A Time of Reckoning

by AJ Nuest

  A belt buckle snapped, and the guy standing next to her lost his jeans to around his ankles. He mumbled a curse, slapping his hands over the crotch of his tightie-whities.

  “What the hell did you do to my club?” Todd groaned and pushed to sitting, rubbing a hand around his neck. He shot a scowl back and forth before aiming a finger at Rhys. “You’re paying for the damages.”

  What the…? Rhys swiveled toward the bar and followed the line of destruction. A charred black channel ran diagonally across the room, starting where he’d been standing and leading all the way to where Todd had punched Faedrah, up the wall and past Violet’s station to the ceiling. “Well, I’ll be damned. Looks like I’m back in action.”

  That was…at least as far as his muse was concerned, since everything a foot or so outside the path appeared intact. Then again, that seemed right on the money. His powers had always been connected to Faedrah, and when it came to her and keeping her safe, apparently the roadblock between fantasy and reality remained more of a two-way street.

  “Well, bucky for you.” Violet lifted a keyboard off the table, sighed and tossed it aside with a rattling clack. Leaning down, she righted a chair with a grunt and stepped onto the seat. “It’s forty minutes to zero hour and I’m down, people.” She crossed her arms, tapping the toe of her army boot as she squinted at Rhys. “Time to empty the saddlebags, fellas. I need every cell phone, iPad and laptop we got.”

  Chapter 6

  The piston-popping rumble of fifty-plus hogs practically dislodged the stars, bouncing off the palatial homes and drowning out everything except the tight heat of Faedrah’s thighs clamped around his hips.

  She’d been right, though. Rhys gunned the engine and smirked as the blat-blat of his Indian peeled back the summer night like a hot knife slicing through butter. Showing up at Leo’s with Todd’s crew heavy at their backs was a good thing. In fact, it fucking rocked.

  In the past, going anywhere near his childhood home had always been a bitch, and doing so with his muse trussed up like a Thanksgiving turkey on the back of his bike was the epitome of every bullshit disappointment he’d faced inside those four walls. Seemed only fair he snub his nose at Leo’s bogus respectability by announcing their arrival in the most obnoxious way possible.

  And if the neighbors called the cops, who gave a shit? An ear-splitting growl inched up on his left, and Rhys glanced over as Todd’s chopper closed in, the big guy’s eyes hidden behind a set of aviator shades, gray beard trailing over his right shoulder. If they got lucky, whoever phoned in the disturbance would hopefully complain enough, a squad would be dispatched to Leo’s to investigate.

  Rhys bounced his brows and pulled in the clutch, revving the engine until it red-lined and a chest vibrating bang shot from his tailpipe. Because he and his muse weren’t sneaking in tonight. Hell, no. This time, they were coming at Leo balls to the wall with a wild side of heavy, fine-tuned carburetor.

  The edge of Todd’s moustache twitched and he leapt forward, peeling around Rhys in a wide right-hand turn, one hand near the ground and waving half the crew to follow.

  Rhys shifted into a lower gear and wrapped his fingers around the back of Faedrah’s knee as they coasted to a stop at the corner.

  It’d only been two blocks since they’d pulled over, and already he missed the soft cushion of her breasts against his back, the warm band of her arms around his chest, but she’d insisted on being tied up before they got too close.

  Snapping those handcuffs around her wrists had been so fucked up, he’d bungled it the first time. Even though he knew full well the key was hidden inside her sleeve just in case things went sour, he’d still left them too loose. Same with sticking that wadded rag in her mouth and securing it with a bandana.

  Bracing his foot on the ground, he checked the quiet street for oncoming traffic. Not that there was any. It was nearly midnight and, this late, everyone in Leo’s affluent north shore neighborhood was most likely tucked in bed for the night.

  Faedrah wriggled close, turning her cheek to his shoulder. Her legs squeezed him on either side, and an unexpected chuckle worked the muscles of his stomach.

  God, she’d been pissed. The second that bandana had slipped past her chin and dropped to her neck, she’d arched a brow at him meant to shrivel his balls. Too bad her irritation accomplished nothing but making him hard. He’d just crossed his arms and cocked a brow right back at her, only breaking their stare-down after she’d threatened to call Todd over to handle the job.

  Yeah, Rhys wasn’t about to let that happen. If anyone was tying her up, that person would be him and only him.

  Todd’s right-hand man rolled to a stop beside them, dipped his chin and revved his bike. A few leaves fluttered down from the trees lining either side of the boulevard. A Schnauzer barked inside the lighted interior of a glass patio, front legs braced on the back of a padded chair, but he might as well have been singing Pavarotti. Rhys couldn’t hear a damn thing.

  Half a block ahead, the McEleod estate sat back from the street on the right, two high globed streetlights illuminating the front hedge and either side of the drive. The plan was to wait until Todd had circled back around, parking his men along the street until the entire block was covered. This was as much a tactic at intimidation as an added guarantee the back stayed clear. If this high noon standoff went down the way they’d planned, Rhys and Faedrah would need a clean exit.

  If not, well then, none of it would matter…except for Faedrah. Rhys ran his hand back and forth along her thigh. She’d still be alive and under Leo’s thumb, which was where the rest of the Crucibles came in.

  Todd had given his word the second Rhys and Faedrah made it inside…if they made it inside…his crew would take out Leo’s security. Afterward, if the whole works had blown up in Rhys’ face, Todd had also promised to do whatever was necessary to get Faedrah back to the mirror and home, where she’d be safe, even if that meant losing some of his men in the process.

  A single headlight rounded the corner a block down. The tinny flavor of adrenaline flooded his mouth, and Rhys’ stomach took a swan dive for his boots. He inhaled, cheeks expanding as he pushed all the air from his lungs.

  God, this was gonna suck. He should’ve listened to his gut and just told Faedrah to stay behind. A visual of that conversation set up shop in his head, and he rolled his eyes. And do what to stop her? Be exactly like Leo and lock her up so she couldn’t escape? Besides, if he stood one chance in hell at knocking Leo’s lights out, Rhys needed her there. And if they were doing this, if they were seriously facing the end of forever, there was no one he wanted with him more than his muse.

  A pop of the clutch, and a breeze ruffled his hair as he started them down the street. It was the fucked up circumstances that had his balls twisted in a knot. Shit, just the thought of Leo being anywhere near her pissed him off…not that this did him a damn bit of good.

  Rhys ground his molars, his nostrils flared. He’d hoped that would be enough. That the idea of Leo touching her would set off some sort of chain reaction. But in those forty minutes before tip-off, while he sat staring at a belt buckle on the bar, no matter how hard he kept that visual in his head, his efforts amounted to zilch.

  Christ, it was most frustrating hand he’d ever been dealt, even though he understood the problem the second the dust had settled inside the club. Faedrah wasn’t in any real danger. Shit, at that precise moment, she’d been trading hugs with Oliver and Jon. Rhys’ heart knew it, his head knew it and, apparently, so did his magic, because the short gap to using his powers had stretched back to the San Francisco Bay Bridge.

  He met Todd in the center of the block and they slid to the curb, parking their bikes wheel to wheel. Most of the gang followed suit while a few drove on ahead to fill in the rest of the block. Which meant, to come out on top, Rhys had no choice but to place her in harm’s way. He had to put Faedrah directly in the Leo’s path, and gamble with everything that had ever meant anything in his life.

&nbs
p; He closed his eyes and sighed. Loving her the way he did, Christ only knew if he could do it.

  A door on the side of the house swung open, spilling a block of yellow light onto the sidewalk leading toward the garage. Two suits exited, dressed identically in black, wearing the same set of dark sunglasses. They stopped about halfway down the lawn and folded their hands.

  Jesus Christ. Amusement tightened Rhys’ stomach as he killed the engine. Evidently, they’d just entered the Matrix.

  “I’m up as of ten minutes ago.” Violet spoke in his ear and he jerked his focus to Todd. “Everyone’s in position. I’ll stay with you as long as I can.” She paused. “Good luck, Rhys.”

  Todd nodded and shut down his bike. Sending up a Hail Mary, Rhys swung off his seat to the ground.

  “I love you,” he whispered, squeezing Faedrah’s thigh.

  She winked, and the urge to jerk that damn bandana off her lips and dive in for a taste, to kiss her and beg for forgiveness before they even got started, nearly made him call the whole shit mess quits right there.

  He gritted his teeth and pivoted toward the house. The last engine cut out down the street, and the immediate silence was almost as loud as the deafening roar that had escorted them in.

  Leo’s front man cocked a brow. “May I help you?”

  Rhys huffed. “Cut the crap. Leo knows why I’m here.” He reached behind him and grabbed Faedrah’s arm, yanking her off the seat. She whimpered, and something inside his chest cracked as she tripped over her feet and stumbled forward, falling to her knees on the grass.

  Son of a bitch, she was one hell of an actress. For a split second, even he believed he’d shoved her. “Now be a good little watchdog and tell Leo I brought him a gift.”

  The front door creaked open, and Rhys swiveled his head left. Leo stepped onto the stoop, a maroon velvet smoking jacket resting on his shoulders, the soft light from the streetlamps catching on the satin lapels. Black slacks hung in starched creases down to his shiny black shoes. Ruddy color tinted his cheeks, his eyes were clear and exacting, and fresh crop of brown peach fuzz sprouted from his head.

  Well, looky here. Perfect. Seemed as if Leo hadn’t just been using the life he sucked out of Faedrah’s kingdom for a little boost. More like he’d siphoned off enough gas to level the tank back to around the age of fifty.

  No wonder the area surrounding the castle looked like shit. That much energy had to be addictive. Rhys was counting on it.

  He smiled. “Hi, dad. You look…better.”

  Leo’s focus flicked to Todd, back over to Rhys and down to Faedrah. One side of his lips curled in a calculating smirk. “Rhys, I’m offended. There’s no need for all this.” He waved a hand toward the street. “You didn’t think I’d welcome you and the lovely Faedrah back into my home with open arms?”

  Ha! Nice. “Consider my friends as insurance.” Rhys tipped his head toward the bikers, paused and jerked his chin toward Leo’s goons. “You know how it is.”

  “Ah, yes. A necessary evil for a man of my means.” Leo’s attention returned to Faedrah and one of his eyebrows rose. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage. Did I hear you say you’d brought me a gift?”

  Fuck, yeah. Check number one off the list. Confused is exactly the way they wanted Leo. Now, if Rhys could just stay in the driver’s seat for number two. He shrugged. “A gift in trade is probably more accurate. I’m interested in making a deal.”

  Leo hesitated. The night stretched, and furry little creatures everywhere scurried for cover as his head fell back and he let loose a hair-raising cackle. “Oh, Rhys, you slay me. Truly, you do.” His Adam’s apple slid up and down with his chuckle, the muscles working on either side of his scrawny throat. “I believe you’ve come here under false pretenses, as if you withhold something I cannot just reach out and take. Though, I must say, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching your struggles, enough they’ve caused me quite the delay.” He peeked at Rhys from the corner of his eye and a dangerous pressure built low in Rhys’ gut. “I take it your sojourn to Faedrah’s homeland didn’t merit the outcome you’d anticipated?”

  Asshole. They’d just see about that, wouldn’t they? “You sure there’s nothing I got that you need?” He strode forward and wrapped Faedrah’s braid around his fingers. Taking his cue, she screeched, tipping back, leaning into his palm as he tugged on her hair.

  “And this?” He fisted the gold chain and yanked until the tension was tight around her neck. “It’s cool with you if I just snap this beauty off right here?”

  The lead Matrix wannabe stepped forward, reaching for his breast pocket, and Leo whipped up his hand. “Don’t.”

  That’s right, fucker. Rhys smirked. Life was pretty shitty when someone had ya by the balls. “I got everything you need right here, dad.”

  He pulled the chain harder and Faedrah gasped, the muscles in her throat straining, body stretched on her knees. All he had to do was pop his thumb and Leo’s connection to her world would go up in smoke. After relying on the added pep for so long, it was anyone’s guess where that would leave him. Not Leo’s happy place, based on his knee jerk reaction. “But I’d be willing to give it up for the right offer.”

  Faedrah shook her head, weeping. A moan rolled up her throat and she fought to speak around the gag. “Nuh. Nuu-uh!”

  Oh shit, was she really gonna make him go there? “Shut up!” He shouted inches from her face, and then clenched his jaw against a smile as Leo squinted. Hands down, the woman was a damn genius.

  “You would forsake your beloved Faedrah?” Leo withdrew a step, a cunning gleam in his eye. “In exchange for what?”

  “Life.” Rhys lowered his chin, staring straight at Leo from under his brows. “Power.” He let the word hang in the air. “I was a god in Faedrah’s world. I had everything and I liked it. You don’t need me. As long as you have Faedrah and the key, you could live another hundred years in this reality.” He flexed his arm and she pushed to her feet, shaking, her chest heaving like she was out of breath. “She refuses to take me back through, so you deal with her. She’s your problem now. Let her have the next son. Give me what I need, and I’ll stay the hell out of your way.”

  Leo pursed his lips, the first hint of suspicion narrowing his gaze, and Rhys snatched his chance to dangle the bait a little deeper.

  “That surprises you?” He laughed, cinching Faedrah tighter. She squeaked and danced around on her toes. “You never got to know any of them, did you? Never took time out of your busy schedule to spend two minutes with your sons.” He gritted his teeth. “Well maybe you should have. After all, we are related. I’m not sure why it’s so fucking hard to believe we would want the same things.”

  One of Leo’s eyebrows rose, and the delight shining in his eyes shot sour bile up the back of Rhys’ throat. “Perhaps I’ve underestimated you. A negotiation, then.” He refocused on Faedrah and grinned.

  Magic prickled in the tips of Rhys’ fingers, and he stomped on it like an ant. Christ, if Leo caught wind of his powers before they were ready, they were screwed.

  “Yes, I like that.” He glanced around the yard. “But not here.” Turning for the house, he opened a flat hand toward the doorway. “Please, do come in.”

  Bingo! Whether or not Leo had bought into the lie didn’t matter. He wasn’t ready to play Let’s Make A Deal any more than Rhys, and was an idiot to think Rhys would believe one fucking word out of his mouth. But he’d invited them in, with enough brains intact to play out their next move. That’s all they’d been after.

  Rhys kept a tight hold on the chain and pressed his arm into Faedrah’s back, but she planted her feet, fighting him like hell.

  He shoved and she edged forward, wriggling and squirming until they’d reached the stoop. Hauling her inside, he met Leo’s fake smile. “Let’s stash her someplace safe. If memory serves, you’ve made some improvements to the basement.”

  Leo pushed the handle closed and shrugged as if whatever Rhys wanted was all the same to him. “
Very well.”

  He walked them past the staircase to the door opposite his study, waved a palm over the lock and twisted the knob, standing aside as Rhys wrestled Faedrah down the stairs.

  Electricity lifted the hair at Rhys’ nape as Leo stepped off the bottom riser and slithered past them, leading the way down a dank hallway that ended at another locked door.

  Water dripped off to the left in a steady splash. Glee twinkled in Leo’s eyes as he glanced over his shoulder. “I think you’ll find the accommodations to your liking.”

  His gaze dropped to Faedrah, and he winked, swinging the door wide.

  Rhys thrust her into the room. One step over the threshold, and she stomped on his foot. He cursed a blue streak, hopping sideways. A quick spin, and she rammed her shoulder into his ribcage.

  He roared, pin-wheeling his arms, and stumbled back. A maniacal laugh built, echoing off the concrete walls. Rhys fisted his hand and swung, hoping the misdirection had worked and he’d connect with Leo in time.

  His arm froze mid-punch. Faedrah’s shoulders wrenched upright and she sucked air through her nose, her body stiff as a board. A current tingled over Rhys’ skin. The ground disappeared beneath his feet, and he clenched his jaw as the air thickened, a dense pressure lifting his arms to the sides like he was about to be crucified.

  “I cannot recall the last time I’ve had such fun.” Leo rubbed his hands together, striding forward. A flick of his finger, and Rhys flew back. A grunt punched from his lungs as his spine slammed the concrete wall. “In fact, I daresay this has been so enjoyable, I’m nearly sad to see it end.”

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Chains rattled overhead, and Rhys twisted his shoulders, yanking at his arms as a set of shackles snaked down from the ceiling. “God dammit, I thought we had a deal.”