Liz grinned. “Thank you. We’re all very happy.”
Dacia looked over at Preston. “Maybe one day we’ll be ready.”
He pulled Dacia closer, his expression bright. “Soon as you’re ready, I am.” He nodded to the rest of them. “Let’s get seated so we can order. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”
“Me too,” Tremaine agreed.
* * * *
Liz’s heart pounded in her chest when she first saw the man in the bar. Same one from earlier. The guys were making light of the situation, but she knew he hadn’t been watching her. His attention was focused on Tremaine. Even though it had been almost seventy-five years ago when Liz first laid eyes on him, she remembered Sinclair had only ever called him Tony.
When she’d seen him walking through Edenton earlier, it only made sense that Tony was involved with HARP. Which made her wonder if Sinclair had also been part of the organization. What did that mean? Were they interested in mystics as well? Was Robert in danger? If so, how much?
After everyone at the table had finished their main course, Tony got up and turned toward Tremaine with a scowl.
Tremaine leaned in and kissed Liz as she caught sight of a woman pulling Tony into his seat.
Before she was completely breathless, Tremaine pulled back. “Nope, we’re definitely going home after this.”
Apparently she’d missed whatever suggestion Preston had made.
Robert agreed, “Indeed, otherwise I won’t manage to keep my hands to myself.”
Liz laughed. “Sorry, Preston. Go home and practice making babies.”
Dacia smiled at Preston, her dark eyes twinkling. “They have a better plan.”
“I’ll concede to that, Minx.” He winked. “Dessert first, though.”
Liz nodded. “Mmm. Chocolate dipped everything sounds awfully good.”
Robert chuckled. “I remember that night we were snowed in at the cabin and fixed homemade fondue.”
“You feasted on me for hours.”
“Mmm, sounds like something we’ll have to do soon,” Tremaine murmured.
Liz glanced up to find Tony glaring at Tremaine again. Looked an awful lot like jealousy.
Her head tipped slightly, and Tony finally took notice of her with a raised brow. His lips quirked before he vanished into thin air.
The waiter brought dessert. She nodded to Robert. “I’d be a willing dessert. However, I need to slip away to the ladies’ room.”
Robert stood to let her out of the booth but kept his eyes on her as she made her way back to the restroom.
Someone followed her in. Liz spun.
“I always wondered what happened to that beautiful child Sinclair kept for himself.” Tony’s voice crawled over her like a swarm of bugs.
She snorted. “Escaped.”
He nodded slowly. “And wound up with another powerful Rift Bender I’ve had the pleasure of seducing.”
“Excuse me?” That pretty much confirmed he was part of HARP. Which led her to more interesting questions. How deep was Sinclair involved? He worked outside the Silver Council but provided many services for the members. Was he knowingly playing both sides? Wouldn’t be a surprise for a dark mage, but damn.
“You’ve stolen Tremaine’s heart. Did he take you from the very beginning? I understand he was at Sinclair’s shortly before the place went up in flames.”
Her teeth ground together as she clenched her jaw, holding her tongue. Tremaine had never touched her in a sexual manner until seven months ago. He never even looked at her that way until she left Robert.
“Bitter topic? Though I suppose if he abused you like Sinclair intended, you would have destroyed him, the same way you destroyed Sinclair.”
How the fuck did this asshole know she’d killed Sinclair, but not that Tremaine saved her?
“Smart woman. Keep your secrets. Matters little. I simply wanted to see the woman who captivated an old lover.” He reached for her, and she threw her hand up, a sparkling shield erecting around her.
His arm was flung back from the shock. One corner of her mouth tipped up. “You won’t touch me.”
He laughed, evil dancing through his eyes. “We’ll see about that.” Once again he disappeared.
Keeping her shields pulled tight, she finished in the restroom and hurried back to the table. As much as telling Robert and Tremaine seemed the wise thing to do, they were supposed to be celebrating their baby. But Tony knew who she was. Was jealous of Tremaine. Shit… he was Anthony, previously Antoine. One of HARP’s leaders. But according to Tremaine, Anthony and Jules weren’t at the top of the heap, just close.
Cabin, definitely a cabin sort of night. No one would find them there. And maybe in the morning, they could answer the harder questions. But at least, they would be safe to discuss and form a plan.
Tony was nowhere to be found by the time Liz slipped back into the booth.
Tremaine gave her a peculiar look but didn’t say a word as he took a strawberry he dipped in chocolate and held it out for her to take a bite.
Watching his reaction as she closed her lips over the juicy morsel pooled warmth in her belly. She could hardly wait to get her men home.
Chapter 10
They barely made it into an alley before Robert grabbed each of their arms and translocated them directly to the bedroom of the cabin. Knowing nobody could find them, the earlier confrontation slipped from Liz’s mind. In the morning, before any of them had to be anywhere, she could tell them about the incident in the bathroom.
She didn’t want to think about the very real possibility of the man who darkened her childhood nightmares being Tremaine’s ex-lover.
Liz barely had time to orient herself before two sets of hands were on her, peeling away her dress. They were both fully dressed in their suits.
Tremaine’s dark chocolate waves fell in a sexy tumble, his face unshaven, warm brown eyes drinking her in. Cupping her breasts, he bent to lick around one tight bud.
Robert kissed along her neck and gently sucked behind her ear. A moan escaped as her fingers delved into the perfectly combed hair. He gripped her jaw, tipping her head to nibble along her jaw.
Every nerve came alive since her skin had become extra sensitive to their attention. And it wasn’t enough with all the layers in the way. “Too many clothes,” she panted.
“We’ll get there, just as soon as you come for us,” Tremaine promised, trailing his hand down her body to slip his fingers through her slick heat. “How close are you, Doll?”
“So close. Want you both so bad.”
He stroked into her, sucking her nipple. “How bad do you want it?”
“More than anything. Don’t make me wait.”
“We won’t,” Robert murmured against her ear before licking the shell and sucking the lobe between his lips. “Neither of us can wait long to have you.”
“Then don’t,” she whimpered as Robert’s hand curled around her free breast, teasing her nipple.
Tremaine pressed another finger inside her, rubbing deep while thumbing her clit. Tingling sensations rocked through her. Her head fell back, and Robert gripped her hair, pulling her head to the side to nibble up and down her throat.
Pleasure washed through her, and they stretched it out, letting her freefall into bliss.
When her knees gave out, Robert swept her into his arms and laid her on the bed, a devilish grin covering his face.
“Now we can lose the clothes,” Tremaine purred, pulling Robert back to face him. They undressed each other in a hurry.
Liz turned on her side and propped her head on her hand to watch the show. Rough and rugged versus clean-cut and refined.
Robert pulled Tremaine to him, kissing him hard, his hand traveling down Tremaine’s side. Tremaine nipped his lip, pushing him toward the bed.
“Let’s focus on Liz.” Tremaine climbed behind her, pressing his open mouth against her shoulder before gently biting while dragging his fingers down her side.
De
sire burned through her as Robert dropped down beside her, his eyes delving into hers. “Gorgeous, always, but after an orgasm—absolutely breathtaking.” He ran his tongue over her lips, and she opened, encouraging him to take more.
He didn’t disappoint, sliding his tongue against hers. She reached for his hard length, but Tremaine caught her arm, pulling it behind her as he kissed her shoulder. “Trust us, Liz?”
She nodded, anticipation making her tremble. “Always.”
Robert met Tremaine’s sly gaze over her shoulder. “What did you have in mind?”
“Want to bind her hands,” he rumbled, “what do you say?”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed, ready for whatever they wanted.
One corner of Robert’s mouth tipped up. He rolled onto his back, pulling Liz onto his chest.
Surrendering, she moaned low in her throat. No one else had ever made her feel safe.
Tremaine straddled Robert’s legs, moving behind Liz. He pushed her down tighter on Robert’s chest, and took her other arm, quickly securing her wrists with his tie. Tremaine leaned forward, dropping a reverent kiss between her shoulder blades.
He nibbled up her spine before whispering in her ear, “Too tight?”
“Perfect,” she breathed.
Tremaine wound his arm around her waist and brought her back up against his chest. “You, Liz, brought me back from the brink of darkness, kept me rooted. You gave me purpose.” He trailed his lips along her neck, then looked down at Robert. “And you, Robert, without you, we wouldn’t be whole. You’re as much a part of my heart as Liz.”
Robert sat up, pressing Liz between them as he kissed Tremaine. Robert caressed her thigh with one hand, and Tremaine’s face with the other. Tremaine tangled his fingers in Robert’s hair while pressing his hand against Liz’s heart.
“Trem,” Robert said, leaning his forehead against Tremaine’s, “we would be broken without you. I need you.” He turned his head, capturing Liz’s mouth and then releasing it. “And you, Liz, I can’t survive without you. Our baby will never have to go through the hell either of you had to endure.”
Tears overwhelmed her as she laid her head on Robert’s shoulder. Tremaine held her tighter. Robert’s hands curved around her ribs as he kissed her neck. “Don’t cry, Love. I’d take away all the pain if I knew how.”
“You do,” she whispered. “Both of you. I don’t have to hide with you. Don’t have to bottle everything up and hide half myself away.”
“Same here, Liz,” Tremaine said. “Never felt safe enough to let anyone in. I need to let down all the walls. With you both, I can.”
Robert gripped Trem’s shoulder. “No matter what, I’m with you.”
“Me too,” Liz promised, turning her head to meet Tremaine’s gaze. “Forever, we’re here for you.”
“All three of us for all of us,” Tremaine vowed.
Robert added. “Always.”
“Need you both,” she purred.
* * * *
Robert lay back, pulling Liz with him. Tremaine reached for the lube. He poured a generous amount into his hand and stroked his cock while he caressed her tight end. Moaning, she wiggled back as he entered her.
He groaned as he pressed a second digit in, stretching the tight channel.
Liz pushed back, letting him fill her further. “Please,” she begged.
He guided her upright and stood Robert’s cock up so she could slide down, before entering her slowly himself.
A sexy whimper left her lips, signaling how close she was to falling into ecstasy. The sound caused his cock to twitch. Her hips rocked, greedily seeking pleasure.
He locked one hand around her hip as his other arm wound up around her chest to hold her shoulder, keeping her still. “Calm down, Doll. We want to enjoy you before you take us with you.”
“So good, don’t wanna wait,” she pleaded.
Robert’s hands traveled up her torso to cup her breasts and tease her the sensitive buds. “Wait, Love. We’ll make it worth your while.” He pulled out.
Tremaine waited to retreat until Robert pushed back in, moving in counterbalance, taking Liz along for the ride.
Liz held off as long as she could, but he knew she was nearing sensation overload. Her whimpers and moans pushed them both faster, as she fell into ecstasy, taking them with her. Tremaine rolled to Robert’s side, and Liz collapsed. Tremaine pulled her over him, and Robert rolled to their side.
Liz nuzzled Tremaine’s neck.
Enjoying her silken skin, Tremaine reached behind her. He unwound his tie and massaged her wrists. Robert curled beside them, slipping his arm under Tremaine’s neck.
“Trem,” Robert murmured, “I’m sorry about last night. Both of you. I should have called, should have talked. Should have come home.”
Liz wrapped her arm around Robert’s shoulder and pulled him closer. “Promise not to do it again, and I forgive you.” She let out a soft yawn and lay her head over Tremaine’s heart.
Tremaine kissed her hair and looked into Robert’s eyes. “Hey, we worked it out.”
Liz giggled. “I’m sure you did, and I must have missed a show.”
“We could always repeat it later,” Robert offered. He met Tremaine’s eyes again. “Maybe this time, you’ll submit to me.”
Tremaine shifted under Liz, a smile playing on his lips. “For you, yes.”
Concern darkened Robert’s eyes. “Why does it sound like that’s not something you’ve done before?”
“I have, though not out of trust and love.”
“Trem, what did you go through?” Robert asked, a tremble in his voice.
He sighed. “We can discuss that tomorrow. Rest assured it was a conscious decision, consensual even. I’m eager to explore everything with you both.”
“You need to share your past with us. I need to understand,” Robert murmured, staring into his eyes. He offered his full support, his love, everything.
“Tomorrow, Robert. Tonight is a celebration. We’re a family filled with love. Tomorrow we can sort out the past, what’s coming, and how to best train Liz.”
“Mmm, agreed.” Liz yawned. “For now, I just want to enjoy you both.”
Robert kissed Tremaine and then Liz, before settling down and closing his eyes His free arm wrapped over Liz’s back to hold onto Tremaine’s side. “Together we’re whole.”
“Very,” Tremaine agreed, blinking back tears. Some happy, some fearful. Now that he had love, real and true, he worried something would happen to tear them apart and crumble their happiness.
If Anthony and Jules were coming, he had every intention of fighting with all he had to keep what he needed in his life.
* * * *
Eighty-three years ago, a week later…
Using his newfound skills, Tremaine traveled through four dimensions to ensure no one from HARP or the Silver Council could trace him.
Hoping for a few days of rest before HARP collected him once again, he traveled to the home where he grew up. As much as he hated the place, he needed to prepare himself to dive back into HARP.
Tremaine never expected a roaring fire in the hearth, or Antoine to be sitting in the chair. The place had been cleaned up, redecorated. Surprisingly, the new décor fit Tremaine better than the old.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?” Tremaine asked with a smile plastered on his face. He attempted to ignore the chill of nerves that traveled down his spine.
“Come, warm yourself by the fire. Tell me about your travels through the dimensions.”
Tremaine huffed. “Exhausting. I took as many different hops as I could. Needed to make sure no one would find me until you did.”
“Wise choice. Though you had me worried. You staged your own death so well, I believed it.”
“Why would you be worried about me?” Tremaine asked.
“I’ve craved you since your days at the academy. You’re a man I want to indulge with.”
“That so?” Tremaine asked, a smirk creeping across his l
ips.
“Aye, it is, but we can’t share with Jules. He would be so jealous.”
No surprise there. Tremaine had always assumed the two had been a couple. HARP had partnered them together for centuries. They shared a bond he’d only seen with a pair of sirens. Interesting, one was part siren and part mage. That made him even more curious about their precise heritage. What were they?
He focused on the unexpected visit. “Why me?”
“You were always fearless, untamed. I want to see where we can go—together.”
Tremaine’s stomach clenched, but he approached Antoine, waiting to see what his interest entailed.
Chapter 11
“He completely disappeared. Probably one of his damned rifts. I thought you said he only used those under dire circumstances,” Jules complained. “Did you show yourself to anyone?”
Anthony rolled his eyes. He knew Elizandra wouldn’t share his presence until they were already in the clear. They were celebrating something, though he couldn’t glean what. “Between the three of them, I think it’s safe to say they are behind wards they traveled to by translocation.”
“Seems you want Tremaine back in your bed.” Jules hissed, jealousy burning brightly in his eyes.
“No, though I do believe it wise to bring both Elizandra and him in. We need several Rift Benders, and clearly he’s in love with her, and another.”
“Elizandra, the former Silver Council enforcer?”
“Yes. She’s our Rift Bender. It was her magic I felt yesterday.”
“What’s special about her?”
“Other than she’s powerful? I remember her as a child.”
Jules hissed. “How so?”
“Funny thing about that—Sinclair McCallister held her from the time she was very small.”
“Miracle she has any magic left at this point. He was well known for draining his cattle. He went through a dozen or more a year.”
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