Sol nodded. It wouldn’t do any good getting her upset.
She followed quietly behind him, as they made their way to the car. He opened the door for her and noticed the path of tears on her face. Silently, he cursed himself and climbed into the driver’s seat.
“I’d like to stay at the women’s housing for a bit,” she said quietly.
His fingers tightened on the wheel. Pain lanced though him, and he knew he was losing her.
“Fine,” he bit out and immediately regretted it. His pride too wounded to take it back, they drove in silence.
Chapter Sixteen
Erica wept quietly as they drove to the dorms. This wasn’t what she wanted, but there really wasn’t much choice. He had her back to the wall, and she just couldn’t make that decision at this moment. So what if he made her feel alive. So what if it was the best sex she’d ever known. So what if she felt like he was home. Those things didn’t make a stable relationship, and so far, Sol was proving to be one of the least stable boyfriends she ever had.
Tears leaked out no matter how hard she tried to stop them. They came to a stop, and she quickly opened the door. He made no move to walk her to the house.
“Goodnight,” she sniffed and shut the door.
Nothing. This was exactly what she was talking about. He would shut her out. Sometimes it was just better to beat them to the punch line.
After pulling out the door card, she was surprised to find the door had been left unlocked. It didn’t seem like them to have it unlocked, but maybe Rachel had come home early. She tossed her purse on the couch and sat down to cry. Great sobs racked her body as she tried to regain some sort of composure.
“Tell me you aren’t crying over that mutt,” said a deep voice from a dark corner.
She jumped up and moved to the other side of the couch.
“Please.” Mark stepped into the light from the window. “We both you wouldn’t be able to outrun me.”
She gasped. “Mark,” she whispered.
“So, Erica, are we into animals now?” He chuckled at his own joke. “Or maybe you’ve just forgotten what it’s like to be with a real man.”
Before she could even get out a sound, he had her knocked to the ground. The wind knocked out of her lungs, she gasped for air. He clamped his hand firmly over her face and pressed himself between her legs. Bile rose into her throat, and she tried not to concentrate on him rubbing against her.
“You should just join me,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ve got more money than you could ever dream of, and it would be all ours. Sailing around on a yacht in some tropical climate. Of course, you’d have to lose fifteen, twenty pounds, but it would be easy. We’d sail and fuck and live our days in peace.”
Mark rubbed against her again, and she struggled to get away.
“It’s okay, baby.” He took his other hand and smoothed her hair down. “I’ll forgive you for fucking that abomination. He likely forced you with his animal-like ways. I’ll never understand why they made those creatures.”
His face contorted with rage as he talked about the hybrids, and the hand at her mouth dug into her cheeks. Tears burned her eyes, but she was glad he hadn’t knocked her out. There was still a chance.
“Now you just be a good girl, and I’ll make you feel real good,” he said and lifted up her dress. He smiled wickedly at her when he found she wasn’t wearing panties. “You came ready for me.”
She felt him shift and knew it wouldn’t be long before he was inside her. Panic ate at her as she struggled to break free. He pulled his hand away from her mouth and hit her hard across the cheek. She cried out in pain as he struck her again.
“I told you to stay still,” he shouted.
Erica nodded and lay facing the door.
Sol sat in the car cursing himself. If he just hadn’t pushed her. They were having a great moment before he ruined it. He stepped out of the car and heard her cry out in pain. In seconds, he had raced to the door. He kicked it in with all his strength.
Mark lay on top of her, his pants hung loosely on his hips, still struggling to push them down.
Blind rage ate at Sol. He bellowed as he tossed Mark off of her. The other man hit the wall with a thud and slumped to the floor. Shaken, Erica threw herself into his arms, too upset to even cry. Sol swept her into his arms and sat on the floor with her, breathing in the fear that radiated off of her and trying to calm his inner beast.
“What the hell is going on?” came a voice from the kicked open door.
Erica sat up at the noise and looked over to a scarred hybrid.
“Get out, Lucius,” Sol growled. His hands held her tightly to his body.
His gun already drawn and at the ready, Lucius stared at Erica, his eyes narrowing on Sol.
“What the hell did you do to her?” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Sol, you need to step away from her.”
Erica’s eyes went wide with fear as the gun was pointed toward him. She wrapped her hand around his head and blocked Lucius from a shot. His growl vibrated through her and helped calm her nerves.
She breathed in a few times and finally found her voice.
“Him.” She pointed to Mark’s still slumped body. “He hit me and tried to rape me.”
“Get out, Lucius,” Sol said from the front of her. “I’m not in control.”
Lucius glanced from Sol’s solid form to Erica.
More people could be heard outside, but Lucius held up an arm to stop them.
Erica leaned back, pushing against Sol’s crushing embrace. She placed a palm on either cheek and forced him to look into her eyes.
“I’m safe,” she whispered.
“I should have been here,” he ground out. His eyes flashed an odd shade of yellow. “He was going to…”
Erica placed her forehead against his. “But I wasn’t.” She took a deep breath and kissed him softly. “You said you need me. Well, I need you.”
When she pulled back, his eyes had gone back to their normal amber color.
“We need to let them arrest Mark,” she said. “If he isn’t already dead.”
“He’s not dead,” Sol mumbled.
“The doctor will need to examine me.”
He tensed. “I thought you said he didn’t.”
“He didn’t, but he touched me,” she said quietly. “I just want to make sure I’m okay.”
Sol’s eyes flashed, and she cupped his face again. “Hold it together. I need you.”
She rested her cheek against his chest and held on.
“Okay, Lucius,” Sol called.
She felt him pick her up and carry her outside. The cool air bit her bare flesh until he placed a blanket around her. Once in the car, she let him take over and put her trust in him.
* * *
Erica woke with a splitting headache and far more noise than she would like.
“Where am I?” she asked, her voice harsh from so many hours of asleep.
“The hospital,” Sol said from beside her.
“Uh, my head feels like crap.” She blinked a few times before the room came into focus, his worried face closer than she expected.
“You’re dehydrated and banged up, but you’ll live,” Rachel’s dry voice cut through the room. Erica turned to look at the door where she stood in her doctor’s coat. “We’ve sent in a few samples since we don’t have a lab here,” she said slightly louder. “It’s too late tonight to get results back, so they should be in sometime tomorrow.”
“What about…” Erica trailed off as she thought about how close it was.
Rachel shook her head. “I did a swab and sent that in as well, but when he was found, his underwear was still on, so I’d say it’s doubtful.” She glanced over to Sol. “You might tell your boyfriend that I’m a doctor, and I don’t particularly take any pleasure in seeing your lady bits. And growling at me the whole time doesn’t help anyone.”
“Did you really growl at her the whole time?” Erica asked, taking his hand.
“I swear to God, you He-Man super thug, if you don’t move it right now, I’m going to lose it on your ass.” Kate’s voice cut through the door, and she looked between the two.
“I called her,” Sol said. “I thought you might need her.”
He looked to the door, and Titus peeked in.
“Can she come in? She’s driving me fucking crazy out here.” Titus looked at Sol as he spoke.
“Good,” Kate said from behind him. “I plan on being even more annoying if I don’t get in this room now.”
Sol nodded, and Titus moved out of the way for her to come in.
Kate raced to the other side of the bed and hugged her hard. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she whispered in her ear.
Erica smiled. “For the same reason you wouldn’t have told me.”
“I’m just so glad you’re okay.” She leaned back and sat in the other chair. “When can you get out of here?”
Erica turned to Rachel.
“She can go home as soon as that IV’s finished. No signs of concussion. Going to have a good bruise but should be fine.” She looked around her to Sol. “She needs to get rest for the next few days.”
Sol nodded and squeezed her hand.
“Are you going to be around?” she said to Kate.
“Packed a bag and figured if that ape out there didn’t let me stay, I’d just have lover boy here put up the fight.” Erica giggled when she heard someone kick the wall.
“I’m guessing he decided to let you stay.” Erica smiled. “Why don’t you go get settled in and catch up with me in the morning? It’s been a really long night, and all I want to do is go home to bed.”
Kate nodded and stood. “See you in the morning.” She looked over to Sol. “Call if you need me.”
She smiled and left. Erica looked over to Sol. “Seems like you’re my keeper now.”
Sol raised her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Gladly.”
“Titus,” Erica called. “Can you come in please?”
Sol furrowed his brow at her.
Titus peeked in, and she motioned for him to come in all the way. She smiled at him.
“I’ve thought about your offer,” she said. Sol’s hand suddenly gripped her hand, and she smoothed her thumb over his finger. She turned and looked at Sol as she spoke. “I’ve decided to accept your offer.”
Sol was the first to speak. He jumped up and laughed. “You have?”
She nodded and smiled at them both.
“Good,” Rachel said from the corner. “Maybe you can help us keep these men in line. I like your friend by the way.” She glanced at Titus who stilled at the mention of Kate. “She has an interesting way of getting things done. Might have to take a page out of her book to get some medical equipment around here.”
Titus groaned. “Great. I’ll let Marius know.” He waved to her and turned at the door. “You made the right choice,” he said.
Erica looked to Sol and smiled. “I know.”
* * *
Erica sighed in bed. She was achy and sore but glad for a good night’s sleep wrapped in Sol’s arms. He had argued with her about sleeping in the same bed, but in the end she won out. All she wanted was to feel protected and safe.
She rolled in his arms to find his eyes open. A smile played on his lips.
“Why did you decide to stay?” he said, his voice husky with emotion.
“You,” she whispered. “When I’m with you I’m home and that’s all I really need.”
“Me too,” he whispered.
She leaned forward and kissed him. Slow and heated, she let her lips roam over his until he opened and their tongues met.
After putting her hands around his neck, she tried to pull him on top of her. His groan cut off her efforts.
“We can’t,” he said. His rough voice made her shiver with need.
“Love me, Sol.” She pulled him to her again, and he moved on top.
“We’re not supposed to do this,” he whispered as he planted kisses along her collar bone.
“Just take it slow,” she said. Her hand came up to his cheek, and she smiled.
“Are you sure it’s okay?” He searched her face.
She smiled and slid her hand under his shirt, loving the feel of his body at her fingertips.
They peeled off each other’s clothes, kissing and tasting the skin they revealed. When he positioned himself at her opening, she looked up into his warm eyes and knew she’d never feel the same for anyone else.
Inch by inch, he slipped into her until he was fully inside. She sighed and lifted her hips to push him even further.
“Don’t push,” Sol warned. His hips moved at a steady rhythm.
“That wasn’t pushing,” she whispered. She slipped a hand between them and felt him slip between her fingers into her aching pussy. “This is pushing.”
He groaned and picked up the pace, sliding his hands under her ass to angle deeper.
Erica gasped at the new position. Her clit bumped his pelvis, and she shuddered. With long deliberate strokes, he wound her into a frenzy.
“So close,” she groaned.
“Me too, baby,” he whispered.
His hips moved faster, rubbing her clit with every move.
Heat spread through her as she came around him, clenching inside so tight that her toes curled from it. A few more deep thrusts, and Sol came with her. The two panted from the moment.
She wrapped her arms and legs around him and pulled him closer to her body.
“I was so scared,” she whispered. “The whole time I kept thinking how something like this was going to happen, and I wouldn’t get to tell you how I really feel.”
Sol leaned back and ran his hands through her hair. “And how is it that you feel?”
“Like a coward. I don’t just need you,” she whispered. “I love you.”
Sol’s mouth came down on hers and pinned her to the bed. Without mercy, he kissed her until her head spun.
Breathless, he pulled away, his lips red from the punishing kiss.
“Love doesn’t even begin to define what I feel for you, but that’s as close as I get.” He leaned down and nuzzled her neck. “You are mine,” he growled.
Erica smiled and drifted off, cocooned in his arms.
Chapter Seventeen
Erica strummed her fingers on the large conference table as the government official talked, growing more agitated as time went on. About twelve men made up the committee, but it seemed that only three or four actually called the shots. They wanted a meeting about Mark. Or more specifically, how they weren’t responsible.
“Did you not employ this man to find information?” Major Carter asked, his irritation as evident as her own.
Several of the men looked around the room. “Of course,” one said. “As you know, we’ve had reservations about these hybrids from the start.”
A younger politician looked to another. “Despite his actions,” the man glanced her way, “Mark did collect information that the rest of the committee will be interested to hear.”
Erica snorted loudly. “Please tell me you aren’t referencing the books that were cooked and planted by Mark.”
Several of the men looked at one another and then turned their glare to her. “And what do you know about this?”
“Well,” Erica said. She looked over to Sol and Titus, who were leaning back and enjoying the show. “I know that Mark wasn’t acting alone.”
Several of the angry men glanced around, looking suddenly uncomfortable. When she had talked to Titus this morning, she had gone over some findings. Things were starting to add up, and even if they couldn’t pin it on any in the committee or their representatives, she could get them off their back. They would still be there waiting, but, then, so would she.
“When Mark brought us the first night, he disappeared into Sol’
s office for approximately seven minutes.” Erica stood and paced the room. “A lot can be done in that time. Especially if that person has the needed information.” She stared down an old balding man who seemed to be leading this charge. “Or they have done it before.”
She reached into a folder on the table and pulled out some papers. “You can see here the books for payout from the government. This slight change right here,” she pointed to several dates, “is what clued me in.”
“I don’t understand,” one man said to her. “What am I looking at?”
“The change is slight, but only starts after this date. A date that coincides with Mark’s participation in certain government contract jobs and contracts related to Luna Lodge. He’s done some clever misdirection here. He was skimming a slight amount off the top. Not enough that most would even notice. From what I can tell, he’s got a nice nest egg in some account. But more than that,” she moved to stare down the balding old man, “he was sending vital information to a group known to aid terrorists.”
Several men gasped, and she felt certain that at least not all of the committee were against them.
“Woods,” one man said to the balding man. “Did you know about this?”
He turned and glared at the other man. “You knew we had to keep track of them. It was agreed. The leakage to the Horatius Group was unfortunate.”
He smiled at her, and a chill swept through her.
“Woods, you ass. You’ve put my men at risk for that?” Carter banged the table.
Sol and Titus had gone surprisingly quiet.
“Oh please.” Senator Woods rolled his eyes. “You start living with these savages, and suddenly you’re a bleeding heart?”
Erica felt her blood boil. “The explosion was the direct result of your leak. We’ll be expecting compensation for that.” His face turned red and she leaned over to give a menacing smile. “Furthermore, I’m continuing my investigation into this and plan to divulge all contents to not just the committee, but the media and even higher.” The room went silent at her threat. “Did you know that I trained under Anthony Hest back when he was an assistant attorney general?”
Luna Lodge: Sol Page 12