by Ava Mason
He nuzzled my cheek. “Maybe it’s because you’re so strong, so inspiring, that other people are afraid of what you could do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” he ran his hand up my neck, splaying his fingers over my jaw. “If I wanted to take out a Queen, I’d take out her strongest defender first.”
I chuckled. “I think that would be Gerard.”
He nuzzled my nose. “I don’t think so. I think you just beat one of the toughest, bitchiest dragons in front of thousands of people.” His hold tightened on my jaw, tilting my head to splay my neck. “Regardless of Gerard’s skills, you’d be the one I went after.”
Then he bent down and raked his teeth over my skin and I shivered. Growling, I grabbed his chin to pull him into a kiss. His taste still sweet on my lips, I turned towards the tall and imposing building, steeling myself. “Let’s get this fucker.”
As soon as we walked in the door, all eyes were on us. Apparently they’d all heard about the fuck-up at the museum. Used to a lot of people staring at him, Hunter stepped forward, leading us inside. The inner foyer had a natural light that filtered through the wall of windows behind us. The floor was a black marble, and stamped with the military logo in gold and silver. We walked towards a security desk that had a large black archway next to it. Orange lights shimmered under it, forming a magical alarm system of some sort.
Hunter took out his identification but the security guard didn’t even look at it. His eyes were on me, instead. “Put your guns on the table, please.”
Hunter, Christian and Easton all placed their guns on the table. Then Hunter and Easton walked through the arch. Christian put his hand on my back, urging me to go before him. I walked through it and an alarm went off.
The security guard stood up. “Miss, do you have any magical items?”
I nodded, and pulled out my necklace. His eyes widened as he saw it. I stared him down, challenging him to ask me to take it off. He just nodded his head. “Move forward, please.”
I jumped forward, ready to be through with this. As soon as Christian was through it, I followed Hunter towards the elevators.
I stared into the mirror as we shot up to the twelfth floor and grinned. All my guys were in the exact same pose. Arms crossed, legs spread, shoulder length apart. Serious looks on their faces. They were brothers again, a team, facing their mega boss.
Making a hummph noise, I mirrored their stance, feeling more powerful. I wasn’t happy about this either. I was going to kick his ass if we found out it was him. There was a bing and the elevator door opened to a reception lounge. There was no one at the front desk but it didn’t matter. The guys were here often enough that they breezed on by. We moved down a long hallway, passing several other hallways filled with offices.
Suddenly, arms reached around my stomach and jerked me into a dark hallway. The smell of Avery assaulted my nose as he pressed me against the wall.
“I can’t stay away from you, Lizzy.”
A mixture of anger and elation ripped through my body. Avery was back! I growled. Avery was back. That motherfucker who left me alone in the woods was back.
His hands held me to the wall and he leaned against me as his voice vibrated over my ear. “I tried to fly as far away from you as possible. I went as far as the Aerwyna border but I discovered that I could fly to the edge of the earth and you will always call to me. Like a heartbeat waiting for the next, your heart will always call to mine.” Avery rubbed his ear up my neck, his trembling voice sounded in my ear. “I can’t breathe without you by my side. I cannot move, think, eat, smell or live without you. Tell me you fucking forgive me, tell me I can have you, and I will do anything in my power to make up for everything I’ve done.”
I squirmed in his arms, moving to face him as Hunter, Christian and Easton rounded the corner, ready for a fight. They halted as soon as they saw Avery, but they couldn’t stop their motion in time before colliding into us. Avery twisted his body to take the force of them slamming into us.
“What the hell, man?” After pulling apart from everyone, Christian grabbed Avery by the shirt. Easton and Hunter scowled, looking pissed.
I faced Avery. “Where did you come from? How did you know we were here?”
He shrugged, managing to look relaxed even though Christian had him by his shirt. “I told you, I’m very good at my job. I know how to make myself invisible.” He looked at Christian, giving him a serious look. “Let me go.”
Christian growled, shoving his face closer. “Not until I kick your ass for leaving Elizabeth like that, you bastard.”
Avery held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “You’re right. I deserve it.”
Christian growled but his hold loosened on Avery’s shirt. I knew he was going to let Avery get away with it because of that pitiful look on Avery’s face, so I took a step forward and punched him in the face.
“Damn straight you deserve it.”
Laughter burst through the hallway and even Avery joined in.
I folded my arms across my chest, unamused. “What do you want, Avery?”
Blood dripped from his nose and it gave me a sense of satisfaction. This was probably the third time today he’d gotten his nose smashed in. Not that he didn’t deserve it.
Glancing at the guys, he gave me a supplicating look. “Can we talk? Alone?”
I shook my head. “No. You can say what you have to say right here, in front of everybody. They’ve got my back.”
Christian crossed his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall, giving Avery a stern look. Hunter and Easton nodded, smirking at him. Avery quickly looked away and at me, sighing.
“Fine.” Avery took in a deep breath and put his hand on my waist, focusing on me. “You were right. About everything. I’m sorry. And I…” He rubbed his thumb across his lower lip, hesitating. “I thought I could forget about you, but I couldn’t. I didn’t even get very far.” He sighed. “I’m weak and a coward.”
“Mmm,” I agreed.
He wrapped his arms around me, bringing me to him. “But I want you, Lizzy. I can’t fucking live without you. Tell me, what can I do to make it up to you.”
My heart was trembling in my chest, beating like mad because the part of me that had been missing, the part that longed for the four of my men together, the ache in my chest was soothed. Avery was here again.
But I stood my ground, ignoring my heart. “Tell me the truth then, Avery. What the hell has all this been about? Your screw up, I can forgive. It was dumb, but we all do dumb things. Why weren’t you honest with me when you got back? Not only did you shut me out, but you were so mean and hateful. And it hurt like hell.” I couldn’t stop the emotion in my voice.
His lip trembled and his eyes clouded over, but he still held me close, gripping me like he was never going to let me go.
“The truth is,” he swallowed hard. “The only other time I’ve felt this way was when Mia died. And I,” he choked on his words and tears streamed down his face, “When the wolves attacked, I couldn’t save her. They tore her to pieces, right in front of me. And I couldn’t do anything to save her.”
He took in a breath, looking away for a moment. I reached up and pulled his chin to look at me.
To look at me, and tell me, to my face.
He stared into my eyes. “And when I came back and saw you, I realized how much I fucking felt for you. I already knew I was falling for you, but seeing you and knowing what I did was too much. I was so disappointed in myself for failing you. And I worried that I would keep failing you. That someone would get to you eventually and that I wasn’t able to protect the only women I’ve ever loved. So I thought that by pushing you away, that if I made you hate me, that…” His voice faded, breaking as he choked out the last of his words. “That it wouldn’t break me in two if I failed you again.”
A gut wrenching pain tugged at my throat; he was in so much pain. I let his pain, his sadness and heartbreak seep into me so that I would understand
him. This was being an Alpha. It was being courageous enough to take their pain, to be strong enough to carry their burdens.
He leaned forward, brushing his lips against mine softly and I closed my eyes.
“Avery, I’m going to tell you the same thing that Easton told me. You have a team now. We’re here to back you up. You’re not alone anymore.” I scowled, growling. “And we’re going to fix this. Together. I promise.”
He nodded and leaned his head against mine. “I know.” He took in a deep breath. “I know that now. I promise, I will never do that, ever again. Tell me, what do I need to do to make it up to you? Whatever you want, I’ll do. Even if I have to lick your shoes clean and do all the cooking for a year.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Anything I ask?”
Nodding, his eyes burned into me. “Anything.”
I shrugged. “Okay, lick my boots then.”
His eyebrows went into his hair. “Okay.”
“Get on your knees and grovel.”
He closed his eyes and went to his knees. Easton sniggered and I bit my lips, trying not to smile.
I bent over to whisper. “Beg me for forgiveness.”
He put his hands around my ankles and his lips grazed the top of my boots before I stopped him, pulling on his arm. “Stop, stop. I was just joking.” The rest of the guys burst out laughing but I sighed and pulled him up.
He stood up, his sienna-burnt eyes intent on mine. “I told you, I’ll do anything.”
I hooked my finger in his jeans and pulled him to me. “You will do everything I say, when I say it and how I say it.” I glanced at Easton who was still smirking; I guess I was learning something from him. “You will earn me, and my respect, back. Is that clear?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
I let him go and began walking again, with Hunter walking alongside me, and Christian and Easton falling in behind me. I had no idea where Andre’s office was, but I was leading anyways. “Now get in line. We’re going to Andre’s office.”
“I know.” Avery jumped forward, falling in line next to Easton and Christian.
I stopped and swirled towards him, rising my eyebrow. “Excuse me?”
“I mean, yes, ma’am.”
“Try to keep up.” I turned back around, now unable to hold back a smile, and kept walking. We walked as a unit, with Hunter only giving me small guidance where to turn. With Avery here, everyone fell into place.
Our family was together again.
A huge weight lifted off my chest and I straightened my shoulders, focusing forward. It was time to face the man who was trying to kill me.
As far as Andre knew, our appointment with him was still set up for tomorrow. We’d decided with Liam to come in unannounced to take Andre off his guard. The guys had enough clearance to get us in this far, and we weren’t stopped. As we approached his office, I felt a sense of satisfaction. I had all my guys with me. We were going to kick ass.
We walked right in his office, didn’t hesitate at his assistant’s desk and kept moving. He jumped out of his seat, his hand on his gun strapped to his side, but when he saw us, he relaxed.
“Hey, Hunter. Guys. What’s going on? Do you need to see Andre?”
We ignored him, strolling towards the hallway beyond.
“I think he’s busy.” The assistant, Lucian, called out to us. “You can’t just go in there.”
The hallway to Andre’s office was lined with black tile and smooth black brick walls. I felt like we were walking the hallways to his cold, black heart. We walked in unison and the strength of my team gave me the courage to face the man I believed responsible for trying to kill me. We got to his door and I tried to open it. It was locked. I looked at Hunter.
He knelt down, eyeing the keyhole. “He’s changed it. Looks like a biometric lock.”
I remembered Aria’s door to her garden responding to her touch. It must be the same.
“I told you, you can’t just go in there. He has to open it. But I called him.” Lucian’s voice drifted down the hallway. “He’ll be there in a sec.”
“Damnit.” We didn’t want to give Andre any advance warning.
“Get back,” I growled, ready to force it open with my magic. I closed my eyes, pulling from the magic within me. Ready to blast out in case Andre was ready with a weapon.
Suddenly, the door clicked and I opened my eyes. Andre stood there, a frown on his face. He had no weapon. He didn’t look prepared for a fight. In fact, he looked bored.
“Elizabeth. Glad you could come see me.” He glanced behind me. “I see you brought the Ildrenas boys, even though I requested you come alone.”
I strode into the room, concealing my surprise. The guys filed in behind me then spread out. The room had been completely renovated, even the carpet was new. Light filtered from the wall of windows that looked out beyond into the city. I strode towards his desk and collapsed into the black leather sofa across from it. Hunter sat next to me and leaned back, putting his arms behind his head to relax comfortably into the sofa.
He looked confident and laid back but I could feel the tension coming from him.
Avery and Easton stood behind me but Christian skirted into the room, giving Andre a wide berth and then hung back. Instead of going any deeper in the room, he stood by the door. Andre watched him for a moment then, deliberately turning his back, and walked over to his desk. He sat down heavily into his chair and swiveled towards his desktop, which held neat stacks of paper, along with a sleek black laptop.
He closed the laptop and then, placing the palm of his hands on the top of his desk, looked up at me.
“Now. I’ve requested this meeting with you because—”
“What is this?” Christian was now standing by the only thing that hadn’t been replaced in the room, his shelves. He picked up a gold statue and showed it to Andre. It was an elephant with several arms and looked like they were in different positions.
Andre frowned. “That is an old and priceless statue from the Indian region, known to be from an ancient Hindu temple. Please put it back.”
Christian shrugged, then gently put it back and moved on to the next item, which looked like a paperweight. Andre stared at him, a scowl on his face.
Hunter sat forward. “I like your new desk. Mahogany?”
Andre’s eyes didn’t leave Christian. “Yes.”
Hunter smirked. “Your old one, it was… ebony, right?”
Andre’s eyes slid towards Hunter, his nostrils flaring. “As I’m sure you well remember.”
“When did you change your lock?” Avery leaned forward, his hands on the back of the couch. The seriousness in his voice made me shiver and Andre’s eyes moved from Avery to me.
I gave him a hard look and leaned forward. “Did you try to kill me?”
He looked from Hunter to Avery to me, ignoring the bump from Christian at the back, who was flipping through a book.
He looked at Hunter. “I changed my whole room the day after you two defiled it and,” his eyes slid to Avery, “I changed the lock after someone broke in. Apparently, I’ve trained my men too well.”
Easton broke in. “Charles trained us.”
Andre gave him a cool look. “And I trained Charles.”
Silence came over the room, except for Christian who kept flipping the pages of the book.
“Now,” Andre folded his hands on the desk. “I know one of you took my file on William Erikson. That is a severe breach of protocol and I could have you arrested.”
“I notice you didn’t answer my question.” My voice was low and my necklace warmed at my throat, just waiting to be used.
He was calm. Too calm for my liking. Was a cold-blooded killer staring back at me? The thought made my wolf come alive and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end.
He looked at Avery, avoiding my stare. “The first time I was aware of your mission was when I saw Elizabeth walk out into the arena for her challenge against Sophia.” Now his eyes met mine and they were
cold but intense. “I assure you, I made no such attempt against your life. In fact, the fiasco of your mission has been hell to clean up.” The only thing in his voice that indicated he was feeling any kind of anger at all was a slightly frustrated lilt at the end of his sentence.
I ignored his frustration. “How did you know that Avery was assigned to kill me?”
“I would recognize his handiwork anywhere, as I’ve seen it several times. Except I was surprised that you were still alive. But it made sense. Big enough to look like he’d made an attempt, but in the exact spot that would do the least amount of damage. Especially for a shifter wolf like you. It was a brilliant strategy on his part.”
I grunted, annoyed that Andre was giving Avery’s rationalization weight. I outright ignored the fact that the only time I was seeing Andre get excited about anything, was when he was strategizing killing me.
He continued, “I immediately left the arena to look into the breach. You guys aren’t the only ones that have breached my offices and I’ve made certain that nothing like that will ever happen again.”
Avery leaned into the couch, ready to spring over it. “You expect us to believe you?”
Andre laughed. It was an eerie, brittle thing and it chilled me to my bones. “Why on earth would I assign you to kill Elizabeth?” He gestured towards me. “If I’d have wanted her dead, I would most certainly have chosen someone else, even if he wasn’t the best. Because even you have your limits, Avery.”
He looked at me, his eyes dark and serious. “And believe me, if I’d have ordered the hit, she’d be dead by now.”
His words alone were harmless enough, but the way he said it, the tone of his voice, it sounded threatening. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end and a warning snarl escaped my mouth, unbidden. A shot of blue magic shot out from my necklace into the room. Easton growled and launched himself over the couch. Hunter and Avery were right behind him. I jumped up, torn between holding my guys back and launching at him myself.
But Andre was fast. He blocked Easton’s hit, then threw him across the room. Both Hunter and Avery fell in right behind Easton, tackling Andre to the ground. Avery grabbed Andre’s shoulders but Andre smashed a powerful fist across Avery’s nose. Avery’s face snapped backwards, forcing him to fall onto his back.
