Jinn & Toxic

by Franny Armstrong

  “Do you want me deep inside you? Do you crave the satisfaction I can give you?” His low murmur sent shudders of desire flashing through her veins.

  “Shut up and get busy with it.” Jinn fought the need to beg him for more.

  His deep chuckle at her groan went ignored as he inserted another finger, pressing down on her nub with his thumb. Jinn went wild, her hips jerking as she lost herself to another blinding release, yet she wanted more. She wanted him, and he knew it. His self-satisfied smile pissed her off, but she played his game.

  “Please, give me more. I need you inside. Fuck me!”

  Instead of doing as she asked, he began a trail of kisses down her neck, over her collarbone, and spent tantalizing, endless moments with his open mouth on her breasts, all the while keeping up with his fingers until she was mindless with need.

  “If you want more, you’ll tell me what I want to know. Why did you betray us, Dennison?”

  “Will you get over it? I refuse to keep defending myself when you ignore every word I say. Now give me your cock, damn it!” She panted, a fine sheen of sweat covering her body.

  Her fingers digging into his shoulders, Jinn urged him onward, but he stopped, leaving her gasping for air. For a moment his eyes were on her belly then, before she could react he moved on top of her, his fingers around her throat. Jinn could barely breathe as he began to squeeze.

  “Who the hell are you?” he shouted, his eyes aflame with hatred and suspicion.

  “Dennison,” she croaked.

  “Liar! I know her. I’ve known her for years. There was something about you I couldn’t understand, but it’s clear now. You’re an impostor!”

  “Let go.” Her whisper was hoarse as her eyes filled with black spots. Unable to break his hold, she tried one last thing and grabbed his little fingers, yanking them away from her throat. The weakest digits on the hand became her weapons, and he had to release her. He grabbed her jaw next and glared at her.

  “Who sent you? Why did you give us up?”

  “I didn’t. Damn you anyway. I can’t tell you anything more.”

  He turned her head as though searching for plastic surgery scars, but she knew he’d be disappointed.

  “What are you, a clone?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “That tattoo on your belly. It’s the opposite of Julie’s. She has a green dragon in a yin symbol over half her navel area while yours is red, upside down in a yang shape. Tell me what the hell is going on! You don’t have the troop tattoo either. You’d better tell me or I’ll kill you here and now.”

  Sparks of hatred showed in his eyes as she watched his wrath build, and she knew he was serious. She had to spill yet avoid most of her secrets such as her abilities.

  “What I’m about to tell you can only go as far as you. The information is top secret, just like TT&T. Do you understand, Captain?”

  Though his eyes narrowed with suspicion, he nodded. “Make it good. If you don’t prove it, I’ll follow through. I don’t make empty threats.”

  “Let me go and we’ll talk.”

  “No deal.”

  Her head pounded as another headache edged closer, the pain building. She spoke fast before it could take over.

  “I’m Jinn Dennison, Juliette’s identical twin.”

  “Why are you a secret?”

  “Captain, I can’t tell you that. Needless to say, if anyone finds out about her and me, it could mean a serious breach in our security.”

  “…because you can’t be trusted. You’re a traitor.”

  “Stop calling me that. I’m no more a traitor than you, Captain Toxic. I left my base without leave to save my sister’s life. She’s in grave danger, maybe dying, and I have to get to her now. Do you understand?”

  He let her go and sat back, his gaze on her tattoo. She knew that each member of his team had a TT&T tattoo on their hips, small enough to escape notice for the most part, but she’d never seen one.

  “Why did Julie tell you about us if not to give us away?”

  “She never said a word to me. I did a little research and broke into your home and office before I came here. I needed to know about your team. Not a bad job hiding your files, but I figured it out fairly fast.”

  His eyes widened only a little as he growled, “That’s not possible!”

  “Obviously it is. Damn!” Jinn groaned as the pain increased. Before she became incapable of talking, she retrieved his necklace from her coat pocket and handed it to him.

  “What the hell!”

  “Psychometry. I tracked you using that after I borrowed it from your bedroom.”

  “You tracked me using the ability to touch the necklace and get visions?”

  “Yeah, now shut up. I have a headache.”

  To her surprise, he sat back and left her alone for a while. The crushing pain became so excruciating that Jinn whimpered, the sound as loud as a shotgun blast in her skull. Blinded, she was unable to move. It was the worst episode yet.

  Warmth washed through her head the pain eased. She could function again. It surprised her how swiftly it released her this time. More anxious than ever, she realized that she had to get to Julie before it was too late!

  “Are you okay now?”

  A bitter bubble of laughter escaped as she recalled what the doctor had told her.

  “I’m just peachy. Will you let me go now?”

  “No.”

  Shocked, she sat up, a bout of dizziness assailing her before her vision cleared.

  “No? Why not?”

  “Break and enter, stealing classified information, impersonating an undercover officer, lying, and the list goes on.”

  “Give me a break. I have to find her. She’s dying!”

  He didn’t speak for an endless moment as he studied her. Jinn threw on her clothes, wishing he’d finish what she’d started and fucked her brains out so she could focus on something else other than pain, but he didn’t appear to be interested anymore. Not for the first time, she wondered if he’d had an affair with her sister. Her heart throbbed at the thought. That might put a damper on his interest in her.

  In silence, they both dressed then he tied her hands again with a new plastic band and slipped the rope around her waist once again.

  “Oh, come on. I was completely honest with you. Don’t start with this shit again.”

  “We’ll see if you’re honest. I want details and you’re going to tell me why you and Julie are classified.”

  “Get over it. I’m not telling you anything more than I have. You obviously didn’t hear a word I said. Maybe you should get you hearing checked.” For a moment she fell silent then whispered, “Sex makes you deaf.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

  “Let’s go.”

  When she tried to stay put, he tugged the rope, forcing her to follow him. With every step, anger seared through her already hot body. There was nothing worse in her mind than being worked like an instrument then denied release, in sex as well as from the bindings. Man, was she pissed!

  Chapter Five: A Shadow From the Past

  In a low whisper, Jennings called out, “Metcalfe, don’t move.”

  The tall man stood still, yet the wild boar roared and charged him. Metcalfe wasn’t quick enough to avoid the deadly tusks and was gored in his thigh, going down hard. Jennings palmed her knife and jumped on the animal from behind, hooking her feet beneath its belly to hold on while she slit its throat. The thing squealed and bucked, but she held on for dear life, trying to keep it from attacking him again.

  Blood flew in all directions as the creature slowly lost energy. When she knew it was safe enough, Jennings stepped on the ground and did a dive roll to avoid the thrashing tusks and feet as it died. The smell of blood in the air made her feel sick. Sure, she’d killed men, even women in the line of defense, but never an animal.

  Once she was sure the boar was done for, she raced over to Metcalfe to see to his wound.

 
; “You look like crap. Stop bleeding all over the forest, buddy or I’ll tell the Captain you’re making a mess,” she kidded, trying to make light of the situation as terror for him set it. Blood was gushing out of the hole in his leg, and she knew there was damage to an artery.

  For once, he didn’t have a smart comeback but lay on his back, clutching the thigh.

  Unable to see where the damaged vein was, Jennings pressed all her weight on the gash, praying it would help stem the blood flow.

  “Damn, I’ll have to break communication silence and call for help.”

  He shook his head. “No! I’m fine.”

  His face was already losing color as Jennings sent one word to the Captain.

  Help!

  ***

  They’d traveled for two hours before Tab got the call. He halted on the spot, ignoring Jinn when she smacked into his back.

  “Give me a warning when you plan on doing that, you jerk.”

  “Shh.” His whole body went tense as he sought out Jennings’ location.

  “I have to go. I’m going to tie you to a tree and come back for you later.”

  “Screw that,” she snapped. “What if a wildcat comes seeking dinner?”

  He thought about that for a moment, then nodded. “In a tree then.”

  “Snakes, poison dart frogs, wild monkeys, and the list goes on.”

  “Damn it, then you’ll have to keep up. We’ve got to hurry or someone will be dead before we get there. Jennings wouldn’t have broken the code of silence unless it was an emergency.”

  She held up her hands. “Cut me loose so I can run. I promise to stay with you.”

  His eyes narrowed as he considered her pledge. “You swear?”

  Jinn nodded. Against his better judgment, he cut her bindings and removed the rope from around her waist.

  “Keep close. I’ll come looking for you if you try to escape, and you won’t like the consequences if you do.”

  “I thought you said it was urgent. Stop wasting time blabbering and let’s go.”

  Together they raced through the forest. He was aware of her beside him, pushing herself to keep up. They were both covered in sweat, running fast but also conscious of their surroundings. They kept their breathing controlled as they were trained to do.

  If he’d any doubts that Jinn truly was Julie’s sister, the way she acted was proof positive. They were two of a kind, yet different in so many ways. As they raced through the bush, he focused on sensing humans and creatures nearby, but the way was clear. Ten minutes later, they came upon Jennings and Metcalfe. His blood was all over her shirt and pants as she did her best keep him from bleeding to death or going into shock. She’d wrapped her belt around his upper thigh and wound it as tight as it would go.

  Jennings grumbled, “If you don’t open your eyes, I’m going to tell the Captain you’re a wimp.”

  Metcalfe’s eyelids fluttered, but he was barely conscious. Tab turned to Jinn and whispered, “Turn around and keep your eyes closed. This is classified and you can’t see what I’m about to do.”

  Jinn nodded and did as he bid, to his surprise.

  “Captain, I don’t know if he’s going to make it. He’s lost so much blood.”

  “Don’t worry, Jennings. I’m here. Close your eyes and let go of him.”

  “But sir—”

  “Have a little faith in me.” His quiet words soothed the woman and she followed orders as he focused on the wound. With deep concentration, Tab could visualize the nick in the artery. His hands hovered over the area and sealed it up then worked on the rest of the slashed area. The light was blinding, but it didn’t bother him.

  In a few minutes the deed was done and the leg completely healed. The only problem was that the blood loss was so great that it would take time for Metcalfe to gain his strength back.

  “Jennings, you can look now. You did a great job with him. If not for you, we’d have lost him. I see you have a good meal ready to go as well,” he said, smiling at her as he nodded toward the dead boar. He was surprised to see her blush at the compliment.

  “Ah, yes, sir. I thought you might be hungry as well. Can we risk a fire?”

  “I think it’ll be okay tonight. I’ll call the others and bring them over. It was nice of you to think of us. Let’s dig down deep into the soil so the fire isn’t visible in the forest. Dark will come in about two more hours. Cut the meat into thin steaks so we don’t have to cook them as long. We’ll take as much as possible with us.”

  “I’m on it. Thank you, Captain.” Jennings moved off to start digging a hole for the fire, the tension leaving her body. He knew she’d held back the fear at nearly losing Metcalfe. It was always the same when someone on the team got hurt. Jennings had a big heart.

  “What would you like me to do?”

  Surprised, Tab turned to face Jinn and stared at her, wondering if she was serious.

  “Why don’t you clean up Metcalfe’s leg then gather some branches for the fire. The others will arrive in pairs soon. They’re never more than a few hundred feet from us at any given time.”

  “Gee, that’s comforting,” she grumbled.

  Tab bit back a laugh and walked over to the boar to prepare the steaks. They’d have a feast for the first time since leaving home base. He only hoped it wasn’t their last.

  ***

  The forest soon fell back into a soothing rhythm, insects and tree frogs serenading them. After the rainfall, the earth released a deeper scent like that of worms, and bacteria. It was cool and refreshing. Leaves dripped with water, releasing more drops on their heads. The sky cleared up slowly.

  Blackstone and Gonzales entered the grove followed by Chan a little while later. The steaks were already cooking. Frustration ate at Jinn as well as anger at Tab’s ignoring her during the day. She wanted him like no other, and it really pissed her off as she watched him place more steaks on a long branch and set them over the fire on two shorter branches.

  “What, aren’t you going to tie me up?” Jinn asked with a great deal of sarcasm.

  A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Are you getting kinky, or do you like being my captive?”

  “As if! You’re not the kind of man who finishes what he starts. I’d say freedom to run is a much better option.”

  She knew she’d hit a nerve when his eyes narrowed. It was getting dark and the fire burned low. With a full stomach, Jinn became cocky and ready for battle. When he grabbed her jacket and took her down to the ground, straddling her with his face inches from her own, she could only stare up at him in shock.

  Her core reacted like lightning to metal as it ached for fulfillment. By his snicker, she could tell he knew exactly how her body fired up at his nearness and that caused a fury she’d never felt toward someone she was attracted to.

  “Would you like me to continue with your interview here and now?”

  With his teammates around them, that was the last thing she found intriguing, but her rebellious nature took control as she snapped, “Sure. Go for it.”

  Instead of following through, Tab released her and stood.

  “Listen up, team. We’re still missing Alvarez, Barrymore, Carr, Cloonan, Fahey, Gardiner, Halloran, Hogan, Lally, Lemieux, Murphy, Paquette, Seguire, Crow, Tanaka, and Woodrow. Keep a sharp eye out for them when we head out in a few hours. We’re still on silent communication. Most of us are, anyway,” he said, his eyes brushing over Jinn.

  “Everyone can stand down for a bit of sleep. We take turns on guard. Watch this one carefully. She’s got more secrets than you’ll ever know and we can’t trust her an inch. Jennings, you and I’ll do the first round. Metcalfe, if you’re up to it, I’ll wake you in two hours. Blackstone, you’ll take that shift as well.”

  Without another word, he moved off into the bushes. Jinn bit back a smile after noticing he wasn’t as indifferent to her as he’d like her to believe. With a sense of satisfaction, she lay on her back, staring up at the canopy. Night creatures serenaded them w
ith soft, relaxing sounds. She fell into an exhausted sleep in seconds.

  ***

  “Captain, you didn’t wake me. Aren’t you going to get some sleep?” Metcalfe asked. It was still dark as pitch out, but Tab sensed his coming. He was in tune with all his soldiers.

  “I wasn’t tired.”

  “Sir, if I may be candid?”

  “Go ahead.” Tab knew what was coming. Before he dismissed them, each of his soldiers gave him strange glances when he’d confronted Jinn on the ground. He sensed their confusion. There was something strange going on between Jinn and him that even he didn’t understand, and it wasn’t good. His body turned on like a light bulb whenever she was near. The mere thought of fucking her made him harden to the point that he growled in frustration, and she knew it too by the expression on her face a few hours before when he’d left her side.

  Why the hell does she have that effect on me? Her sister never did.

  He was careful to block his thoughts from the others, including her. For some reason, he didn’t sense Julie anywhere. Was she dead, or alive like Jinn said she was? How was he to find his targets to complete the mission and save Julie at the same time? Torn, he turned toward Metcalfe.

  “Sir, you’ve never shown more than a professional attitude to us all. Something’s changed with Dennison and you. I’m not asking if you have a relationship going, but I have concerns about her status as your prisoner.”

  “It’s complicated. I’ll let you know when I can explain what’s going on. For now, we keep an eye on her and do our job. The enemy is hours away by now. We can pick up the trail at first light. Give me an hour’s shuteye then wake me.”

  “But sir—”

  “Dismissed.”

  The man faded off into the night leaving Tab alone with his thoughts. It was impossible to sleep so he lay on the ground and contemplated the two sisters. What a strange combination of fire and courage they both had. Why was he drawn to Jinn and not Julie? It was a long, restless hour before Metcalfe returned.

  When they arrived at the camp, Blackstone grinned. “We’re ready to go sir. Your breakfast is waiting. Fresh boar. Metcalfe was complaining about the scar the creature left on him, but I told him he was lucky to be alive. He ate without a problem after that.”