Talson's Match

by Marie Harte

  “I am. Yours.” His voice slurred as exhaustion settled. “My iriu. I love you so much.”

  Love. Her heart fluttered while hope and confusion grew. Tara turned on her side to watch him sleep, still not sure what the hell had happened between them. She sighed, unable to keep from touching Romy. His skin felt soft yet hot, and he turned his cheek toward her as she stroked him. Her fingers itched to touch his muscular chest, and she followed the impulse, content for the first time in forever.

  Tara sighed and closed her eyes. The warmth from Romy’s body and his steady breathing lulled her into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  Jonah Trotter swore as Pachi delivered bad news. “So she’s in Selection, and Drowe has her?”

  “Yeah.” Pachi swallowed. “I, ah, got the feeling they’d been going at it too.”

  “Going at it?” Jonah asked icily. “You mean fucking? He took her before you could find them?”

  “Mr. Trotter, sir, I—”

  Jonah stared hard at Pachi. “You feel pressure, don’t you?” His voice softened, vibrating along Pachi’s nerves. “Your heart feels like it’s going to burst, and you’re drowning in the very air we breathe. It’s thick, like water almost, and you can’t seem to inhale.”

  Pachi turned blue and choked, reaching for his neck. His eyes watered, and he fell to his knees, clutching his heart.

  “You’ve disappointed me for the last time. But I know how sorry you are, how much you long to please me.”

  Pachi nodded, desperate to breathe.

  “So die quickly and make me a happy man.”

  Pachi dropped to the floor, no longer moving.

  Min and Daket Yal appeared in the doorway when called. Jonah liked the worry in their eyes as they stared down at Pachi.

  “I’m told Drowe has Tara Drake.” He saw the surprised looks on their faces, glad at least he wouldn’t have to kill them for conspiracy. He’d seen how friendly they’d grown with the man. “Tell me what you know about him.”

  Min spoke first, and without hesitation. Another good sign. “He’s definitely a pyro, because we saw him light the Threaders’ asses on fire all week long. Seems like a decent enough guy. Kept the law off our asses a few times and made a solid rep for you.”

  “And Tara Drake? What does he think about her?”

  Daket and Min exchanged glances.

  “Well?” Trotter narrowed his gaze.

  “Hell.” Daket sighed. “Like the rest of his, he noticed her right off. We told him she’s off limits. Besides talking about how incredibly hot she is, he hadn’t gone near her, at least not when we were around.”

  Trotter tapped his chin, thinking. “We have an Otra who wields fire, lightning, and enhanced persuasion skills. He’s stolen a female, my female, newly entered into Selection.” A cell phone rang, and Trotter waved at Min to take the call. Min stepped aside to answer it. “One more thing. I just found out the mole we presumed guilty and disposed of was actually Fromer’s pyro.”

  Daket looked stunned. “But if that slug was actually Fromer’s pyro, then who the hell is Luke Drowe?”

  Min returned, his frown pronounced. “We’ve got another problem boss. A big one.”

  “Do tell.” Jonah felt ready to explode. Fromer wouldn’t be pleased that Jonah had terminated one of his men. Drowe had been among Trotter’s people and place of business for an entire week, where he might have learned any number of things. Despite the headway “Drowe” had made on eliminating the Threader gangs for good, Jonah had been played for a fool. The dickhead had been fucking the one woman Jonah had been dying to conquer since he’d first set eyes on her.

  He could too easily imagine Drowe sinking into her heat, could envision Tara’s delectable neck exposed, her head thrown back as she came around him. The passion that belonged to Jonah had instead gone to another Otra. An Otra who, by all accounts, was a traitor.

  Min pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Then he opened them, his tone apologetic. “Sorry boss, but it seems Rhenec and Zaret Talson ‘Of Fal are due to arrive any day now. They’re making the rounds and wanted a surprise visit and sit-down with you. Only reason we found out is we have a contact at Port Watch who filled us in before Roarke Talson found him out and fired his ass.”

  “Shit.” Jonah couldn’t understand how everything had gone to hell in one night. “We need Drowe here, ASAP. He’s hot for the woman, so we’ll use her as bait,” Jonah sneered. “Daket and Min, you two bring me Killer Drake, with his head on a fucking platter if need be. Let me know as soon as you have him.”

  The two left without a word. Jonah mused on the plan frothing in his mind. With Killer under his thumb, not to mention the threat of exposing his Otra heritage, Jonah had no doubt he could convince Tara to throw Drowe over and commit herself to Jonah as his iriu. Once his mate, she’d share her property and that priceless OQ statue with him—willingly or no. Then he’d have no need of Talson Shipping. He could finally ditch the company and truly become the entrepreneur he’d always meant to be.

  And Tara…she’d be so appreciative of his mercy. He grew hard thinking about her on her knees before him, pleading with him to let Killer free. Those red, ripe lips of hers had him wishing he hadn’t let the new girl go just yet. Damn, but thoughts of Tara constantly aroused him; he couldn’t understand it. Sure she was Otra and now going through Selection. But from the first he’d been intrigued. Watching her touch herself the other day had caused a major meltdown in his pants. Embarrassing to say the least.

  Stifling the strange hold the woman had on his libido, he wondered how Luke Drowe, or whatever the fuck his name was, might try to save Tara from Jonah’s clutches. He had no doubt Drowe would do everything in his power to keep Tara to himself. Jonah prayed the asshole would do his level best to keep her. Chuckling, Jonah couldn’t help his amusement at the thought. Drowe would die a slow, painful death. And once Jonah had Tara and her famous brother under his control, he didn’t intend to let either of them go. At least, not alive.

  11

  Romy groaned and rolled over, his body pleasantly sore, his dick well-used. His arm brushed against soft skin, and he inhaled the sweet smell of his iriu lying next to him. Satisfaction welled, and his psychei surged with power, leaving him revitalized and in control of his psychic skills once more.

  Damn, she makes me strong. And so hard. Even though they’d both loved each other to distraction last night, he wanted her all over again. He glanced at the bedside clock and noted the late morning hour. Hell, it was nearly noon.

  “Romy?” Tara murmured and stroked his chest. Electricity raced over him, pinpricks of sensation arousing him further. “Was yesterday real?”

  “Very,” he answered in a throaty voice, aware the woman had no idea what she did to him. He felt her dwell on everything that had occurred, as well as her responsiveness to her iriu. Pleased she at least thought of him as her husband even if she didn’t fully accept it yet, he remained quiet, content to lay under her touch.

  “So we’re married?”

  “Yes.” Damn. If she kept petting him, he’d come with or without wanting to. Ah, that lovely Selection. He could smell her need on her as if she wore it like a perfume. Her desire for her mate, for a child, overwhelmed him. It was with great restraint that he held himself still in bed.

  She sucked in a breath, and her nipples hardened as she rolled toward him. “I think I’m in, ah, heat again,” she said, her face on fire. “The Selection isn’t over.”

  Thank the heavens. Romy bit back a wide grin. “I know you are. Yesterday should have cured some of this intense need. But I want you so badly I can taste it.” He closed his eyes to get a hold of his control. And then he saw her stroke his nipples. A source of second sight that disconcerted him. Blind vision? A new talent he’d never before experienced. Now, with his eyes closed, he could see in terms of touch—the phantom touch of his iriu’s body.

  “Romy,” she breathed. “Would you mind if—”

  He took the wor
ds from her mouth by pulling her on top him and easing her over his erection. They both sighed as she took him inside her. As she began riding him, he couldn’t help falling in love with her all over again.

  “I love your body.” Romy had no problem admitting his feelings. “And your mind and your soul. Everything about you calls to me, veyou.” He gripped her by the waist to increase the pace and swore he felt a spike in power as she neared orgasm. “This pretty little pussy, for example.” He pressed circles into her clit, gratified by the harsh slamming of her body over his. “It tastes so sweet. And your plump clit is just begging to be eaten.”

  “Romy,” she gasped. “I’m going to come.”

  “Do it. All over me, sweetheart. Can you feel how hard you make me?”

  She groaned, her body falling over his in a rhythm that made his blood boil. He played with her clit with one hand and reached for her breast with the other. The soft feel of her had him expanding inside her. He pinched her clit hard in response, and she climaxed, rippling around him in a release that drew his own.

  He surrendered to the clenching walls of her sex. His climax felt so good, especially knowing his seed sought the warm haven of his iriu’s womb. A flutter of psychei found its way, and within seconds Romy saw the bright blue energy of new life burrowing into Tara’s soul. Joy infused him, and he worked hard to hold his emotions in check, not wanting to startle his new mate.

  In that moment, he saw, too, her every attempt at healing, her overwhelming need to help, and her unquenchable desire for him.

  “Oh, Romy, yes, yes.” She bore down hard, squeezing him inside her. “You feel so good in me.”

  “Hell, yes,” he agreed, stroking her belly, warmly welcoming his future child. “Little one, come to us with love and know you are treasured even now.”

  Tara smiled down at him, but her grin faded as she noted the placement of his hands. “Oh my God. Did you just put a baby in there?”

  He didn’t know what she wanted him to say. Though she paled, a larger part of her was jumping for joy. He could sense her conflicted emotions and remained silent.

  “But—but how did you do that? How do you know that? No, no. I know. It’s an Otra thing.” She made to leave him but he held her tight, his hands around her waist.

  “Tara. Honey, it’s okay. It’ll all be okay. You just need time to process it all.”

  “And you don’t?” she snapped. “One minute you’re running drugs for the Talsons, and the next I’m Otra and you’re fucking me senseless. Then we’re mated and I’m pregnant. But then what do I know? I was only human.”

  Romy scowled. The woman should have been basking in bliss, at the least pleased about their child. “First of all, I never worked for Trotter. Second, you’ve always been Otra. My fucking you—making love to you—has everything to do with you being you are. It’s not about you being Otra or human or some of each. I don’t care what you are, it’s who you are that I love.” She settled a bit at that, and he continued. “Tara, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for you to get pregnant so soon. I can’t control conception. It happens when it happens, but I won’t say I’m not overjoyed at the thought of our child.”

  She slumped over him. “So you didn’t do it on purpose?”

  “No. We could have prevented it if we’d been smarter and used contraception. But like I said, your Selection was for more than a mating. This child is meant for us, love.”

  She blinked a tear away. “A child.”

  “Yes. A spark of light resting in you.”

  She stroked her belly. “I’m going to have to get used to all this.”

  He took one of her hands in his and kissed the back of it. “I know. I’m sorry this is all so sudden for you.”

  “My whole life is changing so fast,” she agreed. “But I finally sense I’m where I need to be.” The smile lit her from the inside out, and Romy didn’t think he’d ever seen her look so beautiful. “My family is you and me, but it’s also Mannie, my brother. I need to know he’s all right. I have to talk to him.”

  Romy blinked at the change of subject but nodded. “Call him.” He nodded to the vidphone by the bed. “Actually, why don’t you cover up first, then call him.”

  She flushed. “Good point.”

  After a shower with Tara, whom he couldn’t leave alone, Romy dressed in his trousers and double-checked Tara’s Otra statuette. It remained safe in the room’s vault, and if Romy were right, the thing had to be worth a small fortune. It felt old and powerful. Probably another draw to a man like Trotter.

  His mate drew on a robe and dialed her brother. The phone rang several times before the screen cleared and a man with blond hair and blue eyes answered. He seemed familiar. Then Romy recognized the badge around his neck on a chain.

  “Who the hell is this?” the guy growled.

  “I’m Tara Drake. Why are the police picking up my brother’s phone?”

  His aggression vanished. “Tara?” He peered closer, his eyes widening when Romy stepped close to Tara to get a better look at the vid. “Talson?”

  “Sean?” Romy stared in surprise. “I thought you worked in Port Townsend.”

  “I transferred to Port Chase six months ago. Nicer weather here.” His obvious interest in them told Romy her brother would no doubt hear about this call soon. “So I see you two are friendly. I’m glad you called. Tara, where’s Mannie?”

  “How do you know my brother?”

  “He’s a good friend of mine. And apparently he’s missing.” Sean stepped back from the vidphone, giving them a view of a messed apartment. “Someone trashed his place, and when he didn’t show at the bar last night, I figured he’d had a change of plans. When he didn’t call me today, I popped by.” His eyes hardened, and Romy was glad to have at least one member of the law on their side. Who knew how many officers Trotter had on the payroll?

  “Can you meet us here in an hour?” Romy gave Sean the address.

  Sean nodded and disconnected.

  “This isn’t good.” Her brother missing? This had Jonah Trotter written all over it. “I’ll look into it.” Using his psychei, Romy saw the Yal brothers knock Mannie unconscious with a stunner before hauling him away in a nondescript craft. “Definitely Trotter.”

  She bit her lip, and he hugged her tight, wanting to offer what comfort he could. “Tell me what you know, Romy. Please.”

  “Hell. None of it’s good. Trotter is the son of my parents’ friends. That’s the reason they hired him, that and he supposedly knew what the hell to do in a shipyard. But after a few months, my brothers and I noticed the numbers not adding up. But when we checked with my father, he refused to hear anything bad about Trotter. So Val, Roarke, and I decided to look into things.

  “Consider yourself lucky Trotter thinks he’s in love with you. Otherwise he’d have raped and killed you like he’s done so many others.”

  She swallowed hard, and he hated to see the fear in her eyes. “He’s killed others?”

  “Something I only recently learned. Apparently Hoolies’ girls never do repeat performances for more than a few weeks. He either kills them or sells them. And that Majesty he’s pushing? He’s trafficking the stuff throughout the southeastern states. He’s a major player, and my family has unwittingly given him more leeway to do it.”

  “Maybe I’ve been a little harsh on the Talsons.” Her eyes softened as she studied him. “It’s not your fault, Romy.”

  “We should have looked into before we hired him, but my father has a weak spot when it comes to family and friends. That and I think Trotter has a very strong ability to persuade.”

  “A big pusher, hmm?”

  Romy grimaced. “He has tremendous power. I’m just glad you were immune. You have no idea how badly he wants you, veyou.” He gathered her to him, ignoring her tension. “I really am sorry I misled you about my identity. But I had no idea I’d walk into a situation as bad as this.”

  “We’ll fix this.”

  “You’re damn right we will
. I have hard evidence on Trotter. I just need to get it and turn it in. But I have a feeling my cover’s been blown.”

  She gave him a sly grin. “That’s not the only thing that’s been blown recently.”

  Pleased his iriu could make light when she had plenty to worry about, Romy treated her to a nice massage and regaled her with stories about his annoying brothers.

  It was enough to take her mind off her brother, at least until Sean arrived.

  12

  Two hours later, Romy and Tara enjoyed a luxurious lunch in their room. Romy had purchase Tara clothing from a boutique, and though several hundred dollars poorer, he couldn’t help the pleasure he derived from taking in her beauty.

  She flushed. “Would you stop staring? What? Do I have food in my teeth?”

  He chuckled. “I just can’t get over how beautiful you are. The Selection only enhances your appeal.”

  “Great. So I’m going to be attracting Otra left and right for what, the next week?”

  He shook his head. “I’m shielding most of it, taking your essence into mine. Truth be told, most of your need has passed. What remains now is the desire for your iriu. And to enhance your energy to protect our child.” His eyes gleamed. He couldn’t begin to explain how much in love he was with thoughts of their baby.

  She patted her belly, her gaze introspective.

  “Iriu? Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or the child.”

  “I can’t help worrying. We both know Trotter has Mannie.”

  “He’ll be alright. Like you, your brother has Otra in him.”

  “What?”

  “I sensed it the moment I met him. He’s not as strong in psychei as you are, but he’s part if not pure Otra.”

  “Mannie?” She shook her head. “You know, he does have this strange intuition. And his dreams, sometimes he senses things. But I’ve never seen his eyes turn silver. Well, except just once, recently. It’s weird. I was never very strong in other gifts, but since meeting you and bonding with you, I think my psychei has grown.”