“Sweet! Pizza!” Michael popped up from the barstool he had moved to, throwing his magazine on the counter, and raced for the door. Chloe looked down and realized it wasn’t a magazine but a comic book. She couldn’t help but smile. Really? A comic book? Dork. She laughed to herself. After paying for the delivery, Michael brought ten large boxes into the kitchen and dropped them on the table with a thud.
Chloe just stared in awe as MaKane brought a stack of paper plates to the table. “You can’t seriously think we can eat all these, right?” she asked incredulously.
Michael flashed a devious grin and just stood back while the others literally invaded her kitchen and began to devour the ten large pizzas in front of her eyes. She laughed and snatched a big slice of pepperoni for herself before it was all gone. Her smile faded as she turned and met Killian’s serious gaze.
“Chloe, someone obviously knows of your presence here. The note and the break-in prove that.”
Yeah, she had already figured that one out on her own. She just didn’t know who, or why she’d been targeted. The only obvious answer was that it had to be someone from the clinic, since that was the only place she’d had any outside interaction since her arrival.
Killian moved closer and lowered his voice. Chloe noted that Daniel had moved closer as well, his brows furrowed, his lips drawn down in a scowl as he glared at Killian. He was definitely angry about something.
Her attention was brought back to Killian as he continued, “I need you to know, Chloe, I have full faith in your abilities. But I also need you to understand there’s nothing I, or any of the others here, won’t do to see to your safety. You’re not trained for this sort of thing and this just got real serious, real fast, which means we need to step up our efforts. And we all need to be extra cautious.”
Chloe caught the stern gaze Killian gave to Daniel as well as the almost imperceptible nod Daniel gave in response. Before she could ask what that was about, Killian moved to her side. He reached out to tuck some stray curls behind her ear, allowing the backs of his knuckles to glide gently over her cheek. She instinctively leaned away from his touch, uncomfortable. He lowered his hand immediately and straightened. His gray eyes were now intent and his voice direct. “I won’t take any chances with your safety, Chloe. I trust in your abilities but I’m not going to apologize for putting extra protection on you or for asking you to be all the more diligent when it comes to your safety. Do you understand?”
Chloe set down her wine and pizza and folded her hands in her lap, instantly embarrassed by her reaction to Killian’s touch when he’d just told her he believed in her. She was well aware of how Coteri males felt about protecting their females and she chastised herself for reading anything illicit into his actions. “I understand, General, and I appreciate your words more than you probably even know. I don’t take this threat lightly but I also know only a coward would pull such a juvenile stunt thinking it would scare me off.”
She sat on the edge of her seat and lifted her chin. She needed to make him understand and put him at ease. “Trust me, General, I don’t scare easily…but I do have one hell of a temper when someone crosses me or those I care about.” She paused as her gaze travelled to the destroyed red purse, now on the floor. “And this just plain pisses me off. He ruined a perfectly good Versace bag…uh, sir.”
Killian let out a deep laugh that filled the room as he took a step back. He used one finger to lift her chin, then his swirling gray gaze met hers. “You’re not one of my warriors, Chloe. You’re a civilian. And I thought I told you the formality wasn’t necessary. Call me Killian. Not General. Not sir. Do I have to make that an order?” He gave her a half smile that was sexier than it should have been, she was sure. And had she been any other female, she would have probably appreciated it more. Damn you, Talon.
He turned serious and lowered his voice. “Use that anger, Chloe. Use it to your advantage.” He walked the few steps to the refrigerator, pulled out a Corona and popped the top. “I just hope that anger is never aimed at me.” He smiled as he lifted the beer high and returned to her side. He draped a large arm around the back of her chair. “Here’s to Chloe, gentlemen. To her courage, temper, and one wicked knee. Welcome to the team.”
“Don’t I know it,” Darrius mumbled as he adjusted the front of his jeans before lifting his beer in a toast.
“Pussy,” David teased as he gave Darrius a shove on the shoulder.
Shouts filled the kitchen as Chloe laughed at the bantering and took another sip of her wine. As she looked around the room she caught Daniel’s gaze. He still looked troubled but when he caught her looking, his smile was warm and knowing as he lifted his beer in salute and gave her a quick wink. She leaned back into her chair and smiled.
* * * * *
Several hours later as she showed her “boys” to the door, Daniel was the last to leave. He turned to her and clasped her hands, surprising Chloe by initiating the contact. “We’ve upgraded the security system and I’ve already given you the new codes. There are sensors on all the doors and windows as well as along the perimeter of the property. No one’s getting in here without us knowing about it.” He squeezed her hands. “I still wish you’d change your mind and let one of us stay, just to be safe. We’re close, but staying here would be safer.”
Chloe pulled him into a light hug, then set him back. “Danny, I’m good. I’m safe, thanks to all of you. And I can definitely take care of myself. Trust me, will ya? Geez, you’re worse than my brother!” She smiled and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
Daniel smiled as he turned to leave. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Reaching into his back pocket, he produced a phone. “Killian said you requested a new phone. One where your number couldn’t be traced on any outgoing calls you make. Your number is still the same and he programmed all of your contact numbers from your previous phone into this one. But trust me, anyone you call will have no way of knowing what number you’re dialing from. MaKane is a wizard with technology.” He handed her the phone and stepped through the door to leave, pausing to face her. “What’s up with that Chlo? Why do you need a non-traceable phone?”
Chloe pulled Daniel into another quick hug, quickly realizing she was becoming reliant on his company. “My reasons, Daniel. No big deal really. Just better this way. Trust me.”
Daniel opened his mouth as if to question her, but she beat him to it. “What was that intense conversation I saw you having with Killian before he left? You looked angry and I know it wasn’t about my break-in. You were angry with him.”
Daniel was silent for a moment, brows furrowed as he appeared to struggle with himself over what to say. In the end he returned her previous comment. “My reasons, Chloe. No big deal really.” He ruffled the top of her head like she was a two-year-old and laughed as she tried to swat his hand away and missed.
“Brat,” Chloe teased.
He was still chuckling as he stepped out the front door and into the night.
As Chloe watched the last of her new team pull from the driveway, she was torn by multiple emotions. On the one hand, she was building new bonds with people who said they trusted and respected her. No, she wasn’t a warrior, but they’d definitely made her feel tonight as if she were an important member of the team. Yet on the other hand she’d never felt so alone in all her life. And to make matters worse, it appeared someone had decided to make her a target. She suppressed a shiver at that thought. Chloe closed the door, set the new alarm system, and made her way to the third floor bedroom she had commandeered as her own.
She still couldn’t bring herself to sleep in the second floor room she had stayed in when she’d lived here with Mina. She had to keep some of those walls up. New beginnings. New Chloe.
As she snuggled under the down comforter, she allowed her mind to wander across the sea, wondering how Mina and Mathias were…and of course wondering what Talon was doing. She hadn’t connected the landline in the house. No reason to, really. Anyone who needed to reach her kne
w her cell number. Yet no one had called, which spoke volumes.
She was drained. Putting up such a strong front in front of the guys had been exhausting. Truth be told, she was worried and even a little scared. Who would want to target her? And why? Who would even know she was here and who she really was? Reaching to the nightstand for her new phone, she fumbled through her contacts list. Indecision warred within her as her thumb traced over the name displayed. She needed a distraction. She took a deep breath and pressed the call button.
“Yeah?”
Her breath froze in her lungs. She didn’t reply, didn’t make a sound.
“Who the hell is this?” His voice was gruff, aggravated. Still she remained silent.
“Chloe?” he said more softly.
Startled, she disconnected. Punching the pillow and cursing her weakness, she curled on her side and forced herself to forget that part of her life. New beginnings. New Chloe. Yeah, right. Damn this is hard, she thought as she forced herself to try to sleep, praying she wouldn’t have one of her infamous dreams…yet the weak part of her hoping she would.
Chapter Nine
Talon paced the council room, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He was no closer to finding the traitor and Tre’s source wasn’t talking or didn’t know anything more. This was bullshit. He was wasting his time here when he should be in Washington protecting Chloe from the immediate threat of Luca. He stopped and placed his hands on the heavy mantel of the fireplace, the flames blazing in the darkness of the room. He had failed to protect Mina from being taken by Luca. Damn, he remembered the effects of her time with that sick fuck. He couldn’t even imagine Chloe in that state. His fists clenched in fury as he pushed back and resumed his pacing. He shouldn’t be here, damn it. He wouldn’t allow himself to fail again.
Just as he finished his second pass in front of the fire, he heard the snick of the large double doors opening. He stopped and turned toward the sound, arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Talon. I have some news to share,” Roderick said as he entered the room, his personal guards following him and taking up their posts by the doors.
Talon maintained his place, dropped his arms to his sides and let his familiar mask of granite conceal his emotions. He waited silently for his king to continue.
Roderick took steady strides, head high, shoulders back, exuding authority. He stopped directly in front of Talon. “I’ve had word from Killian but I want you to take a seat before I share the information.”
Talon simply nodded and took a seat in one of the leather wing-back chairs directly facing the fireplace and waited.
Roderick let out a heavy breath. “There’s been a breach at Chloe’s location. She wasn’t there at the time and she wasn’t hurt. However, a message was left that we believe could only be from Luca.”
Talon shot from the chair, his fists clenched, his body rigid. “What?” he roared, once again allowing his mask of indifference to slip where Chloe was concerned.
Roderick raised a hand to stay Talon. “It’s contained. However, I thought you should know. It happened over a week ago. Her security has been upgraded. The men are on priority point and doing regular perimeter checks. She’s safe.” Roderick moved to the massive stone fireplace that blazed glowing warmth. Placing a hand on the mantel, he continued. “Now tell me what you’ve learned of the traitor.”
Talon took a steadying breath. Chloe was in danger. He was useless while stuck here at the castle. He approached the king with controlled steps. “This happened over a week ago and we’re only hearing about it now?” His voice rose as fury seared through his veins.
As Roderick relayed the specifics of what had happened, Talon felt himself losing control. His jaw clenched so tightly he was sure his back molars would crack. His skin went taut and his nail heads burned. His vision compressed as he willed forth a strength he hadn’t even been aware he possessed to avoid shifting into the feral beast he knew was struggling to break free.
He forced his breathing to calm, forced his erratic heartbeat back to a steady pulse before once again addressing his king. “Sir, again I request to go to Washington to aid Killian and to ensure Chloe’s protection. They obviously need assistance if the breach was allowed to occur in the first place.”
Roderick dropped his hand from the mantel and slowly turned to face Talon. Their eyes met in silence. Then Roderick, in low, harsh tones, continued, “As I said, Chloe is fine. The security system has been updated and they have perimeter patrols in place. Killian is doing his job as protector. I’ve done you the favor of keeping you apprised of what’s happening in Washington, Talon. I have full faith in Killian’s abilities as well as Chloe’s. Keep your mind on your objective or I guarantee you, such favors will cease. Now tell me what you have learned regarding the threat against my daughter and grandchild, warrior.”
“Tell me at least she knows the danger she’s in,” Talon grated, knowing he was pressing his luck with his king.
Roderick cleared his throat and moved back to face the blazing fire in the hearth. “Chloe is a smart woman, Talon. I have no doubt she has figured out she has become a target. However, at this time Killian believes it’s best if she doesn’t know the threat is from Luca.”
Roderick turned back to Talon, who was now barely containing his searing rage. “I have to trust Killian’s judgment in this, Talon. As you must. Now tell me, have you learned anything new about our traitor?”
Talon left the council room moments later, given that there was nothing to report. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm his nerves. Bottom line, the sooner he found the traitor, the sooner he could get to Chloe and bring her safely home. If she thought her pretty little ass was going to stay away from the protection of the castle and her family after what he had just learned… His thoughts abruptly shifted to the scene she would make when he threw her over his shoulder and forced her to come home, with her no doubt putting up one hell of a fight.
Let her fight, he thought. Let her hate him. As long as she was out of danger, Talon knew he could live with the aftermath. What he couldn’t live with was failing to protect her from Luca. She didn’t belong there, damn it. And one way or another, he was going to bring her pert little ass home.
Heading down to the lower level, Talon found his way to the training room, needing the exertion of a workout to clear his head. After changing clothes in the locker room, he flipped on the surround sound to hear Chloe’s CD in the system. He turned the volume to max. He taped his hands sans gloves and strode to the heavy bag, music blaring.
Damn, he thought as he listened to Chloe’s workout CD. This is good.
Shit. He had to quit thinking about her. He was missing something. He knew it. He just had to get Chloe out of his head for long enough to focus on the task at hand. Like that was going to be a possibility when he thought of nothing else during the day and dreamed of her every night. Erotic, sensual dreams that had him waking up moaning her name and fisting his rock-hard cock like a horny teenager. He shook his head in frustration at the lingering images that refused to leave his mind.
Think, damn it! Not for the first time he wished Tre was still here. If nothing else, to spar with, but also to help him figure this mess out sooner rather than later. He hadn’t heard from Tre since he’d left and that worried him as well.
Two hours later, knuckles bleeding, music blaring, muscles aching, the fog in is head was finally beginning to clear. Talon went over everything that had transpired to date in detail. Who was privy to all of the information leaked? Who had motive to betray them? Circling the hanging bag, landing strike after strike, running the names through his head, Talon suddenly stopped, the answer right in front of him. “Fuck,” he roared, landing a final blow to the heavy bag with an impact that broke it off its chains. He stepped over the bag, now laying on the mat, and stalked out of the training facility, slamming the doors open with a thunderous crash. Someone was going to bleed tonight and he knew just where to start.
/> * * * * *
Talon, Roderick, Mina and Mathias were in the king’s study once again. And once again, Talon paced with clenched fists. He hadn’t bothered to shower or even change after his workout and he didn’t give a damn. This was too important. He stopped and faced his king. “Where are your personal guards, sir?”
Roderick moved from behind his desk, casting a glance at his daughter. “I assumed they were on post outside Mina’s door since they weren’t outside my chambers when I was summarily ordered here, Talon.” The harsh note of Roderick’s tone made it clear he didn’t appreciate the manner in which Talon had summoned him to the study.
Mathias rose from the couch where he sat next to Mina, his brows furrowed. “Your guards weren’t with us, Roderick. When Talon sent word to meet him here we left immediately. Your guards weren’t outside our door, nor did I expect them to be since I was there.”
Mathias moved to the center of the room, his voice deepening as his suspicions grew. “So if they weren’t guarding Mina and they weren’t with you, just where the hell are they?”
All eyes turned to Talon, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest, feet wide apart, jaw set. “My king, I think I’ve identified our traitor.”
The crash of the doors opening drew everyone’s attention. Mathias instinctively moved to stand in front of Mina, Talon in front of the king. Gabriel was winded, his hair tousled as if he’d run his fingers through it repeatedly. He bent at the waist, trying to catch his breath. As he stood upright, he looked around the room, then shifted to attention.
“My king. Simon is gone.”
* * * * *
Daniel and Chloe arrived at Killian’s Seattle office and sat on one side of the large conference room table. Killian entered the room moments later with a beautiful, dark-skinned brunette on his arm. Her full red lips were smiling as her large brown eyes looked up to Killian with appreciation.
Infinite Surrender: 2 (Blood Feud) Page 9