these Albireons were truly behind the threats, then she wanted them killed.
“He is safe as long as he controls Creighton’s.” Darrogh’s gaze burned with intensity. “You are the one in danger. Your father’s greatest weakness is his love for you, and they are using that against him. If you are safe, he will have no need to give them the bank.”
“So keeping me alive is the best way to thwart them?”
Darrogh nodded. “Your safety is my only concern.”
The enormity of what she’d just learned was suffocating. She wanted her world to stop spinning and the stress to lessen. Darrogh was looking at her with a hooded expression, but she could feel his uncertainty. He had risked exposure by telling her the truth about himself and she was thankful. It was a relief to know that she hadn’t been hallucinating.
The bond he spoke of sounded serious.
She needed playfulness and joy in her life too.
Tamsin went to Darrogh. He stood rigid and unmoving. Now that he’d told her about his beliefs, she knew that where she was concerned at least, he was not indifferent. She rubbed her hand up his arm, enjoying the sparks of fire that burned between them.
“You’re the only man I want guarding me.” She reached up and stroked down his cheek. “You will just have to overcome your aversion to having me near.”
“That is not what I said.” Darrogh’s voice was hoarse.
Tamsin batted her eyes. “You threatened to leave.”
<
br /> “I do not trust these feelings.”
“I don’t trust men, but I’ve made an exception in your case.” Tamsin walked over to her dressing table.
“Why are you deliberately misleading me?” Darrogh’s voice was filled with confusion.
“It’s called flirting and it’s fun.”
The tension eased out of Darrogh’s shoulders. “You are not upset by what I have told you.”
Tamsin picked up her brush. “You said we are bonding, so you already know what I am feeling.”
“You wish to play?” Darrogh tilted his head. “Now is the time for planning.”
Tamsin leaned back against her dresser. “What’s the point of this pair bond if there isn’t any fun?”
“I did not say that.”
“So far all you’ve told me about is having to protect and guard me.” Tamsin “I crave happiness and pleasure in my life.”
Darrogh frowned. “I do not understand.”
“You’ve spent your whole life fighting and that is all you’re focused on.” Tamsin took a deep breath. Somehow, she had to make Darrogh understand that there were other things in life besides war. “A couple share the good and the bad times.”
“You are not concerned by the Albireons or their threats.”
“I’ve decided that you can do the worrying for both of us.” Tamsin pointed the brush at him. “I trust you to protect me. I will do whatever you decide.”
Darrogh took a step toward her.
A knock on the door stopped him.
“Come,” Darrogh barked.
Firbin opened the door. “Kerm has reported activity at the stakeout.”
Chapter 14
“We had a pickup, but it was not Peter’s client.” Savis showed Darrogh the video playback on the computer.
Darrogh watched as a young man in a black hoodie, opened the mailbox and took out Peter’s envelope. He kept his back to the countertop so there was no chance to see his face. He opened the note, and then left the building.
“Is that all?”
“We followed him and were able to get some photos.” Savis clicked on the shots. “He called someone after leaving, and then threw the phone away.”
“It was probably a disposable cell at the other end.”
Darrogh kept his frustration in check. When he and Breanon had arrived at the van, he had expected to find out who the client was. He wanted this man found so that he could ensure Tamsin’s safety. The sooner that was done, the better. If he stayed much longer with Tamsin, he would never leave her side.
“That is what we thought.” Savis continued to scroll through the photos. “We followed him for over an hour. He led us nowhere.”
“He went into a pub and was buying rounds.” Kerm added. “He had lots of money to spend.”
“So he was paid to make the pickup and call with the information.” Darrogh felt like gnashing his teeth.
“Probably.” Peter looked down at his watch. “It’s a good thing I arranged to meet up with the client in person. I said eleven tonight at the Joy of Life Fountain, in Hyde Park. It should be private at that time.”
“How will you recognize him?” Darrogh turned to Peter.
“I just assumed that he’d know me because he hired me. I said I’d be sitting on the edge of the fountain. Nobody’s there at night.” Peter’s voice was hesitant. “Did I do wrong?”
“No. We will monitor everyone who is at the fountain. We have two hours to prepare.” Darrogh motioned to Savis to drive. “We will go now and find a vantage point to observe you.”
“What am I supposed to tell him?” Peter’s voice was unsteady. “I don’t have any photos from today because you guys took them.”
“Tell him your cover was blown, and you cannot work for him anymore.” Darrogh said.
“I’ll add that you guys took my camera.” Peter chuckled. “At least that’s the truth.”
“Ask for money.” Savis looked up from his computer screen. “That way he will not suspect a trap.”
Peter nodded. “Good idea.”
There was silence as they drove to Edgware Street and then east along Park Lane, looking for a parking space close to the Fountain. A quick surveillance of the area showed paved pathways and lights. The only real cover they would have was the darkness of night. The strategist in Darrogh did not like the location. It was not ideal for a covert operation.
They parked the van some distance away from the fountain.
Darrogh, Savis, and Peter walked the area.
It was a cool, summer evening and the moon was bright in the sky. There was very little cloud cover, and with the streetlights and moon, the area was too bright for them to go unseen. The fountain’s spouting water and its dancing, bronze statues were illuminated with blue-tinted floodlights. The buildings across from the park, and the road, provided enough additional light that a person could almost read by it. If someone was watching the grounds, they would be spotted right away.
“Why would you choose this place?” Savis was looking around at the open area surrounding the fountain.
“It’s easy to get to, and safe.” Peter shrugged. “He won’t try anything out in the open.”
“Good.” Darrogh patted the front of Peter’s jacket. “You will have to wear a microphone and camera because we will not be able to get close enough to protect you.”
“You said I’d be guarded.”
They returned to the van.
“You picked the location.” Darrogh motioned for Savis to take over. “If this is someone who has been following Tamsin, then they will recognize us.”
Once inside the vehicle, Peter unbuttoned his shirt and let Savis wrap a wire around him. When that was finished, a small camera similar to the one they had used for the mailbox, was placed on the underside of his shirt collar.
“That should give us the information we need.” Darrogh gave Peter a nod of approval. “Remember you are angry because you have lost your equipment. Do not give him a chance to think about anything else.”
“Right.” Peter straightened his shoulders. “If I get some money out of this, great.”
“The important thing is for us to see who it is.” Darrogh’s voice was firm. “Do not try and get any evidence. Tell him and then leave.”
“The sooner you are back at the van, the quicker we can find out who your client is,” Savis added.
“You guys could ruin my reputation if anyone finds out I’ve helped you.” Peter ran his hand under his collar. “There’s such a thing as confidentiality agreements.”
“You have never met the person so he could not have signed a contract.” Darrogh’s voice was dry. “That alone should have alerted you to the fact that this was not an honest operation.”
“It’s hard being a private investigator.” Peter’s voice rose defensively. “I take the work where I can find it.”
“That is why you are helping us. Tamsin has agreed to find a position for you at the bank.” Darrogh turned to Savis. “Is the equipment ready?”
“Yes.”
Darrogh opened the van door. “It is time for you to leave.”
Peter looked down at his watch. “I still have an hour.”
“It is better for you to be in place before he arrives.” Darrogh’s voice was firm. “We do not want him seeing you leaving this van.”
Peter sighed. “It’s a good thing it’s a nice night.”
“We will be listening. If there is a problem, we will come.” Darrogh waited until Peter was outside before continuing. “We will follow your mystery client after the meeting, so you need to get back here fast.”
“Or you’ll leave me?”
“Exactly.”
“I was kidding,” Peter protested. “You can’t abandon me.”
“We move fast. If you want to work with us, then you better keep up.”
Peter nodded. “If I miss my ride, I’ll meet you back at Tamsin’s house.”
Darrogh watched Peter until he reached the fo
untain and then he slid the van door closed. Soon, he would find out who was having Tamsin followed. Hopefully, that would lead to the people who were threatening her life. It would be the longest hour of his life. When he turned back to his men, they looked up from their work with solemn expressions.
They deserved to know the truth.
He cleared his throat and sat. “You have questions.”
Breanon went back to examining his rifle. “You will tell us when you are ready.”
“I do not know if that will ever happen.” Darrogh’s voice was gruff. “I am forming a bond with Tamsin.”
“You sound as if this is a bad thing.” Savis’s voice was matter of fact.
“I do not trust the effects this planet has on us.”
“You’re still new to Earth. In time, your body will adjust.” Kerm spoke in a quiet voice.
“You have been here thirty years.” Darrogh looked at the other man. “How have you reacted to being near women?”
“They’ve never affected me.” Kerm’s voice was devoid of emotion. “Until your unit arrived, we never considered the possibility of finding a mate.”
“Ardal accepted his bonding.” Savis’s tone was one of reason. “So have Niail and Partlan. There is no shame in admitting that you have formed a pair bond.”
“Catal denied his mate, and that caused him pain and grief for many years,” Kerm added.
“It is not easy for me.” Darrogh clenched his hands into fists. “Until I joined Ardal’s unit, I had never been near women.”
Breanon paused in cleaning his rifle. “You must have had some contact.”
Darrogh shook his head. Only Ardal, their leader, knew of his previous military deployments. The other men in the unit had accepted that Darrogh had earned his position as second in command. They had never inquired about his experiences before he had joined their unit.
“I was trained and fought on Cosnov. We did not have women there.”
“It was known as the death planet.” Breanon frowned. “It would have been severe.”
“Very few of the Hunters in my division survived.”
A Hunter’s purpose was to fight. Death was expected, and to die in battle was an honor. He had lived. Most of those he had fought with, had died. He didn’t question why. He knew that his years of battle had made him a superior warrior. Now, for the first time, he realized that those skills could be used for something he cared about. Protecting Tamsin.
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