Den of Mercenaries: Volume One (The Mercenaries Book 1)

by London Miller

  Sometimes it was as simple as the person that had died, the legacy they’d left behind summed up in a matter of three paragraphs, sometimes less. But, Kit had taught her that it wasn’t just the person featured there that mattered—sometimes it was who they were connected to.

  Whether business wise, or familial, the message was clear for anyone that knew how to read it.

  “No one of importance,” he said, drawing his gaze from the page to her.

  She didn’t believe that for a second. “Anyone interesting, then?”

  He plucked the paper from her hands, folding it and tossing it on the opposite seat. “Business can wait.”

  “Then you’re going to tell me where we’re going?” she asked hopefully, playing with the ends of his hair. “I’m dying to know.”

  Kit rolled his eyes. “It’s a place you’ve asked me to take you.”

  “That list is endless.”

  “And we’ll have a lifetime to work through it.”

  It was amazing how quickly he could turn her to putty with just his words. “If I guess right, will you tell me?”

  He kissed her suddenly, just a quick press of his lips to hers. “Not a chance.”

  Her groan made him laugh, but she didn’t have to wait in suspense for long, not when the clouds gave way and she could see the turquoise waters below.

  The beauty of it couldn’t be described in words, and she had a feeling as she returned to her seat and buckled in once the sign came on, where they were going.

  Luna was giddy with anticipation as they landed, rolling to a stop at the end of a dirt runway. She could barely hold in her excitement as she walked off the plane with Kit close behind and climbed into the waiting jeep.

  As they rode down the street, drawing closer to the beach, she was smiling before they even reached the bungalows set above crystalline waters.

  “Welcome to paradise,” Kit said in her ear.

  God, she loved this man.

  Turning her face up to the spray of water, Luna spread her fingers through the soapy strands of her hair until the water ran clean. Though they had been at the bungalow for more than three days now, she had never ventured out to the shower that was outside.

  But since they would be leaving soon, she wanted to use it—and there was nothing better than showering under the privacy of the moon and stars.

  Despite the drop in temperature, the air was still humid and it was made even warmer under the steam of the shower.

  Kit had ventured off somewhere earlier, promising to be back in a mere hour’s time, though that had already been two hours ago.

  Luna was used to his ever-changing schedule—the way their plans might have to change due to his work—but he was never shy about telling her.

  Something had been different about him before he left, but she hadn’t the chance to question him on it before he was gone.

  Now, as she heard the back door open, she stepped back, ready to ask him about where he’d been when she caught sight of him.

  It shouldn’t have affected her, seeing him strip free of his clothes—she knew his body just as well as she knew her own—but nothing could have torn her gaze from him as he loosened the tie around his neck, then started for the buttons lining the front of his shirt.

  With each one that came undone, he revealed another sliver of tanned skin, the fine hair on his chest only accentuating his masculinity. There was just so much of him … and the way he looked at her, as though she were his prey—she couldn’t resist. As he got down to his boxer briefs, she could see the hard outline of his cock, the way the stretchy fabric barely contained him.

  And as he stepped out of those, taking his erection in hand, her fingers curled in anticipation.

  Something was different about him, she thought as he came toward her.

  While he’d seemed in a good mood before he’d ventured off for whatever errand he needed to run, now that he was back, that mood had gone, replaced with one she had become achingly familiar.

  Kit got this look in his eye when he wanted her—an expression he had never cared to mask—but he got another sort of look when he wasn’t just seeking the thrill of fucking her.

  Luna drew in an audible breath at the idea, just catching the quirk of his lips before he had his hand wrapped around her throat and his lips on hers. It wasn’t just a kiss, not with the way he bit and sucked and licked—no, he wanted her to feel it.

  That he wanted her.

  That she was his.

  He’d done everything in his power to make sure that she only thought about him and no one that came before him. Even now, though they had been together for nearly two years, he liked to remind her just who she’d given herself to.

  But he wasn’t contented with the kiss. With a hand at the back of both of her thighs, he easily lifted her off her feet, her legs automatically wrapping around his waist, putting her in direct contact with the head of his cock.

  After a solid minute of plundering her mouth to the point that she was near mindless with want, he pulled away, staring down at her with steely gray eyes. Whatever it was that put him in this state, it was serious.

  He released her mouth, only to trail a line of fire down her jaw and along her throat.

  Luna gasped his name, her nails digging into the hard muscle of his shoulders as she ground her hips in invitation.

  Kit glanced down between them to where his cock was nestled between her legs—at the perfect level to give up his control and slam into her if he wanted, but instead, he looked back up to her, his hand curling around the side of her face.

  “Do something for me,” he said, in a voice rumbling like gravel.

  “Anything.”

  His answer was immediate. “Get on your knees.”

  Luna didn’t hesitate in complying dropping to her knees as quickly as she possibly could. She could see the thrill, the pleasure in his eyes at how eager she was.

  She took satisfaction in pleasing him.

  Looking up at him, it was like looking up at a god—all lean muscle and raw power. He fisted his cock, angling it toward her mouth even as she parted her lips to take him in.

  “Suck me,” he commanded with overwhelming authority, a shudder running through him as she did just that.

  She could feel his rapid pulse, and his quickly waning restraint as his hands moved to her hair, gathering the strands to grip in his fist as he guided her the way he wanted.

  Even in this, he didn’t relinquish control, rather fucked her mouth the way he wanted until curses were spilling from his mouth.

  He was close already, she could taste the evidence of it on her tongue, and the way his muscles corded as he stiffened.

  “Fuck, Luna!”

  It was the only warning she got before his entire body went still as stone before erupting, his cock jerking on her tongue as he spilled inside her mouth.

  When the tension in him eased and he was pulling out of her mouth, the look on his face made her laugh.

  “That wasn’t how this was meant to go,” he said after clearing his throat.

  “How what was supposed to go?” she asked as he helped her to her feet.

  He turned the shower off, grabbing a towel to wrap around her first, then one for himself.

  “I have something for you,” Kit whispered, never looking away from her. “It was supposed to come after, but—”

  “What is it?” she asked, wondering if whatever he thought to give her was the source of his mood.

  Seeming to gather his composure back, he offered his arm. “Shall I show you?”

  How could she ever say no to him?

  Back in the bungalow, she dressed and climbed into bed, watching him move about. When he was with her, he always gave her his undivided attention—making sure she understood that she was the most important thing to him, but now he seemed distracted.

  For a while, he disappeared into the bathroom before reappearing and sliding into the bed behind her. Nestled against the pillows, sh
e was too tired to even look back at him.

  Tracing his fingers along her side, he followed the dip of her waist, then the curve of her hip until he reached her hand. At first, she thought he only meant to hold her hand, but as Kit slipped something onto her finger, she pulled her hand from beneath the cover to look.

  And was greeted by the sight of the biggest diamond she had ever seen.

  “This is a ring,” she said, even knowing that she sounded completely moronic.

  There was a smile in Kit’s voice as he said, “Yes.”

  “For me …”

  “It is.”

  Now she was rolling over to better face him. Disbelief thrummed inside of her, even as the evidence was sparkling on her finger.

  “But why—”

  “Marry me.”

  Kit didn’t ask, merely stated what he wanted, as though there was no doubt in his mind that she would give in.

  But she couldn’t fight the smile blooming on her face if she tried. “You want me to marry you?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  Now she was sitting up, looking down at him with wide eyes as she tried to gauge how serious he was.

  “You want me to be your wife?”

  Dark brows drew together as he regarded her. “Of course.”

  He said it with such conviction that the pleasant warmth she felt only grew. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Just say yes.”

  She said yes.

  Every day for the last week, Luna had awakened to the sound of gently lapping water and the soft cry of seagulls. That, coupled with Kit being next to her, she couldn’t think of anything better.

  No, she could.

  It was the weight of the ring on her finger that was better than everything this place had to offer. She had almost thought she’d dreamed the day before, that he hadn’t actually proposed, but the blinding diamond on her finger told her otherwise.

  A knock at the door to the bungalow had Luna sitting up in surprise, immediately looking to her right, but Kit wasn’t there. When the knock sounded again, she shuffled to her feet and peeked out the window first before opening the door.

  Kit had promised surprises the night before, refusing to elaborate no matter how much she begged, so for all Luna knew, this was one of them.

  Standing on the other side of the door were three women, all wearing the resort’s uniform of white shorts and a white polo. The one wearing a short hairstyle and stood slightly in front of the others spoke rapid Dhivehi, but when she realized Luna didn’t understand what she was saying, she switched to broken English.

  “We get you ready,” she said with a brilliant smile, stepping past her in a flourish as the others followed.

  Already, the butterflies were fluttering faster.

  Luna spun around to follow them back.

  Loley, her name tag read, headed directly for the bathroom where she stopped next to the giant freestanding tub and ran a bath, mixing in an assortment of bath salts, citrus scenting soaps, and topped it off with brightly colored flower petals.

  Luna didn’t even get the chance to fully appreciate it before she was stripped of her clothes and practically shoved into it.

  They shuffled out after and she could just see the swish of fabric as a dress was brought in, one that sparkled and shone.

  Luna’s movements were jittery as she washed, grabbing a towel and drying off. Wrapping it around herself, she stepped back into the main room.

  There was a flurry all around her as she was given lingerie to put on, and a slip.

  Then, and only then, did she get her first look at her wedding dress.

  It looked like diamonds had been sewn into the fabric, rainbows glittering all around it. The sparkles extended over the straps of the dress, down the bodice, and further still until it reached the very end of the dress’ train.

  When she thought of weddings, Luna thought of magnificent ball gowns, of adoring family and friends that gathered inside a church to witness the union between a man and a woman before their God. She had always imagined a big celebration for herself—a winter wonderland was what she had always wanted.

  Fake snow, white roses—well white everything—and a horse-drawn carriage that brought her to the man that loved her, and the church full of people that were excited to see her off into a new life.

  She had wanted something grand, lavish, with memories that would last her a lifetime.

  This, with Kit, was nothing like she had ever expected, but was everything she could have ever wanted.

  The ladies helped her step into the gown, zipping and buttoning it into place as she stared across the room at her reflection in the mirror.

  This was happening.

  It was really happening.

  She’d expected the garment to be heavy considering the level of detailing, but it was nearly weightless as she moved about.

  The anxiousness she felt had her stomach in knots in the best way possible.

  By the time they were leaving again, smiling at her with encouraging nods once she was fully dressed, Luna was ready.

  Or as ready as she could possibly be.

  Staring at her reflection in the mirror now, cheeks flushed, hair strategically pinned with errant strands curling to frame her face, she looked like a bride. Unconventional, but a bride all the same.

  Gathering the skirt in her hands, she walked barefoot across the floor, following the scattering of rose petals until she reached the front door where a note was taped that hadn’t been there before.

  See you soon …

  Three little words that made her heart flutter.

  But she didn’t let her eagerness, that giddiness that had settled into her body, overtake her, not just yet.

  Up the walkway, cool petals brushing her feet, Luna headed for the shore. The sun was just peeking over the horizon, casting brilliant shades of orange and pink in arcs along the sky though partially obstructed by grayish clouds.

  This day couldn’t get any better, from the warm glow of the sun, to the slight breeze that ruffled the skirt of her dress as she walked.

  Torches lined the walkway from the moment wood merged with sand. Down at the end, wearing a proper three-piece suit, Kit was always so poised, never a hair out of place, but today he had left it as it usually fell when it dried, wavy strands falling over his forehead.

  He was beautiful.

  As she started toward him, his eyes found hers and the most brilliant of smiles crossed his face—as though she was the thing that mattered most to him in the world.

  Seeing him there, waiting for her, spurred Luna into motion, sending her hurrying across the sand until she felt his arms go around her, his soft laugh making her feel lighter than air.

  And she knew, in that moment, that she would always run to him.

  Chapter 17

  2014 April

  It was supposed to be spring—when flowers bloomed and the cold weather gave way to warmth and sunshine, but Mother Nature apparently wasn’t having that.

  Already, Luna missed Bora Bora and being able to walk into the ocean from the bungalow. She missed the silence of the nights when she could enjoy being alone with Kit.

  With her husband.

  Husband.

  That they were married now still baffled her.

  Despite the promised high, it was still fifty degrees outside, and to make matters worse, the skies had finally opened up, freezing droplets raining down.

  Not for the first time during her long trek into the city, Luna regretted climbing onto her bike and venturing into the city. Even with a helmet, gloves, and leather jacket, she was still soaked through by the time she arrived at the address Uilleam had sent her.

  The street was mostly empty besides the few cars along the curb. Parking her bike, she waited until she was inside the building before removing her helmet, the wet ends of her hair wetting her shirt.

  The office space, though she wasn’t entirely sure it was an office, was barren. During the few
times Uilleam had called on her personally throughout the years, she would often find him in swanky locations that seemed expensive just to look at.

  This place, whatever it was, didn’t seem to fit what she knew about him.

  More importantly, he was nowhere to be seen.

  Popping her head back out to make sure she was in the right location, Luna frowned as she reached for her phone, but stopped when she heard the click of heels.

  “I’m sorry,” a woman said as she came around the corner, eyeing her from top to bottom. “We’re closed for renovations.”

  Luna might have been willing to believe that had there been a sign of some kind—and if she wasn’t dealing with The Kingmaker.

  “I’m looking for a friend,” Luna said, “maybe you know him?”

  “Who’s your friend?”

  “The Kingmaker.”

  Now, the woman’s expression shifted. “A moment, please.” She disappeared back around the way she had come, only to return not long after. “Come with me.”

  It would be just like Uilleam to plan this dramatic meeting when he could have told her about the assignment through an encrypted email—it wouldn’t be the first time.

  With a roll of her eyes, Luna followed after the woman, then down a flight of stairs. Now she was beginning to see what was hidden behind the empty facade.

  Tucked around the corner and away from prying eyes, there was a row of doors on either side of the narrow hallway.

  They stopped in front of one marked 2B, where the woman rapped on the door twice before twisting the handle. “Sir, you have a visitor.”

  Uilleam’s voice sounded from inside the room. “Send her in.”

  The woman stepped to the side, waving for Luna to go in. Not sure what to expect—because no one could anticipate what Uilleam got into—she entered hesitantly, trying to make sense of what she was seeing inside the smoky interior.

  Uilleam was there, but he wasn’t alone. There were two women lounging on either side of him, both wearing frilly lace and nothing more. One had a hookah pipe tucked between full lips as she drew in the smoke, water bubbling inside, and the other was running oiled hands down Uilleam’s back and further still …