by Nina Croft
“It doesn’t matter. It just shows how powerful the man is. I don’t want to leave you here.”
Something occurred to her. “Even if we get Jacob back, how will we ever be allowed to live in peace? What will stop him from coming for us again and again?” How could she go up against someone who could control the law enforcement agencies? Who else could he control?
“Don’t worry,” Finn said. “My people are working on strategies that will get the senator off your back for good.”
Again, she wanted to ask why, but she bit her lip and swallowed the word. She didn’t want him to change his mind.
“Also,” he said, “until we knew what we were dealing with, it wasn’t safe for you.”
“And is it now?” Papi asked. “My granddaughter nearly died yesterday. I know that wasn’t their intention, but she would still have been dead if you hadn’t been there to save her.”
“I’ll not leave her,” he said. “And I’ll protect her with my life.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cell phone. “I know you don’t approve of these, but I thought you might want to know what’s happening.”
Papi peered at the phone, and for a moment she thought he would refuse. Then he reached out and took it. “Thank you.” He looked at Rachel. “Are you sure, child?”
She nodded. “I want to go. I need to go. I’ll go crazy if I have to wait here, not knowing what’s happening.”
A look of concern crossed his face, his eyes worried. “These people are not our people, Rachel. They are different, and do not follow our ways.”
“I know. But he’s a good man.”
“You know this?”
Actually, she didn’t. She had tried to read him, but the sensations were ambiguous, neither good nor bad. Maybe a mixture of both. Or maybe Finn himself didn’t know, and that muddled the feelings he gave out. But she needed to put Papi’s mind at rest. “He’s a good man.”
“Then go with my blessing and bring Jacob back to us.”
“I will.” She turned back to Finn. “When do we leave?”
“Now.”
She had a moment of fear. This was all she had known for so long. Now she was planning on leaving her home with a stranger who could turn into a wolf and who, for some reason, had been watching over her.
But the fear was quickly swamped by a growing excitement. She loved her home, but inside her there had always been a small seed of rebellion. She had never truly believed that the rules of Haven were right or justified; she’d just never in the past felt a strong-enough urge to break them. As long as they had allowed her the freedom of the forest and mountains, she had found everything else easy to accept. She didn’t care what she wore or whether she looked directly at a man. Well, she hadn’t. Now she peeped at Finn and found him watching her.
“Do I need to take anything?” she asked.
His gaze wandered over her. “Do you have any other clothes?”
She glanced down at her long dark skirt, white apron, brown shirt. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”
“Er…nothing. They’re just not very suitable for traveling.”
“I only have more of the same.”
“We’ll get you something that blends in a little better when we get to the city. If there’s anything you want to bring, get it and we’ll leave.”
“Give me a moment.”
She hurried up the stairs to the room she shared with Jacob and found a canvas bag. She put in a change of underwear, a toothbrush, and a clean cap, then crossed to Jacob’s bed. His favorite toy, a stuffed wolf, was perched on his pillow, and she raised it to her face, breathed in the lingering scent of her son. After tucking it in the bag, she hurried down the stairs and out onto the porch. She hugged the bag to her chest. “I’m ready.”
Papi’s expression was grave as he held out a hand to her. “Go with God, child.”
She took his hand and squeezed. “I’ll be back soon. With Jacob. Look after yourself, Papi.”
Finn turned and headed toward where the helicopter stood, the blades rotating slowly. She followed him. She was walking away from everything she had ever known with nothing but the clothes she wore.
At the last moment something made her turn and run back. She was filled by a fear that everything was changing, and she might never see her beloved home again. Might never see Papi again. She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight, then ran back after Finn. He’d turned and was waiting for her.
As they approached the helicopter, it occurred to her that she was actually going to fly in that thing. She couldn’t even remember riding in a motor car, though she presumed she must have before her mother brought her back here.
Her stomach churned, not with fear but excitement.
The thing wasn’t large, maybe ten feet long. It would be like being in a bubble high above the earth.
As they came in range of the blades, she ducked her head instinctively, though in fact they were way above the top of her head. She halted by the open door in the side, then jumped as Finn took her elbow, her heart racing. She was a widow. Had been a married woman. Why did his touch make her so jittery? Make her skin prickle with an awareness she hadn’t expected? He helped her into the seat and came around and climbed in beside her. As he leaned across her, she went still, her gaze flying to his face, and she caught a frown.
“Sorry,” she said. “But in my world, we don’t touch a man we are not tied to by marriage. It is against our laws.”
“Well, you’re in my world now. I just need to fasten the harness. I wouldn’t want you falling out.”
The blades of the helicopter were speeding up, the noise rising, so speech became impossible. She held her breath as he pulled the straps from either side of her shoulders, crossed them over her front and clicked them together. His fingers brushed against her breasts, and something fluttered deep inside, her skin suddenly sensitive. He pulled the straps tighter until she was snug and secure, and she was aware of her body as she had never been before. It was just that everything was so different. That was all.
He gave her a strange look she couldn’t quite read, and then sat back in his own seat and fastened his harness.
Almost immediately, they rose into the air and her whole body tensed. She stared out of the window, saw Papi still standing on the porch, his hand shading his face. She and Jacob were his only family. He must be worried.
She raised her hand, though she knew he wouldn’t be able to see it.
Then the helicopter banked, almost over on its side, and she let out a small scream and grabbed the arms of her seat.
Was that normal?
But Finn still seemed calm. Staring straight ahead, deep in thought. And she forced herself to relax.
They rose higher and flew through the night. Leaving her home and safety far behind.
Chapter 9
As the helicopter leveled, Finn rested his head back against the seat and stared out into the night. It would take them an hour to reach DC.
He didn’t dare allow himself to hope. He’d lived with the knowledge that she was lost to him so many years. It was an intrinsic part of him now. He’d learned to exist with that knowledge, to push it to the back of his mind. Even find a purpose in life. But it was always there. Now, with the meeting, the sense of futility had risen, threatening to consume him.
She felt some connection. He was sure. But it wasn’t enough. And he wanted her so much it was an ache inside him. Having her so close and not being able to touch her was a slow kind of torture.
But it was clear she wouldn’t welcome his touch. In fact, when he’d rested his hand on her arm, she’d almost jumped out of her skin. And when he’d helped fasten her harness, he’d thought she would try and crawl through the back of the seat. At the same time, there had been an awareness in her eyes. And he knew she saw him as a man and wasn’t happy about it.
A big part of that was her upbringing.
He’d read up about Haven, though there was little information avail
able on the place. They were an offshoot of a strict religious group that had wanted to move farther away from civilization in order to maintain their way of life. The settlement was run by a council of elders, all men, but the Pastor, Rachel’s grandfather, was in ultimate control. That was maybe why she’d had more freedom than most. The old man clearly loved her and maybe he recognized her wild spirit, knew that without some freedom, she would never accept the restraints of their way of life. The place wasn’t a prison. No one was made to stay. But sexual relations between unmarried couples was forbidden. She was bound to back away from a strange man. But he sensed there was more to her reactions than that.
He was aware, from Torr and Cade’s experiences, that their women had been profoundly affected by their pasts. They were haunted by lives—and deaths—they couldn’t remember. The loss of loved ones had left an indelible stain on their souls, but no memories. When Torr had found Bella, she’d been totally closed off from the world, unwilling to allow herself to get close enough to anyone to love. Torr had nearly lost her. And Bella had loved Torr beyond life itself in their earlier existence.
What hope did he have with Rachel?
He cast her a sideways look—he was trying his best to give her a little space so she would settle and relax. She didn’t look relaxed; her hands were gripped tightly on her lap, her lower lip clenched between her teeth as she stared straight ahead. After the sheltered life she’d led, this was probably a new-experience overload. Plus, she was sitting next to a stranger. Who she’d seen as a wolf. It was a wonder she wasn’t running away and screaming.
She’d always been perceptive to good and evil. What did she sense in him? She’d come with him, so it couldn’t be all bad.
Exhaustion washed over him in waves. He hadn’t slept since before the extraction in South America. But when he closed his eyes, he was taken back to that long-ago time. The heat of the desert. The hot, dry air. The utter despair.
How had she died? He hadn’t known. He’d seen her dragged away and heard her screaming. She’d screamed his name just once. As though she’d known even then that he was powerless to save her. Those old feelings rose up, threatening to drag him under. The total helplessness. Red-hot rage that had blanked out the pain as they ripped the wings from his back. He’d fought them, even when it was over. He remembered the sensation of falling as they’d hurled him into the Abyss. He’d thought he would fall forever.
He jolted awake as the engine noise changed. They were approaching, the city spread out below them. He’d actually fallen asleep. Though maybe it would have been better if he hadn’t. The emotions felt raw, and he didn’t want to scare her. He pushed the feelings down, wrapped himself in a cloak of control. She’d been staring out of the window, but she turned as though sensing he was awake. The engines were too loud for conversation, and he pointed out of the window to the Stormlord Securities building, with its heliport directly below them. They were sinking now, then Killian settled them gently on the roof and switched off the engines.
Finn waited until the blades slowed. Beside him, Rachel sat still as stone in her seat as though she didn’t want to move. She hadn’t wanted to get in, and now she looked equally reluctant to get out. It must all be so strange for her. He touched her arm gently, and she jumped. He gestured to the harness and she nodded, but her fingers fumbled with the buckles, and he brushed them away. He could almost feel her cowering against the seat as though he might violate her in some way.
The engines were silent now, just the gentle whir of the blades as they slowed. Killian had already unstrapped himself from the pilot’s seat and climbed out. He was waiting for them off to the left and still she didn’t move. “Rachel?”
She slowly raised her head and looked at him.
“I know this is all new,” he said. “But believe me—I will never knowingly do anything to harm you.”
She nodded her head. “I do believe you.” She searched his face. “You’ve been looking out for me all my life. I just have no clue why. And something else.” She shook her head. “It’s as if… I know you.” She gave a small shrug. “And then I remember that I don’t know you at all. I have no idea why you’re helping me. And as you said, this is all beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. And I’m worried for Jacob. He’s so brave, but he’s also never been away from home, and he’ll be scared, and I hate that. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is…if I seem a little jumpy, it’s because I’m terrified and doing my best not to show it.”
“You’re doing great. Just let me help you.”
She nodded slowly, and he reached out and unfastened the harness, careful not to touch her more than necessary. When she was free, he opened the door and jumped out, came around and opened her door, held out his hand to her.
She looked at it for a moment, before sliding her palm into his.
***
As his fingers closed around hers, a shiver ran along her arm, down through her body, settling low in her belly. Her breasts ached, and her skin flushed. She’d never experienced anything like it in her life, and she sat frozen in place. Hoping that she wasn’t giving anything away. That he wasn’t aware the mere touch of his hand aroused illicit feelings inside her. Feelings she’d never experienced in all the years of marriage to Joseph, but which somehow resonated inside her. As though her body remembered, even if her mind had forgotten.
She didn’t want to move. Was scared of what awaited her outside this tiny bubble. Was scared of her feelings for this stranger. But she had to be brave, and when he gave a little tug, she forced herself to move. She clambered down from of the helicopter. Finn held her hand for a moment longer, and then released his hold. They were on the roof of a tall building, surrounded by other buildings, more than she could have ever imagined. As far as she could see.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“Downtown DC.”
She opened her mouth to ask more as the man who’d been flying the helicopter approached them, and she turned to face him. He was dark where Finn was fair. But he was as tall and broad, and there was a similarity between the two of them that went beyond mere looks. He was studying her curiously, almost avidly. Like Finn, she got no sense of good or bad from him. As though they were beyond such classifications.
“This is Killian, my…business partner,” Finn said.
The man held out his hand. She looked at it for a moment and then shook it, half expecting some sort of reaction. But there was nothing, and she dropped her hand to her side.
“Welcome,” he said, before turning to Finn. “I just heard from Torr. He says they have the surveillance set up and functioning, and they have eyes on the boy if Rachel would like to see.”
She had no clue what that meant, and she turned wide-eyed to Finn.
“You want to see Jacob? Not in the flesh, but you’ll know he’s okay.”
“Really?” She felt a smile breaking out. The first in a long time. “How?”
“I’ll show you. Come along.”
He went to put a hand at her back to usher her along but dropped it to his side before he touched her. She was grateful, but she also wanted his touch. Did that make her a bad person? Or just a frightened one? Would God strike her down for such thoughts?
Despite growing up in Haven, she’d never paid much heed to God. She did what she had to, followed the rules because she didn’t care enough to flout them. She’d never wanted a man’s touch…before today. She had no urge for the trappings of modern society. Her mother had spoken to her about her time away. Sometimes with wonder and longing. But Rachel never felt the urge to run away as her mother had done. She’d felt safe at Haven. As though she knew intrinsically that the world outside was not a kind place. And Papi had somehow instinctively known she needed a level of freedom and allowed her to wander the forest and mountains. Joseph had been the same. He’d said he loved her wildness. She was part of nature, and that could not be evil.
But God…she paid lip service only. She would never tell her beloved Pap
i, but she didn’t like God. Some part of her resented him. Thought of him as an enemy. She never felt at peace in Church. Had always felt the need to get away. God didn’t love her. Whatever Papi said.
She followed Finn and Killian to a door that opened into a small space. She stopped abruptly. Finn and Killian were both inside, looking at her, eyebrows raised. And she forced her feet forward. The door slid closed and she was in a small metal box with two huge men. She took a deep breath, her nostrils filling with a scent of the forest, Finn’s scent, calming her nerves.
She caught Killian’s gaze, and he grinned. “First time in an elevator?”
Her eyes widened as the box sank. She took another deep breath. She’d better get used to new experiences or she’d be a nervous wreck. “Yes,” she said. Though she’d been four when her mother left this world, so perhaps it was conceivable that she’d been in an elevator before. “At least I don’t remember.”
The doors opened at that moment, and she breathed a sigh of relief. They led the way down a corridor, halting in front of a door. Finn placed his hand against a panel to the side, and the door slid open as if by magic. He gestured for her to enter, and she found herself in a large, windowless room. White walls and ceiling, black tiled floor, and one wall held a bank of screens. Two men were watching something on the central screen but turned as they entered. Her footsteps faltered.
Only the promise of seeing Jacob kept her moving closer. She halted a foot from them but felt comforted as Finn came up beside her. He wouldn’t let anything bad happen. She didn’t know how she knew, but she did.
“This is Torrin Stormlord,” Finn said, gesturing to the first man.
She looked up into his face, and her breath caught in her throat. He was quite the most frightening thing she had ever seen, and yet for some reason, she wasn’t frightened. Maybe just sensory overload, too many new experiences and her brain couldn’t process enough to be scared. Dressed in black, he was tall, maybe an inch taller than Finn, his skin pale, his eyes a strange almost-yellow and heavy-lidded, his nose big, and his cheekbones sharp with hollows beneath. A vicious scar ran down the side of one cheek from his thick, dark brow to the corner of his lip.