aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  There was no answer.

  The panic he sensed seemed to mount.

  “Kimi?” His voice was softer this time.

  “What’s the problem?” Jake spoke from behind him.

  “Your sister is not answering.” Niail pulled the pistol out of his waistband. “Something has frightened her.”

  “I’m sure all that gunfire didn’t help.” Jake picked up his pack. “I’m going back to the truck. I don’t trust Mark with my grandfather.”

  Niail nodded. His attention was focused on Kimi. She was near, but he could not connect with her totally. His head was still too foggy for that. He felt her fear deep within his body, a twisting stab of terror. Had someone come at them from another angle and was now holding her captive? He hadn’t considered that possibility when he had ordered her into hiding.

  Gun ready, he started into the bush.

  He zeroed in on her location.

  She had not moved far from her original position. He kept his breathing steady and quiet as he pushed through the underbrush of junipers. He moved into the cool green shade of a cluster of aspens. Each step brought Kimi’s anxiety into heart pounding focus.

  Her fear grew worse with each step he took, until it was a relentless knot of anguish that twisted his gut.

  He moved faster.

  He pushed tree branches aside until she was within sight. Two men held her. Both had their pistols aimed at her head. Niail stopped. He took a deep breath and walked forward. He would need all of his training to get Kimi out of this situation alive.

  “Forgot something?” One of the men gave him a toothless grin. “We knew you would be back.”

  The other man stepped away from Kimi. His dark hair was greased back, and he had the cold, emotionless eyes of a killer. Niail had met his type before. His gun was now aimed at Niail.

  “Put your weapon down or the girl gets it.”

  He took a deep breath and forced his heartbeat to slow. He could take out the man holding Kimi, but not without being hit himself. He would have to time his shots perfectly so that Kimi survived.

  “Let her go.” Niail dangled his gun between his thumb and index finger.

  “We’ve learned a thing or two about you since our last meeting.” The toothless guy spat on the ground. “We don’t do nothing until that gun is out of your hands.”

  Niail dropped the pistol. “Release her.”

  “She’s leverage.” The other man took a step toward Niail. “You and me have unfinished business. I should have made certain you were dead before I dumped you on the road.”

  “A mistake you will regret.”

  “Well, you won’t have to worry about that for much longer. This time I will return to Kowal with your dead body.” The man grinned. “It’s either that or the boss will kill me.”

  “You can have me. She goes free.” Niail gestured to Kimi.

  The cold one looked back at Kimi and shrugged. “I don’t see a problem with that.”

  Kimi shook her head. “Go Niail. They’ll kill me after you’re dead anyways. Save yourself.”

  The man tightened his arm around her neck. She gasped, trying to get more air. He didn’t release his hold. The chill of determination raced up Niail’s spine. He tensed his muscles and prepared for death. He could get one bullet off before he would be hit. Then he would kill the second one.

  “You want me.” He took a step closer. “Take your shot now. You will not have a better opportunity.”

  The toothless one grinned and took his gun away from Kimi’s head. Niail sent a wave of love to Kimi and then reached behind his back for his second pistol. He shot the man holding Kimi. He swung around to the second man just as the sound of another gun firing split the air.

  Kimi screamed.

  “Are there any others?” Niail turned to look at Jake.

  Jake shook his head. “That was a hell of a chance you took. What if I hadn’t been behind you?”

  “I would have taken a bullet.”

  Niail pulled Kimi into his arms.

  She sagged into his chest. Her body trembled and he pulled her tighter to try and ease the shivers of reaction that were flowing through her.

  “So getting shot was part of your strategy.” Jake bent down and picked up the gun from the man he had just killed. “That sounds like no plan at all.”

  “I am always prepared to die to keep those under my watch safe.”

  “That makes you some sort of glorified bodyguard then.” Jake shook his head and went to pick up the weapon from the toothless guy. “If you use your bodies as shields then you guys don’t plan on living long.”

  “No.” Niail soothed his hand down Kimi’s back. “I have lived more than most in my clan.”

  “I bet life insurance is expensive.”

  “What is insurance?”

  Jake rolled his eyes. “It was a joke. Nobody in their right mind would give you coverage.”

  Jake used his foot to push the toothless guy over onto his back. “This is one of Kowal’s men.”

  “They both are.” Kimi looked at her brother. “They were talking about it before Niail found us.”

  Jake nodded. “I’ve seen them when I was doing surveillance. They’re pretty high up in the organization.”

  “They meant to kill all of us.” Kimi shivered. “They said we knew too much to let us live.”

  Niail turned to walk back to the road. He held Kimi close, sending her calming energy. Tremors still shook her body, but they had lessened in number and intensity.

  “We have to do something with the bodies.” Jake followed Niail to the road.

  “Why?”

  “It’s indecent.” Jake shook his head. “I have to report it to headquarters and get the coroner out here. Does nothing about the killings shake you up?”

  “They are dead.” Niail stopped when he reached the area where they had left their packs. He led Kimi to a tree and eased her down. She sighed and leaned her head against the white colored trunk. Her eyes were closed, but he sensed that she was fighting for control.

  He turned back to Jake. “Where is Mark?”

  “Grandfather tied him up at the truck.” Jake grinned “He surprised me with how calm he was about the whole situation.”

  “He is a wise man.” Niail picked up a pack. “I must thank you for coming to my aid.”

  “No problem.” Jake handed him another pack. “I couldn’t believe you planned to go it alone. Don’t you guys know anything about buying time?”

  Niail frowned. “Time is not for sale.”

  “It means giving someone else time to get there and help.” Jake hiked a pack onto his back and started for the road. “Honestly, you’re way too literal.”

  “He means well.” Kimi’s soft voice stopped Niail. “Thank you for saving me.”

  “I vowed to protect you and I will.”

  Niail held his hand out to Kimi. She clasped her fingers around his palm and a shock of awareness bolted up his arm. It was a welcomed sensation.

  Kimi must have felt it too because her eyes widened. She tightened her hand about his and looked up at him. “You feel it too.”

  “Our bond is strengthening.”

  Kimi tilted her head. “Couldn’t it just be sexual attraction?”

  “Not for me.” Niail pulled Kimi up so that she was standing within the circle of his arms. “I no longer have any doubts. You are my pair bond. The one woman destined to be my mate.”

  Chapter 15

  For a brief second Kimi wanted to agree with Niail, but then the reality of their situation hit her. There was no denying she was attracted to Niail. He made her feel sensations that she had long thought dead, if they had ever been alive. There were a couple of problems.

  He was an alien.

  Worse, he was a trained killer.

  Many men were trained to kill in the line of duty, but it was different for Niail. He was single-minded in his approach. He didn’t hesitate to kill a person if they were a risk to those he w
as protecting. He lived by a code that allowed and encouraged this behavior. This was not even morally similar to her beliefs.

  She lived in the Blackfeet tradition.

  All life was sacred to her.

  She believed in her Grandfather’s teachings and medicine. All she asked from life was to have a safe and secure home to raise her children in the traditional ways. Since Niail had come into her life, nothing had been safe or secure.

  “I can see my words have upset you.”

  Kimi shook her head. “You’re not used to being close to women and I think you’ve mistaken attraction for something deeper.”

  “My implants were removed months ago.” Niail lowered his voice. “In none of that time have I felt the least bit drawn to another woman.”

  “Why me?” Kimi’s breath caught at the intensity of Niail’s gaze.

  “I cannot explain why we were chosen to be as one.” Niail reached for her, his hands soothing over her arms. “I just know that I will never mate with another woman. You are my pair bond.”

  “I’m not ready for that kind of commitment.” Kimi’s voice shook. “We’ve just met. I swore I would never become involved with a man who didn’t believe in the same traditions as me. You’re not Blackfeet.”

  Niail grinned. “I am not human either, but that does not change how I feel. We are bonded.”

  Kimi pushed away. “This is too much for me to deal with right now.”

  “There is nothing to concern you.” Niail reached for her arm and started leading her to the road. “I am bonded with you. The longer we stay together, the closer our connection will be.”

  “And I have no say?”

  “You can refuse the bond and the mating.” Niail pushed a branch clear of the path. “I will honor your decision.”

  “Then what happens?”

  “If you do not want the bond, then I will not be able to link with you.”

  Kimi’s eyes narrowed. “Connect through our thoughts?”

  “Yes.” Niail stopped walking and turned to her. “When those men were holding you I knew that you were afraid. I knew there was danger.”

  “So you’ll always know when I’m in danger?”

  “Yes.”

  Kimi bit her lip. It seemed like a good thing. If Niail knew when she was in peril, then he could help. There didn’t seem to be a down side to it, especially given the situation they were in right now.

  “That’s all?” Kimi took a deep breath. “You won’t be expecting anything else from me?”

  “You can trust me.” Niail stepped out onto the road. “I will honor your decision.”

  Kimi nodded. “Then I suppose the sensible thing would be to see what happens after we’re out of danger. If there is still some connection, then we can explore what to do about it then.”

  “As you wish.” Niail waited until she was beside him. “Know that I will always protect you whether you agree to be my mate or not. The pair bond is real.”

  She heaved a sigh. “I still think you’ll change your mind about that. For now, let’s get to safety.”

  Niail clasped her arm and a thrill raced through her. Whatever this attraction was, it was powerful. All she wanted was to sink into his arms and surrender. It was irresistible. She would have to be careful not to fall under its spell because she had no intention of uprooting her life.

  “Hurry.” Jake motioned them toward the truck. “I need to get to my contact’s house. He’ll know the best course of action.”

  Niail threw the packs into the truck’s box. Then he clasped her waist and lifted her onto the truck’s bench seat. She scooted past the steering wheel and moved to the far door. When Kimi was settled, her Grandfather positioned himself on the driver’s side. Niail and Jake jumped into the open back of the truck. Mark was already in the box, with his hands cuffed to a tie down.

  Her grandfather turned the key and put the pickup in gear. “We’ll stop at the cabin and pick up the other vehicles.”

  Kimi clasped her hands in her lap. Niail’s words from earlier were spinning in her head. His talk of pair bonds and mating was foreign to her. Her stomach churned with indecision. She didn’t want her life turned upside down.

  She turned to her Grandfather. “What do you think about Niail?”

  “He is a man to be trusted.” The vehicle jolted and sputtered.

  “But he kills.”

  Her grandfather shifted gears and the truck started to run smoother. “He protects. He is a man of honor.”

  “He thinks I’m his mate.” The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to think.

  “What do you believe?”

  “If he’s a Star Person, then he’s not from earth.” Kimi’s voice wavered. “That means he’s an alien.”

  “That doesn’t make him a lesser man.” Her grandfather gave her a sideways glance. “I’ve noticed you are not indifferent to him.”

  Kimi frowned. “There’s a strange energy that pulses through me when he’s near, or touches me. He calls it pair bonding. Niail believes that when the bonding strengthens, he will always know when I’m in danger.”

  “Your brother says he was willing to take a bullet for you.”

  “He has promised to guard me.” Kimi wrung her hands. “I can’t let him continue to do that, especially when I don’t know how I feel about him.”

  “It’s what he wishes.” Her grandfather frowned. “You’re at risk. Why would you deny his protection?”

  “I can’t promise to return his affection.”

  Kimi knew she sounded indecisive, but she couldn’t help it. As much as Niail said he didn’t want anything in return, her experience of men had taught her differently. She refused to be indebted to any man. It always led to hurt feelings, and disappointment.

  “It seems you already care.” Her grandfather’s tone was dry.

  “He’s not Blackfeet.” Kimi’s voice was tinted with sadness. “I vowed after Sam that if I let another man into my life, he would have to share our traditions.”

  “You search for perfection.” Her grandfather tilted his head at her. “You won’t find it in this world.”

  “I couldn’t’ bear to be hurt again.”

  “There is no remedy for that.” Her grandfather sighed. “You’re grandmother left this earth when I was still a young man. There has been no healing the hole she left in my heart. To love is to grieve.”

  “Then why chance it?”

  “The joy and beauty of love is never forgotten.” Grandfather smiled, his face softened by memories. “That is worth the pain.”

  “I want the children raised in our traditions.” Kimi glanced out the side window. “Niail’s beliefs are so different. I don’t think he would be a good influence.”

  “You are making excuses.” Her grandfather’s voice was stern. “Do not forget the legend of the choosing of mates. Chief Woman disguised herself as a beggar woman and chose Old Man as her mate. He refused to go with her because she looked old and poor. After all the other women had chosen mates, she came out as herself, and Old Man did everything he could to make her pick him, but she chose another. Old Man was left without a mate and Chief Woman turned him into a pine tree.”

  Kimi smiled. She had heard this tale many times. “Are you suggesting I’ll end up a tree?”

  “You should not judge Niail by what you see.” Grandfather turned into the drive for the cabin. “You may find yourself alone. Trust me, time moves slow when there is no one to share it with.”

  The truck came to a stop in front of the cabin. Kimi looked over at her grandfather and nodded. “Thank you.”

  “You let your mind dwell on the things that don’t matter.” Her grandfather put his hands over hers. “Let you heart lead you in this.”

  “I’ll try.”

  At that moment Niail pulled the door open. “We must not delay.”

  Kimi jumped down and started toward the cabin. The sooner they got on the road, the better. She knew that Ann would be taking care
of the children, but she wanted her life back to normal. That wasn’t going to happen until Jake contacted his superiors.

  Jake was ahead of her and he ran behind the cabin. Their vehicles should still be there. Kimi leaned against the cabin door and waited for her grandfather and Niail to reach her. She was exhausted emotionally and physically. Too much had happened. Her mind was churning with everything that Niail had told her. Grandfather was right. She needed to stop thinking and let her heart lead her.

  Her grandfather opened the door and Kimi stumbled in behind the men. She headed for the couch and sank into it with a sigh.

  “You need rest.” Niail stood behind the couch.

  “You’re the one injured.” Kimi settled her head into the backrest. “Let me know when the vehicles are ready. I’ll be happy when these guys are arrested and I can sleep in my own bed.”

  “That’s not happening for a while.” Jake stood at the cabin door.

  Kimi straightened up and looked at him. He was out of breath, and his eyes were darting around the cabin. Before she could speak, Niail had pushed past Jake and gone outside.

  “What happened?”

  “They’ve vandalized the vehicles.” Jake pulled a chair out and sat. “The tires are slashed.”

  “Can we fix them?”

  Jake shook his head. “We only have two spare tires between the vehicles.”

  Niail came back into the cabin. “We will all have to leave in your grandfather’s truck.”

  Grandfather had gathered his pack of supplies and put it on the table. “I will drive you.”

  “Sooner would be best.” Niail grabbed the pack off the table. “There is no sign of the dead men’s vehicle so we have to assume they were dropped off by someone. That means they will return when the men we have killed do not show up.”

  Jake heaved a sigh and stood. “I forgot about that. We should go to Andrew’s house. He’s my supervisor and no one will expect us to meet up with him there.”

  Kimi sighed and pushed off the couch. There would be plenty of time to rest later. All that matter now was getting to safety. She joined Niail at the door and he pulled her close. She inhaled his scent and instantly felt energized.

  “It will be over soon.” Niail led her to the truck.