by Maya Banks
your safety.”
“You can adapt on the fly,” she said cheerfully. “I’ve seen you in action. This should be a breeze for you.”
He reached for her, framing her shoulders and looking directly into her eyes, a veritable storm of emotion swirling chaotically in his.
“You don’t get it, Ari. If you were any other client, I’d be cool under pressure, and yes, our motto is change, adapt and overcome at any cost. But you aren’t just another client. And therein lies the problem. Because if something happens to you, I can not be held responsible for my actions. Because I’d unleash hell itself if it meant getting you back. And if the unthinkable happened and I lost you . . .”
He had to break off momentarily as emotion, so thick and tangible, seemed to clog his throat, making it impossible to articulate the turbulence of his thoughts and his realization that it was entirely possible he could lose her.
“I’d never survive, Ari. Do you understand that? I would never survive losing you.”
She stared at him in shocked realization. There was so much unguarded vulnerability there for her to plainly see. There was a physical, all too real ache in her heart almost to the point of discomfort. She even lifted her hand to rub absently at her chest, though the ache was deep. So deep that there was no way to ease it.
There was no effort to hide the rawness of his feelings from her. The tension—and sincerity—emanated from him in tangible waves that she could feel, almost touch. They brushed over her ears and rapidly absorbed into her very soul.
He may not have voiced those words, the words she so very much wanted to hear. But in a moment of clarity, she realized he didn’t have to. Didn’t need to in order for her to understand, to believe. She felt his love, and that was infinitely more precious than hearing words—just words. Words without actions—proof—were meaningless. And his every action, reaction, his every word and his body language was not of a man who had only passing interest in a woman. Or considered her a temporary fling, one that he could walk away from with ease. Nor a woman that his heart, mind, his soul weren’t solidly invested in.
He may not have said I love you. But he didn’t have to. Not anymore. Her insecurity over those three words evaporated and simply lifted away. Because he’d said them in every other way possible without ever giving voice to the sentiment.
And that was more than enough proof—reassurance—that he felt for her absolutely everything she felt for him. That he, in fact, returned her love. Fiercely. Without hesitation, no second-guessing.
Two halves of an incomplete whole, empty and aimless, searching for that perfect match, had finally come together in a seamless, perfect, no longer separate heart and soul.
Because now they were complete, and their souls were merged, becoming one, never to bear the heartache of separation or experience that feeling of emptiness and hollowness.
Perfection. Sweet, utter perfection. And at last, it was hers—theirs.
She could wait for the words. In his own time, he would give them to her. But it didn’t mean she wouldn’t give them to him.
TWENTY-FOUR
THE atmosphere in the SUV carrying Beau, Ari, Zack, Eliza and Dane was silent and tense. Beau had insisted Ari be seated in the middle row so she wasn’t a vulnerable target from the windshield or the panel of glass on the liftgate on the back of the SUV. His hand was gripping hers tight enough to make her wince, but she uttered no protest, realizing that he was truly terrified that something would happen to her despite the extensive planning and security measures that had been taken to prevent such a thing from occurring.
Another vehicle shadowed the vehicle bearing Beau and Ari, with five more highly skilled DSS operatives, whose acquaintance Ari hadn’t made. But if they were indicative of the rest, she knew she was in good hands.
Caleb had remained behind with Ramie at Beau’s insistence, though Caleb had been extremely reluctant to let his brother go off without him. Despite Caleb’s intimidating demeanor, Ari could see the true love and concern reflected in Caleb’s eyes when he looked at or spoke to his brother. For that alone, she could forgive any rudeness he had shown her in the past.
They pulled up in the private parking lot across the narrow street separating it from the skyscraper that jutted into the sky, seemingly piercing the stars. They’d pulled the building schematics and opted not to risk the elevators since it would be easy enough to shut them down, trapping the occupants between floors and making them sitting ducks.
Which meant a long-ass hike up twenty-three flights of stairs. She knew Beau was skeptical that she was physically capable of accomplishing such a feat, not because he didn’t believe her strong or in shape, but simply because the events of the last couple of days, the multiple psychic bleeds and bouts of debilitating headaches had taken their toll.
She wasn’t sure she was up to the task, but she was determined to push past any pain or exhaustion and in no way slow them down. She knew it was imperative that they got in and out as quickly as possible, avoiding detection. Ideally they wanted to slip in unnoticed and avoid any potential confrontation. The idea of them engaging the enemy and one of them—any of them, even the men she hadn’t met—getting hurt or killed made her sick to her stomach. She didn’t want to be responsible for yet more blood and violence. She’d had enough to last a lifetime, and if she never had to face it again, it would be too soon.
They’d all worn dark clothing, blending seamlessly into the night as they moved stealthily to the fire escape behind the building and the entrance to the stairs.
Dane issued a series of hand signals she didn’t understand, but evidently his men did. And he must have stationed two men at the back entrance to stand guard and watch for any potential danger because the two men melted away into the darkness, rifles up, handguns at their side.
Dane posted another man at the door leading from the stairwell into the building. He locked it, preventing anyone from entering from the inside, but then took up a post to the side that the door opened up to so he would be obscured and would have the element of surprise.
Ari hadn’t been nervous before. She was too excited over the possibility of Ramie being able to locate her parents. She had utter confidence in Ramie and her abilities. But now, as they rapidly ascended the stairs on soft feet, no sound emanating from the specialized military-issue boots that were specifically designed to be soundless, as Beau had explained when he’d laced up the pair he’d slid onto Ari’s feet, her nerves began to make themselves known.
Unease skittered up her spine, wrapping around her chest, constricting and squeezing until her heart began to race under the restraint. She inhaled silently through her nose, sucking in deep, silent breaths and letting them out the same way so she risked no sound of her fear escaping her mouth.
She was protectively positioned between Zack in front and Beau behind her with Dane leading the way and Eliza taking position behind Beau, bringing up the rear. The operatives that had taken the other vehicle had been strategically positioned at various points, every angle carefully considered from the eyes of someone wanting to penetrate and gain access to the group.
She knew they would have no care for the men risking their lives to protect her. Their sole focus was her. An incessant prayer quickly became a mental chant, repeating in an endless cycle in her mind, as she pleaded with God to protect them all. To side with good so they prevailed over evil.
She prayed that they would be successful and would return—every one of them, not a single man sacrificed in their bid to aid her—safe and sound, that they’d encounter no resistance so they could get back to Ramie with haste so that she could attempt a miracle.
Her fingers curled into determined fists as they reached the eighteenth floor and she felt the first sign of fatigue and the beginnings of a burning sensation on the stitched wound on her side. Her ribs, which until now had not given her a single twinge of discomfort after the second day of taking it easy, suddenly made it known that they were in fact br
uised and tender and that she was working them way too hard.
She would not slow them down. She would not be the reason for any delay. A delay that could prove fatal.
Gritting her teeth and mentally blocking the pain, she increased her pace, keeping her head bent so no one would be able to see her fatigue and distress. Thank God no one present was psychic and could pick up her thoughts or she’d be totally busted, though Beau did have an uncanny way of picking up on her slightest discomfort or worry.
Shit. The warm slide of blood registered but before she could hurriedly wipe it away with the back of her sleeve—thank God it was black—it dripped onto the step below her in a large circle. Worse, it dribbled in a line to the next step. She hastily wiped the blood and then used her cuff to do a more thorough clean so she didn’t miss a spot.
She should have known that Beau wouldn’t miss it. For once, could he just not be so damn observant? He should be focused on their objective. Not her.
But when he jumped a step so he was no longer behind her but on the same step, keeping pace with her, he reached over, jerking her head around even as they climbed, and stared hard at her features with eyes full of concern.
The only thing working in her favor was the strict need for silence and she could tell it was killing Beau to have to remain quiet and not reprimand her for not schooling her thoughts more. But it was hard when her mind was a veritable beehive of activity. Terror—not only confined to her parents—occupied and consumed her every thought. Particularly when they were sneaking up to her apartment, not knowing if they’d be ambushed at any time. Or what awaited them in her apartment.
Finally they reached her floor and not a moment too soon because Ari was ready to wilt. She was grateful that Dane directed them all to flatten themselves against the wall on the same side as the door and she was granted a short reprieve to catch her breath and try to block the pain.
Dane and Eliza took point, Eliza carefully sliding the keycard into the slot to open her door while Dane stood directly to the right of the door. He would be the first in, Zack directly on his heels and Eliza on his. It was a coordinated entrance with each of them clearing separate areas so there was no possibility of being caught off guard.
When and only when Dane gave the all-clear would Beau come in with Ari. Since the lovies were, fortunately, in her living room on a shelf containing photos and other memorabilia, it meant not having to chance going beyond that room. It would be a quick in and out and then they’d haul ass down the stairs as fast as possible.
Eliza was directly in the middle, in the sight path of Beau, but not Ari, since he had her securely behind him, one arm behind him, wrapped around her slight body, anchoring her to his. His other hand held a wicked-looking handgun and it was up and his entire body was rigid against her, a sign he was at full attention.
When she felt him begin to move forward, still holding her securely to his body, she assumed they’d been giving the all-clear. He stopped inside the door only long enough to put Ari in front of him instead of behind him since there was no longer a chance of danger coming from in front of them, but behind was still a possibility.
“Go get the stuffed animals,” Beau whispered. “Be quick. We’re remaining at attention and you’ll be covered so don’t worry about looking around you. Just get the items and then we’re getting the hell out of here.”
She all but ran across the room to where the large shelving unit was anchored to the wall, and she snatched the two lovies from their places of honor and held them close to her chest, knowing that as silly as it sounded, these two beloved stuffed animals could very well be the key to finding her mother and father.
TWENTY-FIVE
“I don’t like this,” Zack muttered as they drove back to Beau’s home.
Dane was driving, as before, but Eliza was riding shotgun, and Ari was in the middle row seat, Beau and Zack on either side of her.
Maybe it was because from the beginning, Zack had been there. And he’d been kind to her when her welcome by others hadn’t been the warmest of introductions. But she felt completely safe and secure with Zack on one side and Beau on the other, although she was more on Beau’s side instead of the true “middle,” because she was leaned into him, his arm wrapped solidly around her, and her head rested comfortably on his shoulder.
When retrieving the lovies had been met with no obstacles, no barriers, no danger, she’d been elated. As soon as they were back in the vehicle driving away, she’d wanted to do an honest-to-God fist pump. Hope, excitement, a sense of victory . . . faith. Complete and utter faith in these men—and Ramie, especially Ramie—that they would find her parents and bring them home.
She wanted them to meet Beau. As rigid and hard to please as her father was, she knew Beau would pass muster with him. When he looked at Beau, he’d see a kindred spirit and more important—to her father—he would see a man who would protect Ari with his life, protect her every bit as fiercely as he had.
But Zack’s words quickly jolted her back to the grim reality of her situation.
“What’s bothering you?” Dane asked, not sounding at all skeptical. His question was calm and it reflected his trust in Zack’s instincts.
“It was too easy,” Zack said grimly. “I don’t buy for a minute that they didn’t have every possible place Ari could run to or return to under close surveillance. And yet we were in and out in a matter of minutes and it was so smooth that it immediately made my what-the-fuck alarm start going off and I got a knot in my gut I only get when I know something’s all wrong.”
Ari went rigid against Beau, and he immediately gathered her closer, even as his complete attention was focused on his man. His hand ran up and down her arm in a caress meant to soothe, but it only agitated Ari because now she had a knot in her stomach the size of a softball.
“So the question is why?” Eliza said, half turning in her seat to look at Zack. “Why lay off when they’ve been balls to the wall in their effort to get to Ari. They have her parents, and the sooner they bring her in, the sooner they can use her parents to manipulate her into doing whatever they want. Because they know, just like we all know, that there is nothing Ari wouldn’t do to protect her parents.”
Ari’s mouth popped open at Eliza’s very calm, matter-of-fact assessment of Ari’s character. She didn’t know the other woman. Her association had been limited to only a few minutes here and there and they’d certainly never even spoken directly to each other.
Eliza picked up on Ari’s surprise and she smiled warmly at Ari. “Girl, it’s obvious how much you love them. It’s equally obvious that you’re intensely loyal to the people you love. It’s not a stretch to think you’d do anything in the world if it meant keeping them safe. I’m a people watcher, Ari. I sit back and I observe. And I pride myself on being absolutely correct in my first impression and my assessment of a person’s character. The only thing I see when I look at you is a woman with strong convictions. Perhaps a bit naïve and too trusting. Who sees or rather chooses to see only the good in people. And when it comes to the people you love, you can be a fierce badass, powers or no.”
Heat crept into Ari’s cheeks and she ducked her head, flattered and a little floored by the admiration she heard in the other woman’s recitation of her impression of Ari. Well, and she was one hundred percent accurate. So what could Ari say? Thank you? It seemed an absurd response given the woman wasn’t giving her a compliment but rather a simple report on her assessment.
But she did lift her head and gift Eliza with a smile and a nod of acknowledgment.
Beau’s arm tightened around her, and he smiled at her obvious befuddlement. He leaned in close to her ear, so only she would hear.
“She’s right you know. She only left out a few things. Like how beautiful you are when your eyes are glazed with passion. How perfect your breasts and the ultra-soft petals that surround your pussy opening. A pussy that belongs to me. Do you know what it does to me to know that I’m the only man who’s ever t
ouched you deep inside your body? That I and only I am the one you gave such a very precious gift to?”
She blushed to the roots of her hair, heat singeing her cheeks and neck. God, she hoped no one was looking her way at this very moment, because they’d know exactly the kinds of things Beau was whispering in her ear.
Damn the fact that her face always broadcasted her thoughts, her feelings, her mood and her emotions. She was, for all practical purposes, a walking billboard.
She elbowed him fiercely in the ribs even if she was absurdly thrilled with his words. “Stop it,” she hissed. “You’re embarrassing me!”
He chuckled low. “Later, I’ll show you. Remind you with my body instead of my words.”
Her breathing sped up and heat traveled to other parts of her body, most especially her breasts, now heavy and aching, and between her legs where her clit pulsed and throbbed painfully.
“You are so going to pay for this,” she vowed.
His grin was slow and an example of pure male arrogance and utter satisfaction. “I look forward to every minute of your revenge.”
She breathed an audible sigh of relief when they pulled into the driveway of Beau’s home. Her thoughts immediately shifted and focused on the two lovies in her lap. She absently stroked the tattered and worn fur. They showed their age, but she’d always taken care to ensure they didn’t fall apart. They simply meant too much to her. Why she connected so deeply to these two items when she was a mere baby she never knew. But even now, when she saw them, touched them or even just thought about them, she was filled with instant warmth and love.
She scrambled out of the vehicle on Zack’s side since he was the first out, ignoring Beau’s outstretched hand to assist her out. She was simmering with impatience, eager to get the objects to Ramie as quickly as possible so she could glean whatever information she was able.
She set a brisk pace, even keeping up with Dane’s long, determined stride, leaving the others to follow. Beau didn’t bother issuing a protest, because he had to know how important this was to her. To finally take a proactive step in finding her parents.
Excitement burst over her when she saw Ramie and Caleb in the living room, obviously waiting, and they’d likely received a call to let them know they were on their way back. Caleb looked ill, sick with worry, and while Ari sympathized with him, understood his reluctance and even shared it to a degree, she wasn’t hypocritical enough to be truly regretful over what this could well do to Ramie.
She prayed that it wouldn’t be horrifying for her because that meant her parents were undergoing the same horror. She hoped with all her heart that they’d incurred no injury since they were essentially bargaining tools for a higher purpose.
Ari walked over to Ramie, standing back a short distance to give the other woman space. Then she held up the stuffed animals that had been lovingly cradled in her arms.
“These have been handled by both my parents for many years. Their imprint, aura, or whatever you want to call it, should be all over it, as well as mine. What do you need me to do? Is there any way I can help?”
When it looked as though Caleb would respond, Ramie silenced him with a mere look. His lips settled into a grim line but he sat back and remained quiet.
“I usually prefer to do this away from others,” Ramie said softly. “It can be bad. Horrifying even. But in this case, I think everyone needs to be present. Sometimes I say things that come from the victims, things I don’t always remember. Or perhaps there is an action that I mimic that you would recognize. The things I may say may make more sense to you than to anyone else. All I ask for is space. Don’t crowd me. And above all else, do not interfere in any way, no matter what happens. It can be very dangerous to me if anyone does anything other than observe.”
Ari nodded vigorously. “Whatever you want. Whatever you need. I won’t interfere. I swear.”
Ramie looked to the others, her gaze bypassing Dane and Eliza as though they were well acquainted with the process, but it settled on Beau and then Zack, lingering as though she were gaining their promise as well.
“I’ll stay with Ari,” Beau said quietly.
Zack merely acknowledged Ramie’s request with a nod and then took position on the far side of the room where he had a clear line of sight and was still within hearing distance but was well enough away that there was no way he would be a nuisance.
Ramie took a deep breath. “Okay then. Please give the toys to Caleb. I prefer for him to be the one who gives them to me. Then back away to give me several feet of space, and again, remain completely silent and don’t do anything that could possibly distract me.”
Ari nervously held out the animals to Caleb, her hands shaking slightly, her gaze refusing to meet his.
To her surprise, Caleb didn’t merely pluck the animals from her grasp. Instead he curled his hand around hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I hate that I’ve made you afraid of me,” he said in a low, regret-filled tone. “I swear to you I’m not the person I showed you that day. I fully admit that I tend to get irrational when it comes to my wife.”
Ramie issued a snort that caused Caleb to shoot her a dark scowl. She merely laughed in response.
“I hope you’ll accept my apology, Ari. And for what it’s worth, I hope that Ramie will be able to help you find your parents.”
“Thank you,” Ari said sincerely. “I hope so too.”
He let go of her hand and she backed away several feet to give Ramie the space she’d requested. Beau’s arm immediately went around her for support, giving her shoulders a squeeze.
Ramie took a deep breath and then reached for the toys Caleb held in his hands. He slowly extended them, placing one in each of her hands at the exact same time. For a moment she simply stared down at them, and then her eyelids flickered erratically and when she reopened her eyes, it was an eerie thing indeed.
It was almost as if her eyes changed color. Her pupils were enormous and her stare was vacant as if she had no knowledge of her current surroundings. She immediately began to rock back and forth as if in great distress. Caleb looked as though it were killing him not to be able to pull his wife into his arms and comfort her. But he adhered to the “rules” and sat there, his jaw rigid.
“How can we do this?” Ramie asked, a tearful voice that wasn’t her own.
“How can we not,” she said, this time clearly speaking from a different person’s point of view.
“Look at her. She’s beautiful. So innocent. How can we simply abandon her?”
“Because we don’t have the means to protect her. Franklin Devereaux has promised to help us. He knows someone. Someone who can protect our baby. It’s our only choice to have a normal life. You know if they take her back, she’ll be treated like an animal. Caged, poked at, prodded, forced to do God only knows what. We can’t allow that to happen.”
At the mention of Franklin Devereaux both Caleb and Beau froze. They stared at one another, their eyes glittering. Beau had even dropped his arm from Ari, seeming to forget all about her for one brief moment.
“What did she say?” Caleb whispered in a choked voice.
