Rayven's Keep

by Wolfe, Kylie

  Nearly mindless with lust, eager to please and be pleasured, he surged to his feet, bringing her with him. One hand under her bottom, the other circling her back, he shifted her enough her legs could wrap around his waist. The few steps to his bunk seemed to take forever.

  He gently placed her on the bed, and followed her down. He stretched his length against her pliant body. Her fingers tugged at his t-shirt, and he lifted enough to allow her to pull it up and over his head. He growled low in his throat as he settled down, most of his weight held on his forearms. He looked at her, getting lost in the darkening color of her eyes and the flush staining her cheeks. Lifting a hand, he brushed it through the curls clinging to her face.

  “If you only knew what you did to me,” he murmured as he lowered his head and took her mouth in a devouring kiss. His blood heated and his pulse pounded in his temple. Desire, molten and raw, loosened his control until it held by a thread. Tired of fighting what he was feeling, he surrendered completely. Nothing else mattered.

  * * * *

  Tru had convinced herself Nick was the biggest fool in the solar system by the time Bretonne’s cloud covered surface came into view. Buckled into her seat beside him, she stared glumly through the viewscreen as they skimmed through the atmosphere and headed toward her home. Their conversation had been stilted since they’d awakened and she wasn’t sure what to do about it.

  “Captain, landing coordinates have been transmitted. A land transport will be waiting for you.” Siren’s voice slid over them in dulcet tones.

  “Take us in, Siren,” Nick responded, while he scanned readouts and secured his portable tablet in preparation. He turned his head to glance at her. “You’re almost home, sweetheart. I know your family is excited to have you back safely.”

  She didn’t bother to answer. Her only outward reaction was she tightened her hands on the chair’s armrests until her knuckles were white.

  Too soon, Dominion settled smoothly on the landing pad. Nick shut down the engines and gave final instructions to Siren. The engines hissed and popped as they cooled, sounding loud in the silence inside the ship. Neither made a move to leave their seats.

  “I don’t like this, Nick,” Tru stated. Her heart in her throat, she felt as if there was a tight band across her chest constricting her breathing. She turned her head to look at him, her eyes huge and shadowed. “I know it is important to see my parents, but I don’t want you to leave me here.”

  “I promise I will be back before you know it.” He reassured her. “This is the right thing to do. You need to be sure what I have to offer will be enough without my presence to sway you one way or the other.”

  “I know my own mind, but if you are set on this, then let’s get it over with.” She unbuckled the shoulder harness, pushed out of her chair then moved swiftly past the crew quarters and slapped her hand against the control panel to open the outer door. The seals released and the door slid open while a ramp lowered to the ground.

  Fresh air flowed over her, teasing the curls around her face and flattening her light clothing against her body. She breathed in the familiar scent of her home world and started down the ramp. Fresh air was wonderful after the time spent onboard ship with its recycled air. She stiffened at the sound of Nick’s heavy footfall behind her, but didn’t look back. She couldn’t. If she did, she would end up in a puddle of tears at his feet begging him to take her with him. Pride and determination kept her from doing that.

  Tru spotted the family land transport right away and headed toward it. Her grandfather liked to make a statement, and the vivid blue and sleek lines of the vehicle would never pass unnoticed. She nodded briskly to the driver standing beside the open door then ducked inside and slid across the leather seat.

  She heard Nick and the driver speak, felt the transport dip slightly when her trunk was stowed and waited while the two men seated themselves.

  They rode in silence through the busy streets, Nick’s shoulder bumping hers on occasion when the transport made a turn. It wasn’t until they left the city behind and found themselves in the quieter area of her home that Nick reached out and took her hand. He held it loosely, brushing his thumb back and forth against her fingers. Giving in, tired of being mad, she leaned her head on his shoulder. She felt him relax and she smiled to herself. He wasn’t unaffected by this, just better at hiding it. It gave her comfort.

  * * * *

  Nick was awed in spite of himself when he got his first glimpse of her home. It was huge, glittering like a jewel in the evening light. Solid iron gates swung open as they approached revealing a wide graveled road bisecting landscaped gardens leading to the heavy doors of the house. He knew Tru came from a wealthy, influential family, but it hadn’t dawned on him how rich and influential until they arrived and he got a good look at the house and gardens.

  The transport doors opened without much sound and he exited. He squared his shoulders, standing tall and strong and held out his hand to help Tru out of the vehicle. She tucked her small hand in the crook of his arm and his free hand came up to cover hers. He matched his steps to hers as he escorted her up the front stairs to the door, which flung open, spilling golden light over them. Feminine squeals greeted them and he took an involuntary step back as several lavishly dressed women descended on them like exotic birds.

  Laughter and tears surrounded him, along with disjointed questions and hugs. Tru got her smile from her mother and she and her sister looked a good deal alike.

  “It is about time you got home,” Maddox Creighton greeted her gruffly. “Give her room to breathe everyone.”

  Just like that, the clamor ceased and Nick was able to draw breath.

  “Nick, my boy, glad to finally meet you in person,” Maddox said. He shook Nick’s hand.

  “Good to see you, sir,” Nick replied, impressed with the firm grip and strong presence of the man in front of him.

  Maddox turned bright blue eyes to Tru and held open his arms. She wasted no time launching herself at him, her face buried against his barrel chest. “There’s my girl,” he crooned. “Safe and sound at last.”

  Nick looked away, uncomfortable with the naked relief and joy on the older man’s face, only to meet the paler blue eyes of a tall, neat man coming swiftly toward them. He was a younger, thinner version of his father, Maddox. His dark hair was going gray at the temples, giving him a distinguished air. His jaw clenched tightly, the muscles bunching with emotions held tightly in check. Without a word, Maddox released Tru and stepped back. Reid cupped his hands around her shoulders, looking her over before he pulled her into his arms and rocked her gently.

  “Don’t ever do this to me again. I don’t think my heart can stand it,” he murmured into her hair, his voice breaking.

  She nodded and clung to her father. Emotions running unbearably high, she reached out a shaking hand to Nick and closed her fingers over his with bruising force. Reid noticed and pulled back slightly, a questioning look on his worry-lined face. He narrowed his eyes and looked Nick over as only a father could. The easy familiarity between his daughter and Nick spoke volumes and it was obvious he didn’t like it. Not one bit.

  “You and I are going to talk,” he informed Nick. “Tru, why don’t you go with your mother and sister and get settled in. I know they’re eager to spend some time with you. We’ll catch up later. Nick, why don’t you follow me into the office.” It wasn’t a request.

  Nick almost groaned out loud. Maddox must have picked up on the unspoken undercurrents surrounding him because he looked from Nick to his son and then grinned. Speculation and unbridled interest were plain to see on his face as he trailed behind them into the office.

  The door closed behind Nick with a forceful thud.

  Chapter 24

  Tru watched her father and grandfather escort Nick into the office and shut the door behind them. She glanced at the closed door and then at her mother, Katri, whose expression remained tranquil, as usual.

  All her life, Tru had tried to emulate
her elegant mother, with little success. Whatever she felt showed on her face and in her actions, whereas Katri dealt with the normal upheavals of the household with a serene smile and gentle voice. When Tru had been younger, she would sometime do or say something outrageous just to see how her mother would react. Katri’s calm words of reproof and mild disappointment would alternately frustrate and make her ashamed of her actions. In the long run, it was just easier to do as her mother asked.

  “Let’s retire to the solar room while the gentlemen talk.” Katri’s voice soothed Tru’s jangled nerves, and she meekly followed behind her mother to her favorite retreat in the huge house.

  Dusk settled over the city, adding a warm red glow to the cream-colored walls. The room was elegant, inviting and imbued with Katri’s personality. Tru could feel herself begin to relax and flopped with boneless abandon onto the nearest soft couch. Her mother took a seat across from her and picked up her latest tatting project. With her long, pale fingers, she worked the threads into what Tru knew would be a beautiful piece of lace when she was done.

  Her sister, Amali, settled on the window seat, her movements languid and graceful like their mother’s. Tru slouched a little lower on the couch and twirled one of her wayward curls around her finger. Her mother looked her way, and she straightened, dropping her hands onto her lap.

  “Your father and grandfather have spoken of Captain Rayven and his business Rayven Security,” Katri said, a slight smile playing about the corners of her full mouth. “He appears to be well respected by clients from what your father tells me. I met his associate, Callen Bluestone, and he spoke highly of him as well.” She looked up from her work and Tru was startled by the speculation she saw in her mother’s pale blue eyes. “It seems he has taken good care of you.”

  “That’s what grandfather paid him to do,” Tru answered, avoiding her mother’s eye.

  “Your Captain Rayven doesn’t strike me as the type to do anything unless he wants to, Tru. It is obvious he cares for you. Even your father, who never notices what is under his nose, picked up on the attraction.”

  Amali leaned forward to get a better look at her sister. “What happened, Tru? Do tell.” Her expression was mischievous as she added, “He’s one fine-looking man, if you ask me.”

  “Well I’m not...asking you, that is,” Tru replied swiftly and crossed her arms under her breasts.

  “It was only an observation. There is no need to be defensive,” Amali responded, doing a remarkable imitation of their mother’s dignified tones.

  “Enough, girls. Do not tease your sister, Amali. She has had a difficult time of it lately. Now, Tru, I would like to hear exactly what happened from the time you disappeared until you returned safely home.”

  There was steel under the velvet of her voice, and Tru stiffened. Her mother wouldn’t be satisfied until she told her everything. It wasn’t easy trying to explain why she’d gone to Lodestone. Her words got tangled up with all the guilt, determination and gut wrenching fear she’d experienced but her mother didn’t interrupt or add to the jumble of emotions Tru tried to untangle as she went.

  Picking at her tunic hem, she kept her head down and explained how she’d met Nick, blaming herself for his reaction to being followed and the relief she felt once they were away from Lodestone. Her story unfolded with many stops and starts.

  Her voice choked up when she talked about Anto Geir, and her mother’s inarticulate exclamation of anguish made her lips tightens to stop the trembling. She didn’t realize she was crying until Amali pressed a soft cloth into her hands to blot the tears.

  A tray of sandwiches and a pot of tayberry were brought in by a quiet housemaid, but remained untouched while Tru talked herself out. Her eyes still shimmering with moisture, she finally ground to a halt, her last words hanging heavy in the air.

  Katri placed her tatting on the table beside her. Tru was surprised to see the work wasn’t up to her mother’s usual standards and would need redone. Katri rose from her seat and settled next to Tru on the couch. She brushed a tear from Tru’s cheek and then slipped her arms around her to cradle her close.

  “I owe your Nick more than I can ever repay for keeping you safe,” Katri murmured against her hair, in a voice choked with emotion. “I can see why you love him so much.”

  “I do love him, more than I thought I would ever love anyone, but he’s determined we stay apart for a while so I can be sure of my feelings. How stupid is that? My feelings won’t change. He’s just being stubborn and autocratic.”

  Tru straightened out of her mother’s arms, sniffed indelicately and scrubbed her hands over the moisture leaking from her eyes.

  “I know you don’t see it right now, my love, but he has given you a wonderful gift. You have only known each other a brief time, a very intense time, I admit, but gratitude can easily be mistaken for love. Use this time apart to really know your heart and mind.”

  “None of this will matter if Father takes it in his head to kill him first,” Tru muttered. “He didn’t look at all pleased when he forced Nick into his study.”

  Amalie giggled, breaking the tension. “Your Nick doesn’t look like he would go down without a fight. I don’t think you have to worry. Father is a reasonable man, you’ll see.”

  Tru snorted and prayed her sister was right.

  “Now then, who would like slightly stale sandwiches and a lukewarm drink?’ Katri said, her smile belying the strain around her eyes.

  * * * *

  Nick reluctantly followed Reid into his office, knowing Maddox was close behind. Something in Reid’s eyes hinted he was on thin ice where it concerned his daughter and Nick couldn’t say he blamed him for his concern. He owed a full accounting, but he didn’t have to like it.

  Reid settled behind his large desk, leaving Maddox and Nick to seat themselves in the chairs facing it. Elbows on the immaculate surface and hands interlaced together, he impaled Nick with his shrewd blue gaze.

  “I want to know if you took advantage of my daughter while she was in your care,” he said.

  “I love your daughter,” Nick replied, doing his best to keep his voice even and respectful.

  “That isn’t what I asked,” Reid shot back, leaning closer.

  “Tru has a mind of her own. I don’t think anyone can take advantage of her unless she wants them to.”

  “Not my girl,” Maddox said with a chuckle, refusing to wipe the grin from his face when Reid glared at him. “Son, you know it’s true.”

  “Are you saying you condone his behavior?” Reid asked through his teeth, nodding at Nick.

  “I would never hurt your daughter and did my damnedest to protect her even when she refused to listen and went out of her way to drive me crazy,” Nick said. “When she wants something she goes after it, or haven’t you noticed? It was damned difficult to prevent her from getting herself killed.” He ran a hand through his short hair and frowned at no one in particular. “Your daughter can get herself in trouble faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. She doesn’t even need to try.”

  Reid sat back and sighed deeply. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’ve described my daughter fairly well. Tell me what happened. All of it.”

  Maddox rose and went to a sideboard to pour drinks. He brought back small crystal glasses filled with the potent liquor his son favored and handed one to Nick and Reid before taking his seat again. Nick swirled the drink for a minute watching the amber liquid and then tossed his drink back in one gulp. The only sign of distress he allowed himself was the slight widening of his eyes when the liquid burned all the way down to land in a fiery ball in his stomach. Reid did the same and then slammed his glass on the desk.

  “I hear this is much better if sipped,” Maddox offered mildly, hiding his grin behind his glass. He ignored their glares and continued to sip his drink.

  Nick pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “I know Callen has filled you in on some of what happened,” he began, and the other two men nodded in agreement. “I went
to Lodestone for a business commission. It should have been a quick in, quick out deal with plenty of credits to show for my efforts. A storm was moving in and I needed to get off-world fast or be stuck for the duration. Tru followed me.”

  The silence was complete by the time he finished. Few questions had interrupted the flow of words. He had to admire their composure given what he’d just told them. Unfortunately, he wasn’t feeling as calm. Tru did that to him with little effort on her part.

  “You killed the bastard. It was better than he deserved.” Reid’s voice was strained, its normal, well-modulated tones absent.

  “I’d do it again, given the chance.”

  “Do you think this is connected to Malvin Sonne’s death?” Maddox said after a moment’s thought. He lifted his glass and took a sip. “We wondered about that at the time.”

  “Callen believes it might be, and I trust Callen’s instincts implicitly.” Nick leaned back in his chair and stretched his long legs out in front of him, ankles crossed. It was a deceptive pose; his insides coiled into a tight knot.

  “I want Rayven Security to find out what the connection is.” Reid pushed out of his chair and crossed the room to the liquor cabinet. He carried the bottle back and refilled their glasses before he eased himself into his seat behind the desk. “I informally hired Callen with the understanding he would run it by you first.”

  “Callen already has my instructions to follow the lead he has. There is no need for you to hire us.” Nick sipped the drink and decided he could get used to the warm burn as it slid down his throat. He planned to ask Reid what the drink was called before he left. “I’m just as eager to see this through as you are. I don’t want anyone else coming after Tru.”