The Hart Brothers Series Box Set (Including the bonus book Sabin: A Seven Novel): Freeing Her, Freeing Him, Kestrel, The Fall and Rise of Kade Hart, Sabin: A Seven Novel

by A. M. Hargrove

  When I enter Sabin’s quarters, Helios is there, packing everything up. “Oh, hello Serena. I’m getting everything prepared for our departure. I have all of your things set to go. Sabin will be up in a minute.”

  “How soon?”

  “Um, maybe an hour.”

  “Okay, thank you.”

  Helios turns his attention back to my things and then sets his transcender and they disappear. I’m not really looking forward to this travel thing again. It did funky things to my body and I slept forever when we arrived here. I’ve been thinking more about Sabin and haven’t had time to dwell on it, but now I get anxious.

  Sabin busts through the door as I sit on the bed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  How does he know?

  “You were screaming!”

  “No, I wasn’t!”

  “Yes, you were.” He kneels before me and takes my face in his hands. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine. I’m just a little nervous about transcending again.”

  He exhales and lays his head on my lap. Do I affect him this much?

  “Yes, you do. I thought something happened to you.”

  His hair’s a mess, like he’s been whipping his hands through it. I thread my fingers into tangled strands, and gently massage his head. “It’s okay, Sabin. I know you’re worried about my safety and that’s why we’re leaving. I’m fine. Just scared about the method of transportation. I didn’t mean to freak you out.”

  He lifts his head and his eyes, dark and passion-filled, link with mine and I have this sudden urge to kiss him. My fingers curl around his collar and I tug his face closer. That’s all the encouragement he needs and our lips collide in a heated kiss. Desire unfurls in my belly, radiating down to my sex, and my hand molds around his erection, which strains against his pants.

  Upon his lips I say, “No preliminaries, just you, inside of me. Now.” He nods once and strips me of my pants and panties. I fumble with the fastening of his pants, and he brushes my hands to the side. Once he’s free, his eyes question, and I flick my head up and down in a quick response. He pulls my hips to the edge of the bed and moves his tip to my opening. In one swift move he thrusts inside and, oh, it’s so right.

  “Yes, just like that. Keep going. Hard and fast.”

  He takes one of my legs and bends it at the knee, allowing him to go even deeper. “Oh.”

  His other hand urges me on when he puts it beneath me, cupping my cheek. His fingers hold tight, almost bruising, and I want them to bruise me, to leave their marks behind as reminders. For a moment, our eyes meet and the way he looks at me—it’s like a cross between adoration and obsession. He makes me feel like I’m the only thing that has any kind of meaning for him. His mouth drops to my neck and kisses, licks, and then sucks the tender skin there. And the animal-like sounds he releases from deep within his throat make me want him even more. How can that be when I have him right now? Every touch of his sets a new fire to my body, running currents of heat throughout me.

  “Touch yourself, Serena. I want to see your fingers on you.”

  Our eyes lock and he nods. My hand slips between us and he inches out to make room enough for us to watch. And it’s a complete turn on to see him thrusting and pivoting his hips against mine and watching my fingers rubbing my clit.

  “Gorgeous. Just perfect,” his hoarse voice says.

  “Oh god, I’m close. So close.” All I can think of is how good this feels.

  “Get there. I want to watch you fall.”

  When he says that, I circle myself and feel how wet I am. His cock slides against my fingers and as I watch, I come apart. My body spasms against his, and right then, I feel him tense and then find his release. He burrows into my neck, and then kisses it with dozens of tiny pecks. When we both find ourselves again, he lifts his head and offers me a lazy grin.

  Then he says, “Look.” We both watch as he pulls out, and his glistening cock is a beautiful sight. He lowers his head and kisses my thighs, my stomach, and my sex. “You’re exquisite.” Then he finds my lips again. “As much as I’d like to stay here, we have to prepare for travel.”

  “Thank you. For taking my mind off that.”

  “My pleasure.” He smirks. “Take a look around and make sure you have everything. Helios should’ve packed everything, but check just to make sure.”

  “Am I going forever?” The thought that I’ll never come back here crushes me. He must hear it in my voice because he turns to me and the way his eyes tug down at the corners scare me.

  “I don’t know. I can’t have you here, though, because clearly your life is in danger. Until we find the people or person responsible for my family’s death, and until we get Judgment Day back, you have to stay somewhere else.”

  “Where will you be?”

  “All over the fucking place.”

  Eighteen

  Sabin

  The League came through with the men. We got an extra ten, which was far more than I had hoped for. Drey worked with them all day yesterday, and when he debriefed me, he said he felt good about their progress. Eventually, I hope they will be field worthy, but that will have to be put to a vote. The Seven are highly selective and careful about who they trust.

  “Drey, I want detailed progress updates. If you don’t think someone is up to it, get rid of them. Use your best judgment. I trust you. Clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I probably won’t see you for a couple of weeks unless you need me.”

  Drey is competent and I’m sure he will do an excellent job, which is why he was chosen. I return to the main room where everyone waits for me.

  “Everyone ready?”

  There are murmurs among the group.

  “I guess it’s time to suit up. Let’s go.”

  One by one we begin. I let the men go first, and then Serena and myself are last. I know she’s nervous, so I want her to watch the others so she can see how easy it is. By the time Verus moves to her, she’s not as anxious as she was the last time.

  “Ready?” I ask.

  She nods and I hold her hands as he layers her with her suit. It’s easier going this time. When he finishes, I ask, “All good?” She nods with a smile. Then it’s my turn.

  When Verus is finished, he gives the word and we’re off. Serena travels wrapped in my arms. She’s worried about getting weary again. I reassure her that she can sleep on the way.

  “Your suit is programmed for our final destination, so even if I don’t hold you, you’ll end up in the same place as the rest of us.”

  “I’d rather you held me. What if a giant asteroid smashes into us?”

  “It won’t. We outmaneuver them. We’re traveling faster than they are.”

  “Then what if we smash into one?”

  “We won’t. Our course is carefully plotted. Don’t worry,” I assure her.

  “Why can’t we see stars? I thought there were stars in outer space.”

  “There are stars, my inquisitive one. We’re traveling faster than their light can reach us.”

  “Damn.”

  A short while later, Serena sleeps against my chest. When we arrive at our island destination, we have our work cut out for us. The house Verus procured is an abandoned sugar plantation with several outbuildings, and everything is in disrepair.

  “Get to work and let’s get this place fixed up,” I tell the men. “I want everything functional in a couple of days.”

  “Not a problem,” Edge says.

  Verus programs and releases all the MSI and within no time, things are shaping up. We have the kitchen going, which really only consists of the processor. By the end of the day, our bedrooms are set up, and the sec center is about done. The bathrooms are near completion and Serena is still out in her travel-induced coma.

  “Do you think she’ll sleep as long as she did the last time?” Edge asks.

  “Most likely.”

  Verus walks in and announces, “The insects here are a
menace. I’ve deployed MSI on the perimeter of the property to destroy any invaders. I’ve never known them to be so vicious before. I was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes.”

  “Ah, yes. They love human blood,” I say.

  “They love Nyan’truan blood, too. We haven’t spent much time outdoors in tropical climates before so beware. The bites itch like demonfire,” Verus says.

  “What’s the problem?” Helios asks.

  “Look,” Verus says, holding out his arms. They are speckled with big red dots. “These are the bites of those rascals.” He scratches both arms.

  “Use the MSI’s to heal them.”

  “I did. Apparently they don’t work because they aren’t programmed to heal mosquito bites.”

  That’s disconcerting. It makes me wonder what else is out here that can cause issues. “Okay, beware of things such insects, poisonous bites, etc. When Serena awakens, we will ask her what might be dangerous.”

  “Maybe we should stay indoors until then,” Edge proposes.

  “Not a bad idea,” I concur.

  A day and a half later, Serena decides to join us. We are all in the makeshift kitchen, eating lunch, when she ambles in with her hair disheveled and creases in her face.

  “Well, good afternoon,” I say with a laugh.

  She squints in the brightness and asks, “How long?”

  “Only a day and a half this time.”

  “Oh, I’m getting better. I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse.” She heads to the processor.

  “Sit, I don’t think we have any horse on the menu, but I can get you something,” I offer. “What do you want?”

  “Anything but horse.”

  I enter the codes for her favorite lunch and hand it to her. “Careful. It’s hot.”

  Then I get her some water. She drinks and drinks. I immediately turn back to get her some more.

  “Thank you. I was parched.”

  “Yes, but it’s good you’re drinking.”

  Then she exclaims, “What happened to your arms, Verus?”

  “Mosquitos.”

  “They did that? You must be especially sensitive to them.”

  “Evidently so.”

  “It looks like you have the chicken pox. Do you have those marks anywhere else? Take off your shirt.”

  He does and his chest and abdomen are fine.

  “I swear I’ve never seen mosquito bites that bad.”

  “It must be the tropics or that I was outside a lot.”

  “Or maybe you’re overly sensitive to them. But we need bug spray.”

  “Bug spray?” I ask.

  “Yeah, it keeps the bugs off you.”

  I laugh, because that’s such an ancient form of repellent. “Oh, Verus set MSI’s on the perimeter of the property so they won’t let any mosquitoes, or other pests for that matter, get through.”

  “I hope it works. I don’t want to itch with those things. Those are extreme,” I motion to Verus’ arms.

  “They’ll work. Much better than your spray. Now please eat. It’s been a while since your last meal.”

  She turns her attention back to her food and eats with a contented look. As I observe her, a warmth fans over me as that beating thing in my chest expands to the size of a giant mountain. She makes me feel again. She’s brought back depth to my life and as I scrutinize her, a fierce protectiveness comes over me, letting me know that there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. I want her to be happy, satisfied, loved, cherished, all the things she never was before. As it smacks into me, I know I must tell her. She needs to know how I feel.

  Her strawberry scent drifts over to me and I clench my chair to prevent me from crawling across the table and grabbing her. Watching her mouth is driving me insane, so I squeeze my lids shut, hoping to get the sight out of my mind. But when I do, images of her naked and me fucking her take its place. Sweat beads on my forehead and I wipe it away with the back of my hand.

  “Sabin? You okay? You don’t look well,” Rafe notices.

  “I’m fine,” I say. “Think I’ll go to my quarters for a spell.” I practically tear up the chair in my haste to get out of there. I can’t possibly keep this up. I have to quit running from my feelings and tell her what’s in my heart, but what if she wants no part of me? What will I do then? I’m not sure I could deal with the heartbreak of her not wanting me. And here I keep thinking she’s fragile. Maybe I’m the fragile one after all.

  My face must be a thousand degrees and I’m surprised the water doesn’t sizzle when I splash it on me. The reflection in the mirror mocks me, telling me I don’t have the fucking balls to tell her. I’m not sure if I do. All my relationships have been disastrous, but this is one that would ruin me forever if she runs. The ache in my hands draws my attention and when I see my white knuckled grip on the edge of the sink, I release my hold on it. Bloody hell, get a hold of yourself, Sabin.

  The squeaking of the door tells me I’m not alone. I wish someone would tell me what to do.

  “Sabin?” Her voice calls me from the other side of the bathroom door.

  Stop being the chicken shit that you are and face her. I open the door and she stands there, worry lines creasing her forehead.

  “Are you sick? Is your stomach bothering you?”

  “What? No! I’m fine.”

  “Oh. The way you ran off, I thought …”

  “No. It’s not my stomach. At least not in the way you think. Serena, I … there’s something we need to discuss.”

  “What is it?”

  We can’t have this conversation standing outside the bathroom door. “Let’s sit.” I offer her my hand and she sits. I pull up a chair so I can face her. Her eager eyes are soft and waiting. My undoing is when she reaches out and pushes my hair off my forehead.

  “Serena, I find that I am, uh …” and I stop. The words get trapped in my chest and I panic. Air empties out of my lungs and they feel like they’ve been punctured again.

  “Yes? What is it? Is something wrong?”

  Glancing at the wall, I call myself a hundred names, none of which are good. Why does this woman bring me to my knees and turn me into a spineless sack of balls?

  Then her hand slips around my neck and her soft voice comes to me from a million miles away. “You can tell me anything, Sabin. You can trust me.”

  I face her, head on, and spill it. “I’m in love with you. My heart is so twisted around you, I don’t know if I’m up or down. You have stripped me bare, taken me apart bit by bit, and I don’t think you have any idea what you’ve done. And as much as I’ve tried to avoid this, to avoid you, I can’t do it anymore. I can’t deny this because it’s tearing me apart. You’re tearing me apart. I’ve lied to myself, told myself it wasn’t so, that it was only lust, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve never felt this way before. I’m helpless, Serena.” My voice cracks at the end. And I won’t wait to hear her rejection, so I stand and walk to the door. But before I can get there, she stops me.

  “Is that it?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’re leaving.”

  It’s not a question.

  “I …”

  “You’re not going to stay to hear what I have to say? You don’t want to know that I feel the exact same way?”

  “Well, I …”

  “And that I’m in love with you, too?”

  “You love …” her words penetrate my brain and replay over and over.

  “Yes. You heard me correctly. And there’s something else. You’re tearing me apart too, because you’re so damn mercurial. I can’t get a fix on your moods. One minute you’re sweet and then next, you’re Mr. McGrumps. I can never figure you out and for the life of me I want to smack you on some days when you’re like that, but god knows I love you, too, Sabin. Now will you at least turn around and come back here? I need to be held for a minute.”

  “Can you repeat all of that, please?”

  “Not until you come here.”

  Turning, I
stalk over to where she sits. She boldly faces me, the corners of her mouth curving up. The chair I sat in is in the way so I kick it away with my boot. I fall to my knees, part her thighs, and sandwich myself in between them. Placing my hands on her legs, I lean in and ask, “Now will you repeat that, please?”

  “Gladly.” She inches right up to my face, her lips almost but not quite touching mine, and says, “I love you too, Sabin, even though I’d like to smack you some days. You are as mercurial as anything I’ve ever known, and being with you is like riding a damn roller coaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. You got all of that?”

  Trying my best not to laugh, I say, “Yeah, I got all of that. Are you ever going to kiss me?”

  “Depends.”

  “On what?”

  “What you plan on doing after that kiss,” she says.

  “Greedy, are you?”

  “Not exactly. It’s more like I’m a horn dog.”

  Not able to keep the smirk off my face, I let it go and she offers me one to match it. “You are incorrigible, Ms. Callahan.”

  “Me? You’re the one, Sabin.”

  I can’t deny it, but right now I’m in the mood for something else and I plan to show her right now.

  A week later, Edge tells me he got a hit on his MSI explorer.

  “The Mastermind doesn’t exactly have Judgment Day.”

  “Can you explain that?” I ask.

  “It’s not in his possession, but he knows where it is and he has an army of Shaurok guarding it. With that, he believes it to be safe.”

  “Where the fuck is it, Edge?” My teeth are clenched and I grit out each word.

  Edge’s nonchalance over the thing is about to make me drive my fist into his face. “Not too far from here. It’s only in the next solar system.”

  After I count to ten, I ask, “Edge, if you don’t tell me precisely where in the next three seconds …”

  “It is in the Andromeda galaxy on an unnamed planet.”

  By now I want to rip my hair out. “Can you be a bit more specific?”