by Sasha Cain
Isela considered wishing for Brendan to come to her right then, but decided she better save the wishes for more practical things. For now anyway.
As if reading her thoughts, Brendan knocked on her door, calling to her softly. She opened the door and ushered him inside.
“Are you ready to do this?” he asked.
“You bet I am. How are we going to get into Guarros’s residence?”
“We’re going to wish our way in.”
“You go first,” Isela said.
“Okay. My wish is that Isela and I can get into the warden’s residence unnoticed.”
“And I wish Brendan and I will find Guarros’ records of all of his illegal endeavors while we’re in there.”
“I wish Isela and I will find the evidence we’re looking for and get out before anyone discovers us there.”
She took a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.”
Isela followed Brendan out the door and down the hall. When they got to the parlor, Isela glanced around nervously. Nobody appeared to even notice them at all, let alone pay attention to where they were off to.
Brendan darted through the door and up the stairs leading to Guarros’s private quarters. Isela looked around once more and quickly followed, catching up to him on the landing. The hallway was empty, not a guard in sight.
Brendan tried the door handle. It was open. He and Isela smiled at each other. He pushed open the door, peering inside. Confident they were alone, he stepped into the foyer, motioning for Isela to come in after him. She nodded, letting him take the lead.
She tugged on his arm, stopping him. “I wish I could go right to the records we’re looking for right now,” she whispered.
Brendan stared at her, as if waiting for something to happen. Suddenly a smile spread across her face and she motioned for him to come with her. She led him down a short hallway into Guarros’s bedroom. Isela fought the urge to gag at the mere thought of being in Guarros’ bedroom.
“Do you know where to look?” Brendan asked.
“Yes. I think the records are under the mattresses, but I’m not touching his bed.” She shuddered. “You look.”
Brendan chuckled, but did as she asked. Sure enough. Several maroon folders, bound together with twine, had been placed in the middle of the bed between the mattress and springs. Brendan snatched them up and loosened the twine.
“What are you doing? Let’s get the hell out of here,” she urged.
“I just want to make sure this is what we’re looking for. Hang on.”
He rifled through a few pages and then shut the folder. He grinned at Isela, nodding. “Jackpot,” he said.
He tucked the folders under his shirt and they hurried out, carefully checking to make sure there were no guards in their path. Once they were back in the parlor, Isela finally breathed easy. She waited a few minutes before following Brendan to her room, lingering on purpose so nobody noticed her trailing after him.
She looked both ways down the hall before opening her door. As soon as she stepped through the door, Brendan scooped her up, swinging her around. She squealed and giggled until he set her back on her feet. He took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply.
“We did it, babe,” he said, beaming. We’re almost to the home stretch.”
“We need to stash these somewhere. How about underneath this chest?”
Isela took the folders from him and shoved them under the chest at the foot of her bed. “You know part of me wants to read those, but a bigger part of me doesn’t want to know.”
“I know what you mean, Brendan agreed. “I already loathe him. I don’t need to discover anything more.”
“So now what?” Isela asked.
Brendan sidled up to her, staring at her mouth. “I have a couple of ideas. I mean we are done for the night.” He placed his hands on her hips. It’s our last night in here. I’m sure I can think of a way to pass the time...maybe even several ways.”
He feathered soft kisses across her cheek, stopping at her lips. He grazed his tongue over her bottom lip. Isela shuddered with desire, parting her lips, giving Brendan full access. He deepened his kiss, tangling his tongue with hers in a sensual dance, building an ardent yearning within her soul. The fire blazed inside of her, burning rapidly out of control. Brendan reached up under her shirt, allowing his fingertips to brush over her nipples. She moaned softly, sliding her arms around his waist.
He rolled her nipple between his thumb and finger, sending heated sparks shooting through her body. She arched toward him. He pulled her shirt off of her, bending to nip and lick her nipple.
She pushed him back, sliding her hands up his chest. He took his own shirt off and then crushed Isela to him, skin to skin. He took possession of her mouth, owning it, leaving her breathless. Isela hooked her thumbs inside the waistband of Brendan’s pants and pushed them down. Kneeling, she pushed them down the rest of the way.
Isela looked up at him. She licked her lips as she wrapped her hand around Brendan’s swollen shaft, squeezing just enough to make him moan and sigh. He jumped when she licked the tip. When she took him in her mouth, he moaned again.
****
As soon as Isela had put her mouth on him, Brendan’s knees went weak. The pleasure she provided him took his breath away. His entire body quaked with an electric-like energy, driving him closer to erupting into a bliss he’d only found with Isela. He wanted more than that tonight, so reluctantly, he pulled away.
“Please Isela, I want to make love to you, be deep inside you,” he rumbled. “If you keep that up, I won’t last five minutes.”
She leaned back on her heels, running the back of her hand across her mouth. Brendan straightened, pulling Isela up with him. His erection stood at full attention as he sat down on the bed. Leaning back, he brought Isela down on top of him. He kissed her greedily and demanding, delighted when she returned it fervently.
Isela rose up so Brendan could guide himself inside her, reveling in the way her hot wet sheath took him in, proving that’s where he belonged.
“Oh, God, Isela. You feel so damn good.”
She began to slide back and forth over him. He gripped her hips and kept her moving. Her breathing became heavier and she quickened her movements a more desperate pace. Brendan could tell her release was near, as was his own, when suddenly a knock on the door interrupted.
“No, no, no, not now,” Brendan panted, “Not yet.”
The knocking grew louder. “Isela, are you awake?” Mae called.
Isela stopped, mid-stroke, opening her eyes.
“Ignore her. Pretend you’re asleep,” Brendan whispered.
“I can’t do that. She’s having a hard time with all of this.”
Brendan gave her a little thrust. “Speaking of hard times.”
She giggled. Mae called out to her again, obviously having heard her.
“Hang on, Mae. I’ll be right there.”
Brendan groaned when she climbed off of him. Isela motioned for him to cover himself as she yanked on her pants. Glancing around, she finally located her tank top.
Even with his pants back on, Brendan’s erection stood out plain as day. He sat up and pulled a pillow onto his lap to try to conceal it. Isela smiled. She took a deep breath and smoothed her shirt before opening the door. She wondered if her cheeks looked as flushed as they felt, but opened the door anyway.
Mae rushed in, but stopped cold when she saw Brendan.
“Oh God, I’m sorry.” Her eyes dropped. “I didn’t mean to interrupt...”
“It’s okay, Mae. Isn’t it, Brendan?”
He sighed. “Yeah sure. It’s not like we were right in the middle of anything hot and heavy.”
Isela shot him a look.
“I’ll just go,” Mae said, backing toward the door.
Isela grabbed her hand. “Nonsense. Stay.”
“I tried to go to sleep, but I just couldn’t. I thought if I could hang out with you...”
“Of course you can.
Tell her, Brendan.”
Brendan tossed the pillow he’d had in his lap aside. Mae’s surprise appearance had doused those flames. But she mattered to Isela, so that made her matter to Brendan. He patted the bed next to him. Mae hesitated, but after a nod from Isela, she sat down next to Brendan.
“Mae, it’s going to be fine. I don’t know how much Isela told you, but I’m not really a criminal. In fact, I’m more of a social worker. Helping people is what I do. My brother-in-law is a hunter and something of a mercenary. He also happens to be the best at what he does with a cracker-jack backup team. Tonight, Isela and I were able to gather enough evidence against Guarros to put him away forever, so once Darrios gets us out of here, he’ll take out Guarros and turn him over to the Council.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Mae,” Isela answered.
Brendan continued. “We can all put this horrible place behind us and live our lives free. I know you’re scared, but that’s only because you don’t know how great it is out in the world. Imagine being able to come and go as you please...to go where ever you choose. To be able to eat what you want, when you want. To meet new friends.” He gave Isela a heated look. “Perhaps find a lover.”
Mae blushed and giggled. “I don’t know about that.”
“I promise, you, Mae. There’s a whole world out there; in fact, there’s two of them.”
****
Isela knew Brendan had been disappointed when their time alone had been interrupted, but the way he’d reassured Mae, calming her fears, Isela would definitely make it up to him at her earliest opportunity. She smiled to herself, thinking it would probably after they left Midland altogether.
She breathed deeply, wondering how it would feel to step into Inland. What would it look like, sound like, smell like? Was it everything her father had dreamed of? She hoped so. It didn’t matter, though. It had to be better than where they were now. Anything would have been.
Brendan stood up, smiling at Isela. He kissed her on the forehead. “It’s late. We need to get a good night’s sleep. We’re going to need to be on top of our game tomorrow...all of us. You and Mae crash here. I’m going to go back to my cell and I’ll see you in the morning for duty.”
Isela stood on her tip-toes and kissed Brendan tenderly on the lips. She mouthed a silent thank you and squeezed his hand. He leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Let Mae have you tonight. We’ll have a lifetime of nights to spend together.”
Isela sucked in a breath, desperately hoping he meant it.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Isela woke up before dawn, full of energy. She washed up, dressed, then shook Mae awake. Mae sat up, rubbing her eyes.
“C’mon, Mae, let’s go check the board.”
“Are you all packed?” Mae asked.
“Packed?”
“Yeah. Aren’t we leaving here today?”
Isela cocked her head to the side. “Yes, but I’m not taking anything with me. I want nothing to remind me of this place or the time I spent here. I wouldn’t take the clothes I’m wearing if I didn’t have to, but I think Brendan might have a problem with Darrios and all his men seeing me naked.”
Mae sighed. “I guess you’re right. Plus, the less we have with us, the easier it will be to get away.”
“Right, now let’s get going.”
“You go on ahead. I’m going to wash up and get ready.”
Isela nodded. She squeezed Mae’s hand and left. She figured Mae needed a few minutes alone to come to terms with what lay ahead.
Isela found her name, as well as Mae’s on the duty board. They were both assigned to dining room duty. Brendan was assigned to polish the parlor floors so they’d essentially be in adjoining rooms. That would make things easier. Isela hoped Darrios would make things happen quickly. She didn’t think she could stand waiting.
Her breath hitched when Brendan came through the door with Pete. He was so gorgeous, with that wavy brown hair and eyes like melted chocolate. His broad shoulders and strong arms reminded her of one of the Greek gods she’d read about in the books Bashua had given her. A flash of heat passed through her when she thought of those arms around her. He smiled and winked at her. Isela blushed as if he’d read her thoughts.
They worked separately, but stole a glance at each other here and there throughout the morning. Isela found herself smiling to herself as she did her chores. Her smile faded, however, when Guarros entered the room. She tensed when he approached Brendan with two of his guards.
“Well, well, Mr. Malone. Where is your lover this morning?” he asked smugly.
Brendan stood, but didn’t respond. Guarros glanced around, narrowing his eyes when he noticed Isela staring. She quickly averted her eyes. Smiling like he’d just discovered a secret, Guarros turned his attention back to Brendan. Mae stepped up alongside of Isela, taking her hand. Isela held her breath, afraid to look Brendan’s way. Mae nodded, understanding.
“I asked you a question, Mr. Malone. Did you not hear me?”
“I heard you. I just don’t have an answer.”
“You couldn’t possibly have moved on to someone else already. I mean, After all, I thought you and Amber reached Avascon.”
Resisting the urge to look around for Isela, Brendan said, “Um, we did. It was magical.”
“Uh huh. I’m sure we’re all quite curious about the unbridled passion you share with Amber. I mean, every person in this place would give just about anything to have that, don’t you think?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. You already found it.”
He motioned to one of the guards. He left the room for a few seconds, returning with Amber. The puzzled expression on her face suggested she had no idea why she was there.
“Are you upset with me, Warden?” she asked apprehensively.
He patted her face. She winced.
“Why no, my dear. Why would you think that?” He leaned in closer to her. “Have you done something very naughty?” He laughed at his own joke, causing Amber to laugh nervously herself. “Brendan told us about the two of you and we’re just all very curious about the affection you share.”
Amber glanced between Guarros and Brendan. She blushed, dropping her gaze to her feet. Then her face lit up. She gazed at Brendan like a puppy craving attention.
“Oh my God,” Mae whispered. “She’s hot for him...and she thinks he’s hot for her too. She doesn’t have a clue what’s going on.”
“Maybe that’s good. At least for Brendan,” Isela whispered back.
“Go to him dear. It’s all right. Embrace your lover, Guarros encouraged.”
Amber’s expression changed from hesitant to elated. She stepped forward facing Brendan as if there was no one else in the room. Isela held her breath. Amber reached out, placing her hand on Brendan’s arm.
“Is it true?” she whispered. He closed the distance between them, took her in his arms and kissed her, effectively shutting her up before she said anything to make Guarros suspect anything. Isela sucked in a breath. Mae whimpered audibly.
“What the fuck?” Pete breathed.
A surge of jealousy engulfed Isela. She bit into the back of her hand to keep from crying out. She knew Brendan was only trying to protect her, but to see him kiss Amber, even knowing he had no feelings for the woman, still threatened to crush her, twisting her heart until she thought it might burst. She wanted to run from the room, but she couldn’t look away. Mae tugged at her arm, but her feet stayed firmly planted where she stood.
Amber had wrapped her arms around Brendan’s neck like some sort of serpent. She was practically dry-humping him right there in the parlor in front of everyone. Guarros cleared his throat.
****
Relieved to hear Guarros subtle interruption, Brendan broke the kiss. Nausea roiled in his stomach. Amber’s tongue reminded him of a lizard the way it had darted in and out of his mouth. It had taken every bit of acting ability Brendan possessed to make that kiss happe
n. He knew he had to make it look convincing if he was going to protect Isela. Guarros seemed suspicious at first. He only hoped the warden now believed his feelings for Amber were genuine.
Amber literally swooned. She opened her eyes. Smiling at Brendan, she ran her hands over his chest. “I can hardly believe it,” she exclaimed, breathlessly.
“Hardly believe what?” Guarros asked.
“That we kissed so publicly,” Brendan answered before she could reply. “I’m more of a private kind of guy.”
“I see, well make a wish, my dear. You certainly have one coming, don’t you?”
Without taking her eyes from Brendan, Amber said, “I’ve already had my wish answered, Warden.”
He furrowed his brows, clearly disappointed. “And when was that?”
She smiled broadly. “Just now, of course.” She gave Brendan a gooey, gushy expression. “That kiss. It was amazing.”
Guarros rolled his eyes. Isela caught his eye. She tried to force an ambivalent expression on her face, but by the look she got from Guarros, it wasn’t working.
He turned back to Brendan and Amber, rubbing his chin. He threw another quick glance to Isela and then he said, “I’m simply not feeling it. Show me again, Mr. Malone. Don’t hold back. I want to see raw emotion. Kiss her. Show Amber how much she means to you.”
****
Isela didn’t think she could endure seeing Brendan kiss Amber again. The thought of that woman’s tongue in his mouth and her hands on him caused an outpouring of rage she wasn’t sure she could conceal.
“Sir, I don’t think—”
“You don’t want to kiss her?”
“Of course I do, but—”
“Then do it. We’re all mesmerized by such a love. We want to see what it looks like. It’s inspiring, truly. Kiss her.”
Amber slid her arms around him again. Isela’s gut clenched.
****
Brendan closed his eyes and kissed Amber, trying to pretend it was Isela standing there so he could at least make it look real. When he stepped back, Guarros was staring at Isela. He couldn’t help but follow his gaze. The hurt in her eyes burned into him. He’d caused her pain. Anguish washed over him, and God help him, Guarros noticed. His eyes darted back and forth between Brendan and Isela.