by Wendi Zwaduk
She didn’t strike him as someone who cried often and showing that deep of an emotion must’ve cut her to the marrow.
Hagan scooted down the bed and tugged her onto his lap. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. She’d been so strong for far longer than she needed. “The Hunters are very important to the Supers. You keep balance when it’s all out of whack. Lives are saved because of what you do.”
“Doesn’t feel that way sometimes.” She gripped his shirt and buried her face against his shoulder.
“You’re right. Something is off, but it’s not you. A Hunter and a full-blooded Super should make a great pair, especially if they are mates. So you could kill me. You haven’t and it’s because you know the difference between an evil Super and a fucked up Hunter. Your dad knew the difference. Why else would he have been killed?”
“You think so?”
“I’ve seen enough evil, especially from Maslow to believe that some of these deaths aren’t accidents or natural causes.”
“I never thought it was natural, either. Ben actually tried to convince me otherwise.”
“A lot of people with Super blood have died because a few individuals are scared and want to rule everything. It’s time we changed that.”
“Even if you and I end up being dead ends for each other?”
“I’m sure we won’t be.” He kissed her again, this time savoring the sweet scent of her perfume. When she pulled away from him and curled up in his arms, he sighed. “The link we share wouldn’t be so strong if there wasn’t something special happening between us.” They hadn’t made love yet. The link should’ve only happened after sex and a blood offering. There had to be something much more powerful at work.
She sat up and stared at him for a long time. She opened her mouth and closed it without saying a word. He didn’t pry into her thoughts, although he wanted to.
Emily folded her arms. “When do you need to feed again?”
“I could use some right now, but I’ll be fine without.”
“It’s morning. We didn’t bag any Supers. I—” She closed her eyes. “Ben tracked down a young shifter. She’s really young. He said we needed to kill her. I couldn’t. He missed and she got away. I can’t believe he wanted her dead. She was a kid.”
“I’m sorry, hon.” Jesus. The bastard wanted to take down kids. What kind of organization had the Hunters become? “Do you know where she went?”
“No, but I had her scent. She’s probably deep in hiding.”
“Where?”
“We were downtown in the abandoned apartment buildings.”
“Once it’s dark again, we’ll go find her. She needs a home or at least a way to Laing’s mansion. The kid doesn’t deserve to be on her own.”
“I’d hoped you’d say that.” Emily cuddled against him. “This is all so confusing.” She exhaled and the breath skittered over his arms. “Part of me wanted to do my job and kill her. That’s what they trained me to do. The rest of me knew better. She was a kid. She hadn’t done anything.” She drew her knees to her chest. “I want to help you take her to Laing.”
“Okay.”
“You’re not going to ask me if I’m pulling a stunt? If I’m trying to lull you into trust so I can take out the both of you? I could be getting intel on Laing at your expense.” She tipped her head and looked into his eyes. “Do you actually trust me?”
“Yeah, I do.” He didn’t fully understand why, but he did realize she could be the death of him. “You’re holding something back from me, but I can’t see many reasons why I should throw this attraction and link away.”
“We’re playing a dangerous game and I’m afraid I’m going to be the loser.”
“Why?”
“I see my future in your eyes. Everything I’ve worked for has been a lie.” She shrugged. “I also leafed through Ben’s special notebook. He didn’t think I could see it. The mansion is one town over and easy to find. It’s a big house, but there’s no way an army the size he had listed could be there.” She paused and pressed her lips together. “Ava could be there.”
Hagan nodded. Now he understood. The whole line of questioning was to protect herself. The tension between them remained thick, but he didn’t care. Their link and attraction were strong.
He felt the connection, although he could tell she still wanted to deny it. He saw how she didn’t believe she could trust him…or herself. He wanted to reassure her. He’d never had a link with Ava beyond the physical. Never. He’d thought he’d moved on, but if he actually saw Ava again, would he be able to choose someone else? The feelings for his ex-girlfriend were only half-dead and the ones for Emily were strong, but new. No wonder Emily didn’t trust him. He didn’t trust himself.
****
“She should be happy to see you.” Emily bit back a wince. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t fall for Hagan, but the inevitable happened. She swore she wasn’t going to offer up her heart. Instead, she’d practically handed him her soul on a silver platter. Good God. She’d even tried to dissuade him by bringing up the little girl. She wanted him to say he didn’t trust her or that he knew she’d kill him in the end. Instead, he’d shown his faith in her. He wasn’t letting her push him away or hold onto her fear.
Damn him.
“I have this strange feeling Ava misses me, but she’s also moved on. It’s high time I do the same.” Hagan sighed. “I’ve been living in the past for too long.”
“Hagan.” Crap. She knew where he was going with this. He still wanted her and was forcing himself to go forward. She refused to be a rebound…no matter how much she wanted him.
He shook his head. “You said it’s morning. I could use some rest. I’d like to lay with you, if you don’t mind.”
“No funny business?” God. Why did she ask him that? Part of her wanted him to leave her alone. The rest of her wanted him to make her feel desired.
“Honey, have I tried yet?”
“You did kiss me.”
“You liked it. If I’m out of line, then tell me. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t.” She’d make sure she kept her heart guarded. Still, she did like having a gentleman with her instead of bossy Ben. “Thank you.” She stretched out beside him on the bed. She needed to sleep, but having a sexy man in her bed tempted her to change her mind about him.
“If you change your mind, I’ll be right here.” He kissed the side of her head. “Promise.”
“You’re a dork.”
“I’m your dork. You captured me and I don’t think you’re going to let me go any time soon.” You’ve got me and I don’t want to go.
She bit back a gasp. No doubt he’d intended for her to hear his thoughts. She wanted to say something, but what? She didn’t appreciate knowing he was attracted to her.
“Sleep, Hunter. We’ll need our strength.”
Now he wanted to talk when she could hear him out loud. She closed her eyes. Sleep did sound good. She snuggled in Hagan’s arms. Thinking he could possibly be hers didn’t seem right, but she had to believe. She’d grown to like Hagan. The Hunter and the Vampire—not logical, but very special.
Emily rolled over onto her side and clutched the pillow. She breathed in the scent of her detergent on the pillowcase. She was safe at home. She moved her foot and nudged Hagan. The vampire was still there. She blinked and flopped onto her back. Her nerve endings tingled. Would he object if she touched him? She kept her thoughts masked and glanced over at his body. Despite him being dead during the day, his cock wasn’t asleep. Not a bit. His erection tented the sheets.
Should she reach for him? Would he enjoy her touch? She snorted. She’d been indecisive for so long. Time to take what she wanted. Emily slid her hand over his chest, learning the planes of his pecs. The coolness of his skin didn’t jive with the solid muscle under her fingertips. Her own body warmed. Her nipples beaded and she longed for his hands on her. She rolled onto her side and against his hip. He’d worn his pants to bed, so sh
e moved the jeans aside. The denim parted and she wrapped her fingers around his cock.
“Emily, you’re going to drive me insane.” Hagan groaned. “Don’t start without finishing.”
“You want me to finish?” She stroked him, loving the way he bucked his hips into her movements.
“I do.” He gripped the bedding. “I need you.”
“I need you, too.” She let go of him and sat up. Power radiated through her. She wanted him inside her. Craved him. She whipped her shirt up over her head. “Make love to me.”
“Emily?” He opened his eyes and stared at her. “I won’t be able to stop if we start.”
“I know.” She stood long enough to shuck her sleep shorts and underwear. Sex was a very intimate act for her, and she wanted him to be very much involved, not just going along with the motions. She moved the sheets out of the way, and climbed onto the bed between his knees. She tried to pull his pants down, but he stopped her.
“Just a moment, hon.” He grinned and moved his legs. He shoved the pants to the floor and then removed his shirt.
Emily gasped. The man reminded her of a pale statue, all strength and muscle in perfect proportion. He reached for her. “Come here.” With his help, she straddled his lap. His cock throbbed against her clit. She shivered. Being with him shouldn’t have felt so good, but the warm fuzzy sensations overwhelmed her.
Hagan grasped her hips and helped her onto his cock. He filled her completely. The pressure and fullness washed over her. She whimpered and tipped her head back.
“My Goddess.” Hagan palmed her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers.
Heat pooled in her lower belly. She groaned. “Hagan.” She rocked forward and back, pushing him deeper into her pussy. She felt him everywhere.
“Emily.” Hagan flipped them over, pinning her beneath him. His eyes flashed silver and he bared his teeth. His thrusts increased. He hummed and groaned. “I need you.”
She gazed into his eyes. Impulse took over. She nodded. “Feed from me.” She wasn’t even sure where the words came from, but she meant them. “Please.” She offered her neck. “Take me.”
She closed her eyes. Having her entire body bared freed her.
“Mine.” Hagan buried his teeth in her throat. The pull on her vein resonated to her core. She grabbed his ass. She’d known life without the vampire, but she could swear with him she’d learn to love.
Mate.
What the hell? She opened her eyes. “Hagan?”
He nuzzled her neck, and then froze. “What?” he said, panting.
“Did you speak to me?”
“No.” He licked her skin. “I haven’t spoken.” He tipped his head to the side. “What did you hear?”
“Never mind. It was the wind.” She pressed her lips together. Right on the edge of orgasm, she must’ve been imagining the voice.
His frown deepened. He didn’t say anything for a moment, and then braced himself on his hands and knees. He resumed thrusting.
Emily arched her back. She’d felt every inch of him inside her before, but everything seemed more on edge. Every ripple and vein on his cock caressed her. Her nipples tightened. She clenched her cunt lips, holding him in.
Mate.
Someone was talking to her, but the orgasm was too close. She let go of his ass and clutched the sheets. “Hagan. Now.”
He didn’t say anything. Instead, he surged forward and emptied his seed in her pussy. He growled, and buried his face against her neck.
She trembled and gasped for breath. She’d made love before and even thought she’d been head over heels attracted to another person, but not the way she did with Hagan. Something had changed between them. They weren’t just friends or lovers. Someone had talked to them.
Hagan pulled out of her and settled beside her. He nuzzled her shoulder. “Thank you.”
“For?” She glanced over at him. “My blood?”
“For allowing me to be in your home. For giving me a second chance when others would’ve let me die and for offering up your body when I know it’s hard for you to let anyone in.” He kissed her neck where he’d bitten her. “We were meant to find each other.”
According to the voice, she’d found her mate. She didn’t understand how. She’d never talked to the Sources. She wasn’t even sure if Hunters took mates. That didn’t matter. She had right now with Hagan and she’d savor those moments.
Chapter Five
The next evening, Hagan awoke next to Emily. He grinned. She’d curled against his side and balled her fist on his chest. He thought about when they’d made love. He knew exactly what she’d heard. The Goddess had come to them and blessed the joining. He tucked his free arm behind his head. He hadn’t expected the Goddess to ever bless him, but to join him with a Hunter? Someone had a screwed up sense of humor.
Not sick, but twisted. She could kill him. She hadn’t and he’d definitely fallen into something deeper than simple attraction with her. She wasn’t like Ava. When she decided to do something, she went full on. He might not live to see another day immersed in the world of the Hunters if one of the others found out he was with her, but at least she wouldn’t screw him over.
“Hagan, you’re thinking too hard.” Emily sighed. She rubbed her nude body against his, sending shivers down his spine. “My room is full of smoke from your thoughts.”
“Ha-ha.” He tugged her onto his chest to straddle him. He loved the feeling of her silky skin against his. He wanted to stay just like that—cuddled up with her softness—forever. “Your mind is working overtime, too.” He smoothed her hair from her eyes. Making love all day and night would be fun, but wouldn’t help the overall situation. He needed to switch his attention from their being naked together to getting her to open up to him. “Talk to me, Hunter. What are you worrying about?”
“We need to make contact with Laing.” She sat up, but stayed on his lap. The sheet fell around her body, revealing her chest.
The woman knocked his socks off—if he’d have been wearing socks. God, she had a beautiful body…and now she wanted him to concentrate. Shit. “How is meeting up with him going to help us?” he asked and palmed her breast.
“If he’s the powerful vampire that Maslow is afraid of, then we need to be where he is. Either he’ll kill us or, if I’m right, he’ll protect us.” She shrugged, but closed her hand over his. She didn’t push him away. “I’ve opened myself up to a world of hurt by sleeping with you. The other Hunters who have gone Rogue will kill me. We can’t chance being here for much longer.”
Crap. He’d put her in danger. What was it with him? When he found women he liked, he subjected them to hurt and possible death. He let go of her breast and scrubbed both hands over his face. “Do you have a bead on where he might be?”
“I checked your searches on my tablet. I’ve got a general location. That mansion is still standing, despite the public notice it was supposed to be condemned. If he’s anywhere, he’s there.” She scooted off his lap and stood. Her bare butt swayed as she walked to the dresser. “We need to be where he is if we want to survive.”
“I’ll follow you anywhere.” Hagan snatched his clothes off the floor and dressed, but as he did, he snuck glances over at her. She moved with such grace and dignity…and so sexy. He wasn’t sure how he’d managed to find her, but he wasn’t going to let her go. The Hunters and Rogues could try to split them up, but he wasn’t going to give in.
When he’d dressed and Emily had gathered supplies for her pack, he followed her to the garage.
“Everything I own of value is in the back of the Jeep.” She chuckled, but he didn’t feel the happiness. “My life has been reduced to boxes and a gunny sack.”
“I’m sorry, hon.” He sat beside her. “I never wanted to put you in harm’s way.”
“I know.” She twisted the key, engaging the engine. “Ready?”
“You’re sure we won’t attract attention?” A guy in her car might not be bad, but someone would
figure out he wasn’t just any man.
“I’m allowed to have passengers in my Jeep.” She backed down the drive. “I shouldn’t be under surveillance right now, but if I am, you’re a guy I picked up last night at a bar in Falls View. Got it?”
“I got it.”
“And just in case someone thinks they recognize you…” She reached behind his seat and handed him a baseball cap. “Wear this and relax. The more you freak out, the more likely we’ll be caught. Act naturally.”
“Point taken. Let’s go.” Hagan adjusted the hat and sank low in the seat. He rode in silence, not really paying attention to their surroundings. If he had a heart, it would’ve been pounding. Good Goddess. They were going to the place that could be his salvation or their undoing. If caught, death lingered close behind. If Laing wasn’t on the level, death was imminent. Running and living in hiding was starting to sound pretty good.
“The level of intel I got on Laing is that he’s a Rogue fighting the Maslow faction of Rogues.” Emily gripped the steering wheel. “Seems like everyone is a Rogue.”
“Sounds like he’s not an actual rogue, but a Defender.”
“I agree. He’s got at least one other shifter who was originally in service as a Defender for a Seer. That’s probably what Ava found out. They’re trying to save Supers. If everything checks out, then we need to bring them the info you have, too.”
“Unless they’re connected to Maslow,” Emily said. “We have no real proof he is or isn’t.”
“True.”
“I remember when Maslow came onto the scene. Everyone thought he was nuts. Hunters only killed bad Supers. Checks and balances. Then he got to talking about how Supers could go bad. Not just from going mad because they’d lost their mate or because they’d been driven crazy, but because they were innately evil. People started questioning their best friends and all because he talked with such slickness. Who does that? Who convinces their friends that they’re all evil?”
“Someone with a sick mind. Paranoid people.” He slipped her hand into his and held on tight. She’d been fighting for too long and needed a break. He wanted to give her that break.
