Guardian's Grace, page 4
“There are many reasons, and most are work-related.” His breath was minty with a hint of whiskey on it.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you liked me,” she murmured breathlessly, caught by the sensation of her clit rubbing against his erection.
“You’re sweet and kind and wouldn’t lie to save your life,” he said, sliding his hand through her hair.
She blinked. Boy, had he read her wrong. “Adare, I—”
“We could’ve probably been friends,” he continued, watching her curls play over his large hand. “If I had friends other than my Seven brothers.”
Friends? Oh yeah. Internally, she deflated like a squashed grape. He had only mated her out of duty. Period. Where was her pride? She’d forgotten his type was badass killer cougar shifters, not fragile humans who broke their wrists falling on the ice. “Wait a minute. That was past tense.” He must have figured out what she needed to do the following week. She was surprised he was so accepting.
Regret twisted his upper lip. “I should’ve told you before now. The mission we’ve been setting up for the last couple of years takes place a day from now. The chances of my survival are slim.”
“Mission? What mission?” She pushed herself up on his chest with both hands to better study his face. Unfortunately, that motion pressed her core harder against his, and mini explosions rocketed up her body, tightening her breasts.
Red darkened his cheekbones. “We’re taking out the Kurjan headquarters and saving what captives we find. Shock, awe, and destruction.”
She blinked. “What? Ronan didn’t say anything.” Faith would be beside herself with concern.
Adare tightened his hold in her hair, slightly lifting her head back. “Ronan isn’t going. It’s Benny and me. Just us.”
Panic clawed through her and she scrambled to sit up. He held her securely in place with just one hand. “Two of you taking on the entire headquarters of one of the most dangerous species on Earth? It’s suicide.”
“Aye.” Almost causally, he twisted his wrist, tilting her head. “We can only afford to lose two of us in case we fail. They’ll have to find two more members to make the Seven, and that’s difficult.”
Her chest ached. There were two unmated members of the Seven, Benny Reese and Garrett Kayrs. Well, three if Adare was counted, which he might as well be. The Seven were a secret group of vampire-demon hybrids tasked with destroying Ulric in some bizarre ritual that she was also to attend as a Key. Sometimes she wondered if the immortals had just lost their minds. “Why not Garrett?”
Adare shook his head. “Garrett’s uncle is the King of the vampires and the Realm, and we need them on our side if Benny and I can’t end things with our mission.”
The Realm was a coalition of immortal species, excluding the Kurjans, and it was run by King Dage Kayrs. She would probably see the king the following week when she met with his wife, Emma. “I don’t understand why it’s just the two of you and not a whole contingent of soldiers. Why not take Realm soldiers?”
Adare nodded, rubbing his thumb across her cheekbone. “I think sometimes you forget that the Seven isn’t part of the Realm, and they don’t agree with our mission. Most of them don’t even know about us or what we plan to do in the end. We’re a secret, and don’t ever forget that. If the king of the vampires started a new war with the Kurjans, without the approval of the witch, shifter, and demon nations, then the Realm would split apart. It was before your time, but not too long ago, that the Realm was at war with the demon nation. We can’t let that happen again.”
She would have thought immortal beings should have progressed to the point of not going to war, and yet it seemed they hadn’t. “So you and Benny are going in as just two crazy immortals and blowing things up. Everybody else has plausible deniability.” She’d heard the phrase on a Netflix television show.
“The King and the Realm dinnae know,” Adare murmured. “They have no clue.”
Well, that didn’t sound like a complete disaster, did it? “This just seems like a bad idea.” Her body was rioting with need, and her mind was fighting to stay in control.
His gaze dropped to her lips. “Sure, it’s a bad idea, but it’s all we’ve got. If we can take out Kurjan headquarters and many of their top soldiers, maybe we can avoid a final showdown, and you won’t have to worry about it. Nobody will. If I’m gone, Grace, in about a century, you could take the virus. Maybe mate again.”
Anger grabbed her tight. “I don’t need a sacrificial lamb, Highlander.” She pushed at his chest again to get off him.
He barked out a laugh. “I’m doing my job, little female. That’s all.” Still holding her in place with one hand tangled in her hair, he drew her inexorably toward him. “Though I wouldn’t mind a goodbye kiss.” With that, he pulled her down, and his mouth took hers.
Completely.
The kiss was hard and long, deep and seeking. Everything inside her quieted and then exploded, sparks flying throughout her body. She moaned and kissed him back, trying to keep up and feeling so much all at once that she just let go and let him lead.
Finally, he released her, his eyes completely dark silver, and desire stamped hard on his face. “That’s why, Grace. That’s why I’ve left you alone for five years.”
Chapter 5
Adare could still taste Grace on his tongue. Sweet like honey with the spice of passion mixed in. Turning away from her after their kiss the night before had nearly killed him, but finally she’d dropped into dreamland. He’d listened to her soft breathing for hours, wondering what they might’ve been like together.
The morning came, hard and snowy, as he stood with her on the front porch of Nick’s condo after having said goodbye to Simone and the girls, who had set out for the ski lodge. He kept Grace beneath the sprawling overhang, making sure she stayed dry as they waited. Clouds covered the sky, bringing a darkness to the day that matched his mood.
Nick walked outside and handed over a case. “You know how to use these?”
“Yes.” Adare set the explosives down carefully.
Nick looked at him. “We’ve been friends a long time, and I know there have been secrets. I’m fine with that fact. If you need my assistance with whatever is going on, then let me know. With that kind of firepower, you’ll need backup.”
Yes, but his old friend had a mate and two young, rather wild children. “I appreciate the offer and will call if I need help.” Adare leaned in for a hug. “Until then, have fun with your family.” To see Nick Veis, one of the most dangerous demons in history, settled down with Simone and the girls warmed Adare through and through. “Stay safe, my friend.”
“And you.” Nick winked at Grace. “Take care of him.” With that, he jogged around the cabin, no doubt running up the hill to meet up with his family. Hopefully they’d enjoy warm food at the lodge and not venture out into the oncoming storm.
Grace looked down at the innocuous metal box resting by her thick black boots. “I think this is a bad idea.”
“I’m sure it is.” He lifted her chin with one knuckle. “Before we leave, I want your promise that you’ll learn how to use healing cells and that you’ll stay out of danger. I have a car coming for you that will take you to the airport, where Realm transportation is waiting.”
She stepped back. “The queen won’t return until next week. I’ll head to Idaho at that time so we can figure out why I was unable to heal my wrist.”
Adare shook his head. “No. Sorry. With this campaign, I need you safe and protected in case the Kurjans take revenge.”
“They don’t know about me,” she protested, her cheeks a healthier hue today and her eyes a sparkling greenish brown. “Nobody does. You made sure I had perfect new ID four years ago. And the Realm doesn’t even know about the Seven—well, not much about you, remember?”
“Aye.” He’d allowed her plenty of freedom as she’d regained her strength, knowing that Ronan and Faith were always nearby at the Seven headquarters. “You’re staying at Realm headquarters until Ronan and Faith return from the symposium.” If Adare had realized they were out of the country and Grace was arranging meetings with morons from the internet, he would’ve interceded sooner. “This is non-negotiable.”
“Fine.” She looked adorable all bundled up in a thick blue jacket with a matching hat.
A pang hit him, square in the heart. What might’ve been. “A stream may fork, bend back, and rush along, but will always flow down in the end,” he murmured.
She finished slipping on her gloves. “What was that?”
“A poem from my youth. It means that fate is set, no matter what we do.” He often wondered about fate, about his calling, about the shield that protected his body from within his skin. Had there ever been a choice? “Promise me you’ll go to Realm headquarters, have the queen take a look at you, and then stay with Ronan and Faith until your safety is assured.” He’d never had a regret in his life, but one kiss the night before had him rethinking choices that were long set.
She studied him. “All right. I promise.”
Good. His shoulders finally relaxed as much as possible under the circumstances. Oh, he shouldn’t have kissed her the night before, but regretting the moment was impossible. He’d wondered how she would taste for years, and now he knew. Like perfection.
A light pink covered her cheeks. “So. Um.” Her gaze cast around as if looking for somewhere to land. Then she frowned. “That box isn’t big enough for a full assault, is it? Don’t you need more weapons or something?”
Or something. “Benny is meeting with a source on the way here to get us what we need.” It was a good thing Benjamin Reese had connections all over the world for all sorts of shady things.
As if on cue, a black SUV roared up the drive, spinning snow in every direction. The vehicle slid to a stop, and Benny Reese jumped out, all six-and-a-half feet of him. His abnormally large boots slammed through snow and ice, and he jogged toward them. “Grace Cooper, I’ve missed you.” He grabbed Grace up and swung her around, setting her down before the mating allergy could grab hold and give him a rash. Mated people were unable to touch a member of the opposite sex. Ever. “You sweetheart, you.” Benny’s voice boomed off the mountains around them. He slapped Adare on the back. “Hey, brother. It’s a good week to die, no?”
“No,” Adare growled, his skin prickling. He had it bad. Benny was one of his best friends, and the hug with Grace was harmless. Even so, he had to force his fangs back where they belonged. “I’m hoping we live.”
“Ditto,” Benny said cheerfully, his barrel of a chest ensconced in a black leather jacket that must’ve been special ordered. His metallic eyes told another story. One of loss and absolution, tinged with sorrow. He wasn’t ready to die, either. “Maybe we’ll get lucky.”
“Maybe.” The chances weren’t good. Another vehicle drove sedately up the road below—this one for Grace. “Did you get our, ah, supplies?”
“Yep.” Benny motioned toward the darkened SUV. “The shifters in the area are excellent barterers, but I got a sweet deal. For some reason, they wanted to meet you in person before we go.”
Adare frowned. “My name wasn’t to be mentioned.”
Benny shrugged. “They knew of you, knew of our connection, and that was that.”
Odd. “All right.” Adare looked toward the SUV, but with the windows shielded, he couldn’t see inside.
The passenger door opened, and a streak of red jumped out, slamming it shut. A female strode around the vehicle, her curvy body protected by dark jeans and a red coat. “Adare. Good to see you.”
He stiffened, his back straightening. “Jacqueline. This is a surprise.”
“Jacqueline?” Grace asked, turning to face the newcomer.
Jacqueline stepped confidently through the snow.
Benny grinned. “Grace, meet Jacqueline, Adare’s ex-fiancée. Jackie? Meet Grace. Adare’s mate.”
Oh, Adare was going to kill Benny for this.
* * * *
Grace held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure.” She shook the shifter’s hand, seeing exactly what Adare had liked in the woman. She was freaking gorgeous. Long, tawny hair, straight and thick, hung almost to her waist. Her eyes were a strong topaz, sparkling and intelligent, while her features were slim and feline. She was almost six feet tall and perfectly curvy. Like, perfectly. The only flaw Grace could see was that the shifter had chosen another male over Adare. Man, she’d have liked to see that guy.
“Adare.” Jacqueline leaned in and kissed him quickly on the cheek. “Congratulations on the mating.”
“Thanks.” Adare didn’t move. “What are you doing here?”
The female purred slightly. Okay. More than slightly, and definitely sexily. “I wanted to see you and to ask why you need this amount of explosives. Also, several of these bombs are homemade, and you’re going to need me to show you the correct detonation sequence. It’ll be like old times, right? I’m available.”
Yeah, Grace would just bet she was. She cleared her throat, ignoring the stomachache that had been her constant companion for almost six months as her strength drained away. Hopefully it was just some weird immortal—kind of immortal—virus. At least she wasn’t throwing up constantly the way she had been last month. “You’re a demolitions expert?”
Jacqueline chuckled. “I have a way with explosives, yes. We used to blow a lot of things up.” How in the world did the shifter make that sound sexy? Must be a gift.
Grace kept her smile in place. “I understand you’re mated?” Yeah, she really had to see the male Jacqueline had picked over Adare.
Jacqueline tucked her hands in her pockets. “I was, yes. He’s no longer with us.” Her voice softened, and she kept her gaze squarely on Adare. “We all did our duty in the last two wars, and the battles were hard on every species, some more than others. We’re just rebuilding now, and sales of explosives like these definitely help my people.”
Guilt swamped Grace. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
Jacqueline smiled, finally turning to face Grace. “That’s kind of you. Basel and I were a political match, and we made a good one. It has been difficult without him, but time moves on, and so do people.”
A political match? What did that mean? Was the woman trying to tell Adare something? Not that it mattered. Adare hadn’t mated Grace for political reasons. It was a favor to her sister’s mate, actually. She tried to watch Adare’s reaction from the corner of her eye, but he was giving nothing away. No expression, no emotion.
Which meant there was a whole lot of emotion. Well, probably. It wasn’t like she really knew him.
Benny watched the exchange and edged a mite closer to Grace. Was he actually offering support? For Pete’s sake. She didn’t need Benny’s pity.
The massive hybrid brushed snow off his long black hair. “I told Jacqueline we couldn’t take anybody with us on this mission, but she wouldn’t sell me the goods unless I brought her to you.”
Well. That wasn’t obvious or anything. Grace shook herself. The only thing she’d ever blown up was a microwave, one of the memories she still had after her coma. What had she been like before? Would she have challenged the shifter?
Why? It wasn’t as if she and Adare were together. What little claim she had on him was rapidly disappearing if the fading of her mark told her anything, and if he’d truly loved this chick, didn’t he deserve happiness? Well, if he and Benny didn’t die on the next mission. Although he could probably do better. If they stood in the snow any longer, the woman would start rubbing herself all over him. Grace bit back a smile. This catty side was new to her. Or maybe it was the old her coming back.
“Grace?” Adare said.
She blinked. “Oh. Sorry. I was in my head again. Did you say something?”
Jacqueline looked down from her impressive height, her brow furrowing and her eyes gleaming. “I asked you why you weren’t going on the mission.”
Direct hit. Everyone knew that fragile humans didn’t go blow things up.
Adare frowned. “You obviously don’t remember me well if you think I’d allow my mate on a mission that involved explosives from the Ledoni shifters.”
So he’d known the explosives were coming from his ex-fiancée? He hadn’t said a word. Wait a minute. Allow? He’d said allow. In front of his ex-love.
Benny groaned.
“Now wait a minute—” Grace started.
“No,” Adare countered immediately. “Even if you’d learned how to heal yourself by now, I wouldn’t let you go on a mission like this.”
Heat blasted into Grace’s face.
Benny peered down, his jaw going slack. “You can’t heal yourself yet?”
Grace whirled on Adare. “Would you just shut up?”
He drew back, both dark eyebrows rising. “I didn’t know that was a secret.” Confusion clouded his gaze before quickly clearing. “It’s okay. Sometimes the skill takes time.”
Oh, God. Now Adare was trying to reassure her.
Jacqueline nodded, the glitter in her eyes cutting. “That’s true. Did you just get mated recently?”
“Five years ago,” Benny said helpfully.
For the first time, Grace understood the expression of someone wanting the ground to open up and swallow them whole. It had never made a lot of sense before. Now, she got it. “I haven’t had much chance to work on the skill. My job doesn’t get too dangerous.” Yep. That sounded lame.
Benny nodded. “Grace is an amazing photographer. She captures moments nobody else sees.”
Jacqueline patted her shoulder. Actually freakin’ patted her. “So, you take pictures. That’s nice.” If any more condescension dropped from her mouth, it’d stain the snow.
