Hunted Flame

by Rebecca Airies

  Noah took a deep breath. He rose to his feet. They must have found something to move on. A pang wrenched through him. He took a deep breath. This had to end, and he needed to be part of ending it.

  “What’s up?” Phoenix sat on the couch in Noah’s place.

  “I’m going over to Cim Sin’s house to be briefed on the plan to grab those last hunters.” Noah patted his pocket. The keys were there. That and his phone were all he needed.

  “They’re going now?” Tempest sat up straight. A hint of her fear tinged her scent.

  “I don’t know. We’ll probably just talk about it tonight, but I want these men caught. I want you free to have normal life.” Noah crouched in front of Tempest. “That can’t happen until they’re stopped.”

  She swallowed. “I know, but they shot Sawyer. They won’t just surrender when you confront them. And they might even try to play the victim and call the police.”

  “I know, treasure, but they could just as easily hurt an innocent victim now. They need to be stopped before they ever get close to you again.” Noah grasped her hands. “I almost lost my mind when they took you.”

  “He won’t be alone. There will be more than enough men with him to take the men down. And he’ll call when they’re on the way back to us.” Sawyer patted her thigh.

  “Give me a kiss before I leave?” Noah combed his fingers through her gorgeous red hair. He had to have something to take with him.

  “Of course. Maybe it will make you hurry back to me.” She framed his face and leaned forward. Her soft lips pressed to his, opening her mouth and her tongue probed. He wrapped his arms around her, tugging her closer. Her sweet taste flowed into him. A spike of hunger lanced through him, and he groaned. Damn, not the time to get caught up in her sweet kisses.

  “That’s something to keep me warm. I’ll be back as soon as possible.” He pulled back and groaned. A fierce longing to pull her close pulsed through him. Staying and spending the day with her would be delicious, but he couldn’t. Damn, this mattered too much.

  “Be careful.” She drew her hand over his arm.

  “I will. You stay warm for me.” He grasped her hand.

  “If she cools off, I’ll heat her up.” Sawyer lifted her into his lap.

  Noah turned and left before he gave in to the temptation to stay. He drove to the next community and to the Cim’s home. He pulled up in front and got out, heading for the front door of the big stone and brick home.

  “You’re here a little before I thought you would be. I thought it would take more time for you to say goodbye to Tempest.” Cim Sin shook his head.

  “I was definitely tempted to linger.” Noah smiled. Damn, it had been hard to walk away. “But she’s been confined by this long enough. I want her life to be normal again or as close as we get to it.”

  “I know the feeling. Calista isn’t due back for months, and I want this cleared up for her.” Sin turned. “Come on in. We’re about ready to talk and prepare. Go on into the living room.”

  “How close are we to action?” Noah walked past Sin and into the room. The black couch and chairs had been filled. Dining room chairs and even a couple outdoor patio chairs had been brought into the gray carpeted room.

  “We move tomorrow,” Sin said, following him in.

  Noah took a seat on a dining room chair. The other men in the room settled, and they all waited as the Cim stood.

  “They’re hiding at a house outside of town. The house belongs to a man who deals in crystals, but he hasn’t been seen for over a week and he should have been. He had a meeting he missed. He owns the car that they used. Something’s happened to him,” Cim Sin said.

  “We’ll go in when darkness falls tomorrow,” Matias said, glancing around the room.

  “We know of three men there at the moment, but I have someone watching the house. If there are any more, we’ll know before we get there.” Cim Bram leaned a shoulder against the wall. “Now, listen up.”

  * * * *

  Noah crouched at the tree line as dusk settled over the area. The red trimmed, white house sat in the center of a grassy area. It was too open to cross with the full light.

  The light faded slowly. His heart pounded. Just a few more minutes and then they’d go in. No sentries. The four men inside didn’t seem to even be aware that someone might come after them. Or maybe they were just too arrogant and didn’t think that anyone could trace them here. They were in there, and this should be the last of the hunters. They’d check to make sure, but hopefully, tonight would be the last night to worry about this group of hunters.

  When the light finally dimmed, darkness cloaked the yard so they could get closer. He crept from his hiding spot to his station near a sliding door along the side of the house. He glanced up as Chase crouched on the opposite side. Noah took a deep breath. He focused. Be calm. Soon, they’d move. Just had to wait for the signal.

  A green light flashed along the tree line. Time to move. Chase used a glass punch on the sliding glass door. The pane shattered falling to the wood floor with a tinkling clatter.

  Noah rushed into a sunroom with a wicker couch and chairs but no one was in the room. A shot rang out deeper into the house. Noah rushed toward the door.

  It swung open, and a man rushed into the room. Noah grabbed him and slammed him to the floor. The man’s fist drove into his ribs. Pain flashed through his side.

  Noah punched him twice in the jaw. The man fell limp. Relief rushed through him. One down.

  He released him and flipped him onto his stomach. He couldn’t end him now. With one knee pressed into the man’s back, he reached back for the flex cuffs he had. He had to secure the bastard, because the man would be questioned before his fate was decided.

  Chase eased up beside him and handed him a pair of handcuffs. “That’s one. I’ll stay and guard him. I know you want to make sure this is finished. You move on through and see if there’s any other men running loose. I don’t hear anything more though.”

  Three more people. Noah rose. He eased out into the hallway. Dante crouched over a man sprawled in the doorway of a bedroom. He secured his hands. Two more. Noah eased further into the house. He looked into the den. Cim Sin hauled a man to his feet from the floor. Arms secured behind his back. One more.

  “Everything okay on your end, Noah?” Sin asked.

  “Yeah, we caught the man who ran into the room. I’m just checking in to see if anyone needed any help. Dante had his in hand.” Noah glanced around the room.

  “Asshole here took a shot at me but missed.” Sin narrowed his eyes at the man. “Matias is in the bedroom down that hall, but I think he and Jesse have it in hand.”

  “Monster.” The man wrenched in Sin’s hold.

  “Who’s the monster? You’re the killers, going after innocents and those that are different.” Sin walked him to the door.

  “I’ll go check in on them,” Noah said. He walked slowly down the hallway and pushed open the first door, bathroom. He crept down to the next door and opened it. Matias knelt over a man on the ground.

  “Everything all right here?” Noah asked.

  “Yeah, I’ve got him. How are the rest of the people?” Matias glanced up.

  “All four are caught, and I haven’t seen any major injuries to us or them.” Noah stepped back.

  “Then all we need to do is make sure we get everything of theirs and clean up the mess they’ve made.” Matias nodded.

  Noah nodded back. The sad thing was there wouldn’t be closure for some of the families of those hurt by these men, not even a body to bury, much less justice. They probably wouldn’t know how many had died at these men’s hands. But the hunters were caught. Hopefully now, Tempest could get on with her life. The last thing they needed was more trouble coming their way.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  What were her mates up to now? Tempest put on her coat and glanced over her shoulder. Sawyer finished buttoning his and smiled at her. Tight jeans hugged his hips. Beneath the blue jack
et, he wore a maroon sweater over his broad chest. Damn, he was so gorgeous. They all were.

  They were planning something. Not just a drive as they said. Even though the Cim and Betas were relatively sure that the last of the hunters were gone and it was safe to get back to a normal life, going for a drive just to drive didn’t seem normal. They had a plan for the drive. Just like the college brochures that kept popping up. Not that she didn’t look at them and the classes the schools offered. She had a job at the Dante’s security company as a secretary. With that money and not having to pay rent, she could get back into school.

  “Do you intend to tell me where we’re going?” She buttoned her jacket.

  “Just for a drive. If we see a spot that’s interesting, we’ll stop. Thought it would be relaxing, something we could do together.” Noah smiled. “Let’s go.”

  His black coat covered him to the hips. Beneath that, he wore a blue shirt. Dark black jeans encased his muscled legs. At times today, it had almost been impossible not to straddle him and start stripping him. Well, all of them. The attraction to them seemed to be growing. Perhaps, it was because she was changing. Whatever it was, she liked it.

  “Yeah, tell that to someone who doesn’t know you three. Something’s up tonight. Maybe any other night this might be just a drive, but tonight, I don’t think so. It’s just something about the attitude you three are projecting.” She shook her head.

  “We’ll see. Now, to the car. We have the weekend to enjoy before we all have to work again.” Phoenix settled his hand in the center of her back, urging her forward.

  And another of her handsome mates. He wore a gray jacket and faded denims. Beneath that overcoat, a green sweater hugged his shoulders. If she managed to back him against the car, could she tempt him to delay this ride to somewhere for a more pleasurable interlude?

  Before she could manage to try, he urged her into the car. They drove out of the community. She settled in the back seat, leaning against Phoenix. Whatever they were up to, she’d find out soon. Anticipation fluttered in her stomach.

  They drove along the highway, heading north away from the city. She frowned. Well, they weren’t going into town. Was there a restaurant out here that she didn’t know about?

  “It’s driving you crazy, isn’t it?” Phoenix lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

  “Yes, and you knew it would. Evil men.” She dug her nails into his palm.

  “Patience is a virtue.” Noah turned in the front seat and lifted his brow.

  “Some say celibacy is a virtue, too. Maybe I should cultivate both of them.” She forced her lips into a straight line. As if she’d deny herself the pleasure of their bodies.

  Noah laughed. “Now, Tempest, don’t go wild. One virtue at a time.”

  “Celibacy first then.” She nodded. Maybe they’d believe it even if she had no intention of carrying through.

  “Now, don’t be mean. You’ll love this even if it does frustrate you a little bit,” Sawyer said.

  “More than a little bit.” She sighed. “So, did you finish all of the follow up on the information from the men’s electronics?”

  “Yes, as far as we can tell no one has missed them. No one’s accessed the accounts on the phones. We’ll know if they do. And they weren’t here under their own identities, so they won’t be traced here. They were all stolen or fake. And no sign of any other people working with them.” Phoenix covered her hand with his.

  “So, for now, no more hunter danger.” She rolled her shoulders. A surge of relief flowed through her. That was some great news.

  “Yes, we’re back to normal life. These men were probably all the men in that group. They’re usually very insular, and as far as we can tell, not even spouses know about what they’re hunting.” Phoenix’s lips pressed to hers. “Have you decided which college to go to?”

  “I have a couple possibilities. I haven’t decided yet, but I have some time.” She lifted a shoulder. “I won’t be going back to school until fall, after I’ve made the transition.”

  They chatted until Sawyer turned onto a side road, but it wasn’t paved. A house rose at the end of the path, but he didn’t go there. He stopped in front of some stairs down to a beach.

  Phoenix got out and tugged her out. She stiffened. This did not look like restaurant or some public venue.

  “Phoenix, this is someone’s house.” She pulled back.

  “Don’t worry about it. We wouldn’t put you in danger.” Sawyer curled an arm around her, practically force-marching her to the stairs. “Come down to the beach. Let’s walk.”

  “All right, but if police show up, I’m not going to be a happy woman.” She poked Sawyer in the stomach.

  “You’ll be a happy woman tonight, so what do you think.” Sawyer kissed her cheek. “We rented that house for the weekend.”

  “I think you better keep that promise.” She stepped down into the sand and glanced back. Noah followed Phoenix down the stairs.

  Waves crashed against the shore, and white foam frothed around the rocks. The water glinted with silver shards from the beams of moonlight. Damn, it was beautiful. She leaned into Sawyer. Cool, salty air whipped her hair against her cheeks.

  “This is great.” She took a deep breath.

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. We’d like to ask you something.” Noah tugged her hand and drew her to a stop in front of him.

  “What do you want to know?” She tilted her head. They were always so confident. This time, they seemed a little nervous.

  “Would you be our woman and stay with us?” Sawyer walked around to stand beside Noah, and Phoenix moved up on Noah’s left.

  “Of course, I’ll stay with you. I love you, and you’re my mates. Even if I don’t feel it like you do yet.” She stepped closer to them.

  “We love you, too, and we know you’re our mate, but that’s not really what I meant.” Sawyer grasped her hand. He dropped to a knee. Noah and Phoenix dropped to their knee as well. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart raced. Heat rushed through her. Oh my…

  “Will you marry us and let us spend the rest of our lives loving you?” Noah asked.

  “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.” She dropped to her knees with them. “I love you.”

  “Good, though I wouldn’t have minded convincing you.” Sawyer rose to his feet, pulling her with him, a grin spread over his lips. “Do you want to go see the house?”

  “Yes, let’s go see the house, particularly one of the beds.” She raised her brows. After the proposal, they could celebrate their engagement the right way.

  THE END

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