“The bastards planned it.” Then again, he shouldn’t be surprised. After studying their profiles, he knew they were intelligent, if not a little crazy.
“That’s probably why Craig hasn’t killed anyone yet since he tied himself to Harley. Of course, attacking women won’t help his cause, but who knows what’s going on in his head. He might be too corrupted to think rationally,” Jen said.
“How do you know that Craig hasn’t killed anyone yet?” He hadn’t mentioned it.
“I ran into the Hunter Rowan last night. She told me about him. I also watch the news. I know.”
Rowan hadn’t mentioned the visit. Then again, after he’d shown her the swing he’d made, they’d gone for a walk and talked. None of their topics had a thing to do with hunting or redcaps. It’d been silly stuff. He’d talked about his childhood, where he went to college, and his favorite sports team, and she’d explained what everyday life was like a thousand years ago.
Allie covered her mom’s hands. “Come back with us. If you’ve seen him, there’s a chance he’ll find you. Hurt you.”
Jen gave her a small smile. “Thank you for your concern, daughter, but I can’t. I have one last task to complete before I can check out. This has been a hard job. I just want to get it over with.”
“We can ask if one of the hounds can guard you until you complete your task, then you—”
“No.” Jen cut Allie off. “The hounds are needed in the streets, not watching me.”
“But—”
“No. End of discussion. I will be staying here, without protection. Having otherworldly creatures on my tail will mess up my plans. Besides, I’m human for all intents and purposes, and I can recognize the redcap. That gives me a heads-up.”
“I don’t like it.” Allie yanked her hand back. “You’re too important to expose yourself to danger.”
“I’m not. You’re the one who should be guarded twenty-four seven.”
“Tell me about Craig. Do you know where he’s staying?” he asked to change the subject. Allie’s mom wore that stubborn look he’d seen Allie get on occasion. There’d be no changing her mind, at least not this second.
“I don’t know where he’s staying, but he’s dealing drugs.” Jen shook her head. “I saw him passing some bags to a couple of college kids last night.”
“Can you recognize any of the redcaps on sight?” Allie asked.
“Yes. I can see much about a person when I look at them.” Jen snorted. “Too much, actually. Sometimes it’s depressing.”
“What do you see when you look at me?” He couldn’t help asking, not when she dropped a statement like that.
Jen studied him. “I see a soul who’s lived a long, long time and suffered in every life.”
“What about this life?”
“I can’t look into the future. If I could, I’d be able to save people a lot of heartache. I can only see your past, and yours hangs over you like a storm cloud.”
Great. No wonder he’d been miserable most of his life.
A heavyset middle-aged man called Jen’s name, then pointed to a table at the far end of the room where a group of women sat.
Jen sighed. “Look, I’ve got to go back to work. Take Allie home and keep her safe.”
“I will.” Trevor wrote down his cell number on a napkin. “Call if you change your mind or if you see Craig again. Day or night. I’ll come.”
“Will do.” Jen pocketed the napkin. “Now get out. Allie doesn’t belong here.”
Jen snatched a notebook and pen, then hurried across the room.
“I thought she’d be happier to see me.”
He glanced at Allie. Her shoulders were slumped, and a despondent look had spread over her face.
“I’m sure she has her reasons for not wanting you near her.” He couldn’t imagine what they’d be unless Jen thought it’d be dangerous for Allie to be around her. There’d been a protective edge to the way Jen had interacted with Allie. But what did he know? Seeing Allie might have reminded her of a rough time in her life.
He rested a hand on Allie’s arm and led her to the door. “I wouldn’t take it too personally. Why don’t you call her in a couple of days? Ease her into a relationship with you.”
“Yes, okay. That sounds like a good idea.”
He glanced over his shoulder and scanned the bar for Ian. His friend leaned against the wall, not far from the table where Jen was collecting drink orders. The moment Allie opened the door, he shoved his hands in his pockets and walked across the bar.
Trevor was tempted to tell him to stay and watch over Jen, but getting Allie home safe was more important. Craig knew what Allie looked like. If he spotted her, he’d want to make her suffer. Sure, Trevor would protect her as best he could, but his failure two months ago proved he wasn’t invincible. He wouldn’t risk her life.
Jen was just another human in Craig’s eyes. She should be safe as long as she didn’t invite danger into her home. Or until Trevor could free up one of the men who worked for his security company. They weren’t immune to glamour, the fairies’ version of magic, but they’d be better than nothing.
Once he made that call, he’d corner Rowan and find out about her visit with Minerva’s maiden. Hopefully, she’d approve of his idea of bringing the maidens into their fold. Goodness knew, they could use all the help they could get in the fight against the Unseelie Court.
Chapter Thirteen
Seventeen hours. That was how long Rowan had spent in the Underworld. It was easy to lose track of time there. Walking was the only form of transportation. The long trip was understandable. The knowledge didn’t ease her.
She’d missed her first date with Trevor.
Okay. He hadn’t officially called it a date, but what else was she supposed to think? He said they’d eat together, just the two of them, and talk. Many of the customs of the modern-day humans still baffled her, but a meal spent alone between new lovers was an intimate occasion in her book. A memorable one. And she’d missed it.
She ground her teeth and hurried across the estate’s grounds. If he kept to his routine, he’d still be sleeping for another hour or so. She wanted to be there when he woke. They had much to talk about, and their conversation would start with an apology. Ditching him didn’t sit well with her, even if it had been unavoidable.
She cleared the tree line. One of the large vans Trevor’s company used was parked on the grass with the doors open. Boxes of all shapes and sizes were packed inside. Zeph was stacking some of the smaller ones on the ground, while a couple of their brothers were carrying the larger ones into the house.
Curiosity got the better of her. She picked up one from the pile and frowned at the heavy package. “What’s in here?”
“Weights for the new bench press. Trevor ordered a bunch of equipment before he crashed for the day.” Zeph motioned to the van. “I went into town and picked them up.”
A male who kept his word was one to treasure, and she’d been lucky enough to find him. Twice. She glanced at the house. “Trevor’s sleeping, then?”
“Yes. He made it until noon before he started slurring his words and yawning every couple of minutes. We finally threatened not to let him hunt tonight if he didn’t get some sleep.”
Had he been waiting for her? “Was he doing anything that had kept him up?”
“No. He sat on the patio for a long time with his laptop, then wandered the house. I think he only did that to stay awake. He looked exhausted.” Zeph propped a tall box against the side of the van. “I can’t remember what it was like to have to sleep. Our childhood seems like a distant memory. It’s got to be annoying, though. I don’t blame him for not wanting to lose those hours to such a mindless activity.”
He had been waiting for her. Happiness quickened her pulse and brought a smile to her face. “Sleeping is refreshing. I always feel a little calmer when I wake. You should give it a try.”
“I’m surprised you started embracing the habit. You used to hate sleepin
g or being alone. How many times did you hunt me down when our siblings were busy?”
“You’re right. I used to hate being alone. Unless I was doing something, my thoughts wandered to Kai. I tried to avoid it. Thinking about him depressed me.”
Zeph directed their younger brothers to take one of the bigger packages. Once they’d slipped back into the house, he faced her. “You’ve been saying your dead mate’s name more often.”
“I’m healing.” Thanks to Trevor.
“I’m glad. You deserve to finally find some peace.”
“I’d say so. I’ve shed enough tears. The curse ensured that. It’s time to move on.”
“With Trevor.” Zeph’s lavender eyes held a knowing glint.
He’d caught her with Trevor. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who’d managed the impossible feat of helping her overcome the loss of Kai. She wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d healed completely, but she was getting there.
“Trevor is special.”
“He’d have to be to tame your bad mood.”
“I suppose so.” She turned toward the house. The desire to seek out Trevor was stronger than ever. “I’m heading in. See you at nightfall.”
“Hey.” Zeph grabbed her arm.
“What?”
“I’m sorry about the other night. Interrupting you and Trevor. I just never expected you’d…” He rolled his neck. “The two of you would get together like that. In an alley.”
She nodded in acceptance of his apology. His words weren’t necessary, though. Getting caught was one of the risks of having sex in public. “Spur-of-the-moment thing. I don’t regret it.”
“Are the two of you involved now?”
“Yes, but I’m not positive he wants everyone to know. Have you told anyone what you saw?”
“No. It’s not my place to say anything.”
“Good. He wants to earn his right to ride based on his skills, not because of me.”
“It’s not going to happen anytime soon. Calan doesn’t want to take the chance Arawn will reject Trevor because of what happened with Ian. Our father is too unstable right now.”
Not after her visit to Arawn. Trevor would become a rider, but that wasn’t something she wanted to share with Zeph, not until all the details were finalized. “Our father is not unstable. He’s hurting.”
Zeph shook his head. “He has no right to get pissed at Minerva. He cheated on her first.”
“She broke a promise to him. You know what that means to us.” Vows were sacred. To break one damned a person. All immortals upheld that belief. Fate was real. No one wanted to influence theirs by breaking a promise.
Zeph gazed off into the distance. A worn, tired expression slackened his features. “Yeah, I know all about broken promises.”
“What promises? What are you talking about?” As far as she knew, Zeph had never been involved with anyone romantically. He’d favored a few lovers over the years before the Huntsmen were imprisoned, but none of those women had captured his heart.
He hefted a long box onto his shoulder and turned toward the house. “I want to get this treadmill assembled before nightfall. A nice long run sounds good right about now.”
The avoidance stirred her curiosity a second time, but she wanted to shower and change before Trevor woke. Discovering the meaning behind Zeph’s words would have to wait. She followed behind him and took the stairs while he maneuvered the box into the kitchen. There was another set of stairs leading from it to the basement where Trevor had mentioned setting up a gym.
The large home had several bedrooms on the second level and two more on the third floor. It wasn’t nearly large enough to house her entire Teulu, but only sixteen of them had survived the time spent in the fairy realm with their minds intact enough to function. Out of those, only eight could control their rage enough to ride. The rest were healing, though not quickly enough to meet the threats of the fairies’ creatures. Sluaghs were becoming a growing problem. Plus, there’d been an increase in the number of brutal deaths over the couple of months since she’d been free.
She pushed away the unsettling thoughts. They’d defeat their enemies and overcome their challenges. No other option was acceptable. She was doing her part, and it involved Trevor.
She paused by his door. The urge to go to him and wake him in the naughtiest way possible was hard to deny, but it wouldn’t be right to disturb him. For the moment, he was mortal. He needed sleep. When he woke, though, they’d talk, and maybe more. Making love to him in a bed would be heavenly, especially if he held her afterward. Kai always had.
No. She rubbed at her eyes. No. She wouldn’t compare them.
Trevor might be Kai’s reincarnation, but he wasn’t the same man. Dozens of lifetimes had changed him. Those experiences left their mark on his soul, just as the years had done to her. She wasn’t anywhere close to being the same woman she’d been when she’d first met Kai.
This was part of her challenge. Part of healing herself. That was what the Triad wanted. For her to heal her damaged soul.
Slow, deep breaths eased the tightness in her chest. Trevor. She would focus on discovering Trevor, the male who’d reminded her there were other things in life besides hunting.
With her thoughts strengthening her, she walked past Trevor’s door and slipped into her bedroom. The moment she entered, the scent of leather and man wrapped around her. Trevor slept on her bed. His back was to the wall, and a welcoming space remained on the queen-size bed next to him.
He’d come to her. The knowledge that he’d wanted to see her enough to sneak into her room brought a smile to her face.
She closed the door behind her with a soft click. Trevor didn’t stir. His breathing remained steady. She hadn’t woken him. That was a good thing. He did need his sleep. It also gave her a moment to sear the image he made to memory.
A sheet covered him from his chest to his feet. His exposed upper body revealed lean muscles and tan skin to tease her imagination. Was he naked underneath? Or did he have on a pair of sleep pants? Either appealed to her. Stripping him out of his clothes offered its own special reward. She’d get to reveal the body of the male who’d pulled the mourning veil off her soul. She couldn’t wait, but didn’t want to rush the moment.
Rowan continued her visual worship. His hair was mussed, and a slight growth of beard dusted his jawline. The stubble appealed to her. She’d enjoyed how it had felt under her fingertips the other night in the park. He’d shaved afterward. It was unfortunate he couldn’t keep it one length always. He looked sexy when he left himself a little unkempt.
She focused on his parted lips. It’d be so easy to slip her tongue past them and urge him into a kiss. His lips were the softest she’d ever tasted, and he knew how to turn a simple kiss into a passionate experience.
Lust wrapped around her as completely as his scent had done. The desire to feel his rigid length push past her lower lips and fill her completely grew by the second. Trevor might’ve come to her room because he’d missed her, but by doing so, he’d assured they’d have sex. She couldn’t resist him. All it would take was his hand on her hips and his heated brown eyes on her. Oh yes, they’d have sex again, and it’d be wonderful. At the moment, however, she wanted to cuddle with Trevor.
She glanced from the attached bathroom to the bed. The need to curl against Trevor’s side overruled her desire for a shower. She undressed. Naked except for her gloves, she tiptoed to the bed. Carefully, she knelt. The mattress dipped with her weight, finally stirring him.
Trevor opened his eyes enough to look at her from behind his long lashes. A grin spread over his face. “You’re home.”
“Yes. I’m sorry I missed breakfast.”
He skimmed his gaze over her body. Lust slid into his eyes, turning the drowsy look he’d woken with into the sexiest expression she’d seen since… No. Don’t compare them.
“It’s okay. We’ll do it another time. Now, come here.” He lifted the sheet, giving her another teasing gl
impse of his upper body. “I want to hold you before we have to pretend like we’re not involved.”
“You’re in my room. I’d say we’re way past pretending.”
He patted the bed. “Come here, Rowan.”
The tone he used skipped through her, leaving heat behind. She swept her hair off her suddenly heated skin. The long strands settled against her back. He kept his gaze locked on hers. The demand was clear. He wanted her obedience. Part of her wanted to resist. He hadn’t earned her submission yet. She’d said herself she wouldn’t compare Trevor and Kai. They were two different men, even if they shared the same soul. She couldn’t bring herself to deny Trevor, however.
She crawled toward him. Her breasts swayed with her sensual approach, and his gaze drifted to the heavy flesh. He licked his lips, and his nostrils flared. The look in his eyes spoke of raw need. It ignited an equal desire within her. She wanted to embrace it. Understanding his words came first.
She stopped a few inches from where he’d indicated. “Why do we have to pretend not to be together?”
He shifted his attention from her chest to focus on her face. After a moment, he pushed up on his elbow and stretched his other hand toward her. His knuckles brushed the tips of her breasts, sending sparks of awareness through her. He didn’t toy with her nipples, though. He hooked his arm around her waist and dragged her to the spot he’d originally pointed at, right next to his chest.
Before she could lie down, he cupped one of her breasts and massaged the achy flesh. Her womb clenched. “Because I’ve been thinking about us and my goal to be a Hunter. You know I want to ride. That’s no secret.”
“Yes, but Zeph already caught us together. Our involvement isn’t a secret either.”
“No, it’s not.” He tapped her arm. “Lean over me.”
The way he focused on her breasts told her exactly what he wanted. She ignored him and bent so she could look into his eyes. “So why the need for secrecy? It doesn’t make sense. You’re in my bed.”
“Yes, I am. It felt so damn good to rest my head on the same pillow you use. Your scent is on the sheets too. When I pulled the top one over me, I could almost pretend you were with me.”
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