Royal Blood

by Victoria Renteria

  They will pay with blood . . . I will kill every single one of them. No one is allowed to touch her ever again. The scarlet cloud hedges its way into my vision, obscuring my judgment. Silently, I whisper an unspoken prayer to the man upstairs, pleading for him to keep her safe, to watch over her, and protect her until I can be with her once again.

  The sluggish beat of my heart echoes in the cavernous expanse of my chest, the icy fingers of dread slowing it to the point of pain. Inhaling a shallow breath, which is all my keyed up body will allow, I force a small measure of calm as I spy the darkened house in the distance. Looking to the right, I verify no oncoming traffic and take off around the vehicle in front of me, shooting around the curve and slingshotting the SUV as fast as I can without rolling it.

  Pulling up to the gate, I come to a screeching halt. Rooted to the spot, I scowl, my eyes darting around the expansive property that is now empty. Darkness encapsulates the entire site. Both the home and yard that are always teeming with light are shrouded in shadows. The vein in my neck pulses, singing with fear of what could be. Adrenaline spikes my muscles, giving me a boost in strength.

  Pulling forward, I quietly inch my way toward the house. Staying alert of my surroundings, I scrutinize every inch of the property, never finding a guard in sight. Stupid, sorry sack of . . . Curling my lip in disgust, I park the vehicle, hop out, and throw open the hatch. Loading up on ammunition and weapons, I slowly make my way to the front door. My mouth dries, all of the moisture evaporating as I spy the front door wide open. Drawing my Glock, I stalk to the open door.

  Spinning left then right, I search for any sign of an intruder. The beast inside me screams, raging for me to run through every room until we find her. Moving past the kitchen, I notice a large form slumped in the middle of the floor. Rushing forward, I drop to my knees next to the body. Rolling the heavy mass over, I press my fingers to the artery in U-Jin’s neck. A faint thrumming pulses along my fingertips. Breathing a sigh of relief, I sit back on my haunches, giving him a small shake.

  “U-Jin,” I call, shaking him lightly. No response.

  “U-Jin,” I reiterate, shaking him a little more forcefully.

  “Ahhhh,” he groans.

  “Oh, thank God.”

  “Alex?” Blinking slowly, U-Jin rouses, a questioning look on his face.

  “Yeah, it’s me. What happened?”

  “Inna stormed in. Apparently, she’d paid off everyone here but me. They all turned on us and left. I tried to stop her but her guards took me out before she went after . . .” His eyes grow wide with panic. “Kylee!” he yells, struggling to get up.

  “Shhh. Calm down. I don’t know if they’re still here. Stay here. Where was she? I’ll go after her.”

  “In the sitting room just down the hall. I’m going with you.”

  Shaking my head vehemently, I respond, “No, you were injured.”

  “I’m going. Besides, you know there ain’t any rest for the wicked. And I’m ready for a little payback.” Smiling cruelly, he comes to a shaky stand.

  Shaking my head, I smile. “All right, but seriously, man, wicked or not, be careful.”

  Nodding, he claps me on the back, drawing his weapon. With a fast-paced stride, we take off, clearing room after room until we reach the sitting room. Gasping loudly, U-Jin freezes, unable to move a muscle as he beholds the sight before him. I can feel my expression tighten, the corners of my eyes pulling as I drink in every single gruesome detail. In the center of the room, Kylee sits silently, her gaze trained on the body in front of her. Dark red splotches of blood stain her blouse and pants.

  Her hands and arms are covered in gashes and smeared with blood. Her cheeks have lacerations that travel the length of her cheekbone. Rivulets of blood stream down her face, dripping off her chin, only to run down her neck. As my eyes rove over her disheveled appearance, she draws her knees into her chest, mumbling to herself. Slowly, she begins rocking back and forth, never removing her eyes from the lifeless body in front of her. My heart cracks, breaking at the sight.

  Shaking away my apathy, I race to her side, skidding to a stop just beside her. Holstering my weapon, I look down at my beautiful, broken woman, my heart weeping for everything we’ve been through. When will it be enough? It’s like she’s in a trance. She hasn’t moved a muscle. She didn’t even flinch when I came sliding, rather loudly, next to her.

  “Son of a bitch.” The curse comes out unbidden.

  PTSD. Scraping a hand over the front of my face, I swallow harshly. She’s in shock. Post traumatic stress disorder. From everything that happened tonight. Fuck!

  Steeling my spine, I push my shoulders back. My protective instincts heightening, the need to safeguard Kylee becoming nearly overwhelming. To shield her against any and all threats. Canting my head to the side, I glance at U-Jin.

  “Secure the perimeter and take care of the body. I want you to remain at the gate until we get a plan in place. Sang-Hyun is still on the loose. He and Inna were in this together, trying to take Kylee out. No one comes in or out without my permission. Got it?” The harshness of my tone cedes no room for argument.

  With a curt nod, U-Jin spins, leaving the room. Turning my attention back to Kylee, I squat so that we’re eye level.

  “Kylee, baby,” I say, brushing the matted hair back from her eyes.

  Silent, she rocks, not uttering a sound.

  “Kylee.” Gently, my fingertips stroke the line of her jaw.

  Kylee stiffens, a shudder wracking her small frame. Positioning myself directly in front of her, I stoop low, hunching over to look into her chocolate colored eyes.

  “Shh, baby, it’s okay. You’re safe. It’s just me.” My voice cracks, pain edging its way in.

  Hesitantly, she lifts her gaze, peering up at me through heavy lashes. The air in my lungs stalls. I’m unable to force a breath in or out of the iced over organs as Kylee stares at me, blasting me with the full force of her sadness. Remorse, guilt, reluctance, and worst of all, acceptance shine back at me from her dark eyes.

  No, no, no! The words echo inside my head. I have to fix this. I will fix this. Forcing my lungs to work, I inhale, the oxygen searing me as it burns its way through my body. Standing, I scoop her up into my arms.

  “W-What a-are you doing?” she sputters through chattering teeth.

  “Taking you to our room.”

  “W-Why?” Her teeth continue to chatter as she shivers in my arms.

  Embracing her tighter, I pull her in closer. Circling her arms around her belly, she snuggles her face into my torso, breathing deeply.

  “You need a shower and rest. Plus, I can doctor the cuts on your cheeks. Shallow or not, they could use some tending to. Besides, the shower will warm you up.”

  Clinging to my chest, she continues to breathe deeply, soothing a trace amount of the terror coursing through my veins. Entering the bathroom, I flip the switch and sit her on the counter. Her eyes follow me as I enter the shower, adjust the water, and quickly divest my clothing. Approaching her slowly, I remove her soiled clothing, making a mental note to burn each item. Dropping her gaze to the floor, she withdraws once again, going back into herself. The knot in my gut splits into tiny shards, piercing the lining of my stomach, each one bleeding me from the inside with her pain. Embracing her closely, I hold her for a moment, praying she can feel the depth of my love. Reluctantly, I pull away, walking us into the shower. Maneuvering her under the water, I squeeze some shampoo into the palm of my hand and work it into her hair, lathering the cherry scented soap through her gorgeous locks.

  With a quick rinse, I follow it up with conditioner and body wash, taking note of every laceration on her body. Kylee’s eyes remain distant, glossed over as she watches the soap circling the drain. Gently clasping the nape of her neck, I tug her toward me, pulling her out of the stream of water into my chest. Speaking around the mass in my throat, my voice is raspy and deep with emotion.

  “Kylee, baby, you need to know that I would sacrifice
anything for you.” Swallowing, I peer down at her, watching as she stares intently at a spot on my chest. Unwilling to give up, I push on.

  “No one has ever impacted my life the way you have. You are the most important person in the world to me and nothing is going to change that. God, baby, can’t you see?” Pausing, I run a shaky hand through my hair.

  “There is no sunshine without you in my life, just a never-ending cloud of darkness and heartache. I swear I will do whatever it takes to fix this. I will pick up every shattered piece of your broken heart, pasting them back together until everything is right in our world again.”

  Kylee whimpers. Craning her neck, she blinks, peering up at me through wet lashes, her voice exuding the depth of her sadness. “As much as I love you for trying, and I do love you, Alexander James Grant—more than anything—I don’t believe everything will ever be right again.”

  Her words are a devastating blow, a crushing weight to an already broken heart. Thoughts spin around in my head, and I bat them away, not willing to let her push us away ever again.

  “No. You don’t get to make that decision ever again, remember?” I growl, the tightness in my voice expanding to every organ in my physical body.

  “I am so sorry, Alex, I just don’t know how to do this anymore. Today changes everything. There is no going back from that. And I can’t help but wonder if I’ve finally turned into something you will grow to loathe somewhere down the line. And I can’t do that to you. I just can’t.” Her breath hitches, anguish filling her voice.

  Tears run in rivulets down Kylee’s cheeks as she clings to my biceps for support. A strong awareness envelops me, every muscle in my body twitching with the desire to snatch her up and carry her away from this godforsaken place. Stroking the side of her face, I smile as Kylee leans into my touch. Grasping the sides of her face, I look her straight in the eye.

  My tone is dark, protective, and full of love when I proclaim, “Baby, in case you forgot what my job is, let me remind you. I’m a soldier. I have taken life before. It might not have been a family member, but a life is a life. So if anyone can help you through this, it’s me.” I stop to gaze into her fathomless eyes.

  Lost in their beauty for a moment, I forget to breathe. When the burn finally registers, I suck in a mouthful of air.

  “But let me be very clear. You won’t push me away over this. You won’t leave me over this. It’s you and me, Goddess. Don’t let them ruin us. We’re bigger than that. Better than that. Do you hear me?”

  Tears silently fall from her eyes, but she nods a single affirmation of understanding. Sagging against the wall in relief, I drag her body with mine. Placing a kiss atop of her head, I close my eyes against the fierce pressure threatening to break free. A slight moan rumbles against my chest. Opening first one eye then the other, I notice Kylee shivering, her body amassed in goose bumps. Damn, I’ve kept her in here way too long.

  Leaning forward, I turn the water off and step out of the shower. Extending a hand to Kylee, I wait, watching while her eyes passively move over the expanse of my torso, dipping down to my groin before resting on my outstretched palm. Gradually, she raises her forearm, slipping her soft, warm hand into mine. Pressure builds behind my eyes, tears welling as they push forth. The painful expression of insecurity coloring her features is a horrible reminder of everything she’s suffered, one that is slowly chipping away at my own sanity, threatening the inner beast, a beast that wants nothing more than to come out and make this all go away, but not tonight. Tonight I take care of my girl. Grabbing a towel, I dry her off first, wrapping her up securely before giving myself a once over. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I can’t help but stare at the woman before me. Even in the darkest of times, she is the most magnificent creature I have ever laid eyes on. Yearning fills me, body and soul, as I erase the distance between us, sweeping her up into my embrace.

  Carrying her to the bed, I peel back the bedding, depositing her on the mattress. Wrestling the towel from under her, I begin drying her hair with slow, unhurried strokes. In a daze, I’m lost, absorbed in my task as the soft cotton coasts over her tresses, alleviating the moisture from her hair. Kylee winds her delicate fingers around my wrist, jolting me from my mental daze. Gazing down at her sad, brown eyes, I not only see but feel how vulnerable she is. The vise grip clutching my heart constricts, a crushing awareness ricocheting throughout my chest.

  Fighting through my pain, I release the towel, taking her palm in my hand and pressing a kiss firmly in the center.

  “I love you,” I murmur into her flesh.

  Her body sags, shoulders slumping forward as her body draws into itself. Quivering, her small frame shakes, silent sobs accompanying the tears that have now returned. Climbing onto the bed, I draw her into my chest, wishing that I could somehow get closer.

  “What is it, baby?” I ask hesitantly.

  “I-I l-love you, too, Alex,” she stammers, shuddering in my arms.

  Laying her down, I pull the comforter over her and proceed to get her some water when she stops me. Digging her nails into my arm, she tilts her head up, her eyes pleading as she begs, “Please don’t leave me.”

  A huge weight is lifted from my shoulders as I relax into the pillow, bringing her with me. Kissing her forehead, I drag in deep pulls of her alluring scent.

  Laying my cheek on top of her head, I murmur, “I’m not going anywhere, baby. It’s you and me always.”

  Kylee’s body relaxes into mine, her lids falling closed, her breath evening out as exhaustion pulls her under. Unable to sleep, I watch her, soothing away the fitful dreams, the frightening ghosts that haunt her in her sleep. Kissing away every nightmare and replacing it with all of the love I have to give. As darkness gives way to the first hues of morning light, I breathe in the peace and tranquility of the silence. Glancing down at her sleeping form, I watch the cadence of her chest rising and falling with each inhalation. The subtle ache strangling me inside amplifies. Rubbing the spot above my heart, I expel a harsh breath. I’m fighting for my life here. No, my head shakes of its own accord. I’m fighting for our life. The one we are meant to have—a life of love and happiness, one full of children and grandchildren. A life where I can embrace Kylee, faults and all, for the rest of our days. It feels as if my mind is unweaving, the broken pieces of our shattered life too much to bear. But no matter how devastating things have been, I refuse to leave. She is my shooting star, my one in a million. The one that I never want to say goodbye to.

  Galloping wildly, my heart writes a new song. A song about love and devotion. One of two souls intertwined, destined to be together even when love and honor are put to the ultimate test. Lowering my head, I brush the hair back from her face, breathing in her cherry scent. The slight tremble in my hands quiets with each silky strand of hair that passes through my fingers. Feathering a kiss on her brow, I whisper a vow. A vow to her, to us, to our future. For everything we were and are yet to become.

  “I promise you this here and now. It ends tonight.”

  “Alex.” She exhales, her dark brows furrowing.

  “I’m here,” I whisper, smoothing a finger over her creased brow.

  Her expression calms, the unease disintegrating immediately. Smiling down at her sleeping form, a feeling of rightness overtakes my senses. I have been lost in this lonely world for so long, adrift in a sea of nothingness, until she entered my life. For once, I’m thankful that I didn’t have to die to go to heaven. She was gifted to me one crazy night in Seoul. The smile slips from my face as a loud grumble sounds in the room.

  When was the last time either of us ate anything? Glimpsing at the clock, a weary gush of air rushes forth. Seven in the morning? With slow, languid movements, I extract myself from underneath Kylee and quickly dress. Retrieving my cell from my slacks, I send a quick text to U-Jin.

  A: You doing okay out there?

  U: Everything is fine. No sign of him.

  A: I’ll be down shortly to relieve you so you can rest. I�
��m just going to make Kylee breakfast first.

  U: Don’t worry about me. Take care of her.

  A: We’re going to swap out and take turns. We’ll get a better plan put in place. I’ll bring you breakfast when I come out. No arguing. See you soon.

  U: I’d argue with you but breakfast sounds to good to pass up at the moment.

  A: See you soon.

  Pocketing my phone, I quietly exit the suite, closing the door behind me. The long, dark hall is still and silent. It radiates a steadfast quietness, a complete three sixty to the normal hustle and bustle of the guards you’d find patrolling the monstrosity. Darkened shadows heighten the eerie silence. The only source of light is the muted rays of sunlight shining in through the partially opened blinds. Padding onto the tile in the kitchen, I wince, the cold seeping into the pores of my bare feet.

  “Damn that’s cold,” I grumble.

  Racing to the cabinet, I retrieve the kettle, knowing how Kylee loves her tea. Turning on the tap, I begin filling it with water when a sharp pain shoots up my left side. Hunching over, the kettle slips from my fingers, clattering loudly into the sink.

  “Ahhh.”

  Gasping for breath, my hand goes to my side. The sharpness increases, the twinge turning to fire spreading throughout my abdomen. Moving my hand, I have to fight the urge to scream. My eyes bulge in my head at my blood covered palm.

  “I told you I would be back,” Sang-Hyun hisses, jabbing the knife into my left shoulder.

  A roar catches, dying in my throat with the agonizing pain searing its way through my tendons. Driving the back of my head into his face, the knife leaves my shoulder with a sickening slurp. Hissing, I pant, each breath coming through clenched teeth. The need to protect Kylee is strong even in my now weakened state. Perusing the room, I catch a glimpse of a set of knives not too far away. Think, Alex, think.