aHunter4Saken (aHunter4Hire)

by Cynthia Clement

  “That was probably when Kowal was telling me he wanted Jake killed.”

  “You refused.” Partlan rubbed his nose. “You communicated that much to me.”

  “Then they stabbed you with a syringe. You fought, but you were stumbling and striking out at the air. Whatever they gave you it weakened and incapacitated you almost instantly.”

  “Why didn’t you shoot the men?”

  “One of them held you from behind.” Gur’s tone was apologetic. “My rifle jammed, so I threw it down and went to attack, but you told me to stay clear.”

  Niail frowned. “I must have thought I could handle it.”

  “You did not want Gur and Turlo captured.” Partlan’s voice rang out clear. “You relayed that it was an ambush. That was the last word I heard from you.”

  “So I was trying to protect them.”

  “It would appear that way.” Partlan leaned on the table. “You were explicit in your directions to them. You wanted them to retreat.”

  “Maybe Kowal was threatening something big, like an explosion.” Kimi’s voice was hesitant. “Mark said that he was prepared for the possibility that you would find out that he had lied in his request. He must have had a back-up plan.”

  Niail searched his brain, but all he got was a blank. It made sense that Kowal would be prepared if they refused his business. The man had survived as a criminal for years. That would only have happened with advanced planning capabilities.

  “You believe he told me what he threatened, and I made the others abandon the site?”

  Partlan nodded. “That sounds like you Niail. If it were a trap you would have wanted the others to leave.”

  “Our training has been different. In the past we would have rushed in and rescued you.” Gur’s voice held confusion. “Protecting each other from humans was our first priority.”

  “Niail would not have expected that.” Partlan shook his head. “The honorable thing would have been to save his brothers, especially if the odds were not in favor of a victory.”

  “It is what any of us would do.” Malac’s voice was firm. “When there is no chance of survival, we retreat. That allows us to come at it from a different direction.”

  Gur swallowed. “But we didn’t obey.”

  Niail grinned. “That does not surprise me. What did you do?”

  “We followed them. When they reached a deserted road they threw you off a truck. Their guns were aimed at you so Turlo and I created a diversion.”

  “You were the reason they left in a hurry.” Niail’s voice held admiration. “You saved my life.”

  “We circled around to come back for you, but you were gone.”

  “Bobby.” Kimi shook her head. “He saw the men drive off and he took Niail away before they could return.”

  “So both Bobby and you saved my life.” A surge of gratitude went through him. Their actions had led him to Kimi. “You showed yourself to be warriors of honor. Thank you.”

  “We disobeyed.”

  Partlan pushed back from the table. “You obeyed the order to retreat. Planning a rescue was the actions of a true warrior. You are learning.”

  “Niail was still lost.”

  “I was saved.” Niail stood. “In more ways than you could possibly understand.”

  “Now we must deal with Kowal.” Partlan walked to the door. “We must destroy him.”

  Niail hesitated a second before speaking. “I am the one that was dishonored. I should finish the job.”

  “True, but you are not healed.”

  “I am still a warrior.” Niail kept his voice low. “My help would be of use.”

  “I will not risk your life on such a simple mission.”

  The death of Kowal should be at his hands. Injured or not, he was capable of demanding satisfaction. The others had opened the door to leave. Niail had to warn them. Kowal would be ready for them.”

  “It will not be easy. He has sent several men to kill me.”

  “That is all the more reason for us to defeat him without you.” Partlan crossed his arms. “He knows you. We will be a surprise.”

  “True, but I understand how he thinks.”

  Niail looked back at Kimi. Her eyes were filled with fear. He sent her a surge of reassurance and hoped she would understand. He had to make certain that Kowal did not live. That was the only way she would be safe.

  Partlan paused. He frowned and then shook his head. “You cannot remember what happened. You need to heal.”

  “I am still a Hunter.”

  “And as such, you will follow your orders.” Partlan’s voice was decisive. “You are to wait at the rendezvous site. Ardal has already been made aware of the situation. Once we deal with Kowal, we will depart this area.

  “I cannot leave Kimi.”

  Partlan looked at her and nodded. “She still needs protection. I will have Ranon stay here once he returns with her brother and Eluwilussit. When the mission is finished he can join us.”

  “You do not understand.” Niail’s tone was sharp. “I have bonded with Kimi. I will not leave her when she is in danger.”

  Chapter 18

  Silence followed Niail’s words. Kimi held her breath and waited for their reaction. Partlan’s hand dropped to his side and the others came to a full stop. It was obvious Niail’s announcement had shocked them.

  “This is true?” Malac’s tone sounded awed. “We were beginning to believe that only Ardal would find a mate.”

  “She is my pair bond. I have no doubts.” Niail cleared his throat and walked toward her. “We are not mated.”

  “But you are bonded.” Partlan straightened his shoulders. “That makes it imperative that she is protected.”

  “There is more.” Niail rubbed at his temple. “Kimi has two children, Peta, and Wil. I have vowed to protect them also.”

  “They are safe now?” Partlan’s voice was clipped.

  “Yes. Kimi just checked on them.”

  “There is only one course of action.” Partlan crossed his arms over his chest. “You need to stay with your pair bond. We have all vowed to protect the mates of our brothers, but I understand the need is greater when it is your own pair bond.”

  “There is only way to do that. Kowal must be defeated.” Niail took her hand in his. “Death is the only certainty that she and her children will be safe.”

  “He has lied to us, tried to kill us, and now he threatens women and children. He is a man without honor. He cannot continue to live.”

  Kimi shuddered as a shiver of ice raced up her spine. She didn’t believe in killing. It went against everything she held sacred. There was no denying what Partlan had said though. Kowal wouldn’t stop until Niail was dead.

  Her heart skipped a beat. The threat to Niail was personal. To think of him not being with her, forced the air from her lungs. She couldn’t bear to lose him. Not now. Not after just finding him.

  It hit her with blinding clarity.

  She was in love with Niail.

  Illogical as it was, she loved him whole heartedly, and irrevocably. What had started out as an electrifying attraction had developed until she couldn’t bear the thought of life without him. She could no longer hide or deny how she felt.

  It was crazy. He wasn’t Blackfeet. He wasn’t even Native American. He didn’t understand their traditions, or how important it was for her children to learn the ways of her people. She had struggled and sacrificed to ensure that they wouldn’t be caught between two worlds like Jake. She wanted them to be proud of their heritage.

  Somehow Niail sensed her confusion because he squeezed her hand. “I know this is difficult, but I must protect you.”

  “Is there no other way?” Kimi’s chest tightened at the thought of more people dying. “Perhaps Jake will be successful in getting him arrested?”

  Niail shook his head. “The man has broken our code. I think he has broken many of your traditions also.”

  “True.” Kimi inhaled a shaky breath. “He is also endang
ering our youth. I just believe that people should be given a chance to change.”

  “He has shown himself to be evil.” Partlan’s tone brooked no argument. “This is what we have been bred and trained for.”

  “There would be no real safety for you or the children if he lived.” Niail leaned close. “I could never rest knowing he might do you harm.”

  “Could you let Jake go with you?” Kimi looked at Partlan. “He should be able to get some police to help you.”

  “The law enforcement on this planet does not approve of our methods.”

  “They might use us, but they consider us beneath humans.” Gur spoke in a sharp tone. “They send us in to do what they don’t have the stomach for.”

  Kimi’s eyes widened. She looked over at Niail and then back to Partlan. “The police know about you?”

  “Not the police, but the government.”

  She closed her eyes for a second. It shouldn’t surprise her. Monitoring technology was so advanced that some hidden government agency probably knew where everyone was at any given time. It was inconceivable that alien warriors could be on the planet without some secret agency knowing of their existence.

  “If the government knows about you, then they must support your actions.”

  “They cannot find us.” Partlan took a step closer to her. “We stay hidden from them. Since our crash landing on your planet eight months ago, no Hunter will work for the government. They have not been generous to us in the past.”

  “So you live a life on the run?”

  “Yes.” Niail answered her. “It is safer. It is also the best way for us to protect others.”

  Kimi nodded. It made sense in a strange way. If the traditions of her people were correct, then these men were from the stars. They would never be safe on this planet. With a shiver she realized what it would mean to love a Hunter. She would have to choose between Niail and her traditions.

  “It does not need to be so.” Niail leaned close to her. “There are ways to deal with this.”

  “You will always be moving around.”

  Niail shook his head. “I will always be where you are.”

  Partlan cleared his throat. “We must leave. Niail, you will stay with your pair bond. We will deal with Kowal. When Jake returns you can let him know where to find us. We should be finished by the time he reaches us.”

  “It is best.” Niail stood. “I need to be near Kimi to sense if she is in danger.”

  “Until you are healed, there is no other solution.” Partlan opened the door and the others left the house. “Your new orders are to make certain she is safe.”

  “Understood.” Niail moved to the door. “I will stay here until you have finished the operation.”

  “We will come for you.” Partlan stood in the doorway. “If you are still unable to mind connect we will work out a solution. We will leave you here until you are ready to join us.”

  Niail nodded. “As you command.”

  “I will let the others know what has happened.”

  “By Cygnus and Warrior, we will win.”

  Kimi sighed when the door closed behind Partlan. Niail turned and looked at her for a second and then went to the stove to turn the kettle on. He opened and shut a couple of cupboards before he found the one with the mugs. He pulled out two. He put scoops of hot chocolate in each cup and left them near the stove, before turning back to her.

  Kimi pushed a strand of hair behind her ear with shaky fingers. “I can’t believe we’re safe?”

  “You are overwhelmed.”

  “Yes.” Kimi’s shoulders sagged. “I’m also tired, frightened, in shock, and totally confused.”

  “It is over.” Niail poured hot water into the mugs. “You can relax. Partlan and the others will deal with Kowal.”

  Suddenly it was all too much. Her body trembled with reaction. She started to rub her arms as cold shivers racked her body. The past two days had been a nightmare. If Niail hadn’t been by her side, she never would have survived it. He had been her anchor.

  Niail put the mugs of hot chocolate on the table before sitting next to her. He pulled his chair close and gathered her into his arms. A sense of calm enveloped her.

  “Put it out of your mind.” Niail pushed the hot drink toward her.

  “I’ll never forget the horror of it.” Tears started fill her eyes. “Every time I heard a gunshot I thought you were dead.”

  Niail’s fingers brushed the hair from her face. His touch sent quivers of warmth throughout her body. “I am careful.”

  Kimi let out a shaky breath. “Look at your injuries. None of these would have happened if I hadn’t insisted you stay with me.”

  “Then I would not have been given the privilege of protecting you.” Niail feathered a kiss on her forehead.

  “I’ve been nothing but trouble.” Kimi moaned. “I was never more terrified than when you came back to the truck with your head sliced open.”

  “It was not serious.”

  “The last thing you needed was another head wound.” Kimi looked up at him and blinked back her tears. “You’ve suffered so much to keep us alive.”

  “I would do even more.”

  “I don’t want you getting hurt again.” Kimi shivered as the vision of him lying on the ground, bleeding and injured burrowed into her brain. “It would be too much for me to endure.”

  “I will always return to you.”

  Kimi gazed up at him and her heart melted. Truth and devotion shone from the depths of Niail’s dark eyes. He accepted her unconditionally. He protected those who couldn’t defend themselves. It was an honorable vocation. She knew she loved him, but could she risk living with the upheaval he would bring to her existence.

  What was the alternative?

  A life without Niail? Every cell in her body rebelled against the thought. He filled her being. She didn’t exist when he was away from her. When he was near, it was all she could do to keep from touching him. His presence gave her peace.

  Kimi lowered her head to his chest. “I don’t deserve you.”

  “You are the gift.” Niail’s voice was low. “Never did I dream that I would find my pair bond. Just being with you, holding you close, gives my life purpose.”

  “Your work is dangerous. What if something happens to you?” Kimi’s voice faltered. “If I let you into my life, I’ll never be the same.”

  “I will be happy with whatever you decide.” Niail’s hand brushed down her back, soothing in its touch. “I will never leave you. I am content to stand guard and keep you safe for the rest of my life.”

  It was crazy, but she believed him. He was not the same as human men. He lived by a code of honor that was reminiscent of her people when they still roamed the plains.

  He would never leave her.

  “Even if you do not desire me,” Niail whispered. “I will not mate with another woman.”

  “Ever?” Kimi’s eyes widened and she lifted her head from his chest. “What if I chose another?”

  “Then I will accept that, but the pair bond will not be broken unless you desire that.”

  “That means you will know my thoughts and worries.”

  “I will be able to keep you safe.”

  Kimi looked down at the table. Niail’s words seemed insane. No human man would agree to such an existence. Still, he had endured worse in his life. Suddenly she knew that the one thing she wanted more than anything was to give him joy.

  She loved him.

  If her heart was trampled on again, then she would deal with that later. She glanced up at Niail. A flame of desire danced within his eyes. A shiver of awareness skittered across her body. This man was worth risking her heart on.

  She leaned closer. His breath skimmed across her cheek. Her mouth went dry. It was intoxicating to be this close. She inhaled a shaky breath. She was ready to take the next step.

  “I want to make love with you.

  “You wish to be my mate?” Niail’s voice held hope.


  “It’s too soon for me to know.” Kimi smoothed her fingers over his chest. “I do know I love you. The best way I know how to express that is physically. After everything we’ve been through I need to hold you. I want to know that what we share is real.”

  Niail reached for her hand. “You must guide me. Men from my planet exist only to give satisfaction to the women. I wish to do the same for you.”

  “I’ve only ever been with my ex-husband.” Kimi tried to keep the nervousness out of her voice. “This will be like the first time for me too.”

  Niail pulled her off the chair and into his arms. His lips skimmed over hers sending a shock through her body. “I am impatient to pleasure you. Since the first moment I opened my eyes I knew there was something between us.

  “You were too sick to think about anything.” Kimi nipped at his chin.

  “Your eyes called to me.” Niail’s tongue slid across the seal of her lips. “Your voice brought me back to life.”

  Niail captured her mouth and a searing rush of need raced through her veins. She opened for him, savoring the delectable trill of excitement that shot through her when his tongue curled about hers.

  The world spun, and she was lost in his touch. His arms held her secure and she let her hands roam around his neck and shoulders. He was solid and safe. A sense of belonging and love surrounded her. Nothing in her life had ever felt so right.

  Niail scooped her into his arms. He cradled her legs and body close to his chest and walked to the bedroom. Her fingers reached into his dark hair and teased a groan from him. He didn’t stop moving. It wasn’t until they had reached the bed and Niail was lowering her, that he broke the kiss.

  He stood back and looked down at her. His eyes burned with passion. Her breath caught in her throat. No man had ever looked at her with such yearning. Her body surged with heat and need.

  “You have too many clothes on.” She hardly recognized her husky voice.

  “So do you.” Niail leaned down and unbuttoned her blouse. “I have longed to see you.”

  “The feeling is mutual.” Kimi grabbed the bottom of his tee-shirt and lifted it over his head.

  He was magnificent.