“Wait. Let me look at you.” Darkened eyes drank her in. “So beautiful.”
Hot wet lips moved down her throat and she moaned as they continued to move down. Fevered hands caressed her breasts. Pulsing. Throbbing. She needed him.
She tugged at his jean’s zipper, when his hand stopped hers. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she breathed. She’d never been so sure of anything in her life.
When he pressed himself into her, she closed her eyes and wrapped her legs around him. Their bodies moved in rhythm and she felt herself go higher and higher, until she was near the edge.
“Naomi. Look at me.”
Her eyes locked with his and in that one moment they were suspended in time. There were no rules, there were no goodbyes; it was only the two of them in their own personal Heaven.
Gripping his arms, she cried out and arched her back, surrendering. He tightened against her and cried out. Ecstasy washed over his face and she was spellbound. Heaven. Hell. Her heart broke knowing she’d never see it again.
21
Lash opened his eyes as the sunlight flickered on his face. The only sound in the room was the hum of the air conditioner and the flapping of the faded curtain as it hit against the window with the circulating air.
He turned to Naomi and took in the curves of her body, a thin white sheet covering her waist. Brushing a hand over the satin skin of her back, he listened to her breath and relished the few precious moments they had together. He made a decision. As soon as he saw to it that she was at the safe house, he was going to ask for permission to stay with her.
He couldn’t think of anyone who had ever made such a request, and he didn’t care. He’d find a way to stay with her. He’d grovel to Michael; even take on any extra assignments from Gabrielle if he had to. She was worth it. She was like a beautiful dream to the nightmare that he’d been living all these years, and he wanted to stay with her until her life on earth was done. And then, maybe afterward, she’d be chosen to join the other angels. He didn’t want to think about the alternative. If she was sent to the part of Heaven where most human souls were taken, he’d never see her again. The thought was unbearable, and he quickly dismissed it from his mind.
Naomi made a soft moaning sound as she turned over. He brushed her hair off her face and gently pressed his lips to her cheek. There was no doubt in his mind she’d be chosen. One simply had to look at her. The beauty of her spirit radiated from her, and she rivaled all of the angels he’d ever known.
His finger brushed down the curve of her neck to the cluster of freckles forming the shape of the number seven. He chuckled as he thought about what Chuy had said, that rubbing it gave him good luck. Maybe it would give him some luck too.
He glanced over at the clock. They needed to leave soon. They hadn’t heard anything since yesterday, so he assumed Jeremy threw them off track. According to his GPS tracker, they were about three hundred miles from the location. If he floored it, and if the car didn’t fall apart along the way, they could be there within a few hours.
Bear barked and ran in circles by the door.
Naomi jolted up. “What is it? Are they here?”
He closed his eyes and listened carefully. “I don’t hear anything unusual. It’s been quiet most of the night.”
She fell back into the bed. “Thank goodness.” She then looked at him and grinned. “You have sex hair.”
He raised a brow. “Sex hair?”
“It’s all messy and wild.” She tugged on his arm and he leaned to her. “I like it.”
She combed her fingers into his hair and drew him to her. She kissed him deeply, and he felt himself grow hard again as she pressed herself against him. He groaned. They didn’t have time. How much he wished they did.
Bear scratched at the door and continued to bark.
“Crap, I forgot to let her out last night.” She sat up. “Hold your water, Bear. I’m coming.”
“I’ll let her out.” He jumped up and threw on pair of jeans, welcoming the distraction. “Get your things together. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready.”
As he approached the door, he paused watching Naomi tug a shirt over her head and flip her hair from her face. “What?” she asked when she caught him staring at her.
“I see what you mean about sex hair.” He grinned and picked up the dog carrier. “I like yours too.”
The sky was a vivid blue, an otherwise gorgeous day if they weren’t on the run. When this was over, he’d take her on trip through the state. Maybe even make it a family trip with Welita and Chuy. He smiled as he thought of his future together with Naomi and tossed the carrier into the backseat. He looked around the area and didn’t see Bear. Where was she? There weren’t that many places she could run off too.
“Bear, come here girl.” He whistled for her.
He heard a barking in response that stopped at mid-bark. Dread hit him in the gut, and he headed in the direction of the bark.
“Bear, where are you?” As he turned the corner of the building, he froze at the sight of Luke Prescott clutching Bear close to his chest, his hand over her tiny head.
Luke broke into a sinister smile and his stomach dropped. This was a side of the politically-savvy businessman, the world didn’t see. “I believe this little one belongs to you,” he said as he stroked her fur. “She’s quite lovely—though a bit feisty for my taste.”
Lash schooled his face and assessed the situation. He didn’t hear anyone else around so that meant Luke was alone. He sized the billionaire up. Jeremy said that Luke was Lucifer, one of the fallen. It was possible that he wasn’t as powerful as the rumors portrayed him, especially if he had to have someone like Sal around. If Lash could manage to get Bear and Naomi into the car, maybe he could hold Luke off while she drove to the safe house.
“Mr. Prescott. What brings you to this little corner of New Mexico?”
“Ah, so you know who I am. Please call me Luke.”
“Who doesn’t know you? Your involvement with the rising American Federation party and Senator Jane Sutherland is news on a daily basis,” he said. “There’s even talk that the Senator may be the next president.”
“It would benefit many if she were put into office.” Luke stoked Bear’s head and she whined.
He took a step forward. “I’m sure you have business to attend to, so I’ll take the dog out of your hands.”
“Of course.” As Luke placed Bear into his hands, he felt a jolt that crashed through his head. Bear squealed as she hit the ground. She scrambled to her feet and dashed toward the front of the hotel.
Through the fog of agony, he felt Luke grip his shoulder. “Is something wrong, my friend?”
“Get away from me,” he gasped and pushed out his hand blindly. He had to get out of there. The pain intensified and that’s when he had a vision so vivid it was as if he was there. He was at a stream watching a young woman washing her hair. When he drew closer the woman stood up and flipped back her hair. She looked at him, her eyes twinkling with recognition. Naomi!
“No,” he moaned. He couldn’t understand what was happening. Why was he having visions of Naomi as if they were memories?
“Don’t fight it, Lash,” Luke pressed a hand to his temple and whispered, “Hizaher.”
A flash of light seared through his mind and he felt his knees hit the ground. A surge of visions filled his mind one after the other. It was of another time, centuries ago. He remembered walking up a grassy hill, a staff in one hand and Naomi’s in another. They maneuvered their way around a herd of sheep to the top of the hill. They whispered promises of forever and he kissed her deeply. The vision shifted to a hazel-eyed woman who was crying. A golden-haired man threw a clay bowl against the wall and when he turned, familiar blue eyes, Raphael’s eyes, glared at Lash.
He shook his head and pushed Luke away. “Stop showing me lies.”
Luke grabbed hold of him and pressed his hand against his head again. “You know what I show you to be true. Hi
zaher!”
Lash groaned as the vision took over and everything around him disappeared.
He was back in the small room of a cottage. Raphael lifted him up by the shirt and threw him across the room. Lash stood and was about to lunge at him when someone grabbed him and twisted his arms behind his back.
“Stop it, Jeremiel,” the hazel-eyed woman begged. “You are hurting your brother.”
“Naomi is to be my wife,” Jeremiel said. “It is my right as first born.”
Raphael approached the woman and placed an arm around her shoulders. “Rebecca, an agreement has been made with the girl’s father. Jeremiel will be betrothed to her soon. Lahash must be patient. We will find him another.”
“No!” Lash screamed as he fought the vision and shoved Luke away from him. “Get away from me.”
“Search within yourself, Lahash. Memories of the past, of your other life, are still there,” Luke said softly. “I give you nothing but the truth.”
“You lie.”
“Come now. You’ve seen it with your own eyes. You’ve experienced it with your feelings for the woman you’ve been sent to protect.”
“No. I won’t fall for it.” He shook his head as the memories continued to flood his mind. Was it possible that he was with Naomi before? Why didn’t he remember? What happened and why didn’t Raphael tell him? Was Jeremy his brother? And the mysterious woman, Rebecca, was she the same person that was Welita’s guardian angel?
“I see the questions on your face. And I have the answers for you.” Luke brushed the dust off his suit. “You can have her. I can help you have what you lost a long time ago. As long as you and Naomi join me, no harm will come to either of you. You can have forever with her. You have my word.”
“None of the fallen has that kind of power.”
“Oh, but I do. Join me. You and Naomi will be quite safe,” Luke said.
“You were trying to kill her and now you want to keep take her alive? Why?”
A strong wind blew making the dust whirl. Lash turned and saw a large mass of dust roll down the highway then he heard a loud engine. Jeremy shot through the dust cloud and flying beside him was Raphael. He skidded to stop in front of the pair, and Raphael landed by his side.
“Lucifer,” Raphael said.
“Raphael, my old friend.” Luke smiled.
Raphael narrowed his eyes at him for a moment and then turned to Lash. “Get Naomi and leave. Now.”
Lash hesitated as he looked between Raphael and Luke. He could feel that there was a familiarity between the two, more than he was comfortable admitting to himself. Whatever it was, he couldn’t dwell on it now.
“Naomi!” he yelled as he ran back to their room. He found Bear scratching door and scooped her up.
The door opened and Naomi took in the wild look in his eyes. “What happened?”
“Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room.
“Did they find—” Her eyes widened when she saw Jeremy on his motorcycle glaring at Luke. “What are Jeremy and Luke Prescott doing here?”
He shoved her into the car, and she scowled at him as he slid into the driver’s seat. “Sorry, I’ll explain later,” he said as he peeled out of the parking lot.
***
Jeremy got off the motorcycle and stood next to Raphael. He took in Luke’s expensive suit and smirked. “So this is Lucifer?”
“The name is a bit dated don’t you think, Jeremy?” He held out a hand to him. “My friends call me Luke.”
“Lucifer,” Raphael growled. “Leave the child alone. Michael has orders to save her at all costs.”
“Michael and his guard are of no concern to me,” he scoffed. “Look at what he sent to protect her. A fallen seraph.”
“Lash is loyal to his family,” Jeremy spat.
Luke turned to him and gave him a wide smile that made him shiver. “That is exactly what I’m hoping for.”
Jeremy looked puzzled for a moment and then charged after Luke. “We’ll not fall for your trickery, Lucifer.”
Raphael held Jeremy back. “Enough Jeremiel. Take your heavenly form and do your duty.”
“I’ll stay here and fight with you,” Jeremy said.
“My dear Jeremy. I do not wish to fight with your friend,” Luke said. “We’ll have a nice chat about the good old days and talk about the lovely woman he and I were acquainted with long ago. Perhaps you know her? Her name is—”
“That is enough!” Raphael roared, his nostrils flaring.
Jeremy was taken aback. He’d never seen Raphael this angry even when Lash got himself into trouble with Gabrielle. He looked from Luke’s smug face and Raphael’s intense glare and knew that there was something going on between the two of them. Luke was not lying. They did know each other. He looked at Raphael with new eyes. Like Lash, he couldn’t remember the day he first met Raphael, it was as if he’d always been there. One day he woke up and there he was.
Raphael lowered his voice. “Take your leave now, Jeremiel.”
“Raphael?” Jeremy had a million questions to ask him. Were the images Sal showed him actual memories?
He looked at Jeremy, his eyes apologetic. “Please. Now is not the time.”
“It’s too late, Raphael. As we speak, Sal has gathered our forces and we will take the child by force if necessary. Although based on what I’ve seen, I’m confident that Lash and Naomi will join us willingly.”
“That will never happen. I know Lahash.”
“Do you really?” Luke shook his head and bent down. There was a tearing of fabric as he shot up into the sky and dark wings emerged from his back. Jeremy swallowed at the power represented in Luke’s wings. They were larger than even Raphael’s.
Luke circled over Raphael, taunting. “It’s your unconditional love and trust of goodness in others that will make you lose the fight. And you’ll lose Lahash and Jeremiel once again.”
22
Lash willed the car to go faster as he pressed on the gas. A million thoughts went through his head, but he pushed them all away to focus on getting Naomi to the safe house. There was one thing he couldn’t get out of his head—the sight of Naomi on the hill. It was a different Naomi, yet the same. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes as she looked out the window, her face strained with worry.
Was it possible that Luke, no Lucifer, was telling him the truth? If he was, then that meant in another lifetime he was with Naomi and they wanted to be married. That would explain why he was so attracted to her from the beginning and why it felt like being with her was like coming home. If he believed that, then he would have to believe the other part too and it pained him to even consider it. Never in his wildest dreams could he ever think that Raphael and Jeremy would purposely keep him from someone he loved.
“We’re not going to make it are we?” Naomi asked softly as she continued to look out the window.
“Don’t think like that. We’re almost there.” He shook away his doubts. “Jeremy and Raphael will help us.”
“Raphael’s here?”
“He was with Jeremy when you came out. You didn’t see him because he was in his angel form. If anyone can help us, it would be him.” A thought of the Raphael in his vision went through his mind and he shook it away. No, Raphael had always been there from him. He’d come through with this too.
Naomi nodded then peered out the front of the car. “That looks familiar.”
Lash looked in the distance and saw a towering rock formation in the horizon.
“Where’s the GPS?” she asked.
“In the glove compartment.”
Naomi pressed a few buttons on the device. “That’s strange.”
“What?”
“The location of the coordinates you entered says Shiprock. I was expecting to see an address for a house not a landmark.”
Naomi jumped at Bear’s sudden barking and she dropped the GPS to the floor. “What’s wrong girl?” She unbuckled her seat belt and turned to check on Bear
. “Holy crap! There’s one hell of a storm behind us.”
Lash glanced in the rear view mirror and his eyes widened at the huge mass of dark clouds rolling in their direction. Streaks of light flashed in the sky followed by a crash of thunder. Hidden within the rumbles, he heard it—wings flapping.
He slammed his foot on the pedal.
“Calm down, Bear.” Naomi patted the dog’s smooth head. “It’s only a thunderstorm. We’ve got other things to worry about.” She then turned forward in her seat.
He tried to keep his cool as he kept glancing in the rearview mirror waiting for Lucifer’s army to emerge from the clouds. It was only a matter of time before they were on them. Raphael, I need you, he silently prayed.
A loud clap of thunder coming from their right made him and Naomi jump in their seats. “That sounded so close. Whoa, look at that. It’s a huge dust devil.”
Don’t let it be what I think it is. He took a deep breath and looked in the direction she was pointing. Through the swirl of the rising dust, he saw Deborah wrestling with one of the fallen.
He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Deborah, who had died only a few days ago, was now an angel, and given the wings of a powerful warrior. Her face radiated a fierce beauty that left him breathless and for a moment he thought of Nathan and wondered if he’d ever get to see his wife again. It was at that moment he realized why she was taken and why Jeremy had to do what he did, even if it meant separating her from her beloved Nathan.
Deborah’s wings flapped furiously as she struggled to hold the titian-haired fallen angel away from the car. When she pushed her away, the angel screamed with frustration, her black wings flapping wildly. They continued to circle each other and their wings caused the dust to swirl. The angel lunged again toward the car, and Deborah grabbed her by the waist. They whirled around making the dust devil larger.
“Lash, look out!” Naomi screamed.
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