Wraith (Special Forces: Operation Alpha)

by Kendra Mei Chailyn

  A few cars honked at him, but he didn’t care. The greater the distance he could put between himself and the men with guns, the better.

  “Why does this keep happening?” Amelia asked.

  “Our hotel host is a rat,” Wraith explained. “I shouldn’t have fallen asleep.”

  He didn’t go into the fact the only reason he’d drifted off was because Amelia’s body was so soft against him. Though he kept checking the mirror to make sure they weren’t being followed, his mind was trying to do the math. What was the precise number of years he’d gone without making love?

  But the time didn’t matter because Wraith had no intention of letting it happen again.

  A black car zigzagged through traffic behind him and he knew they hadn’t gotten away yet. The chase carried through the streets, under and over bridges but he still couldn’t shake their tail. Their cat and mouse game caused one accident with other vehicles. The sound of crashes, one car slamming into a bus, another ramming into a light pole—all of it made Wraith sick.

  “Tex, a little help?” Wraith asked.

  “Some assistance, comin’ right up, my liege,” Tex said. “The stop lights ahead of them began switching to green. The moment he was through one, he glanced back to see it’d turned red again. But the car kept right on coming.

  “I need you to call the ambulance for those cars,” Wraith told Tex.

  “Really? The less interaction I have with the Russian world the less chance for an international incident.”

  “Son of a bitch, Tex!”

  “On it! Shit! Unclench!”

  Wraith growled, twisted the steering to the left to avoid taking out minivan then to the right to avoid a transport truck.

  Amelia screamed. He glanced at her quickly to see she was covering her eyes. He shook his head and returned his attention to the road ahead. Wraith periodically glanced back to see the same car after them.

  “Persistent little asses, aren’t they?” Amelia asked.

  “Yup, a trait that’s starting to piss me off.”

  “Hang a left in three meters.” Tex advised. “Then keep going straight until you see the red building with the green cones, sharp right.”

  “Got it.” Wraith confirmed.

  He followed his friend’s instructions carefully until finally, he left the city behind and was on a long stretch of deserted road. Wraith had enough. They couldn’t keep running hoping these guys would lose interest or just back off. He had to do something. Wraith took a breath and gripped the steering wheel tightly with his left hand. “Hang on,” he said, while twisting the wheel to the left.

  The tires squealed and the car turned dramatically to face their assailants. He switched hands to using one to hold the wheel then pulled his gun with his other. Then, speeding toward the other car, he fired at them. Amelia screamed but he didn’t take his eyes off the vehicle barreling toward them. Their attackers swerved right, then left before the car smashed through the guardrail and went tumbling off the side of the road. Wraith didn’t stop to check on them. No one would survive such a fall. He merely whipped the vehicle around again, and sped off in the direction he’d originally intended on going.

  After a few seconds, the silence was once again interrupted by the loud boom of the other car exploding.

  “I’ll keep digging,” Tex said in the head piece. “I’ll hit you back when something pops.”

  “Thanks, man.”

  He pulled the ear piece out and set it on the dashboard. Wraith was sure of one thing. He needed somewhere to lie low. Sure, he knew the only way to stop all of this was to find the Lala before the others and then get out of dodge. If he didn’t figure something out, they could be in big trouble.

  “Listen to me,” Wraith said, glancing in his mirror to ensure they were not being tailed again. “If we get separated…”

  “You’re leaving me?”

  “No. I said if we get…”

  “Then we’re not going to get separated.”

  “Hummingbird, please. If something happens to me, I need you to take your passport and head to Moscow. There’s a Canadian embassy there and they will take you in.”

  “Liam…”

  “Promise me. I can’t allow you to pay for your father’s dick moves. Keeping you alive is the most important thing right now—okay.”

  “And that’s the only reason you’re doing this, loyalty to a friend.”

  Wraith glanced at her.

  “Forget I said anything.”

  He cleared his throat. “We have to get a new car and some provisions. We’re heading to Kurgan. If you wanna get some sleep now is the…”

  “How long?”

  “Three hours.”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  Wraith nodded without taking his eyes off the road. He could hear something in her voice, a kind of hitch he hadn’t heard before. Something happened between his speech about loyalty and her question and he was so tired he couldn’t focus to find out what. He had to keep track of all the things he had to do to keep her safe. The yearning was beyond anything to do with her father. Having her sleep in his arms tugged at him and switched on something inside he’d thought was long lost. Even as they ran for their lives toward a painting with the power to kill or save them, Wraith ached to feel her soft and trembling against his chest again. He wanted to smell her hair like cherry blossoms falling against his face.

  But it wouldn’t be appropriate.

  Instead, he settled for getting into Kurgan early in the morning, fought through rush hour traffic to find a place to sit it out until he could get a few plans in motion. The home belonged to Amelia’s father. He hadn’t bought it under his real name, Wraith figured they had a few days tops before anyone would come looking. Once there, Amelia left him and locked herself into one of the upstairs bathrooms. He waited outside the door for a breath but didn’t hear the shower turn on.

  Aside from anything else, she must be hungry. They hadn’t really stopped on the drive to Kurgan and though she hadn’t said anything, he knew he should get her something to eat.

  Before he left, he found a couple of heaters in the kitchen and carried them into one of the bedrooms. After turning them on, he grabbed his bag and entered the bathroom. He hadn’t shaved in a few days so his beard was already growing in. Pulling out a Chelyabinks Bulldogs hockey hat, he stuffed his head into it. He ensured he wore a hooded sweater under his coat and climbed the stairs.

  “Amelia?”

  “Yes?” She opened the door and poked her head out

  “I’m going out for a little bit. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

  “So, I’m staying here by myself?”

  “You’ll be safe here,” he said.

  “Gimme a few seconds to put my clothes back on. I’m coming with you.”

  “Amelia, no offense but you’re a black woman in a white town…”

  “What do you really mean?”

  “It means you’ll stand out like a sore thumb.” Wraith growled. “Are we going to have another one of our little tiffs? I really don’t have time for it.”

  Amelia eyed him angrily. “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “I know you don’t want to stay here alone.” He touched her chin gently before letting his hand drop. “I can move faster by myself and I blend in. I look like all of them.”

  “Fine.” She made to close the door. Wraith braced his palm against it to stop her. “Just leave.”

  “Amelia…”

  She turned away from him and though Wraith wanted to stay and talk out the moment they just had, he knew it wasn’t possible. “I started a couple of heaters in the bedroom. A fire would draw attention so please try staying warm by those.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

  Amelia did close the door then and for a moment, Wraith stood staring at it. No matter what he did there was no winning with her. He heard the shower start and groaned. She was on the other side of the door, naked with
water flowing over her beautiful, soft, dark skin. It was a thought strong enough to make him weak in the knees.

  Chapter 9

  Long after Liam was gone, Amelia stewed in her silent loneliness. She eyed her purse. It was the only thing she had time to grab back at the hotel from hell. She’d kill for a warm bath, a change of clothes, a hot plate of food and a glass of wine. It didn’t even have to be expensive wine—maybe one of those cheap bottles they put in the discount bins at the wine store. Truth be told, those were the best in her opinion anyway.

  Amelia sighed.

  This entire situation was costing her too much.

  Dejected, she stared at the back. There was no need to check the inside because she knew the precise contents—a passport belonging to someone else with her face, cash from her father, a cell phone from the Save By The Bell, her fake driver’s license, a half stick of gum, a tube of lotion which had been squeezed too many times and somewhere in a corner was a few quarters she gotten back when she bought all her new clothes. Her mind fixated on the phone. Perhaps she could call Lisa—just once. She only needed to hear Lisa say hello to know Amelia wasn’t completely alone in the world.

  Instead of reaching for the bag, however, Amelia used the beautiful blankets from the large bed to make a makeshift bed on the floor in front of the heaters. She settled on a few pillows and curled herself into a C, facing the heat sources.

  No, she couldn’t call Lisa. Her father and Liam had gone through so much to make sure she was safe. Cuzo gave his life. There was no way she could put all they’d sacrificed in jeopardy.

  Every sound she heard, sent her heart racing and caused her to sit up. And after a while of paranoia, she got up, wrapped a sheet about her shoulders and wandered the home. It was beautiful, something she’d only seen in the movies. She went from one room to another, wondering which room she’d pick to be the master bedroom. Which bed was comfortable enough for Liam to hold her through the night again.

  Amelia cleared her throat. He did it because they were both cold and body heat helped. He had no interest in her other than saving her life and Amelia supposed she should be grateful. Most other men would leave her to rot.

  Frustrated, Amelia stomped her foot. It wasn’t fair. She’d been good. Then why would the fates bring Liam into her life if she couldn’t have him?

  “Oh my god shut up brain!” Amelia muttered.

  Rounding a corner, she was heading back to the bedroom Liam had set the heaters in when she heard a sound. Amelia froze, stopped breathing and waited. The noise was familiar—footsteps moving carefully through the downstairs. Tiptoeing back to the room, she dropped the sheet and picked up her shoe. Hefting it above her head, she slowly went down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible. But the horrible steps creaked something fiercely. Nearing the bottom, her heart slamming into her chest when a shadow filled the doorway.

  “Amelia?”

  She blinked and Liam filled her vision. The shoe slipped from her fingers and without being able to stop herself, she flung her body into his arms. “Thank god it’s you!”

  “Who else would it be?” He hugged her back.

  “I don’t know.” She stepped back and put some distance between them. Having his arms around her was dangerous. Her body was doing all sort of heated, embarrassing things.

  “I—uh—I got you something to eat,” he said. “And a new jacket. The one you have will not do much good against the weather here. And I found some t-shirts, a couple of sweaters and two pairs of jeans. They aren’t designer or anything but it’s the best I could do given the situation.”

  “You bought me clothes?” She arched a brow. “You don’t even know my size.”

  “I guess-timated.”

  “Right…”

  “Come. You must be hungry.” He walked away from her.

  “Liam?”

  He glanced at her over a muscular shoulder. His beautiful eyes held a darkness that should unnerve her but didn’t.

  “Thank you.”

  He offered her a curt nod and continued on his way.

  Amelia wrapped her arms around herself and followed. She wondered what he could have found that was remotely better than the horrible slush they served on the plane rides over to the frozen Tundra. But when she sat and he handed her a bag, it had sandwiches—ham sandwiches. Thankfully, she pulled one out, unwrap it and sunk her teeth in. Perhaps it was because she hadn’t eaten in a while, or because her mouth was frozen, but the silly little sandwich was the most delicious thing she’d ever put in her mouth.

  She ate.

  He fussed around on his laptop.

  Then she was alone again. Liam had disappeared to another part of the massive place. Alone, she ate a second sandwich, washed it down with a bottle of water then gathered the garbage. She singled out one of the plastic bags with the clothes he’d gotten her, and used it to stash all the trash to be thrown out. After she put away the clothes, she wandered through the place until she found him doing burpees in a vacant room. Standing by the door with her shoulder resting into the frame, Amelia watched silently. His muscles twisted and contorted under the movements almost as if he was doing a dance. His muscular thighs were steady under the weight of his body each time he shifted from a push-up into a squat then pushed to his feet. Sweat glistened off his body, running down his abs. She chewed on her bottom lip.

  Liam turned to look at her then and stopped to grab a towel. He kept eye contact, wiping the back of his neck, down his arms then his abs. Amelia didn’t realize he was moving until he was standing directly in front of her. The scent of his body intoxicated her, pulled her away from her resting place and looking up into his beautiful eyes. His breath was hot against her face, a soft lullaby she hadn’t felt all her life. No other man made her think the things Liam did. They hadn’t managed to titillate her body by merely being in their presence. Amelia closed her eyes and tilted her head.

  He took her chin in his thumb and forefinger, lifting her lips higher. The heat of his breath burned hotter against her cheeks and it was almost as if her heart stopped. Liam’s mouth descended on hers so powerful, she whimpered. Her knees buckled but he caught her into his damp chest, wrapped a strong arm around her as he backed her into the wall. Their tongues mingled, sending shocks of electricity to every tip of her body. Helpless, Amelia tangled her arms around his neck.

  Liam growled, released her and took her arms. He restrained them above her head but deepened the kiss. He controlled every bit of the carnal assault on her body, molding her mouth in the image he wanted and touching every inch of her. She could barely breathe, for all she wanted, all she desperately craved in the moment was to have his rock-hard body imprinted on hers.

  “We should stop.” Liam’s voice was husky. “We really should stop.”

  But even as he said those words, he didn’t release her. He kissed her again and punctuated it by nipping at her lips.

  “Because you’re only saving me.” Amelia arched forward, trying to get his mouth on hers again. “Because you’re only doing what my father would have wanted. Because this wouldn’t be fair to Lili.”

  “Don’t put words in my mouth, Hummingbird.”

  “Then why stop?”

  “This can’t be what you really want,” Liam replied. “Us making love like this. And—”

  “And what?” Amelia pushed.

  “Do you really want me because you feel something or because we’re in danger?”

  Those questions caused her to wrench her arms from his. She tried pushing by him, but Liam merely grabbed her by the hips and pulled her back in front of him. He trapped her against the wall with his body. “If you want me, Hummingbird, there’s no shame in it. After all, you want what you want. But I have to make sure I don’t take advantage of you.”

  “I’m a grown woman, Liam.” But she didn’t meet his eyes. “But I understand. I’m not Lili.”

  Amelia did manage to escape then. She hurried back up the stairs to her heaters and th
e pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. What the hell had she been thinking?

  She knew the answer. Amelia had been thinking there was a fire inside her, raging out of control and only Liam could put it out. In their moment, as he devoured her in the best ways, all thoughts of Lili and her jealousy of Mrs. Perfect were gone. There was only a woman needing to be touched by a man. Then reality set in and Amelia had to remember she wasn’t the right one for Liam. She wasn’t the one Liam wanted.

  “Amelia.”

  She didn’t move. In fact, Amelia closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.

  “Come on, Hummingbird. I know you can hear me.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You have no right to call me Hummingbird, in this voice—like you—like you…”

  His footsteps sounded closer. “Like I what?”

  Amelia said nothing else. Suddenly his strong hands were against her shoulder, rolling her to her back. She kept her eyes closed for a brief moment before looking up at him. He was kneeling beside her. “You don’t get to be kind to me now after the rejection.”

  “I want to talk about what happened.” Liam sat beside her and drew his knees up. “The first time you make love to someone it shouldn’t be in a cold, drafty old house in the middle of nowhere with killers on your tail. I didn’t stop because of Lili. Her and I have been friends, colleagues for more years than I’ve known anyone else. You deserve more than—than—.” He motioned around. “This.”

  “I’m glad you’re thinking about what I deserve, Liam,” Amelia said. “But what I wanted…I’m sorry, okay? It won’t happen again. Can we just get to work finding this painting so we can go home?”

  Liam sighed and rose to his full height. “Okay.” He left her in the room by herself and Amelia’s eyes stung with unshed tears.