‘I did, I loved him, so much, and a part of me will always miss him, but I’ve never loved anyone as much as I love you, Ila.’ I wrapped my arms around him, resting my head against his chest.
He smiled, pulling back. ‘I love you.’
‘It was you, wasn’t it?’
He looked at me curiously.
‘In the desert. You caught me when I fell.’
‘You weren’t meant to remember that.’
I caught the smile he was trying to hide. I reached up and cupped his cheek. ‘I could never forget your eyes.’
‘I broke protocol. Michael was furious.’
‘I know.’ I nodded. ‘I figured that part out for myself. The Agency has no jurisdiction out there.’
‘I had no choice.’
It all made sense. The meeting when Michael demanded that Illarion ensure there wouldn’t be a repeat of Operation Lullaby, the familiarity and the warmth in his eyes, the way I felt so safe with him even when I’d just met him.
‘You okay?’
‘Yeah.’ I smiled.
‘When they brought your team back I went to Alex’s funeral, the General wasn’t too thrilled, they never liked working with us.’
‘He knew about me too?’
‘He had to. When you enlisted, we had no choice but to involve him. It wasn’t too hard in this instance; many soldiers in his division are like us.’
‘He told me once that he knew my father.’
Illarion nodded.
‘I feel like everything in my life was a lie.’
‘It wasn’t Ace. You’re good at what you do. You made Sergeant, not this life or some cosmic force.’
I smiled, shaking my head.
‘What?’ he asked gently, tracing his fingers over mine.
‘Alex said the same thing once.’
‘He was right.’
‘He also said I’d be brilliant one day.’
‘And you are.’ His eyes shone with pride. ‘Probably already more than you know.’
Illarion pulled me toward him, swept a gentle hand over my cheek, and lowered his lips to mine.
Embracing the love he was showing, I kissed him deeply, holding onto everything between us like nothing else mattered.
When he pulled back, he let his lips linger for a moment before speaking.
‘We should get some rest; we need to get everything ready.’
‘Agreed.’ I smiled, pressing another quick kiss to his lips. ‘I’ll see you in a bit.’
***
Between the time Aurel got back, and we spoke with Michael, we put together all the equipment we needed including all the files and the laptop. I made sure I took my medication and packed enough clothing to last a few days. Who knew how long we would be gone.
As I carried my things through the house, I let my mind wander to the conversation Illarion and I had. Everyone had been telling me my life was fated and the things I experienced were pre-ordained. I didn’t know how much I wanted to believe that, but I couldn’t help but believe it when I remembered all the events that took place across my life—strategically placed coincidences, though, I reminded myself I didn’t believe in them.
Aurel loaded everything into the back of the Hummer and we all got in, silent ambition rolling through each of us for different reasons. We took off, heading for the private airstrip a few miles away.
It was hard telling Daniel that he couldn’t come, that it wasn’t safe. Illarion respected how hard it was for him to hear but he couldn’t take on the risk, there were already too many liabilities. He was about to start a fight with Illarion for letting me go back there. I had to hand it to the kid, he had balls and Illarion actually appreciated it. He gave him his word that he would keep me safe, at all costs.
Illarion drove in silence, each of us quietly contemplating what the mission would bring.
Aurel was uneasy in the back seat, his emotions flipped all over the place giving me a migraine, and Illarion beside me was quiet with a steely determination I’d seen only once before. It shook me to the core. He was hell bent on finding the Taker and bringing him as much pain as he brought me. One thing I’d learned about Illarion was that when he wanted something, he wouldn’t stop until he got it.
Me? Well, I was dealing with the insatiable desire to run and hide with my tail between my legs or find him and take him on head first, show him that he didn’t destroy me. Only I didn’t believe that as my palms grew sweaty and my breaths became shallow.
Illarion reached over and squeezed my hand in his. Jesus, my feelings must have been flashing all over the car like a neon sign.
‘It’s going to be okay,’ he said, softly, and with a chuckle added. ‘You’ll be safe with Josh. You know he can kick some serious ass if he needs to.’
‘I want you with me,’ I said, painfully aware that I was starting to sound like a whining child.
He glanced over at me, a pained expression on his face.
‘You know Aurel and I need to do this. We have to be in the field.’
‘We’ll both be nearby,’ Aurel added, from the back.
‘I know,’ I murmured, rubbing a knot from my shoulder.
We drove for the remainder of the journey in silence.
As the airstrip came into view, Illarion pulled around the back and parked where we met Josh and one other field Agent.
‘Agents,’ she acknowledged us.
‘Ace, this is Agent Simms.’
I shook her hand, glad to see another woman in the field. She had long, blonde hair pulled back into a long braid and usual Agency gear like what we had on. Black pants with a black t-shirt and jacket.
As soon as the formal handshakes were done, Josh ran up to me and pulled me into the biggest bear hug I’d ever had the pleasure of receiving. Illarion stepped back, narrowly avoiding getting bowled over, and let out a soft laugh leaving the two of us with some privacy.
‘The last time I saw you….’
‘I know.’
‘How are you?’ he asked, just looking me over, in absolute awe.
I couldn’t help the smile that came so naturally around him.
‘I’m good, much better now.’
‘What happened?’ he asked, leading us both toward the waiting agency jet.
‘That is a long story, Josh, and to be honest, not one I wish to repeat right now.’ I gave him an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘I completely get it. I’m here if you wanna chat.’
Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.’
As we neared the jet, he nudged me in the ribs. ‘So, you and Lazarev?’
I blushed turning from him, spotting Illarion up ahead who always seemed to have a watchful eye on me. He smiled and turned back to the small group of agents who had gathered, no doubt giving them a brief of what we were doing tonight.
‘Yeah.’ I turned back to Josh.
‘It’s good, I’m glad. He’s a total babe and so are you, plus I saw how he looked at you when he brought you around to see me last year.’
‘Was everyone aware of this except me?’ My eyes widened.
‘That’s usually how it goes.’
‘I guess you’re right.’ I shrugged as we reached the jet. ‘How’s that cute I.T. guy down the hall?’
‘He’s fine.’ Josh blushed, nudging me again.
‘I’ll bet he is.’ I grinned.
‘You are a fiend.’ He laughed, shaking his head. ‘Besides, I have to occupy my eyes now that Lazarev isn’t around to look at anymore.’
‘Yeah, I’ll bet he misses his biggest fan.’
Josh gave me an exaggerated eye roll.
‘That man has fans all over the world, by no means am I the biggest, believe me.’ He nodded his head in the direction of the blonde agent who seemed to be glued to Illarion’s side.
‘Ha. Ha.’ I punched him in the shoulder, trying my best to ignore the nagging feeling of jealousy running through me. ‘So, when are you and I.T. man going to give it a go?’
<
br /> ‘When my heart recovers from the heartache that is the loss of Illarion Lazarev.’
This time I gave an exaggerated eye roll.
‘Sorry I’m just way more awesome than you.’
Josh rolled his eyes. ‘Ah it’s all good, Hart, I forgive you. Besides, I.T. man is really into comics, so he’s obviously a better match for me.’
‘Obviously.’ I nodded, shaking my head with a grin. ‘So, do I get a name or is he forever shrouded in secrecy?’
‘His name is, James.’
Grinning, I chuckled. ‘Cute.’
He laughed again and pressed a kiss to my cheek as we neared the blondie and Illarion.
‘Ah, how I’ve missed you, Hart.’
Illarion nodded for us to board and when we did, I chose a seat beside Josh. Illarion and Aurel left us to catch up and I couldn’t help but notice how Simms found a really convenient seat right next to him. Really? I forced my eyes back to Josh.
The three-hour flight was filled with laughter and stories shared by friends. The mood was light and the nerves were settled. It was a perfect prelude for a war.
We landed and Aurel and Illarion helped the other two agents with the equipment while Josh and I followed closely behind still caught up in our deep and meaningful conversation about why Iron Man and Captain America would actually fight. Josh nudged me playfully.
‘Don’t worry, the movies aren’t what’s important. The comics are. And the comics say that Steve is the best.’
I shoved him back. ‘Clearly, you’re mistaken.’
‘Hey, you’re just on Team Stark because your man is a genius billionaire, only a little prejudiced?’
‘Bull. I’ve loved Tony Stark since I was five!’
We argued back and forth until Illarion walked up to us, much to Simms’s dismay.
‘I would have to agree with Ace, I’m biased too.’
‘Two against one, Josh.’ I raised my eyebrows at him.
‘Fine. For now, Hart. For now.’ He threw his hands up in defeat.
I laughed taking my bag from Illarion and followed them down to the van where Josh and I climbed in first.
Aurel and Illarion followed and took a seat.
‘We’re going to park at the north entrance. You two will stay with the van and run surveillance, Aurel and I will head the first team in through the back, and the other agents will take the side.’
We both nodded and when the van pulled up to the familiar driveway, I felt my heart speed up and my palms became sweaty again.
I wiped them along my thighs and gave Illarion and Aurel their short-range comms. Aurel left, giving us some space. I stepped just outside the van and waited for Illarion to come to me.
He leaned in and cupped my cheek. ‘I love you.’
‘Be careful.’ I smiled leaning into his touch.
When they were gone, I closed the door, and I turned my attention to the screens lining the side of the van and took a seat beside Josh.
‘You good to go?’ Josh asked, putting on his own headset.
‘Ready.’
We watched for a few minutes as the first team slowly made their way to their designated targets, closely followed by the second team who flanked them, ready to cover should any issues arise.
At this point, it was an information recovery mission only.
Although we were pretty sure there was no one here, there was always a chance that someone had stayed behind.
I leaned back in my chair chewing on a Twizzler as Josh monitored the other agents. When Illarion came into view, I wheeled my chair closer to the console.
‘Alright, Nighthawk, I’ve got you. If you take the corridor down to the end and follow it around, you’ll see the room.’
He nodded and continued walking.
I glanced across at Josh; he was still working on keeping the rest of the surveillance in our control and keeping our signal off the radar, in case someone else was monitoring the mansion.
Josh didn’t know what went on here and he didn’t need to.
All Illarion told him was that I was still recovering from the ordeal I’d been through, of course he kept the details hidden.
As Illarion continued down the corridor, I brought my head back to the game.
When he reached the door he stopped, pausing briefly. I couldn’t see his face but I imagined that he closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. I would be doing exactly the same thing.
‘What you need will be in the desk, there should be three locked drawers.’
Illarion was aware of exactly what he needed to do, we’d only gone through the details fifty times, but his straying from the mission had Josh’s attention.
Illarion glanced up at the camera, he nodded at me and turned back.
He made his way inside and I bit down on my lip as memories of the room flooded me. The last time I was in there, I was getting flung around like a rag doll after the son of a bitch double dosed me.
I gripped the edge of the table forcing myself to remain calm. Slowly, I swivelled my chair further away from Josh. I took another Twizzler and popped it in my mouth as I worked my hands across the keyboard, bringing up several other surveillance points leading up to and away from Illarion’s location.
He walked around the dark, untouched room, tracing his fingers across the surface of the chairs, the table, the shelves. His sense of Feeling gave him a definite advantage. He felt, and saw, whatever took place somewhere and, if he tried hard enough, he could probably feel exactly who was in here and when. That was a learned aspect of his gift. It took someone truly exceptional to be able to hone in on that level of control and from experience, I knew how hard it was.
Remembering how it felt meddling with my gifts, trying to delve into someone’s mind, I knew he was doing a good job keeping composed because I saw how angry he really was. That telltale sign of his slightly trembling hand was enough to put me on edge.
He walked around touching the furniture until he stopped at an upturned chair, my heart sunk as he knelt and lowered his hand to the wooden frame.
Bowing his head, I saw him grip the edges of the chair, knuckles blanching, before pulling himself back up to his feet.
A dangerous anger simmered inside him.
‘Keep moving, Nighthawk, the desk is where you need to be.’ I cleared my throat. Suddenly, I was extremely grateful that this was the room we needed and not the other office.
Josh looked curiously at the scene unfolding until he brought his attention back to Aurel’s side of the screens.
Illarion moved over slowly.
I blinked and looked away momentarily, as more and more images and memories running through the room found their way into his head.
Everything that had happened to me here, all the things I’d done to the other Sensitives were right there for him to see like an open book.
Finally, he found his way to the desk and pulled the drawers free from their cheap locks. He promptly located all the files and put them safely in his backpack.
‘Titan is about to finish up too, make your way back the same way you came. You’re clear.’
The more he spent in this house, the more my nerves began to twist on themselves. Yes, he’d seen some of the horror that took place, but he didn’t feel what I felt. He didn’t feel the moment I decided to stop fighting, he didn’t feel the helplessness when I gave up.
Fear crept up inside me, if he even got an inkling of the pain I’d suffered, I’d break, I wouldn't be able to hold it together. So, I kept him moving, distracted from what I imagined was a severely strong pull toward the other side of the house where my bedroom was.
Illarion slung the backpack over his shoulder and made his way out, leaving the office as he found it.
I watched as he hurriedly walked through the hallways, forcing his hand across everything he could touch and get a read from.
Then, like a breath was sucked from him, he stopped. He stopped and looked up at the cameras looking directly at me a
nd my stomach dropped.
He felt my residual energy intensify toward the lower end of the corridor and abruptly he changed his course, and that’s when I began to lose it. Terror seized my insides, fear of what he would see, fear of what he would feel. My breath stalled with each short breath.
‘Don’t,’ I warned.
He ignored me and continued down the hallway, making all those familiar turns and corners I had done for months and months.
‘What’s going on?’ Josh moved his chair over to me.
I fought back the tears and kept my attention focused on Illarion.
Suddenly, he stopped, and I thought my heart would too.
He was at my room. At the room where too much had happened.
‘Ila, please don’t.’ To hell with caution, I didn’t care who was listening to our transmission. He couldn’t be in there, he couldn’t feel those things.
His hand hovered over the door handle. Slowly, he brushed his fingertips across it and drew his hand back like he’d burned himself. I felt it through him, the pain I had suffered, as if I was suffering it all over again.
It was too late. I couldn’t block him out, I couldn’t block out my own feelings.
He was so emotionally charged right now it was flooding into me, it was suffocating me. It was like a beacon of light and energy bouncing off the walls and, if anyone was monitoring the building, we’d definitely be made now. That much power was hard to ignore, and it was impossible for me to control.
‘Ila, don’t do this, please.’
Josh looked at the screen and then back at me. ‘What’s going on, Ace?’
‘Keep your eyes on Aurel,’ I snapped.
‘Ace-.’
‘Do it.’
He threw his hands up defensively and moved back to the monitor.
Illarion was still standing, transfixed, at the door. Damn him.
‘I’m begging you, Illarion. Do not do this.’
He ignored me and pushed the door open, just as he did, his hand went to his heart as the other reached for the wall.
All my emotions and feelings that were etched into the essence of those four walls, exploded around him.
Illarion wasn’t prepared for the emotional tsunami that was just released. He struggled, he knelt, holding onto the door for support.
King of Hart Page 27
