Hunted Flame

by Rebecca Airies

  “But what will you do here? Isn’t your job mostly in Spain at the company headquarters?” Sin frowned.

  “I have an idea about that,” Sebastian said with a smile.

  “What do you mean?” Matias asked.

  “You know there are expansion plans, and we need to make sure that this crap doesn’t happen again.” Sebastian shrugged. “So, we’ll need someone here. You have your bond brother’s here and hopefully someday soon a mate so you can give Mom and the dads their grandkids. It would take the weight off the rest of us.”

  “If we can find her, I’ll enjoy doing it. Right now, I have to get to know Abram and Sinclair.” Matias smiled.

  “Uh, well, we’ve got about three months.” Sin waved his hand.

  “Three months? What do you mean? Do you know who our mate is? Where she is?” Matias leaned forward. He turned his head from Sin to Bram and back.

  “We don’t know where she is. Our mate’s name is Calista Vincente. She was the Branal Agali here. She held it for her brother. When he came, she had to leave for six months as part of the protocol for changing leaders. We’d been hoping to find our third before she came back.” Sin smiled.

  Matias stared for a long moment. His lips moved, but no sound came out. Finally, he shook his head. “How did you let her leave? I’d want to grab her and keep her close.”

  “Oh, we wanted to. We only found out she had to leave shortly before it happened. Before we could do anything, she’d disappeared. Haven’t heard from her since.” Sin shook his head.

  “Can you tell me what she looks like? To know you’ve found her and we just have to wait…” He waved his hand.

  “I can do better than that.” Sin pulled out his phone and flicked his finger across the screen. He handed it to Matias.

  Matias drew in his breath. “Que linda. She sent this to you?”

  Sin shook his head. “No, it’s a screenshot of a video that she sent to another Branal in our community. We’re trying to track her down, but so far having no luck.”

  “You have other Branal in your community?” Sebastian frowned.

  “Yes, the betas’ mate is a half-Branal, and there’s another full Branal mated to two of our men,” Bram explained.

  “That’s unusual. Well, both the half-Branal and having more than one mated within a community. They’re less likely to have a baby with a human. At least, one who’s not their mate.” Sebastian shook his head.

  “It’s unusual for here, too.” Sin nodded. “Even with a Branal group in the same city, we hadn’t ever found many to be our mates.”

  “Not that there was much contact with them on an everyday basis. We each have our side,” Bram added.

  “I did wonder. It’s generally the same at home.” Matias took a drink.

  Tempest ate in silence. Those three belonged together. The same way Sawyer, Phoenix, and Noah did. That was… wow. They’d said they knew instantly, but she’d kind of thought it was an exaggeration. Hell, Sin didn’t even have to get close enough to smell before he’d started reacting. Had he even seen the man before he felt it?

  “Did you work it out?” Phoenix leaned in as Sin and Bram rose.

  “Do you think I’m blind and deaf? Because I’d kind of have to be both. Admittedly it took a little while, but I did decipher what was happening.” She poked him in the chest. “You could have just told me, which is the reason you are on my list even more than before.”

  “I’m sure you’ll forgive me soon.” Phoenix helped her to her feet. “Ready to go back to the office?”

  “Yes, going back there sounds like a good idea.” She nodded. With the big group, nothing would happen, but being out in public had begun to make her nervous after the attack. Broad daylight was no guarantee of safety. Would she ever get back to normal?

  “If I didn’t have to go on guard duty in an hour, I’d take you home with me.” Noah pressed a kiss to her lips.

  “And it would be delicious.” She smiled. Unfortunately, no such luck with any of her men today. “I know Sawyer has a meeting. I’m good with staying here.”

  “I’d rather you came with me, but business calls. I’ll have to work around the two guards with me. But I’d rather do that than make myself a target. I’ll probably pass them off as assistants.” Sawyer kissed her cheek.

  They walked out of the restaurant. She remained between her men, savoring their presence for as long as she could. Lunch was good even if was over much too soon.

  A pop rang out. Her head swung around as a stinging burn slashed across her arm. What the hell?

  Hands gripped her shoulder and tugged her down. They pulled her back between two cars. Pavement bit into her palms as hands at her back kept her low. An ache pulsed in her upper arm.

  “How badly are you hurt, treasure?” Sawyer leaned over her.

  “My arm hurts, but I’m all right.” She bit her lip. At least, she was pretty sure she was all right. A throbbing ache pounded with every heartbeat.

  “Two men ran after the shooter.” Phoenix eased up beside her.

  “That’s great, but how long do I have to stay down here?” She glanced down at her arm. A dark stain spread on the sleeve of her suit jacket. That wouldn’t come out easily, if at all. “Can we get my suit jacket off? Something’s staining it.”

  “Treasure, that’s your blood, and there’s already a hole in the jacket. I’ll get you another suit.” Phoenix patted her back.

  “You’ll stay down until the shooter is caught.” Sawyer’s hand pressed against her lower back. “Police have been called. Someone ran back into the restaurant, a human woman. So, they’re coming.”

  “Mad about that?” She glanced over at him. So far, they’d kept the police out of it if possible.

  “Only that we’ll have to wait for any answers they get.” Phoenix ripped the jacket. “You might have to have surgery for this bullet, because there’s no exit wound.”

  “Oh, my god, that sucks.” She exhaled. How long would they baby her after this? And why the hell had the hunters shot today? And why her when there were so many others around?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Fuck. How was he going to tell her? Phoenix exhaled and closed his eyes. He took a few deep breaths, but fiery anger still burned through him. The heat tightened his muscles and increased his heart rate.

  That picture. Tempest smiling, sitting beside an older man on a couch. It wasn’t some shot of her walking outside. And not that recent because her hair was shorter and had golden streaks through it.

  A heavy weight settled in his stomach. He pushed the car door open and walked to the side entrance to the house. Would she know who had that picture?

  He unlocked the door and entered the house before stopping to enter the code and once again secured the locks. Tempest’s sweet scent mingled with theirs. His heartbeat slowed. She was here, and she was safe. In the weeks since she’d been shot, even her wound had healed.

  He strolled into the living room. She sat on the couch with Noah’s arms wrapped around her. Relief rushed through him. The tightness in his muscles loosened a little. A white shirt clung to her full breasts and jeans hugged her hips. So normal.

  Two guards sat in the plush chairs at an angle to the television, which played a baseball game. She’d been well guarded.

  “You two can go. Noah and I will be here, and by the time Noah has to leave, Sawyer will be home.” He wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

  Noah’s arms tightened around her. “If there’s an emergency and one of us have to leave, we’ll call someone back here. I think, right now, we need to talk.”

  “What’s going on?” Tempest straightened.

  “We’ll find out soon enough.” Noah patted her thigh. “If Phoenix wants to talk in private, he has a reason.”

  “Call us if you need us,” Jesse said and rose.

  He and Sean walked out of the room. Phoenix followed and let them out before resetting the alarm. He returned to the living room to find Noah and Tempest st
ill sitting on the couch. He sat down beside them.

  “Can I hold her?” He glanced at Noah. Fuck, he needed her pressed tight to him. Skin to skin would be better.

  “Go ahead. This must be bad.” Noah titled his head and opened his arms.

  Phoenix picked her up and pulled her into his arms. That fucking man hadn’t hit her by accident. “Noah, pull up the last image on my phone. It’s in my jacket pocket.”

  “All right.” Noah reached into the pocket and pulled out his phone.

  “What’s wrong, Phoenix?” Tempest wrapped an arm around him.

  Soothing comfort slid over him at her warmth and the press of her body. She glanced up at him. He simply held her while Noah slid his finger over the screen.

  Noah drew in a breath. “Where did you get this?”

  “What is it? I can’t see.” Tempest leaned closer.

  “This.” Noah turned the phone to face her.

  “That’s me. Where did you get that?” She reached for the phone.

  “The police found it on the man who shot you.” Phoenix tightened his arms around her. Someone sent an assassin after their woman.

  “On him. You mean he was after me specifically?” She frowned.

  “Yes. Do you know where he would have gotten it from? We can’t find that picture anywhere on social media. Not yours or anyone connected to you.” Phoenix pressed his lips to her head. They’d looked everywhere they could think of and found nothing similar to it.

  “I don’t think it’s on there. One of my grandfather’s friends took it before one of the poker nights. Only family members had that. I don’t think any of them posted it anywhere, because it only has me and him in it. I didn’t post it, because my grandfather wasn’t fond of social media. None of his friends were on there. Called it a time waster when you could actually be talking and seeing another person.” She shook her head.

  “They’ll want to talk to you about it. They don’t even know we know about the picture, so act surprised when they ask. One of our people is a cop and managed to get in on some of the investigation. That’s how he managed to get access enough to snap a pic of the photo.” Phoenix rubbed his hand over her arm. It was the only way they had a heads up someone was after her specifically.

  “Do you think that it’s someone from my family?” She bit her lip.

  “That picture had to come from somewhere. If only family had it, then one of them gave it to him.” Phoenix scowled. If he could, he’d personally hunt the fucker down, but that was in the police’s hands right now. If they failed, Phoenix wouldn’t.

  “So, what are we going to do?” She turned in his arms.

  “We’ll go to one of the gargoyles here who’s a lawyer and we’ll make sure that your will is iron clad. Then, we’ll let your family know that no matter what happens to you, even if they try to fight it, especially so, they will not be getting their hands on your grandfather’s land.” Phoenix tightened his arms. Hopefully, that would stop any other attempts on her. “You’ll be safe. The cops should handle the person behind it if they can find enough evidence.”

  “Do you think that will stop them?” She licked her lips.

  “It should. From what you’ve told us, the reason they’d want you dead is that land. Is there some other reason someone would want to hurt you?” He tilted his head. Hopefully, that was all that might cause this. “Any money coming to you? Enemies?”

  “No enemies and no inheritance or money coming to me. The only reason I could think of is the land.” She exhaled. “I just can’t believe that someone from my family would want me dead to try to get it.”

  “Someone did. Now, how about we all go into the bedroom and see if we can have some fun.” Phoenix tipped her chin up. It would help him, but hopefully, it would help distract her from news.

  She licked her lips. “Yes. Yes, that sounds like a great idea.”

  “Good, I need to feel the warmth of your body pressed against me.” Noah rose to his feet, then reached down and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He carried her back to the bedroom, while Phoenix rose and followed them.

  “And I want to feel both of you against me.” She ran her hand over his chest.

  “At the same time, treasure?” Phoenix walked up beside her. That would be absolutely delicious.

  “Yes, at the same time. I think we’ve practiced enough, maybe it’s time for the full thing.” She pulled her shirt over her head.

  “I do believe we have practiced enough. I think we can both be with you without any pain to you. If you get scared, all you have to do is tell us and we’ll stop.” Noah pressed a kiss to her lips. “Now, get out of those clothes. We have a little work before you’re hot enough to come. And we’re not leaving you hanging.”

  Phoenix pulled off his shirt. The cool air brushed over his skin. She looked absolutely delicious in a lacy bra and those curve-loving jeans. Soon, he’d run his hands over them.

  He quickly unsnapped his pants. The quicker he got out of his clothes, the faster he could start kissing and tasting their sweet woman.

  She stepped out of the last of her clothes as he kicked off his shoes. He pushed down his pants and stepped out of them. He pulled off his socks and turned to his woman. She smiled at him. Her creamy skin drew him. He had to touch her.

  “Climb onto the bed with me.” She held out her hand.

  “Of course.” He eased onto the bed. An aching hunger tightened his muscles. “Noah will get the lube so that we can have fun.”

  “Well, we can start playing a little.” She drew her fingers across his chest.

  “I don’t think Noah will mind that.” Phoenix turned onto his side and flicked his finger over the tip of one breast. And it would help heat her up faster. Once he got inside her, he might not last too long.

  “Considering I’m aching to sink into that ass, I definitely won’t mind.” Noah pulled open a drawer and pulled out the tube of lube.

  Phoenix leaned down and lapped at the closest dark peak. She hummed and threaded her fingers through his hair. He smiled. Vanilla burst over his tongue. He opened his mouth over the peak. Such a sweet treasure, waiting for him to claim it. He sucked, pulling the peak between his teeth. She moaned and her body lifted. Phoenix tongued the nipple. That couldn’t all be for him. Not yet. He’d barely begun.

  He lifted his head. Noah knelt between her thighs. He pressed his head between her thighs. She lifted against him. Oh, yeah. That definitely excited her.

  Phoenix palmed the opposite breast as he closed his mouth over the still wet nub. He sucked and lapped at the peak. She pressed closer to him, as if asking for more. He gave it to her, nibbling and drawing on her nipple.

  “Give me a kiss.” Tempest tugged at his hair.

  He lifted his head and eased higher on the bed. She wriggled next to him, her body pressing backwards a little. He pressed his lips to hers, lapping the curve. She opened for him. Her tongue slid against his. Their tongues danced and mated. She moaned, the sound vibrating against his mouth. He plucked at her nipples, tugging and tweaking the one closest to him. She rocked. Noah must really be working on her.

  Phoenix continued to tease her nipples as he kissed her. She groaned and moved above him, probably seeking more of Noah’s touch.

  “I think she’s ready,” Noah said as he drew back.

  Phoenix pulled away. “Let me roll onto my back.” He settled on the bed. She lifted up on her elbow but trailed her hand down over her belly. Phoenix smiled. While he’d love to watch her sometime, that time wasn’t now. Now, he had to have her.

  “Come here, treasure.” Phoenix held out his hand. “Climb on.”

  She rose to her knees and climbed onto him. Her pussy brushed against his cock. Slick heat seared him as she wriggled over him. He arched upward, and his cock pushed between the plump lips. Moisture coated the shaft. It would feel so good to sink into her.

  “Settle onto him. I have to work some of this into you.” Noah moved in beh
ind her. “Why don’t you try tightening your muscles on him and torturing him for all the times he’s teased you?”

  Phoenix tensed. A surge of heat sizzled through him. Noah was so going to pay.

  She rose and lowered onto his dick. The warm slick sheath gripped him. He drew in a slow breath. So good. Too much of that and he’d lose control.

  She pressed against his chest. Her thighs gripped his and her muscles gripped his cock. With soft strokes, she glided her hands over his arms and up to his shoulders. Oh, fuck. She canted her hips. The move sent sizzling current pounding through him.

  “Be still. Let Noah work the lube into you.” Phoenix stroked his hand down her back.

  She clenched her thighs again and smiled at him. “That’s not what Noah said.”

  Phoenix cupped her ass with one hand and squeezed. “I’ll deal with Noah later. You I could handle right now.”

  “Going to try spanking me?” She grinned and wiggled.

  He popped her once on the butt. “Be still. I want us to be together when I come.”

  She drew in a hissing breath. Her inner muscles clenched around him. Phoenix groaned. The woman would kill him with that.

  “Now, is that any way to be? I was trying to help.” She smoothed her hand over his chest.

  “Well, since it was Noah’s idea, maybe you should try out your help on him the next time he’s in this sweet pussy. I’m hanging on here and waiting. By a thread, treasure, and I will consider spanking you if you send me over before we’re both in you.” Phoenix held her hips. “Move it, Noah.”

  “Let me just work my fingers into her. I need to make sure she’s loose enough. Why don’t you slip your hand between you? She has to be close. She’ll be very tight this time.” Noah pressed a kiss to Tempest’s back.

  Phoenix slipped his hand between them. She was slick and wet. Her muscles tightened like a vice around him. He pressed a finger on her clit. She moaned.

  “Is Noah doing something Tempest?” Phoenix scraped his teeth over her shoulder.

  “Fuck, yes. He’s working his fingers into me.” She clutched at his arms.