by Lisa Kessler
I cleared my throat, keeping my voice hushed. “As long as the cash flow continues.”
“We need more leverage against him.” My father’s gaze rose to my face. “I’m going to mingle and see if I can find out who is trying to maneuver a new general onto the strategic forces committee. That person will be your next assignment.”
I nodded. “Let me know once you have a name.”
He disappeared into the sea of special interests. I returned to the table and offered Isabelle my hand. “Would you honor me with a dance?”
She tugged me closer until I took my seat. “I’m not much of a dancer. I didn’t even go to my high school prom.”
I lifted her hand to my lips and whispered, “Then you are sorely overdue.”
She shook her head again, but a smile teased her lips.
“I’ll lead.” I leaned in, my lips caressing her ear. “Trust me, Isabelle.”
She turned to meet my eyes. “You’re playing dirty.”
I smiled. “We haven’t even scratched the surface of dirty yet…”
Her eyes sparkled as we stood. “Tease.”
With my hand at the small of her back, I guided her through the crowd as we walked toward the dance floor. The keyboard player leaned into his mic. “Who has ‘Open Arms’ tonight?”
Applause broke out around us as couples gravitated to the floor. I pulled Isabelle close, taking her hand in my right and sliding my left arm around her waist. She was stiff at first, hesitant, but gradually her body moved in tune with mine. She stared up into my eyes, and I briefly wished I could hear her thoughts.
“Thank you for coming with me tonight,” I said, meaning it. Sincerity was new for me.
She smiled. “You’re welcome. Thank you for trusting me to help you.”
Before I could respond, a hand clasped my shoulder. “Sebastian, I need you to check on Bert Jones. He’s our target.”
For a split second, I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. Being with Isabelle blotted out everything else. She made it so easy to forget who and what I was.
My father turned to Isabelle. “May I cut in?”
Her eyes flicked to me and back to him. “Sure.”
I forced myself to step back, loathing the distance between us. “I’ll be right back.”
Scanning the room, I found Jones in the back corner with a few political power players. I adjusted my tuxedo jacket and made my way toward him. The sooner I slipped a GPS tracker into his pocket, the sooner I could get back to Isabelle.
Chapter Sixteen
Isabelle
I did my best not to let the revulsion show on my face as Antonio Severino’s clammy hands slid around me. He didn’t lead like Sebastian. He mostly just swayed and held me way too close, sliding his hand up to press against my bare skin.
I never would have picked the dress with the plunging back if I had realized I might be dancing with Antonio Severino. The wolf inside me clawed her way forward, growling deep in my soul.
Over Antonio’s shoulder, Sebastian was making his way across the hall. He moved like a predator, strong, silent, and focused.
“I’ve never danced with a wolf before,” Antonio whispered near my ear. No one else would have heard, but he knew good and well I could.
“I’m not much of a dancer. We can go back to the table.”
His grip on my waist didn’t loosen. “I can see why my son might entertain the thought of a wolf in his bed.”
His hand slid a little lower toward my ass, and I pushed him back. “Actually, these shoes are hurting my feet. I think I need to sit down.”
I didn’t have to look to see if he was following. I could smell him. He wore expensive cologne, but even that couldn’t cover up the unique scent of a jaguar shifter. He took the seat next to me, ignoring his date completely.
“After you deliver Sloan tomorrow, why don’t you stay? I could make it worth your while.”
I was going to need a million showers after this. “Thanks for the offer, but I already have a job back in Arizona.”
He laid his large paw over my hand. “Whatever you’re making, I’ll double it.”
I pulled away and checked behind me for any sign of Sebastian. “Sorry. My sister is out west. I’m not going to move to Virginia.”
“That’s unfortunate.” His dark eyes sparkled. “It’s not wise to reject my offer. When I want something, I can be…tenacious.”
Sebastian showed up, rescuing me from having to come up with some snappy response to his father. Sebastian’s warm hand settled on my shoulder as he stopped behind my chair. “I need to track our target, so I’ll take Isabelle back to guard our…guest.”
Antonio glared at Sebastian’s hand. His gaze locked on my face, and a shiver slithered down my back.
Suddenly Antonio stood. “I’ll take her back while you follow our man.”
Oh, fuck. I was not going anywhere alone with this psychotic asshole. “I’ll save you both some time.” I took my cell phone out of my clutch and hit the Uber app. “I’m ordering a car now.”
I got up fast, grateful when Sebastian’s hand slipped off my shoulder. Something about the possessive touch had set off his father. I just wanted out.
Glancing up at Sebastian, I forced a smile. “Thank you for the interesting evening.” I started to go and glanced over my shoulder at Antonio. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Severino.”
And just like that, I was headed for the door.
Outside I pulled in a deep breath. My heart was pounding in my ears. According to my phone, my car was only five minutes away.
The door opened behind me. The scent was definitely Sebastian.
He stopped beside me. “What’s going on?”
I kept my attention on the street. “He knows.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I checked my phone again. “I don’t know how to explain it, but Antonio knows we’re more than just sex.”
Sebastian chuckled. “Nonsense. We haven’t even had sex yet.”
I glared up at him. “Exactly. He kept getting handsy and propositioned me. I turned him down, and then you came over and maybe I relaxed into you, or maybe you were coveting my shoulder like you cared about me. I don’t know, but there was something in his eyes.”
Sebastian sobered. “He can’t possibly know.”
“I’m telling you, he does.” I scanned the street again. “Don’t doubt a woman’s intuition. We can sense these things. I just turned into a chess piece back there, and I refuse to play his game.”
“So you’re leaving in a taxi?”
“An Uber.” Right on cue, a blue Toyota Camry pulled up to the curb. I stepped down and opened the passenger door. “I’ll see you at the hotel. And watch yourself. If your father finds out where we’re staying, the entire plan is going to blow up in our faces.”
I got in and buckled my seat belt. Sebastian got smaller in the side mirror until we finally turned the corner. My driver tried a little small talk, but I wasn’t in the mood. I’d chased down bail jumpers—hell, I’d locked horns with the previous Alpha of the Sedona Pack—but nothing had ever frightened me like the cold, soulless rage I’d seen in Severino’s eyes.
The adrenaline rush subsided by the time I opened my hotel room door. I kicked off the heels and peered into the adjoining room. Vance snapped to life, gun in hand, but Adam hadn’t been sleeping.
The Alpha rolled his shoulders. “How’d it go?”
“Smooth, until the moment I realized I was in play on Antonio Severino’s chessboard.” I crossed my arms. “He knows something’s up with Sebastian.”
Vance set his gun back on the table. “He’s paranoid. He suspects everyone.”
Adam frowned. “Where’s Sebastian?”
“I left him at the event. Antonio assigned him to tail someone and then pressured me to let him drive me back to the hotel, so I bailed and grabbed an Uber.”
“Smart girl,” Vance mumbled.
I stared at
Adam. His face was pale, and his red eyes broadcast the exhaustion he had to be feeling. “You should get some sleep, Adam. You’re going to need to be at full strength tomorrow.”
“I’ve been trying. Tough to rest when my daughter is locked in a lab someplace.”
My chest tightened. “We’re going to get her back.”
He nodded but didn’t respond. Settling back in the easy chair, he stared out at the stars. “New moon in a couple of days.”
I wasn’t sure if he was talking to us or himself.
“Yeah. We’ll be back in Reno before the jaguars shift.” I had no clue if that was true, but maybe it would help him sleep.
I glanced at Vance. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning. I’m going to grab a shower before bed.”
“’Night, Isabelle.”
The hot shower eased my muscles, coaxing them to relax. It also washed away any trace of Severino from my skin. When I stepped out, I put on sweats and brushed my hair. Someone tapped on the door between the adjoining rooms.
“Yeah?”
Vance poked his head in. “Sebastian’s not back yet?”
I stood in the doorway so I could see him. “Nope. What’s up?”
“Probably nothing.” He shrugged, holding up his cell. “But for what it’s worth, Asher just sent me a text that someone from Nero called him. They were looking for me. He covered and told them I was in Sedona, but the timing can’t be a coincidence.”
I crossed my arms. “It’s got to be Antonio. I could see it in his eyes tonight. He’s knows we’re planning something.”
“We can talk to Sebastian about it tomorrow.” He glanced into his room and back to me. “Adam finally dozed off, so I’m going to put the lights out, too.”
“’Night, Vance.”
The door closed, and I looked over at the digital clock. It was late. Maybe I shouldn’t have left Sebastian alone. What if his father had him locked up someplace?
I squelched the voice. If anyone knew how to survive, it was Sebastian. I snagged the remote from the nightstand and turned on the television. The news came to life, showing what was left of a black sports car. The standard-issue yellow tarp was draped over the driver’s seat, shielding the body from cameras.
“Billionaire businessman Bert Jones lost control of his car on the Capital Beltway. Authorities are still investigating the scene. We don’t know if drugs or alcohol were a factor yet. His sister said he was returning home after attending a gala for Senator Hanson. His immediate family is requesting privacy at this time. Two lanes are closed for the investigation, so take an alternate route if you can. Back to you in the studio.”
The lock beeped on the door, and I snapped up my pistol. Sebastian walked in, barely giving the television a glance. His tuxedo was gone, replaced by a black turtleneck and black jeans. He came straight toward me.
I clicked the remote, turning off the TV as he sat beside me. “I was starting to worry.”
He shook his head, features tense. “No one has worried about me for years.”
I slid my hand up his back. “Adam and Vance went to sleep. What happened after I left?”
“Not much.” He ran a hand back through his hair. “My father had a mission for me. It’s done.”
“Bert Jones.” I glanced at the television. “The car wreck was no accident, was it?”
His dark eyes met mine. “He was putting pressure on Senator Hanson to force General Sloan into retirement.”
“So you cut his brake lines?”
“No, but I did make sure they were leaking. Profusely.”
I crossed my arms. “That guy could be someone’s father or husband or…”
He held up his hand. “He could have put all our lives in danger. If Nero’s files are ever declassified, we’ll all be exposed. General Sloan won’t let that happen. And as long as he helps us lean on Senator Hanson, the senator will continue to shield our supersoldier work with shifters.”
I rubbed my forehead. “How long are you going to keep getting your hands dirty for your father?”
He caught my wrist, his intense gaze pinning me in place. But unlike the emotionless void I’d seen in his father’s eyes, there was pain, anger, and maybe even some regret. “This is my job. It’s what I do. I don’t enjoy it, but everyone is safer because I do it. If you’re going to judge and damn me to hell, save us both time and do it now.”
I lifted my hand, tentatively caressing his cheek, my eyes searching his. “I already know what you do and why you do it.” I swallowed, my voice dropping to a whisper. “I want to know that if we live through this, you might be willing to walk away from all this death.”
He closed his eyes for a moment, his dark lashes brushing his cheeks. When he met my eyes again, he wasn’t the cold killer who’d walked through my door. That mask of indifference that he wore so naturally was gone.
Sebastian whispered, “I don’t know anything else.”
My chest burned as the barriers around my heart cracked under the raw, honest ache in his voice. “I’ll teach you. No more killing unless it’s in self-defense.”
He didn’t answer with words. He leaned forward, his lips pressed to mine as he laid me back, covering me with his body. I moaned into the kiss, tugging his shirt free of his jeans. I slid my hands underneath, exploring his hot skin.
He caught my leg, pulling it up to his hip, bringing us even closer together. His lips trailed fevered kisses down my neck as my teeth grazed his ear. “Tell me you brought condoms…”
“My bag,” he growled against my skin.
He got up enough to help pull off my sweatshirt, and I returned the favor, lifting his turtleneck over his head. His stitches were almost healed. I took that as a good sign.
Sebastian rested his forearm beside my head, propping him up as his gaze slid lower. His hand cupped my breast, teasing the nipple until I gasped, aching for more. He bent his head, licking the hardened tip slowly, his dark eyes locked on mine.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
I’d had compliments from men before, but this was different. Terrifying and exhilarating all at once. He moved up, kissing me long and slow until my pulse raced.
“One second,” he groaned into my mouth.
And then he was gone. Across the room he dug through his bag. A box opened, and he came back to the bed with a foil wrapper. He set it on the nightstand and leaned over me, sliding his fingers under the waistband of my pants.
I lifted my hips, and he pulled the sweats down slowly, the passion in his eyes warming me all over as he tossed them aside. He didn’t try to hide the massive bulge in his jeans, and I didn’t try to pretend I didn’t notice it. There was no pretending, no secrets. I sat up, running my hand down his chest to the button of his jeans.
Staring up into his eyes, I lowered his zipper and pushed his pants and underwear toward the floor. And for just a second, I took in his chiseled form. This deadly assassin stood before me, a battle-worn man. Neither of us had our weapons, and somehow he’d also freed me of my emotional shields, too.
He reached for the condom, but the thought of anything between us seemed cruel. I caught his wrist, and he looked at me with puzzled eyes.
I shook my head. “Get in bed.”
He lay beside me and pulled me into his arms. His erection pulsed against me as I kissed him. I rested my forehead against his. “This is probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, but if we don’t live through this…”
He pressed his lips to mine, then met my eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
“You may not get a say in the matter.” I raised a brow.
A boyish smile toyed at his lips. “I always have a say.”
I laughed and rolled him underneath me. “Is that so?” Straddling his hips, my grin faded. “If we live, and this turns out to be a huge mistake…”
He flipped us over again, staring down at me. “If we live, I want a future with you, Isabelle. It wouldn’t be a mistake.”
I pulled him down to my lips, moaning as he slid inside me like we’d been made for one another from the beginning of time. We clung to each other, bodies writhing. God, I couldn’t get close enough. I lost myself in him.
His lips left mine. He kissed his way to my shoulder, his teeth grazing my skin as he murmured my name. My nails dug into his back with each thrust of his hips. I ran my hands down to grip his ass. He growled and rolled us over so I was on top.
I worked my hips into him as I sat up. He pulsed deep inside me, and I answered, moaning his name. I never wanted this to end. His large hands gripped my hips before slipping up to cup my breasts. He never closed his eyes, our connection so electric I could hardly breathe, and from the shadows of my soul, my wolf howled.
Sebastian was ours. Our mate.
Leaning over him, I brushed my lips over his heart and whispered, “I know who you are.”
He brought up both hands to hold my face. “I would die for you, Isabelle.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Live for me.”
He held me tight to his chest, turning us over again as his hips pushed harder, slamming into me as he reached even deeper. Our tongues tangled, as hungry for release as our bodies. His hand moved from my hip, sliding between us. He teased me until my entire body trembled, and finally my world exploded.
My nails dug into his shoulders as my body pulsed around him, daring him to peak with me. Two more thrusts and he erupted, shivering in my arms.
I’d never had such an intense orgasm. For a second, I couldn’t speak. He rested his head over my heart, both of us trembling. I wasn’t sure how long we lay there, but I wished we never had to move.
If I could catch a moment of time and keep it forever, this was the one I wanted.
Chapter Seventeen
Sebastian
I listened to her heart beating while I tried to comprehend what had just happened. I’d had many lovers. There’d been sex in showers, cars, and against walls, but never in my life had I experienced anything remotely like this.
Real. Honest. And, for the first time, complete surrender.
