Anubis (Guardian Security Shadow World Book 1)

by Kris Michaels

  "When they found it, they backtracked to the clinic, to find me." Anubis acknowledged the correlation between the deaths and his blood tests.

  "Yes, but the doctor and nurse didn't have any information about you," Bengal interjected the comment.

  "Which is why they followed the test back to the healthcare system, broke through the flimsy ass firewalls and found your daughter's information." That was from Bengal's woman.

  "That information brings us up to this morning." Alpha stepped back into the conversation.

  "The contracts that are out on us." Anubis's skin prickled against the adrenaline that was coursing through his veins. He had the name, Faas, and a reason, revenge for a job. One that had almost killed him. "I need a dossier on Faas," Anubis added.

  "We can get you background on what the fucker's been doing, but he's been below everyone's radar. The more we dig into this guy, the more he becomes a person of interest." Archangel's voice rasped across the line.

  "He's taken a contract out on my family and me." Anubis left the rest unsaid. Anyone who had the balls to take a hit out on a Shadow deserved the hellfire and brimstone that would rain down on his ass.

  "The contract has been posted on the dark web. Unfortunately, we've been down this road before. We are better prepared to monitor the traffic on that side of the ether world. From what we've discovered Faas has put big money on you. However; there is very little chatter about the hit. From what we can discern Faas doesn't have the juice to get anyone to accept the hit, especially since Guardian's assets have started chatter stating this contract was tainted."

  "So, you're convinced there isn't a threat?"

  "Convinced but cautious, hence the increased security at the installation where you're staying."

  "Where is that bastard now?" Anubis growled the question. He could hear the rustle of paper in the background before Alpha continued, "According to our human intelligence sources, Faas hasn't been seen at his compound in Suriname for two days. The assumption is he is traveling to California."

  "What is that assumption based on?" The jump was a big one to take. Normally when dealing with hits ordered by the private sector, the entity initiating the contract wanted layers or buffers between them and the instrument. Coming to California would remove several layers of plausible deniability that Faas could claim.

  "The son of a bitch is a sadistic bastard. Again, according to local human intelligence assets, Faas has a god complex. If someone takes the contract, he'll want to be on hand. We can't validate part of this information, but the contacts have been used in the past and were found reliable," Alpha relayed the information.

  It was a risk to make a decision based solely on human intelligence unless the organization could validate it by other means. If they had any confirmation, such as documentation, physical movement, financial, communication, cyber trail or even an independent third-party verification they could make better plans.

  Alpha's voice cut into his thoughts, "But even without verification, we aren't taking any chances. We have every resource available monitoring arrivals at commercial ports of entry, and we are processing all private flight plans, but in effect, this is a needle in a haystack search."

  Archangel's gravelly voice scratched across the phone, "We are flying in a doctor to follow Kadey through the medical process. When she is stable enough to move, we are recommending your daughter and her mother be transferred to the complex in South Dakota. We can provide care and ensure protection in case anyone is stupid enough to accept the hit."

  "And I'd be free to take care of the situation with Faas," Anubis said what everyone was thinking.

  "As a reminder, Faas has not been coded or sanctioned," Archangel stated emphatically. "I have another meeting I need to attend. Alpha I need you to join me. Bengal. Take care of this. Do I make myself clear?" The raspy question released a smile on Anubis's face.

  "Crystal, sir," Bengal replied quickly.

  "Take care of your family, Six Four Nine," Archangel commanded before Anubis heard two distinct clicks on the line.

  "We have two assets in the area. Asp and Moriah. They've received Air Force credentials. Moriah will shadow you at the hospital. Your daughter's operation is the most important thing for the next forty-eight hours. Let Moriah keep you safe. You concentrate on your family. You know how to contact Asp and if needed Thanatos. I'll paraphrase Archangel. You know how to take care of your family. Take care of them. Whatever it takes."

  "As long as it takes." Anubis hung up and replayed the conversation in his head. A Guardian doctor would be present for the operation. He walked to the window and looked out. He was grateful for the oversight on his daughter's behalf. Having someone watch his six, even while on the military base, meant Guardian wasn't taking any chances with his family's security.

  Moriah, hell that was some firepower. She was an urban legend of sorts-the only female assassin who worked for Guardian and one of only three in the world of her caliber-if one was to believe the whispers. Of course, there weren't calling cards or a list of "Who's Who" for people in his profession, but they were a small community. You knew of your contemporaries. Not by sight, but by reputation. Anubis knew the specialties of the elite that drifted in the shadows outside the reach of the rest of the world. Moriah killed at close quarters, she wielded a stiletto knife that had become legendary. Thanatos also killed at close quarter, the weapon wasn't specific, but the method was always up close and personal. It was rumored he looked in the eyes of each person he killed as they died. Asp was lethal with any type of firearm, from just about any distance, but rumor had it he preferred to use his hands. Which might explain the scars that Anubis had noticed when they'd last met.

  Having any of them holding his six when Kadey was in surgery was a relief. Moriah would watch over them, and he had Asp at his disposal. Anubis nodded his head. If necessary, he'd use their talents to track his prey and to keep his family safe, but Faas was his. Although Guardian hadn't officially sanctioned the hit, they were doing nothing to stop him from going after the bastard himself. In fact, they gave him every tool he needed. Three elite assassins working the same case, four if you counted Bengal, and that man could never be counted out. Anubis smiled to himself as a saying from his long-forgotten childhood in New Orleans popped into his head. The creole in him sang the phrase, Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll. Faas had no idea what was coming his way.

  He pulled the blinds shut and headed back into the front room. Sky sat alone on the couch. She smiled at him and patted the seat next to her. "She conked out right after the first song. I knew you were busy, but I hoped we'd have a little mommy and daddy time tonight." Anubis sat down, and she leaned into him.

  "You sure you want to risk it? We may get busted again."

  "She rarely gets out of bed once she goes to sleep for the night. I'm willing to risk it if you are."

  Fortunately, Kadey hadn't given the shower incident a second thought, or at least not that Sky had told him. Fuck yeah, he was willing to risk it. Hell, he was learning he was willing to risk just about anything when it came to Sky and Kadey. He lowered his lips to hers, gradually deepening the kiss. He leaned back and pulled her on top of him. She pulled away from his kiss and glanced down the hallway. He followed her eyes before he brought his focus back to her.

  Sky smiled and arched an eyebrow. "You stay right there. That way you can see if Kadey comes out of her room."

  "Say what?" Anubis gave a furtive glance toward the hallway but his attention snapped back to the happenings on the couch when Sky unbuttoned his jeans and pulled the zipper down. His cock pushed against the cotton fabric of his briefs. Sky looked up at him and smiled. "I've been waiting almost two years to do this again." She lowered herself to his cock and mouthed it. Her hot breath and wet lips dampened the material that encased his dick. He lowered his hand and ran it thr
ough her hair, pulling it back, so he was able to see what she was doing. Fuck, his hips pushed forward in an automatic bid to get closer to the delicious lips that were teasing him. "I need more of your mouth. Take me out."

  Sky looked up at him. Her big brown eyes shone with excitement. She rose up onto her knees before she glanced down the hallway. She stood, shimmied out of her pajama shorts and straddled his thighs again. "I'm going to let you fuck my mouth, but don't come. I want you to fuck me."

  He may have stopped breathing. In fact, he was pretty damn sure his heart stopped beating for a couple of seconds. The way Sky talked was as much foreplay to him as the dainty hands and fingers that currently roamed his chest. She knew how to rev all his fucking engines, and the woman had his cock pegging the red zone without putting him in her mouth. She pulled his waistband down and released his rock-hard dick. He grabbed the base and squeezed it to stem the looming orgasm rolling down his spine. "I'm not going to last if you suck me, babe. As much as I want your mouth, I need to be inside you."

  Sky smiled and dropped down, licking a stripe from his fingers that still held the base of his cock up the underside. She circled the sensitive head with her tongue before sucking it in. Anubis hissed and stroked up on his shaft as she lowered. Her tight, hot suction pulled him closer to the edge. "Sky, if you don't stop, I'm going to come."

  She smiled and popped off his cock and sat up. Her legs were on either side of his thighs on the couch cushion. She drew her fingers to her mouth and obscenely swirled her tongue around them before she sat down on his thighs and dropped her hand to her sex.

  "Holy fuck… you're trying to fucking kill me." He watched as she spread herself open and rubbed her clit. A soft gasp from her snapped his eyes from her hands to her face. "I want to watch you make yourself come." Sky reached up and pinched her taut nipple through her pajama top. A sharp inhale of air brought him out of his stupor. He reached down and cupped his balls pulling them away from his body as he stroked. Fuck, her eyes followed his hands. Anubis moved his legs up sliding her closer to his cock. Her hand continued to hold back the folds of skin around her sex as she slid right up to his cock. Anubis pushed his hips up, driving his shaft into his cupped fist and across her exposed clit. Sky gasped and ground her hips forward. His fist sped up, working only on the head of his dick as he used his cock to stimulate Sky. They found an awkward, fantastic, stilted rhythm and chased their release. Every time Sky ground down it put pressure on his balls, and white hot jolts of electricity slammed through his lower extremities. He reached up and cupped one of her breasts, finding the hardened nipple. He pinched it and she jerked forward, landing both hands on his shoulders as she continued to grind against his hard-as-fuck cock. He cupped her neck and pulled her down for a kiss. Sky's hips stuttered, and she cried out into his mouth. He gripped his shaft hard and rammed it through his fist without any pretense. His orgasm raced through him and blinded him with a white-hot intensity that left him shaking. Sky fell on his chest, lying in his cum. He could feel the dampness of her completion on his balls.

  He worked on catching his breath while he ran his hand through her dark brown hair. "Fuck, babe. That was so good." He kissed the top of her head.

  "Yeah, we fit. I missed you so damn much." Sky snuggled into his chest.

  Shit, he needed to tell her what was in store for her and Kadey. Damn it, he hated to ruin the moment, but she needed to know. "Tomorrow we need to talk about what's going to happen after the surgery is done." Anubis continued to stroke her hair as he spoke.

  Sky tensed in his arms. "Is it bad?"

  "No. Nothing to worry about. I just want to give you as much information as I can."

  Sky sighed and nodded her head, which tucked her closer to his chin. "Thank you. For everything."

  Anubis closed his eyes and let her drift to sleep. She should never have to thank anyone for caring for her. He'd really done a number on her. That was something he wished he could rectify.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sky paced the small waiting area. The nurse had explained the television monitor had a number-coded system that told Sky each time Kadey was moved from one area to the next. According to the number they assigned her, Kadey was still in the operating theater. Sky paced the fourteen steps to the window, turned, glanced at the computer screen and walked the same fourteen steps back. Kaeden leaned motionless against the doorframe. She could feel his eyes track her, but there was no way she could stop pacing. If she stopped, she'd start chewing her fingernails again. She'd already bloodied her fingers, and Kaeden had literally pulled her thumb from her mouth and forced her to notice what she was doing. Sky glanced at the clock and then at the screen. Three hours. Her baby had been out of her sight forthree hours.

  "Sky, come sit down, just for a little bit." Kaeden's voice broke into her mental hysteria.

  She shook her head and walked to the window, glanced at the screen and turned around to collide with Kaeden's chest.

  His hands cupped her upper arms. "Please, you're exhausting me. Come over here and sit down, just for a minute.

  Kaeden guided her to the bank of plastic chairs that were connected to each other by chrome tubing. He sat down and pulled her into his lap. Sky tucked into his chest and hid her face in the curve of his neck. He didn't wear cologne, but he didn't need it because the man's scent was simultaneously arousing and a balm that soothed her frayed nerves. He rubbed her back and lifted away to kiss the top of her head.

  "She'll be okay. We'll get you both out to the ranch in South Dakota where you can relax, and she can recover."

  "You're sure they will be able to take care of us?" She repeated the questions that they had gone over yesterday. They'd replayed this exact conversation many times since he told her the plan. Guardian had the facilities to take care of Kadey, and the care would be free. Kaeden had paid all her bills in California. She didn't have to worry about the bank repossessing her car or her house or about suffocating under a mountain of medical bills.

  Kaeden needed to go back overseas to wrap up some loose ends. He never waivered on the fact that he wouldn't stay. Sky sighed, resigned to never having the closeness she needed from the man. She closed her eyes and melted into his warm strength for just a moment. She had him for now.

  "Mr. and Mrs. Long?" Sky spun around at a man's voice and then sent a wild glance back at the monitor. Kadey was still in the operating room.

  "What is it?" Sky shouted the question. Kaeden grabbed her arm steadying her when she jumped up, and thank God he did. She didn't know if she could keep herself upright. The man wore scrubs and an eye patch. He removed his surgical cap exposing a wave of blonde hair.

  "Kadey is fine. I'm Doctor Adam Cassidy. I'm sorry we didn't meet sooner, but Guardian sent me to monitor Kadey's case and to ensure she gets the best care possible. I arrived this morning and have been with her team. I'll also be the one who will take care of her follow-up when we get back to South Dakota. The repair of the defect and the valve went straight along textbook lines. Kadey is strong, and her heart is now working the way the doctors were anticipating."

  Sky clasped her hand over her heart and closed her eyes saying an immediate prayer of thanks. She popped her eyes open and asked, "When can I see her?"

  "She'll be out of the operating suite soon, then in post-op until she comes out of anesthesia before we take her to ICU."

  "ICU?" Sky gasped.

  "Standard procedure for a surgery of this nature. They can monitor her better there. I anticipate she'll be in a normal room by this time tomorrow. I'm sure we will take you back as soon as possible, so she doesn't get scared when she starts to wake up. I'll come get you as soon as the staff here authorizes it."

  "Thank you." Sky whispered and collapsed into Kaeden's hold. She swiped at the tears that trailed down her cheek.

  "Hey, that was good news. No tears are authorized." Kaeden
pulled her into his chest.

  She nodded but cried all the harder. "I'm just so relieved." Sky wrapped her arms around Kaeden's waist.

  "I know." Kaeden held her until the tall blonde pirate-slash doctor came back for them. Sky clung tightly to Kaeden's arm until she saw her baby. The nurse standing beside her bed smiled at Sky. "She's waking up. She'll be groggy and sleepy, but she did very well."

  Sky smiled and wiped at her wet cheeks again. She picked up Kadey's small hand careful not to touch the IV or any of the cords that attached her daughter to the machines monitoring her. "Oh, my God! Kaeden, her hand is warm." Sky reached down and touched Kadey's feet. They were pink and toasty. "Her feet are warm, too!"

  She smiled back at Kaeden and the pirate doctor. She'd have to ask the man's name again, but later. She was so happy to touch her baby right now that nothing else really mattered. Sky leaned down and spoke to Kadey, "Hey baby. You did it. The doctors fixed you all up. Pretty soon you're going be able to run as much as you want."

  Kadey's eyes blinked open, and she smiled. Just a small smile, but Sky felt her eyes well up with tears again. Kaeden brought a chair up, and she sat down, still holding Kadey's hand. He leaned over and kissed Kadey on the forehead. "You did good, sweetheart." Kadey mumbled something that made Kaeden smile.

  "What did she say?"