Devlin: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 11)

by Anna Hackett

“She’s a little girl, Dev. She can feed and clothe herself. Babies are…dependent on you for everything.”

  He touched her arm. “You’re a smart woman, Santha. I think all you have to do is love your child, and the rest will fall into place.”

  She eyed him. “Look at you sounding all zen about love and babies.” She grabbed his hand and slipped his palm down over her belly.

  Devlin fought not to jerk his hand away. Her belly was firmer than he’d thought, and when he felt a faint bump against his hand, his eyes widened in wonder.

  Doc Emerson appeared in front of them, spearing Devlin with a look. “Any injuries I can’t see?”

  He shook his head. “I’m fine.”

  Quick as lightning, the doc pressed an injector against his neck. He raised a brow.

  “Free pain meds for whatever bumps and bruises you’re hiding. You’re welcome.”

  He shook his head. “How’s Cam?”

  Emerson shoved a hand through her hair. “She’s good. I shot her full of nanomeds. And she punched Hemi in the face.” Emerson pressed her lips together, looking as though she was trying not to laugh. “I strongly suspect it was the second thing that made her feel better, rather than my brilliant doctoring.”

  As the doctor moved off, Devlin studied the crowd again. Though battered, he knew no matter what they faced, everyone here would keep getting back up. Some days, he was amazed at human determination and grit.

  Taylor stepped in front of him. He could tell instantly that she was running on fumes.

  “I’ll see you later, Santha.” He wrapped an arm around Taylor.

  Santha nodded, her gaze falling on Cruz, who was standing beside Marcus. “I have my own man to drag off for some…downtime.”

  Devlin led Taylor out of the Garden, and back into the tunnel leading to the main part of the Enclave.

  “We made it,” he said.

  “We did.” She leaned her head against his arm. “And we’ll keep making it, no matter what we face. But right now, I just want a nice, long soak in a hot bath.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  They had almost reached the vehicles that led back down to the lower levels, when Devlin recognized the general walking toward them.

  “General Holmes.” Devlin nodded, then looked at the blonde bombshell walking beside him—the general’s partner. “Liberty.”

  “You guys are looking a little worse for wear,” Liberty said.

  Taylor managed a wan smile. “You could say that. It’s been a long night.”

  “We won’t keep you,” Holmes said. “We’ve just come back from ensuring that the globe is secure with Noah in the tech lab.”

  Liberty’s smile widened. “Noah and his team were drooling all over it.”

  “I’ve contacted Groom Lake and the other human bases,” Holmes said. “I’ve warned them about the globes, and we’ll share all our data with them. Hopefully, we can come up with some sort of protection against them.”

  “And the weapon?” Devlin asked.

  A scowl crossed Holmes’ aristocratic face. “I’ve warned them. We’ll keep looking for it.”

  Liberty nudged Holmes. “I think Dev and Taylor have had enough for today. And we have new Enclave members to welcome to the fold.”

  Holmes nodded and wrapped an arm around Liberty. “You’re right. Good job today, both of you. Get some rest. You’ve more than earned it.”

  Liberty wagged a finger at them. “And don’t forget, we’re planning a big Christmas party for Christmas Day, so pencil that into your schedules. I’m pretty sure that after today, everyone—even those who don’t actually celebrate it—could do with a party.”

  Devlin stiffened. Parties were not his thing.

  Taylor elbowed him. “We’ll be there. Looking forward to it.”

  They moved on, settling into the automatic carriage that started down the tunnel.

  “I don’t enjoy parties,” he said.

  “That’s because you’re used to being on your own, hiding in the shadows. You just need some practice.”

  “Taylor—”

  “The party is two weeks away, Dev. You’ve got time to adjust.”

  Stubborn woman. Soon, they were back in his room. While Devlin showered, Taylor climbed into her hot bath.

  Through the glass of the shower, he watched her. He loved watching her. She rested her head back, her eyes closed, dark tendrils of damp hair curling around her face.

  He flicked off the shower, climbed out, and dried himself. When he looked up, she was watching him.

  Devlin needed her. Desire slammed into him from out of nowhere. Everything they’d been through over the last few days…he needed to know she was alive. Needed to feel that she was alive.

  He dropped his towel and strode to the edge of the tub. He reached over and lifted her out, uncaring about the water streaming onto the floor. He pressed a kiss to the damp skin of her shoulder, heard her breath catch.

  “Devlin—”

  He covered her mouth with his and devoured.

  Devlin strode out of the bathroom. He laid her on the bed and lowered his body over hers. Her hand moved around his back, and when they traced over his scars, he froze. But her hand moved in a lazy caress, desire burning in her amber eyes.

  Then her fingers moved around and pressed to his chest. “Uh-uh. I get to be on top, remember?”

  With a smile, Devlin lay back. He watched, entranced, as she climbed on top of him, straddling his hips. She was all sexy curves, and a smile that promised to drive him crazy.

  She gripped his cock, lifted her hips, and sank down on him. As she took him inside her body, they both groaned.

  “I’ll never get enough of you.” The words were torn from his throat.

  She pressed her hands to his chest and started to ride him. “I never want you to.”

  Then there were no more words. Taylor moved, faster and faster, finding a rhythm designed to drive him wild.

  And Devlin couldn’t think anymore, he could only feel.

  ***

  “You know, for a spy, you’re being very obvious.” Taylor stared across the room at Dev’s delicious, bare chest. Don’t get distracted, Tay. After two weeks together, the man was getting very good at knowing how to play her. She pointed to the shirt on the bed. “Get dressed, Gray, and quit dallying.”

  She turned back to the Christmas decorations she was finishing hanging along the bookshelves in the room. Their room. She’d moved in after their daring mission, and during that time, she and Devlin had been enjoying getting to know every little thing about each other.

  She was taking great pleasure in dragging Devlin to the Friday night social gatherings, and if they weren’t in bed, she made him eat with her squad. He was slowly working out how to enjoy connecting with others. He barely even flinched anymore.

  Of course, he’d gotten even. He’d bullied her in his patient, sensible way, until she’d started writing again. And of course, the damn man had been right—she was loving it. She pressed a pin in to hold the string of jaunty candy canes and miniature Christmas trees to the shelf. Leaning back to admire her work, she smiled. Her parents would have been so very happy for her.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Devlin shrug a shirt on.

  He cleared his throat. “Maybe I could—”

  “No. You’re going to the Christmas party. You’re going to have fun. You’re going to talk to people, and you’ll enjoy it.” Taylor abandoned her decorations and walked over and started doing up his buttons. “Don’t worry, super spy, I’ll hold your hand.”

  He leaned down and kissed her. He cupped the back of her head, holding her close, and deepening the kiss. It went from warm and friendly to hot and hungry in a blink.

  Belly tight, she pulled back, breathless. “Stop it. I know you’re trying to distract me, and turn me into a puddle of lust.”

  “Is it working?”

  She mock-scowled at him. “You just want to lure me into bed and make us la
te to the party. Actually, you were probably planning to keep me so busy that we’d just miss the entire thing.”

  Dev smiled and it eased all the sharp lines of his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Liar.” She grabbed his hand. “Party. Now.”

  As she pulled him out the door, his gaze slid over her fitted, red dress. “Have I told you how delectable you look today?”

  “Shush. No kissing, touching or charming until we get to the party.”

  When they stepped into the Garden, it looked completely different from that day two weeks ago, when it had been filled with frightened, injured survivors. The roof was open, allowing bright sunlight to stream in, and decorations hung from every possible spot. Lights twinkled on a giant Christmas tree that had been set up in the middle of the space. Off to the side, tables were laden with food.

  Taylor smiled. It didn’t matter what religion the Enclave members were, this celebration was about love and togetherness. She watched kids squealing, running through the garden area, and shooting down the slides.

  She saw Dev frowning at the open roof. She nudged him. “Hey, no working. You know the aliens have been quiet the last two weeks. And the general has drones in the air feeding back intel. We’d see the aliens coming long before they got here. Relax.”

  When he nodded, she ran her gaze over the people gathered in the Garden. Amongst the regular Enclave members, she spotted some of the survivors they’d rescued from the globe device. And she also knew that survivors kept trickling in from the city center every day. Most still looked reserved, hanging back, but they all held plates piled high with food.

  Taylor spotted her squad sitting at a table under a tree. She dragged Devlin over.

  “Merry Christmas,” Taylor called out.

  Roth kicked out a chair. “Hey. Take a seat and grab a drink.”

  Soon, cups were shoved into Taylor and Devlin’s hands. She took a big sip, listening to the lighthearted chatter of her friends. Sienna was rattling on about a secret Santa gift she’d mysteriously received.

  “Sexy, black lingerie.” The woman sighed dramatically, tossing her brown curls over her shoulder. “In the past, my exes have always given me pastel pinks and baby blues.” She smiled. “No one’s ever given me naughty, sexy black.”

  “You know who gave it to you?” Cam asked.

  Another sigh. “No.”

  As Taylor sipped her drink, she watched Devlin talking quietly with Roth. She smiled, watching as Dev’s dark hair fell over his forehead. She was so in love with him.

  “Girl, you are so gone,” Cam said.

  “Yep.” Taylor lifted her drink again. “You look fully recovered from your injuries.” It had taken some light rehab for Cam to get back to fighting form.

  “Fucking raptors.” Cam swirled her drink. “I don’t remember much, but thanks again for the rescue.”

  Taylor’s lips twitched. “Have you thanked Hemi?”

  Cam shifted on her chair in a fidgety fashion. “I haven’t had a chance.” She took a long swallow of her wine, as if for fortification. “But I will.”

  Taylor grinned, keeping her mouth shut. She glanced over at Dev, and watched him lift his head and look her way. He did that a lot. Keeping tabs on exactly where she was. They shared a smile.

  “I like the way he watches you,” Cam murmured.

  “Me too.” Fall in love with me, super spy. They hadn’t brought up the big L word. Taylor was terrified of scaring him off, but she was just about bursting with what she felt for him.

  Movement behind her caught Taylor’s attention.

  “Hi,” said a soft voice. “I’m told it’s customary to say Merry Christmas.”

  Taylor smiled at Selena. “It sure is. Merry Christmas.” The alien woman, a former hostage of the Gizzida, had moonlight-pale skin, a long fall of silver-white hair, and overlarge green eyes. She was wearing a red Santa hat.

  “I haven’t had a chance to read up on all your holiday customs, yet. But I was told I had to wear this hat.”

  Taylor pressed her tongue to her teeth. “It looks cute on you. Just enjoy yourself.”

  “I always love the Garden.” The alien woman took a deep breath. “This is a holiday to celebrate family?”

  “Yes.”

  Sadness flickered over the woman’s face. Selena had been snatched from her world, and had no way home. Taylor knew how lonely that must be for her.

  “Where’s Fluffy?” Cam asked.

  The alien bird from Selena’s home world had also been stolen and experimented on. Selena had adopted the chick, and it was growing rapidly.

  “He’s back in my room. He doesn’t really like being alone, but this is just too many people for him to handle.”

  “Ladies, Merry Christmas.” A deep rumble of a voice with a touch of New Zealand in it.

  Taylor looked up to see Hemi smiling at them. He was sporting the faded remnant of a black eye—now a sickly shade of yellow-green.

  Cam shot him a sour look. “You should have had the doc heal that.”

  “I like it,” he answered. “You gave it to me.”

  Cam let out a gusty sigh. “I have something else for you.”

  Hemi’s face brightened. “Oh?”

  “Thanks for rescuing me the other week.” Cam snatched something off the table and shoved it at him. “This is for you. Merry Christmas.”

  Bemused, Hemi lifted the narrow bag and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. His eyes widened. “The real deal? Not homebrewed?”

  Cam smiled. “The real deal.”

  “Hell, yeah!” He quickly twisted the top off, lifted the bottle, and took a healthy swig. He let out a long moan. “Heaven.” He set the bottle down. “I have something for you too.” He reached into his pocket, pulled something out, and held it above Cam’s head. “Mistletoe.”

  Cam’s dark eyes narrowed. “That’s a bunch of leaves from a gumtree, you doofus.”

  “I know, but I couldn’t find mistletoe. Besides, it’s the sentiment that counts.” He waggled his eyebrows. “And it’s Christmas.”

  “Oh, go on, Cam,” Taylor said.

  “Put the poor guy out of his misery,” Sienna added.

  Cam sighed. Then without warning, she reached out, sank her hands in Hemi’s shirt, and yanked him forward. She slammed her mouth against his.

  Hemi dropped the leaves, wrapped his brawny arms around Cam, and kissed her back.

  From beside Taylor, Sienna made a wistful noise. “God, I wish I could find a guy with passion like that.”

  Taylor glanced down at her friend. Sienna was pretty and sweet, and a hell of a soldier. But she always seemed to be unlucky in love. Taylor suspected the woman really didn’t know what she was looking for.

  “You never lack for company,” Taylor said.

  “I know. But they all treat me like a princess.” She wrinkled her nose. “I am not a princess.”

  Cam yanked her head back, then shoved Hemi away. “Merry Christmas, Rahia.” Then she turned and strode off.

  Hemi shook his head, staring after her like a starving man. Then he crouched down and grabbed the small bunch of leaves. He turned toward Selena and grinned. “Want to see how Earth guys kiss?”

  The alien woman’s eyes widened.

  Suddenly, Tane appeared beside them. “Hemi,” he said in a warning tone.

  His brother held up his hands and picked up his bottle of bourbon again. “Just being merry, bro.” He shoved the makeshift mistletoe at Tane. “You might have more luck.”

  Tane stuffed the leaves in the pocket of his jeans and scowled at his brother.

  Devlin appeared, touching Taylor’s arm. “I have someone who wants to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

  Frowning, she rose and followed him. He led her to the edge of the crowd. “Why the secrecy, Dev? Who—?”

  She gasped when she saw Max standing there, smiling shyly at her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Max was dressed in new clothes, and lo
oked like he’d been bathed, and someone had brushed his dark hair.

  Taylor dropped to her knees. “Max! You made it.” She pulled him in for a quick hug. He was too thin, but she figured a few weeks at the Enclave would sort that out. God, she was so thrilled he’d made it.

  He smiled at her. “We walked for ages, but Chrissy took care of me. And I took care of her.”

  Taylor lifted her head and located the auburn-haired woman a few meters away. She mouthed “thank you”, and Chrissy nodded.

  “Here.” Max held out his hand.

  Her tiny heart charm lay on his small palm. A bittersweet pain filled her chest. This was a little piece of her mom, right here.

  “It got me safely all the way here,” Max told her. “It really is lucky.”

  His words warmed her. “You know what? I think it’s yours now.”

  His eyes widened. “Really?”

  She nodded, her throat tight. “My mom gave that to me and I think she’d really like it if you took care of it.”

  “Is your mom dead? Like mine?” he asked solemnly.

  “Yes, she is. It still hurts.”

  His little fingers closed on the charm. “I’ll take care of it for you.”

  “Thanks.” She stood, wondering if he was still young enough for her to ruffle his hair. She took the chance and did, and he didn’t seem to mind.

  “Hey, Maxy?” Chrissy stepped forward, holding out her hand. “I hear all the kids are getting presents. Want to check it out?”

  Max put his hand in the woman’s. “Bye, Taylor.”

  She lifted her hand and watched them go.

  Devlin pressed a kiss to her temple. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I am.”

  The sound of a fork tinkling against glass rang through the Garden. General Holmes stepped up on a small dais. “Everyone, I have an announcement to make.”

  The crowd hushed.

  “I’m not going to talk about the vicious battle we survived just weeks ago. Not today. We’ve had enough taken from us, but not our hope, our happiness, or our love. Today, we welcome the new members who’ve joined us, and we’ll celebrate all being together. Today is not only about Christmas, which has meaning to many of you here, but today will also mark another special occasion. The joining of two special people.” Holmes smiled down at the person standing closest to him. “I didn’t even have to strong-arm him into sharing his special day this time.”