by Milly Taiden
Cyn smoothed Brock’s shirt where she’d grabbed it. “I see it this way, my loving mate. You can either give your full approval for me and Erica to go with you. This way you can protect us, or we go alone after you leave. I do know how to get there. The rules haven’t changed because we’ve mated. I’m still part of the team and if you really want me to pull rank, I will.” Her smiled continued to beam at Brock. “I am technically still your boss.”
His silence was torture to everyone but Cyn, it seemed. He leaned down and planted an even hotter kiss on her. Tony was stunned with Brock’s PDA. Before Cyn and he mated, he not only didn’t allow it, but frowned upon it.
Brock stood back, a strange smile on his face. “You’re fortunate I love you, beautiful.” He headed outside, grumbling, “And you’d kick my ass to the sofa if I said no. We both know what happened the last time you got angry with me. Or did you forget we needed new furniture.” All eyes focused on Cyn and the heat crowding her face.
She bit her lip and cleared her throat, then spoke so softly Tony wouldn’t have heard her if he hadn’t been a shifter. “Make up sex is not supposed to mean destroying the furniture. That was your fault.”
He barked a laugh and all tension was lost.
Everyone hurried to their SUVs and popped open the back. Tony grabbed clothes, a vest, gloves and boots then headed inside to change.
He jogged past Ruveen on his way to the guest bath. “I’m guessing you have a plan.” Ruveen looked up from his watch-like gadget. “We’re going to knock on their front fucking door.”
Ten minutes later, they were locked and loaded and headed for the warehouse. Ruveen talked while Brock drove. The other four were in the back.
“There isn’t much of a plan, but we don’t have time to ponder anymore. Liand was a premier guard who disappeared from our planet not long after we began negotiations with the visiting group from another galaxy.
“Rumor had it an underground movement had begun off planet in opposition to the negotiations. Nyl’s men intercepted incoming communications that heavily hinted at that being the case. We didn’t know which planet until we received the ransom demand for the girl from Earth.
“We discovered your planet awhile back, but had no need to make contact until about seventy years ago. We noted the dramatic advancement in your technology in such a short period of time.
“Mentioned earlier, this advancement is along the same path as ours was hundreds of years ago. Too coincidental. Our ruler made treaties with several rulers of your world, one being the president for this country.”
Tony glared at Ruveen. “Conspiracies? It sounds more like solid truths. Why does Jane think they aren’t real?”
Ruveen sighed in the passenger’s seat. “I hate to admit it, but we’re somewhat like you in limiting what the masses know. And like you, we consider it the best for the people. As mentioned before, I’m part of the ruler’s premier guard. I’m privy to certain information Jane is not.”
“Was Jane a part of an expedition? How is she working with us?”
Ruveen rubbed his forehead and glanced out the window. “Yes and no. As her mate, Tony, I’m sure you’re aware how stubborn she can be.”
“We’re all aware of it,” Brock tossed in with a grin. “She’s driven Ramirez and Buchanan crazy for years. She adds another dynamic to the team.” Both Tony and Trent groaned in the background.
“That sounds like my little sis. She’s always been different, never interested in things females normally do. When young, she’d sneak into the guard barracks and hang out at the training center. I think she wanted to be the first female premier guard.
“That was okay with everyone but Mom and Dad. They wanted her to be the typical mother and mate. They went as far as to arrange her marriage to Nyl with his parents.”
“What?” Tony came over the far backseat of the SUV, claws reaching for his mate’s brother. Trent tackled him the best he could in such a confined space. The vehicle lurched sideways, causing Brock to momentarily lose control.
“Ramirez! Sit the fuck down before you get us all killed,” Brock roared.
Tony panted. “Why didn’t she tell me she was mated to that pathetic excuse for a man?”
Ruveen stared between the front seats toward the back. “Probably because she never intended to join with him. The same day as her mating ceremony, one of the expeditions launched for your Asian continent.” He grinned and chuckled. “She had everything ready and approved through proper channels to be part of the departing group. She never hinted what she planned.
“Needless to say, she upset our parents tremendously, along with several others. Dad worked an agreement with your leaders to find a place to keep her safely hidden until other things could be worked out. That’s how she ended up with the FBI and you.”
From the back came a growl. “Did the bastard touch my mate? Do I need to kill him?”
“Ramirez, chill the fuck out. You’re not touching him. He’s a protected diplomat while here.”
“I’ll show you diplomat…” Tony crossed his arms, thinking of all the ways he and his tiger could kill the other man.
Coming out of a curve, the entrance to the gated warehouse was in sight. Brock slowed to turn. “Okay, crew. Here we go. I hope you know what you’re doing, Ruveen.”
“Of course I do. We’re winging it.”
FIFTEEN
The SUV approached the gatehouse and Brock rolled his window down. “We’re here to see Liand.” The guard pulled a clipboard from the narrow counter and scanned it.
“We don’t have anyone here by that name. Do you—”
Erica pointed to a man walking from the building in the parking area. “That’s him. That’s the man I saw.”
Ruveen rolled his window down and stuck his head out. “Liand! I want to talk to you. Now.”
The man jogged to the chain link gate separating the SUV from the compound. “Good evening, Premier Leader,” Liand smiled full-on, “I’ve been expecting you.”
“Sure you have, asshole. Let us in. I’m taking both females back.”
Liand put his hands on his hips. “Are you now? Do you have the money?” He pulled a phone from his pocket. “Liand here. If I don’t call you in ten minutes, kill both girls.”
Tony tensed. His tiger was not happy. The animal pushed on the skin cage, ready to burst through and peel Liand’s flesh from his body. The gate slid to the side and Brock drove through, parking next a huge blue tarp attached to the side of a white warehouse.
Liand came up the side. “Leave all your guns out here.”
Brock grunted. “Not happening.”
“No,” Ruveen said, “do what he says. We’re not used to weapons on our planet.”
Trent joined in. “On Earth, we are. Brock, you can’t go for this.”
The boss’s jaw clenched as he remained quiet. After a second, he glanced in the rearview mirror at Cyn. She gave a slight nod. Brock turned off the engine. “We don’t need weapons. We each have a reason we’re in FPU. We’re going in. Unarmed. Everyone out.”
Tony burst from the back side door, wrapped a hand around the abductor’s throat and slammed him against the tin wall. “If you’ve hurt her in any way, I’ll slice off your balls with a spoon.”
The man smiled anew. “Quite an ardent one you have here, Ruveen. He can’t be one of yours. You wouldn’t tolerate such recklessness.”
Everyone got out of the SUV. Brock stepped forward. “Tony, let him go. Trust me.”
His tiger wanted to eat this man’s face in one bite. He didn’t move, staring angrily. The man casually looked at his watch. “You’re down to nine minutes, young one.” Inside the building, all six were frisked then followed Liand. The space looked like a huge bomb had gone off. Ground zero with the tarp tied over the side.
They came to an elevator on the far side and piled in. One floor down, they followed Liand through a maze of halls. They slowed at a set of picture windows overlooking an expanse below that res
embled an active military base. Marching groups, Humvees, different pieces of equipment. Liand opened a door on the opposite side of the hall and walked in. The group slowly filtered in.
Cyn glanced around in shock. Liand’s office was surprising. It was like walking into a northern Colorado snow lodge. Warm, dark colors; wood beams across the ceiling; large fireplace with roaring fire; plush, oversized furniture. She was glad Brock had read her mind and followed her advice. They really didn’t need the weapons.
Cyn watched Trent take a deep breath, verifying the scents from the cabin matched those here. He gave a quick nod her way. They matched. The scents were the same from Jane’s room through the open window earlier.
Ruveen raised a brow, but remained stoic. “We’re here, unarmed as you said, Liand. Call off your kill decree. Bring both females here and we’ll be gone.”
“My god, Ruveen. You sound like an Earth television police show. You’ve been on this planet too long.”
“Shut it, Liand. Just bring me my sister and the girl.” Everyone remained standing, filling the space. Brock and Cyn studied the area, learning what they could about the owner. Cyn took in the vibes from the man and realized something different. Their host truly believed he was doing the right thing. A chill ran through her. Her experience had trained her that fanatics were the most dangerous of people. He wouldn’t back down to save his own life.
Liand looked hurt. “Aren’t you interested in what’s going on here?”
“We already know. Make the call.” Their stare was a stalemate. With a smile, Liand pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Liand here. Bring the ladies to my office now.”
The room let out a sigh of relief.
“How can you know what we’re doing?” Liand looked like a child who didn’t get what he wanted for Christmas. Ruveen said nothing, but kept his stare.
Liand smiled. “It matters not. Your little band can’t do anything to stop our progress. We’re almost ready.”
“Then why ransom the girl?” Ruveen stood back and crossed his arms.
“Money rules this planet; you can get anything with money. We need a lot of it.”
Trent snapped his head up. “He’s lying. I smell it.” Everyone looked from Trent to Liand.
Liand’s face scrunched, his lips making a white line. “The child is a means to an end.”
Ruveen frowned. “What does that mean?”
Their host’s eyes darted through the room. “Where is the wild one? We came in with six. There are five of you.”
Tony was missing.
* * *
Tony stood in the back of the elevator, staring at the buttons on the keypad. The second button was pushed and they went down, so the underground bunker Jane described was accurate. He also noted there were four floors. He remembered Jane said they were held on the third.
When the doors opened on the second floor, their host led everyone out, but Tony pushed the three button and moved to the other side of the lift so anyone passing via the side hall wouldn’t see him.
The doors closed and he released a strangling breath. He would risk his life to save his mate, even if she wouldn’t accept him.
Lifting his nose to the air, he followed Jane’s scent through a maze of corridors. This place was massive. Using his animal’s innate abilities, he guesstimated to be about one-quarter mile into the mountain from the warehouse. He couldn’t tell how deep, but neither elevator jaunt seemed long.
Tony’s next whiff filled his lungs with his mate’s awesome smell. She was very close, in fact, coming toward him along with two others—one was male. He snapped to a serious face and stiff posture, posing as one of the paramilitary. Turning the corner, he saw another man dressed like himself, escorting Jane carrying a young girl with a blindfold over her eyes.
To her credit, his mate never flinched, never hinted that she knew him. Tony kept his focus straight ahead when passing. One step behind the escort, Tony spun, grabbed the man’s head and snapped it farther than humanly advisable. The body crumpled and Jane looked back, then leaped into Tony’s open arms.
“Tony!” Her arm squeezed around his shoulders while her other still held Sariana. After a lingering hug, Tony pulled back a bit.
“Who do we have here?” he asked.
“Tony,” she slid the blindfold down to drape around the little girl’s neck, “this is Sariana, my new best friend.”
With his nicest smile, Tony said, “Hello there. I’m Tony, Jane’s mate. I’m here to take you two home.” Jane threw him a look he didn’t understand. Sariana turned shy and hid her smile in Jane’s neck.
“Let’s get going.” Hand in hand, they retraced Tony’s journey of the third floor. Almost to the elevator, the hall dimmed and red lights flashed. Tony bit back his curse due to little ears close by.
They were surrounded within a minute. Liand must have sent every man available to their floor. One man with a phone to his ear quickly reapplied the blindfold hanging around the girl’s neck. “Either of you take this off and I will kill you both.” The guard walked away, talking into his phone. “Yes, sir. The woman. Right away.” The leader gave a head bob and the group headed back to the cell.
Jane started to drag from carrying the extra weight. Tony held his arms out. “Jane, let me take her,” and blindly, Sariana slid into his hold and laid her head on his shoulder. Strange, warm feelings stirred in him.
Turning the corner, the door to the cell stood open, awaiting their arrival. The guards led Tony and the child in first. He stepped in and glanced around, taking in strategic data. He heard shuffling behind him. He turned to see the door close with Jane still on the other side. “Tony!”
SIXTEEN
Liand slammed the phone’s handset into the cradle. “Damn you, Ruveen!” The traitor pulled a small caliber gun from his top desk drawer. “What keeps me from killing you right now?”
Ruveen played cool. “The battalion on its way, due any time now. Ordered to find and kill you if I’m not around.”
Trent smelled the lie, but believed the act. But did Liand? Silence bounced between them, a quiet game of chicken. Liand smiled, “So predictable,” and waved the gun. “Everyone, have a seat. Please be comfortable.”
Eyes discreetly turned to Brock. He stepped around the sofa, and all followed suit.
A phone rang and Liand pulled his from his pocket. “Good. Bring me the woman. Everyone else goes into the holding room. Make sure the kid’s blindfold stays on. Oh, and send up an armed crew in twenty minutes.” He pocketed the phone and sat, relaxing in an oversized, cushy chair.
“So, Ruveen, I don’t recognize anyone in this group. Surely you wouldn’t bring in new guards on such an important mission.”
“Of course not, Major.” Liand frowned at Ruveen’s use of his old title.
“Here, I’m General.”
“Ah,” Ruveen gave a smug smile, “I see.”
The door opened and Jane entered, followed by a guard. Her eyes became glassy and she ran for her brother. Head buried against him, tears flowing, her mumbling was unintelligible. Liand grabbed her arm and pulled her away from her brother. When they separated, a look passed between brother and sister. No tears dripped. Why the act?
“I’m glad I could be part of this family reunion. Now, sit here next to me, Princess.” Liand pulled her into the oversized chair and put his arm around her, gun in the other hand resting on the side of the chair. “Tell me, Ruveen, when does this battalion of three hundred men arrive?”
Ruveen glanced around the room as if bored. “Soon. That’s about all I can say. They will crush this compound.”
“I doubt the ruler will allow the princess and her brother, heir to the throne, to die for little old me.” The FPU group rustled. Liand raised a brow. “Who are you people that you don’t know that?”
“That’s none of your business, Liand. They’re here to retrieve the princess and the girl.”
“I’m sorry to say I will be needing the princess�
��s abilities before she goes anywhere.”
Jane scoffed. “Like I’m going to help you.”
Liand’s hand rubbed her arm. “You will or the heir will meet an early death with several bullets in his brain.” Jane stiffened. He gave her a squeeze and laughed. “No worries, Princess. Once the battalion lands, we’ll get things rolling.”
Ruveen frowned. “What do you have planned, Liand?”
“That’s none of your business, Premier Leader.”
Trent watched Ruveen carefully. He waited to see what was coming.
Jane’s brother shook his head. “You never were the brains, were you, Liand?”
“Fladoq said the same thing and he’s dead.”
“Yes, I know exactly what happened. I would’ve much preferred to keep Fladoq. He was so much better than many.” Liand didn’t take the bait to get him to talk about his plans.
Liand’s eyes narrowed. “How can you possibly know what happened? You weren’t there.”
“That’s your first of many mistakes, Liand. Don’t assume you know everything about the royal family’s powers. It’ll get you in trouble.”
The traitor’s face reddened and his grip tightened around the weapon in his hand. “Well, you’re not all-knowing, otherwise you wouldn’t have been stupid enough to give away the princess’s whereabouts.”
Jane jerked in the chair. “What are you talking about?”
“It was very smart of you to come with the Asian group then come to America. We’ve been searching the wrong continent for years. Imagine my surprise when Fladoq lead me to a place a couple of miles from the compound.”
“Wait a minute.” Jane sat forward in her chair with Liand. “None of this is about a ransom, is it? You kidnapped the girl and brought her to Earth because you knew my father would send someone to find her, and that person would more than likely contact me.”