He suddenly stilled and lowered her hand. “Xavier?”
Maria stared up at Oz in surprise. It still stunned her that he could read her thoughts.
“What did he do?” Oz asked in a deadly soft voice.
“I— He…”
Unable to voice what had happened in the bathroom with Xavier, Maria opened her mind to Oz.
Chapter Twenty-One
Oz sank into Maria’s mind, reliving the nightmare with her in the hotel bathroom with the man known as Xavier.
He pulled back when her memories touched on the masturbation scene next to the bed.
“I’ll kill him,” Oz swore between clenched teeth. “The son of a bitch will die a horrific death.”
Maria pulled the sheet up over her body, shame evident in her eyes. “I don’t ever want to look at his disgusting face again. The things he said and did…” The words died on her lips as her eyes slid shut.
Her breathing became even, telling Oz that she slept. The pain pills he’d given her had finally kicked in.
Oz leaned down and softly kissed her lips. “You’ll never have to see him again. No one will.”
Getting to his feet, Oz left the room and made his way to the wheelhouse where Gryke and Fiona sat.
Fiona looked up from a map she held. “How is she?”
“She’s sleeping now. I’m pretty sure she has some cracked ribs.”
“Was she sexually assaulted?” Fiona asked in a hesitant voice.
Oz shook his head. “No. Thank God. But she would have been had we not arrived when we did.”
Filling them in on everything he’d learned from Maria, Oz took control of the wheel. “We’ll anchor here. It’ll be morning soon, and we need to rest before we attempt to go back ashore. We leave at sundown.”
“I really think I should come with you,” Fiona pressed, her lips tight with frustration.
Oz turned to face her. “As much as we could use your help, Maria needs you more.”
Fiona abruptly stood. “Very well. I’m going to grab a bite to eat and get a few hours’ sleep. I’ll see you later.”
“She is a stubborn one,” Gryke pointed out after Fiona disappeared down the steps.
Oz tugged the elastic band from his wrist and pulled his hair back into a ponytail. “It’s been my experience that most women are.”
Gryke grunted. “What is your plan once we return to the hotel?”
“We’ll slip in through the service entrance and hopefully catch them off guard. They won’t be expecting us, so we have that advantage.”
“And if they are not there?”
Oz gripped the wheel and gazed in the direction of the hotel. “They’ll be there.”
* * * *
Maria moaned in her sleep, jerking Oz out of his slumber.
He climbed from the bed, snatched up two more pain pills, and slipped his arm beneath her neck. “Here, sweetie, take these.”
Placing the water glass to her lips, he held her erect until satisfied that she swallowed.
“Thank you,” she whispered, asleep before her head touched the pillow once more.
Oz was tempted to take one of the pills himself to ease the fire throbbing in his shoulder. But he needed to be alert for what he was about to do.
He slipped quietly from the room and returned to the wheelhouse where Gryke waited.
“Let’s do this,” Oz murmured, noticing that Gryke had armed himself to the teeth.
Oz grabbed several handguns and stuffed them into different pockets in his clothing before grabbing an automatic rifle. “We need to let Fiona know we’re leaving.”
“I have already informed her of our departure. She is not happy about being left behind.”
Oz knew that. And if he were in Fiona’s position, he wouldn’t be pleased about it either.
Swiftly climbing down the ladder, Oz dropped into the dinghy and untied the rope that secured it to the yacht.
Gryke dropped down next to him.
They rowed quietly to shore, neither speaking, each one lost in his own thoughts.
The lights of the hotel came into view. Oz dropped the anchor and stepped into the warm gulf waters with Gryke following closely behind.
No movement in front of the hotel could be detected as Oz and Gryke made their way onto the beach.
Hugging the wall, Oz checked around back for signs of life. The man he’d seen in Maria’s memories stood at the service door with a lit cigarette in his hand.
Oz pressed his back against the wall, signaling for Gryke to stop.
“What is it?” Gryke whispered, a frown on his face.
Oz stared straight ahead, listening for signs of Xavier before whispering back. “Something I have to take care of. Watch my back.”
Easing his head around the corner once more, Oz saw his opportunity and took it.
Xavier crouched with his back to Oz, apparently tying his shoe.
Moving as silent as a cat, Oz slid a knife from his boot, slipped up behind Xavier, and rested the blade against the pervert’s throat. “One wrong move, and I’ll paint the walls with your blood. Now get up. Slowly.”
Xavier stiffened, rising to his feet with jerky movements.
Oz turned him toward the tree line. “Move.”
“It’s not me that you want. I can tell you where Carlito is. Just please don’t kill me.”
Sickened by the man’s smell, Oz took shallow breaths as he forced the guy to move faster.
Oz couldn’t imagine what Maria must have felt with this filthy pervert pawing her tender body. He pressed the blade tighter against Xavier’s throat.
After walking a good distance into the trees, Oz forced the pervert to his knees. “Take off your shirt.”
“What are you going to do?” Xavier whined while removing his filthy shirt.
Oz ripped the shirt in half, stuffed part of the material into the scumbag’s mouth, and tied his hands behind his back with the other half.
“I’m going to make sure you never hurt another female again.” Oz glanced up at Gryke who stood nearby. “Remove his pants.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Maria opened her eyes as the mattress dipped to find Fiona seated next to her on the bed.
“Hi,” Maria murmured, taking in Fiona’s tense countenance.
Fiona’s smile was genuine yet guarded. “How are you feeling?”
Maria tried to sit up, but quickly decided against it. “Like I’ve been beat from head to toe.”
“That’s pretty accurate.” Fiona straightened the sheet covering Maria’s body.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, Maria met Fiona’s gaze. “They’ve gone after Carlito.”
“Yes.” Fiona stood, removed her hat, and ran a hand through her short, gorgeous red hair.
Maria had found Fiona’s face very attractive before, but the contrast of her golden eyes and bright red hair made her positively beautiful. “You should show your gorgeous hair more often.”
Fiona abruptly donned her hat, obviously uncomfortable with the praise. She cleared her throat. “Are you hungry?”
“I really don’t want to be a bother,” Maria muttered, attempting to slide her feet off the side of the bed.
Fiona was at her side in an instant, tucking her feet back beneath the sheet. “Nonsense. It’s no bother at all. Besides, it’ll keep my mind off what’s going on at that hotel.”
Maria had been trying to avoid thinking about it as well. If something were to happen to Oz, she would never forgive herself.
With a soft sigh, Maria relaxed back against the pillows. “Okay. Thank you, Fiona.”
Fiona moved toward the door, turning back as she stepped into the hall. “There’s sandwich materials and maybe some chips in the kitchen. The freezer is full, but it would take a while to thaw something out.”
“A sandwich sounds good.” Maria really didn’t care what she ate. Nothing appealed to her at the moment besides hearing from Oz.
Fiona suddenly spun around, h
er gun seeming to appear out of nowhere. She stood there for a heartbeat before slowly lowering her weapon. “Vaulcron?”
Maria strained to see what was happening in the hall. “Vaulcron is here?”
“Along with Zaureth,” Fiona stated, sheathing her weapon.
The two giant Bracadytes stepped into the room.
Maria pulled the sheet up higher against her chest, her eyes no doubt huge in her face.
“What are you doing here?” Fiona questioned, remaining in the hall.
Zaureth spoke first. “We came to help. In fear for Maria’s life, Oz contacted Vaulcron.”
Maria couldn’t take her gaze off Zaureth’s intimidating pale eyes.
“You are injured?” Zaureth softly inquired, inching closer to the bed.
Fiona appeared next to him. “She was beaten with a blunt object. We think some of her ribs are broken.”
“May I?” Zaureth lowered his weight onto the side of the mattress and reached for the sheet.
Maria gripped the material tighter. “I’m not dressed.”
Zaureth lifted a hand into the air, and Fiona followed Vaulcron from the room.
“I need to learn that trick,” Maria joked, suddenly uncomfortable.
Zaureth’s gaze softened. “I am a healer, Maria. I will not harm you. Do I have your permission to take a look?”
Breathing deep, Maria nodded and turned her face to the side.
Cool air touched her skin as Zaureth slid the sheet down to her waist. “Who did this to you?”
“A man named Homero Rivera. But Oz killed him for it.”
Zaureth didn’t reply. He gently laid his palms against her skin, his long fingers spanning her ribs.
Warm, pulsing sensations seeped from his hands and into her tormented body.
A moan escaped her throat as the pain slowly receded, giving way to a sigh born of relief.
Zaureth removed his hands and covered her chest with the sheet. “Your legs are injured as well.”
Maria forgot all about her embarrassment. She brought her head around and met his gaze. “How can you tell?”
He shrugged a massive shoulder. “I can sense where your discomfort lies.”
Shifting his body around, Zaureth slid the sheet up her legs, stopping when it reached her upper thighs. “I would hope that the man who did this suffered as much as you.”
“More so,” Maria whispered, watching as Zaureth laid his palms on her ankles. “Oz beat him to death.”
Zaureth paused as if considering her words. “Oz must care greatly for you.” His hands continued their healing touch.
Did he? Maria wondered, her heartbeat kicking up a notch.
Zaureth got to his feet. “You have no broken bones. Your ribs are severely bruised with two small fractures. They will be completely healed in a few hours. Sleep is the best medicine I can recommend. When you awaken, you should be as good as new.”
Maria’s mouth fell open, her pain nearly gone. “Just like that?”
He ignored her question. “I must go see about Oz and Gryke. Rest now.”
“Thank you,” Maria called as he trailed off toward the door. “Thank you so much.”
Zaureth nodded once and disappeared into the hall.
Maria held an arm against her ribs and sat up, surprised that it didn’t double her over in agony.
She slowly moved toward the bathroom, needing to relieve herself in the worst kind of way.
After taking care of her needs, Maria brushed her teeth, turned on the water, and stepped into the shower.
Worry for Oz ate her up inside. What if Carlito caught him? Or worse, killed him?
She couldn’t bear to think about something happening to Oz.
Strange how they’d started out as enemies, Maria thought as she washed her hair. It seemed a lifetime ago that he’d had her tied in the basement of his hotel. Less than two weeks later, she was in his arms. In his bed.
The passion she’d shared with him had been like nothing she could have imagined. He’d taken her to new heights, to places she’d only read about.
Maria had never given herself so completely as she did with Oz. The feel of him buried inside her, commanding her, and loving her had been the most incredible experience of her life. Would he still want her after the threat of Carlito was over?
She thought about the picture she’d found in his desk drawer, of the beautiful brunette sitting on his lap. Was the woman in the photo important to him? Was he taking her to his bed? Did he love her?
Jealousy reared its ugly head, forcing Maria to shake off her anxious thoughts. She didn’t own Oz any more than he owned her.
But all she needed was a little nudge, she silent admitted to herself. And he’d own her, body and soul.
* * * *
Dressed and feeling much better, Maria went in search of the food Fiona had mentioned earlier.
She found the female soldier standing in the kitchen, staring at the television, a loaf of bread open in front of her.
“You’re out of bed,” Fiona blurted, glancing down at the sandwich paraphernalia on the counter. “I’m sorry, Maria. I got caught up in this breaking news alert. Abbie is on television.”
Maria’s gaze flew to the TV. “Abbie Sutherland, the woman the American government has been after for the past two years?”
“The very one. How are you feeling?”
“Thanks to Zaureth, I have only mild discomfort.”
Fiona stared at her in awe. “That’s amazing. I wish we humans had that kind of ability.”
Maria took a seat at the bar. “Me too. It’s hard to wrap my mind around what he did for me. How is it even possible?”
“I don’t know,” Fiona confessed, grabbing up a slice of bread and a jar of mayonnaise. “God knows what other things they can do. I wonder if Gryke possesses any special gifts?”
Maria didn’t miss the tone shift in Fiona’s voice when she spoke of Gryke, but decided against mentioning it. She nodded at the television. “What’s going on with Doctor Sutherland?”
Fiona continued making their sandwiches while filling Maria in on what she’d heard on the news. “Doctor Sutherland and Hauke have just arrived in the States. They are there at President Pratt’s request to assist the CDC in finding a cure for the Incola virus.”
“Turn it up,” Maria murmured as Abbie Sutherland spoke into the microphone.
“The best thing you can do at this point,” Abbie explained, staring at the camera, “is stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Food is being delivered door to door by the National Guard. The electric company has confirmed that no power will be shut off for nonpayment. If you experience any of the symptoms listed on the bottom of your screen, you are to go to the nearest hospital at once. Tents are set up on the grounds of all local hospitals to accommodate the sick. You are advised to stay inside at all costs. This virus has mutated to the point that victims are showing signs of rabid behavior and are considered extremely dangerous.”
Maria continued to watch as Abbie answered dozens of questions about the virus, its origin, and the blood she would be donating for testing.
“She’s amazing,” Maria remarked, accepting the sandwich Fiona handed her.
Fiona immediately began building her own sandwich. “She’s got guts; I’ll give her that.”
The rest of their meal was spent in silence, both women watching the news, and Maria worrying about Oz.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Oz dragged the lifeless body of one of Carlito’s men into the tree line and dropped him next to Xavier’s unconscious form. “According to this guy, there are three men guarding the lobby. Carlito is upstairs in a room.”
Gryke nodded toward Xavier. “Are you going to leave the castrated human alive?”
“That’s the plan,” Oz quipped, turning back in the direction of the hotel. “I feel the punishment fits the crime.”
“Gryke fell into step beside him. “You think as a Bracadyte.”
“I’ll ta
ke that as a compliment.” Oz jerked his chin toward the hotel. “We’ll go in through the service entrance and take out the three in the lobby. No matter what you do, don’t kill Carlito. He’s mine.”
“As you wish.”
Lights coming up the road caught Oz off guard. He dropped into a crouch behind a copse of trees and signaled for Gryke to do the same.
“What is it?” Gryke whispered, reaching up to part the shrubbery in front of him.
Oz pointed toward the hotel’s drive. “Vehicles.”
“How many?”
“I can’t tell yet,” Oz murmured, waiting for the jeep doors to open.
Five men dressed in black poured from the first jeep, each holding an automatic rifle. The second jeep stopped, and four more goons joined them. Only three climbed from the third vehicle.
Oz glanced at Gryke. “Twelve more to contend with. Son of a bitch.”
“We hold the upper hand,” Gryke growled, returning his gaze to the hotel. “They do not know we are here.”
“They have automatic weapons, Gryke. Weapons that can take out a dozen men in under three seconds.”
“Not if we lure them out.”
Oz frowned, turning to face the psychotic Bracadyte. “Lure them to where?”
Gryke nodded toward the gulf. “The water.”
“I’m not following. Explain.”
“I will move around front and eliminate as many as I can and then disappear into the gulf. That will force them out of the hotel. You go in through the service door and end Carlito.”
“Damn, Gryke. It’s pure genius,” Oz admitted in a low voice. “No time like the present. Go.”
Oz watched as Gryke slipped unnoticed through the trees before circling around to the shadows at the front of the hotel.
Two of the newcomers standing next to a jeep smoking cigarettes dropped like flies as Gryke opened fire.
The doors to the hotel burst open, and a dozen men ran out onto the lawn, firing at Gryke’s retreating back.
Keeping his head low, Oz circled around back and slipped quietly through the service door. He ran up the stairs to the fourth floor, his heart pounding out an insane rhythm in his chest. This was it. The moment he’d been waiting for.
Oz: A SciFi Alien Romance (Enigma Series Book 5) Page 9